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	In the News Article Search    Keep Calm and Carry On 04/15/09 The last month or so was marked by a maelstrom that included a clumsy backing maneuver that put part of my car in a ditch, a frozen hot water pipe, and the emergency purchases of a new natural gas furnace and a new car thermostat. In the midst of all this, I received an e-mail purporting to be from "HM Government." Network Even When You Have a Job 04/13/09 Networking isn’t just for the unemployed. As more workers look over their shoulders in anticipation of the dreaded tap, they’re increasingly reaching out. A Twitter Cheat Sheet 04/10/09 As ever more businesses and individual professionals take up microblogging on Twitter, "tweeting" may become an indispensable career tool. A recent post on Susan Weiner's Investment Writing blog offers tips for coming up to speed. While aimed at financial advisors, her advice is useful for other professionals too. Managing Your References 04/09/09 The care and feeding of references has taken on greater importance in today's market. As reported in The Wall Street Journal, you'll enhance your chances of getting a job if you go the extra mile when you’re preparing them. Our Take: Job-Search Bubble 04/06/09 Riding the subway home from a job-search networking party at which you met more jobless-services entrepreneurs than job-seekers, you skim a free local newspaper. One page is divided into two distinct advice columns, each about coping with a layoff. The next page reviews a career consultant's latest how-to book about bouncing back from being laid off. Recruiters Not Responding? Here's Why 04/03/09 A story on our sister site eFinancialCareers that showcased recruiters' complaints about "crazy" candidates struck a nerve among many users there. Several comments draw a link between overeager job-seekers - who recruiters may view as pests - and uncommunicative recruiters whom sincere and well-behaved job-seekers may label rude and unprofessional. New Grad's Job Strategy Primer 04/01/09 If experienced pros can't find jobs today, what's a new graduate with little or no professional experience supposed to do? College students who adopt the same tactics as their experienced counterparts have better chances of success than you might think. Your Options In Negotiating Severance 03/30/09 As the number of layoffs has risen, the willingness of companies to negotiate the contents of severance packages has fallen off due to fears of creating inequalities among classes of employees and the necessity to hoard cash. Don't Be Like These Guys 03/27/09 Successful individuals often urge keeping a positive mind-set, even while between jobs. As a cautionary flag, here are a couple of examples of its opposite. The poisonous attitudes that follow are markers of what not to let yourself do, or even think, in the course of your job search. Larger-Than-Life Job Search Tactic 03/25/09 Mark Heuer turbo-charged his job search by attracting potential employers to his online resume through an outdoor billboard advertisement. But he says the most important thing job-seekers should do is communicate directly with people. An Accounting Student Meets the Job Market 03/23/09 Kim Kaemmer thought for sure she wanted to earn her CPA and work in public accounting. But as she readies for her May 2009 graduation from the University of St. Thomas, a regional Catholic school in St. Paul, Minn., she's beginning to have second thoughts. Our Take: Be Visible, Not Desperate 03/20/09 Was Joshua Persky ahead of his time? Nine months ago, the laid-off investment banker made his pitch to passers-by in midtown Manhattan wearing a poster that read, "Experienced M.I.T. Grad For Hire." His out-of-the-box tactic brought encouraging words, worldwide media attention and many a contact - but few concrete job opportunities, and no offers. Persky found a new job in October, a full four months after his week inside the sandwich board. Changing Jobs? Leave Bad Habits Behind 03/18/09 People with experience in accounting bring a great amount of knowledge and skills with them when they move to a new job. But they also bring their old habits, including some harmful assumptions about how work should be done. Your Facebook 'Friend' May Want a Favor 03/16/09 With 175 million members and counting, Facebook is so firmly entrenched in so many lives that the time has come to start asking the tough questions: What’s Facebook really for? And how can Facebook help with your career? Speak Up and Speak Better: Communication Skills Primer 03/13/09 "Hi. Okay, you guys, hi. How's it goin'? I'm your presenter today, so just, like, open your packets and, like, follow along with the PowerPoint so we can jargon, jargon, jargon, gobbledygook, thirty-six million four hundred twenty-nine thousand eighteen point one percentage points and more, you know, like, jargon. Okay?" Anger in the Workplace Isn't All Bad 03/11/09 We've all been taught that anger is harmful and dangerous – especially at work. But a long-term study by Harvard researchers of 824 adults points to a different conclusion: expressing anger in a controlled way serves both careers and personal lives far better than keeping frustration bottled up all the time. No Stimulus For Hotels, Sports Events 03/09/09 Congress last month approved $787 billion in new spending to stimulate the economy and preserve jobs. Somebody tell that to the 13.2 million Americans who work in the leisure and hospitality industry – whose customers are standing aside in droves, partly because of those very same lawmakers' sermons against corporate "excess." New Grads' Entitlement Colliding With Reality 03/09/09 Bankers aren't the only people whose sense of entitlement is taking a beating lately. College students feel pretty entitled too, if a post in the Daily Beast blog is any indication. Plug and Play Resume Customization 03/05/09 Customizing your resume to match each job opportunity will result in more interviews and offers. But is the potential return worth the time investment? Severance and Your Rights 03/02/09 The firestorm surrounding Microsoft's severance package gaffe - first overpaying about 25 laid off workers, and then asking for the money back - brings up a question: Are former workers legally obligated to return money to a company that's let them go? TU for the Interview? NVR! 02/27/09 Thanks to mobile technology, you can find new job opportunities, network online and research prospective employers on the run. But be warned: When you call a prospective boss or send him a post-interview thank you e-mail, you should sit down and turn off your Blackberry. Formal communications standards and traditional etiquette rules still apply to the job hunting process. How to Do Unto Others 02/25/09 A recent blog post by corporate consultant Richard Skaare serves up a fresh slant on networking: the best ways to help a friend who is unemployed. How to Manage an Exit Interview 02/23/09 For whatever the reason - maybe you've been let go, maybe you're leaving for another firm - you're facing a human resource officer on your last day of work. What NOT to Include in Your Resume 02/18/09 It’s a tough job-hunting environment, so in your zeal to stand out you may have made a mistake on your resume that could sink your chances instead of enhancing them. So, in the interests of helping you stay safe, we present highlights of HR World’s list of 25 things you should never include in your resume. Economy Pressures Smaller Firms 02/13/09 If the economy continues to crash, accounting firms may find themselves forced to lay off employees to balance the books after the busy season. Grow Professionally Online 02/09/09 Looking for career guidance or growth? Want to share your wisdom with others? Then consider becoming an online mentor or protégé and let the coaching begin. Half of CFOs Plan to Retire On Schedule 02/06/09 Economic conditions have led about a quarter of chief financial officers (CFOs) to delay their retirement - bad news for those who were hoping to move up when the boss stopped working. Good Background, Strong Skills - And No Job? 02/04/09 Despite a perfect resume, flawless references and years of experience, some finance professionals are finding it difficult to land a job suitable to their skills. Even people who've put in time at Big Four accounting firms or well-known investment banks have sometimes gotten less-than-receptive reactions from prospective employers. Firms Still Hiring, But More Slowly 02/02/09 If there's an unwritten rule not to change public accounting jobs during tax season, plenty of accountants are ignoring it. And despite the emergence of some interesting staffing options, hiring in accounting and finance has slowed. A Career Change Road Map 01/30/09 Changing careers requires intensive research, self-knowledge, and passionate commitment to a goal. Ultimately, getting hired may rest on devising a marketable idea you can present to an employer in the field you’ve trained your sights on. Coping With Difficult People At Work 01/28/09 Vicky Oliver's book, Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers & Other Office Idiots, comes at the right time. Until a year or so ago, "retention" was a mantra for HR officers. Now the shoe is on the other foot: It's employees who obsess about retaining their own jobs. So a tool kit for coping with difficult workplace personalities falls on fertile soil. How Managing Up Positions You For Growth 01/26/09 Even if no one reports to you, your job still involves managing people - the ones occupying slots above yours on the organization chart. It's called "managing up," and those who do it well can become indispensable to their organizations, resulting in choice assignments and promotions. Fraud Threat Creates Opportunities, Too 01/23/09 The financial crisis and recession will stimulate both fraud and employers' efforts to combat it. That spells danger as well as opportunity for financial professionals, says fraud expert Ralph M. Fatigate of BDO Seidman's consulting division. SEC Could Add Enforcement Jobs 01/21/09 The SEC might add as many as 120 new slots for enforcement lawyers and accountants later this year. That's how many new bodies one securities law expert believes the agency will need to restore its reputation as a market watchdog. Strategic Career Change 01/19/09 Since Change is the national theme of the week, we thought we'd look at a recent article in Psychology Today that, while it focuses on personality change, can apply to the idea of career change, as well. If nothing else, it's a helpful guide to taking stock of your position and whether it's really the right one for you. Avoid Getting Axed for Interviewing 01/16/09 Should employees be fired for interviewing with another company? More Ways to Hurt Yourself with E-Mail 01/14/09 The day before we warned about new ways to injure yourself online - in particular, by losing control of important correspondence - a personal experience hammered home the message. To Calculate or to Communicate, That Is the Question 01/13/09 Question: To build a successful career in public accounting is it more important to have solid information technology skills or effective communication skills? Analysts, Accountants Needed At FBI 01/12/09 If you're looking for a way to utilize your analytical skills and the Madoff story makes you hopping mad, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has several openings with your name on them. But you'd best act fast, because most of those career doors are set to shut on Jan. 16. Our Take: Networking is Hard 01/09/09 Networking your way to a job opportunity takes both ingenuity and a significant time commitment. That's why so many of us get it wrong. Wield New Tools, But Wear Protective Gloves 01/07/09 Job-seekers are often urged to ramp up their use of online tools like personal Web sites, social networking, live-blogging and mobile Web-based e-mail. Just as with physical tools, however, any relatively new product poses a risk of self-injury. Finance Smarts Needed at NCIS 01/05/09 You won't get to work with Mark Harmon, star of the television drama NCIS, but if you take a job at the real Naval Criminal Investigative Service, you could find yourself leading the real-world version of his on-screen life. ‘Preparation’ Tops the list of 2009 Resolutions 12/30/08 The events of 2008 remind us that job security can be fleeting. Job market vigilance has become a modern day career survival technique, requiring professionals to keep a constant eye open for that next opportunity and be prepared to launch a job search on a moment’s notice. Dating for Jobs 12/29/08 Having spent the last six months of my life on a fairly concentrated job search - I'm looking for a position as a financial writer or communications professional - it's become obvious to me there are parallels between finding the perfect job and finding the perfect date or future mate. CareerWire: Out-of-the-Box Visibility Tactics 12/22/08 Taking a risk can help a candidate to stand out amid the clutter. Success with Behavioral Interviewing Questions 12/19/08 Interviewing for a job can be nerve racking. Even experienced professionals can have a hard time demonstrating their capabilities and expressing themselves effectively, given the tension of an interview situation. The best way to reduce your anxiety and increase your interviewing proficiency, is to eliminate the element of surprise by anticipating the questions you’ll be asked, and preparing some answers. Evolving Choices in New York's CPA Market 12/17/08 Employers regard New York and New Jersey as homes to standout, experienced accounting talent. Here are some observations on the dynamics of the market. CareerWire: Become a Passive Candidate 12/15/08 If it's not obvious you're looking, headhunters will be more inclined to look favorably on you. Charting a Course to the Controller's Office 12/12/08 So, you want to be a corporate controller. To make yourself a viable candidate, you'll need a CPA, acumen in auditing, finance and operations, and a career focus on a narrow set of industry sectors. Strategize Your Job Search 12/10/08 There's always room for good, solid people in the workplace. Industries may be different, but there's always a need for good managers. But if you're searching for a job in today's marketplace, you need a plan of attack. The fact is most people are skilled as job holders - but not as job hunters. CareerWire: Clueless on MySpace 12/08/08 If you don't want your private life to ruin your career, then take steps to keep it private. And stop whining about free speech. CPAs Move to Consulting from Controller/CFO Spots 12/05/08 New York area CPAs working in distressed industries are gaining valuable experience as they're tested in their roles as CFOs and controllers. Ex-Bankers Make Good Accounting Candidates 12/03/08 If hordes of unemployed investment bankers and fund managers are contemplating a switch to finance-related jobs, Seiki Murono hasn't seen the evidence. The managing director of Boyden Global Executive Search's San Francisco office says he's received a few extra resumes from ex-bankers - but hardly an onslaught. CareerWire: Watch Your Back! 12/01/08 An economy in recession encourages the in-house blame game. Take steps to avoid being scapegoated by an ill-motivated colleague or boss. Selecting Your Ideal Boss 12/01/08 It's often said people don't leave companies - they leave bosses. The expression suggests that bad chemistry with their supervisors can cause employees to quit. But the relationship between you and your boss is more complicated than that, and in truth even a boss you adore may not be a good match for you professionally. CareerWire: Zig Where the Market Zags 11/24/08 Classic bear-market specialties like litigation support, risk management and crisis management are among areas spawning opportunities for accounting and finance pros lately. Considering Coaching? Consider This 11/24/08 Many financial professionals view a personal cheerleader as a necessary investment on their way to achieving their goals. But before you embrace the idea that coaching is indispensable to success, think carefully about whether it's the best approach for you. To start, consider whether any of these descriptions apply to you. Six Ways to Not Get the Job 11/21/08 If you want to know all the stupid things people do when job hunting, ask Ed Navis. He's been reading resumes for two decades as a human resources consultant to mid-size companies and non-profits. Here are the top six mistakes he sees job hunters make. Valuation Experience Needed in N.Y. Area 11/19/08 Despite concerns over layoffs at Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and other financial institutions, CPAs remain positive about valuation work. With increasing regulatory oversight and forced consolidation in the financial services sector, more accountants are needed to deal with valuation matters. CareerWire: Mergers Chase Talent 11/17/08 At least one firm says the need for talent drove its recent merger. Correcting Your Credit Report Before Your Job Interview 11/17/08 More and more companies are checking the credit and background reports of their employment candidates. Before sending in a resume, smart job-seekers should pull their own documents to make sure their information is correct. Here's how you do it. Recruiter Sees Drop in CPA Searches 11/14/08 A leading California-based recruiter of CPAs and finance executives says his business has fallen off significantly since the start of the year. Paul Herrerias, who heads the San Francisco office for Stanton Chase, says his volume of search assignments is down to a trickle, and he is having to market himself more vigorously than he has before. Profiting From Performance Reviews 11/12/08 To many, the annual performance review is about as welcome as a colonoscopy. Could any good ever come from a one-on-one where your boss - no matter how much he might respect your work - is required to detail your strengths and (mostly) weaknesses? Surprising as it may seem, experts answer in the affirmative. CareerWire: Pitfalls of Counter-Offers 11/10/08 Leveraging an outside job offer into a raise from your current employer is a risky strategy that requires careful thought. Interviewing in Cyberspace 11/07/08 Virtual jobs fairs and interviewing by avatar instead of by phone are moving into the mainstream, and could be standard several years from now. Here are some perspectives and coping tips from people on the front lines of cyber-recruiting today. Public Accounting Still Favors Job Seekers 11/05/08 While it may appear that all jobs in the financial markets are evaporating or experiencing severe reductions in compensation, public accounting continues to be healthy, with salaries increasing at high levels for experienced tax and audit professionals. CareerWire: Tax Work, N. Calif. Top Pay Gains 11/03/08 New surveys by Robert Half and Ajilon Finance provide detailed insights into expected movement in accounting and finance salaries for various specialties and metropolitan areas. Options, Demand in Corporate Accounting 10/31/08 Despite layoffs and a tightening job market in various industries, corporate accounting remains a strong line of work nationwide. Not only is there continued need for corporate accountants in a variety of positions, salaries are holding steady - and even increasing in certain high-demand areas. Guide to Surviving a Merger 10/29/08 The news hits you like a truck: the corporation or financial institution you work for has agreed to be acquired. Now what to you do? SALT Skills Needed in N.Y., N.J. 10/24/08 Given the ever-increasing complexity of the region's state and local corporate tax laws, New York and New Jersey CPAs with SALT experience are in increasing demand. The jobs offer strong pay and job security, but require some grueling hours and tons of reading. Mass Customization and Your Job Search 10/22/08 By utilizing a direct marketing technique called "mass customization," a job seeker can send out volumes of documents to prospective employers without having to hand-tailor each one individually. Building Your Internal Network 10/17/08 Building a network within your company can be as important to your success as developing contacts outside. But watch out: The wrong moves can sink you. Here’s how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls. Q&A: Greg Burke, Chair, CalCPA 10/15/08 California Society of CPAs Chair Greg Burke has an ambitious agenda. At the top of his list, Burke, wants to overhaul educational requirements that are beginning to restrict California CPAs from practicing out of state and can limit career opportunities. He also wants to recruit more veteran accountants to academia, and revamp committees to address industry trends more quickly. CareerWire: Get Ready for Crazy Hat Day 10/13/08 Corporate HR staffs trawl for retention tools that don't cost much. Craft Cover Letters, Resumes that Earn You a Second Look 10/10/08 If you plan to make a job move soon distinguish yourself from the thundering herd of job-seekers that's building in the market. You'll need a dazzling cover letter and a brilliant resume: a total package designed to sell your skills and talents to potential employers. Financial Tumult Pressures N.Y. Area CPAs 10/08/08 Recent staff cuts at some of the Big Four, coupled with the woes in financial services, are beginning to concern the New York area's accounting community. Are the Big Four simply performing their usual annual pruning? Are CPAs working in the financial services industry vulnerable? The answers depend on who you talk to, and what sort of experience you're talking about. CareerWire: Tapping Job Fairs 10/06/08 To get the most out of job fairs as a candidate, plan and prepare. Economic Woes Color California Hiring Strategies 10/03/08 Although Ernst & Young doesn't anticipating making major changes to its business plans in the region, the firm is adapting its hiring strategy to address new demands spawned by the growing financial turmoil in the U.S. Timing the Transition to IFRS 10/01/08 Now that the Securities and Exchange Commission has set a 2011-2015 timetable for moving from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to International Financial Reporting Standards, how long will it take the accounting world to make the change? Networking Tips for Introverts 09/30/08 Effectively building - and leveraging - a network of professional contacts is essential to your ultimate success. But if glad-handing isn't your style, networking can look like a high hurdle. The good news: There are several ways to make effective networking more comfortable. Relocating Means Negotiating the Best Package 09/29/08 You live in Baltimore and you've been offered two jobs: one in Kansas City and the other in Columbus. The jobs pay the same, but the company in Kansas City will pay your relocation expenses. How hard will your wallet be hit if you decide Ohio's the place for you? The Initial Interview: Don't Be Screened Out 09/26/08 Every interview I've had began with an initial phone screen, where the HR person/internal recruiter wanted to assess basic skills for the job and asked a few internal assessment questions. The skills questions should be a slam-dunk, as they're almost always just an extension of the job requirements. The internal assessment questions, however, can be potentially dangerous. You need take care not to be screened out of the next round of interviews. Succession Plans Offer Opportunities to Firm Staff 09/24/08 As accountants age and look for exit strategies from the firms they own, their succession plans become key factors to consider for those looking to move up the ranks and perhaps takeover the business. Near-Term Stability for Wall Street Accountants 09/23/08 The move by Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to convert to bank holding companies will mean more work for accounting and compliance professionals in the short run, but may lead to eventual layoffs, industry observers say. CareerWire: Good Time to Switch 09/22/08 If you've been considering moving to another sector, the time might be right. As long as you're switching into the right industry, of course. What's Behind Layoffs at the Big Four 09/19/08 Recent layoffs at Deloitte weren't the first cuts made by a Big Four firm this year, but they were the most highly publicized. Every year, Big Four and next-tier firms have layoffs, but they do them in small pieces, spread them out geographically, and tend not to send out press releases about them. Hiring of CPAs Slows in California 09/17/08 Evidence of the demise of the lengthy bull hiring market for California CPAs is beginning to accumulate. Tech Skills Become Vital to Accounting Careers 09/16/08 It's a given you have finance and accounting skills. But what's the next most important item in your career tool belt? If you'd asked CFOs that question five years go, they would have said "operations." But today, they'll answer "technology." N.Y. Area CPAs Face the Economy 09/12/08 Accounting professionals in New York and New Jersey are often seen as immune to changes in the financial markets, bumps in the economy and even employment changes on Wall Street. Skilled CPAs, after all, are always in demand. Aren't they? Ins and Outs of Contract Accounting 09/10/08 Accountants who want the stimulation of multiple clients but not the long hours of public accounting may find they can have it all by working for a contract accounting firm. But, as those who run such companies warn, project-based work isn't for everyone. California Aids Prospective Academics 09/09/08 As part of an effort to address a shortage of accounting professors in California, CalCPA is expanding its program to help accountants interested in academia shoulder the costs of their studies. CareerWire: Layoff At Deloitte 09/08/08 It's now official: The slowing economy is impacting demand for accounting work. So says Deloitte & Touche, the first of the Big Four to announce a mass layoff this business cycle. Our Take: Age Matters 09/03/08 Recently, two sports stories caught my eye by showcasing opposite poles of an issue many financial services professionals grapple with every day: the perceived relationship between job performance and age. CPAs Need Communications Skills to Advance 09/01/08 Communication skills are more important than ever when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder. But what are accountants to do, when they spend more time number crunching than dealing directly with people or learning to write effectively? The answer: Learn the communication skills you need to rise to the next level. Tax Environment Builds Demand for CPAs in N.Y. Area 08/29/08 Changing federal and state tax regulations are pressuring tax accountants in New York and New Jersey. Tune Up Your Grammar 08/27/08 Is your resume grammatically correct? For many job seekers, writing a flawless resume is difficult enough, yet nothing is more important. If it contains grammatical errors, reviewers may surmise you're uneducated, lack good communication skills or attention to detail. Making the Move to Public Accounting 08/26/08 Accountants who move back and forth between the public and corporate worlds can maintain - and even boost - their salaries, but only if they have the right combination of credentials and experience. CareerWire: Probing Tuition Reimbursement 08/25/08 Just because an employer has a tuition reimbursement policy, doesn't mean every staffer or every career-enhancing program is eligible. Where You Went Wrong 08/22/08 It's been months since you started looking for a job and you still haven't found anything. Wondering where you're going wrong? Tracing The Career of Wikimedia's CFO 08/20/08 California's many non-profit and education organizations offer some of the best opportunities for CPAs who want to advance their careers. Veronique Kessler has spent most of the past decade - more than half her career - working for such organizations. Creating Your Personal Career Vision 08/19/08 In an earlier post, I explained why it's important to create a "Personal Career Vision" before you leap into a job search. Once you've done that, it's time to stop the daily mad rush, reflect on where you've been and where you are now, and assess where it is you want to end up. How to Stand Out, Make Friends, and Influence People 08/15/08 We all want to be the whiz kid, the one whose brilliance makes us stand out. Ironically, deep down inside, we resent the very type of person we aspire to be. In other words, standing out has its dangers. Here's how to deal with them. Economy Pressures Accountants' Optimism. Should It? 08/13/08 A shaky global economy, rising oil prices and falling home values have cut into the optimism that accounting and finance professionals typically report when asked about their employment prospects. Compensation Keeps CPAs in N.Y., N.J. 08/12/08 CPAs in New York and New Jersey have a good reason to stay in the area: money. CareerWire: Broadening the Mission 08/11/08 A growing number of CPA firms are taking a wider view of their business. Beyond obvious extensions like tax planning and business consulting, some are offering marketing and communications services. Our Take: Be Humble 08/08/08 Humility helps. Haughtiness hurts. That's a message I'm hearing with increasing frequency when career experts discuss interviewing skills. Fundamentals of the Functional Resume 08/06/08 If you have a background that's not traditional for an accountant, or you're considering a career change, the Functional Resume Format may be your best option. In California, Hint of a Slowdown - But Just a Hint 08/05/08 The slumping economy may be impacting hiring at West Coast CPA firms. One hint: The managing partner at one of Los Angeles's largest full-service accounting firms says he won't be hiring as much as he has in the recent past. CareerWire: Who's Watching Whom? 08/04/08 When you work at home, do you think you have more privacy than at the office. Maybe you do. But, then, maybe you don't. Tax, Business Consulting Grows in N.Y. 08/01/08 Outside of traditional accounting firms New York and New Jersey CPAs are finding growing opportunities at specialized tax and business consulting practices. To succeed, accountants must learn to play up their marketing, communications, and negotiation skills. Globalization, Regulation Mean Jobs, Even in Gloomy Times 07/30/08 Lost in Wall Street's stream of billion dollar write-offs are big picture themes like globalization and regulation, which continue to produce opportunities for financial professionals. Risk Management Jobs in Chicago 07/29/08 As the credit markets continue to deteriorate and large financial institutions tighten controls, a number of Chicago firms are seeking risk management professionals in many specialties. CareerWire: CPAs Have Office Politics, Too 07/28/08 Partners looking out for themselves and other tales from the trenches. Podcast: Earning the CMA Credential 07/25/08 Listen in as the Institute of Management Accountants ' John M. Brausch, CMA, CFM, CPA, talks with Contributing Editor Dona DeZube about obtaining the Certified Management Accountant credential, including his experience in preparing for the exams. The Value of a Personal Career Vision 07/23/08 If you think you'll be happier in your career simply by switching companies, think again. To be successful and love your work, you'll need more than a job. Before you focus on resume writing, networking, and job hunting, you'll need what I call a "personal career vision" - a tangible blueprint of the direction you want your life to take. E&Y Shuffles Executives in the West 07/22/08 CPAs seeking Big Four experience in Southern California and the Southwest will have to reshuffle their contact files after a chain reaction of promotions in three of Ernst & Young's major Western offices. CareerWire: Poll Finds Robust Job Market 07/21/08 The accounting job market remains as strong as ever, in the view of most respondents to a JobsintheMoney poll. However, 32 percent saw some degree of slowing. Salaries Up, But Gender Gap Widens 07/18/08 The Institute of Management Accountants' 2007 salary survey uncovered both good news and bad news for accountants. The good news: Average salary for IMA members now tops $100,000, having risen 6.9 percent last year. The bad news: The gap increased between men's and women's pay. Credentials as a Lever into Management 07/16/08 If you're interested in moving into management, credentials can often provide the boost you need. A designation can move your resume to the top of the pile – but you'll still have to win the job during the interview process. Northeast Mergers Impact Staff Loyalty 07/15/08 Just when it seemed that merger mania was over, the New York and New Jersey metro region saw a crop of announcements of CPA firm combinations. Accountants facing the tumult that goes along with such changes should remember they have options: Being under demand means the "loyal to the end" staff accountant may be a thing of the past. CareerWire: Firm Aims to Double Its Staff 07/14/08 Mitchell & Titus, the nation's largest minority-controlled accounting firm, looks to add about 150 people to its staff over the next three years under incoming CEO Anthony Kendall. Globalization Impacts Diversity Programs 07/11/08 Globalization of operations, products and services means multinational firms must redefine the nature of their diversity programs. But morphing inclusion policies present benefits and challenges to both companies and local employees. Is Forensic Accounting for You? 07/09/08 Bribery involving a Fortune 500 and a foreign government. Untangling the next Enron. For an auditor with a few years of experience, forensic accounting and litigation support (F&L) can be an exciting career option. Calif. FBI Offices Seek Accountants 07/08/08 California CPAs looking for a different career path might consider - the FBI. Its offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities are seeking accountants to work in areas such as counter-terrorism, drug enforcement and corporate crime. Do I Need a Resume if I'm Not Looking For a Job? 07/07/08 Ask the Expert: "I'm a manager in the finance department of a mid-sized, private firm and haven't had a resume since college. One of my colleagues says I should have one. I'm not looking for a job, so why would this be important?" Moving onto the Management Track 07/02/08 If you're happy where you work, your near-term goals probably include a move up into management. In that case, you need to prepare by picking up new skills and possibly more credentials. CFOs See Concern Over Long Hours 07/01/08 Accounting and financial professionals have never enjoyed short hours and light workloads, but have things gotten even worse in recent years? According to a new survey by Accountemps, one in three chief financial officers (35 percent, to be precise) cited heavy workloads as the top workplace concern for their financial teams. CareerWire: Another Angle on IFRS 06/30/08 When the time arrives to transition to International Financial Reporting Standards, accounting program curricula and the CPA exams could prove a potential Achilles heel. Little Compliance Hiring in Chicago 06/27/08 While compliance jobs at all levels abound in New York, San Francisco and other parts of the U.S., in Chicago the market remains sluggish. In Getting Ahead, Your Words Count 06/25/08 A career in finance presupposes that you're good with numbers. To get ahead, you have to be good with words, too. That's not to say you have to be F. Scott Fitzgerald, but you do have to convey your thoughts, plans and data clearly, concisely and in a jargon-free style that any audience can understand. Plus, you want to write in a way that makes you look good. Standing Out from the Competition 06/24/08 What are the likely trends in the California job market for the remainder of 2008? What should job seekers be doing to boost their prospects - in the short and long terms? CareerWire: Fraud Training, Hires, Balance Awards 06/23/08 IIA and Deloitte team to offer new training on fraud,Blackman Kallick hires Leaders for SALT, Risk/Compliance, and more. Our Take: Watch What You Say 06/20/08 Our topic sounds like old hat in the context of a job interview. But many tried-and-true rules of interview behavior are just as valid for other professional situations. From Public to Private - Accounting, That Is 06/17/08 With demand so high, today's accountants have an enormous number of opportunities to choose from when shifting their career gears. Once you've got some experience under your belt, you can pursue any number of specialties that match your strengths and interests. So how do you plot your direction? In part, the answer depends on where you started your career and where you sit now. CareerWire: It's Never Too Early 06/16/08 Some business schools are getting students into job-hunting mode the summer before they arrive on campus. Female CFOs Dissected 06/11/08 What qualities does a woman need to make it to CFO of a major corporation? Tech Skills Gives CPAs a Leg Up 06/10/08 While CPA firms in New York and New Jersey are beefing up their business advisory and consulting arms, they need more than accounting and business talent. They're looking for business experts who are tech-savvy, and able to understand how IT efforts can benefit accounting and business processes. CareerWire: Finance Keeps Evolving, Compliance is Hot 06/09/08 Have SOX, technical advances and the global economy forced accountants to spend more time bean-counting and less time developing business expertise? Accounting Job Market Holds Steady 06/06/08 A new survey shows the accounting job market appears to be holding steady, with employers neither increasing or decreasing their staff. Our Take: Active Job Search Techniques 06/04/08 Recently we explained our philosophy of career planning and growth, which can be summed up as "active career management." Now, here are some techniques to help you maximize expected returns from the effort you put into your job search. New Designation for Fraud Experts 06/03/08 Accountants seeking to bolster their forensic and litigation-support credentials have a new option starting this fall, when the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants launches its Certified in Financial Forensics designation. CareerWire: He Audits, He Records, He Sings… 06/02/08 Steven Zelin is both a CPA in private practice and a recording artist whose song lyrics are inspired by his day-job. Number of New CPAs Soars in Bay State 05/30/08 The number of people that have passed the Massachusetts CPA exam rose by more than 66 percent in 2007, according to the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. The jump comes in the wake of changes to state regulations. Accountants Dodge Wall Street Layoffs 05/28/08 CPAs in New York and New Jersey often face the unenviable task of delivering bad news to a company's management. The region's financial services firms, after all, are in the midst of contraction, hit by the credit crunch, the sub-prime blowout and a variety of regulatory pressures. While being the bearer of bad tidings certainly takes a toll, accountants in the financial world are by and large being spared one thing: layoff notices. When Should You Work With a Recruiter? 05/27/08 When it comes to working with search firms, "when and if" are just as important as "how." Stopping Bullies at Work 05/23/08 Studies find bullying is alive and well in the workplace. Learn strategies for coping. San Francisco Firm Relies on Organic Growth 05/20/08 Some CPA firms succeed by being all things to all people: Their growth stems from their ability to serve a varied clientele. Others focus on narrow specialties, and develop their staffs to thrive in the challenges posed by their target industries. CareerWire: Gaps Loom in Federal Financial Management 05/19/08 Coming large-scale retirements among senior federal financial managers could threaten the government's ability to fulfill its mission, a new study warns. Learning by Doing Overseas 05/16/08 When it comes to cultural awareness, immersion in a country's daily life beats reading about it every time. That's the thinking behind a new KPMG program that puts interns into short-term international assignments the year before they graduate. When Following Up, Persistence Pays 05/15/08 Would you call a prospective employer 63 times if your calls weren't picked up or returned? How about 24 times over a two-year period? Canada Has Plenty of Tax Accounting Jobs to Fill 05/13/08 First the good news for accountants: There are plenty of jobs out there. Now the bad news: Some recruiters say salaries are rising at a slower rate than they have in previous years. CareerWire: SOX Workload Under Control 05/12/08 Although demand for auditors won't vanish any time soon, the quantity of work needed to fulfill the much-feared Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 requirements appears to have peaked. Our Take: Your Portfolio, Your Career 05/09/08 "Career path." That's a phrase often spoken by HR staffers eager to show young employees that management is meeting their need for professional growth. Does the phrase mean anything - or is it simply hot air? N.Y./N.J. Firms Bulk Up Offerings Through Associations 05/07/08 A number of CPA firms in the New York/New Jersey area are joining together in alliances that allow them to access expertise they might not ordinarily have. These non-profit associations illustrate a new tactic in facing today's shortage of accountants. Spanish Ability Aids California CPAs 05/06/08 California CPAs may want to consider boning up on their Spanish as a career-advancement strategy. With the state's Latino population growing rapidly, accounting firms are serving more Hispanic-owned businesses and Latin American companies seeking to expand in the U.S. CareerWire: Forensic Accountants For Sub-Prime Suits 05/05/08 A boom in sub-prime-related litigation looks to pump up demand among law firms to hire forensic accountants with deep experience in mortgage securities and derivatives markets. 'Authenticity' Serves Women Executives Well 05/02/08 Women who rise to the upper levels of business follow the same recipe for success as men as they combine vision, intellect, guts and hard work with their ability to influence others. They also add another ingredient: authenticity. Chicago CPAs and Accountants in Demand 04/29/08 Recruiters and accounting firm insiders report a strong demand for accountants and CPAs in public accounting, the corporate market, and financial services and alternative investment firms in Chicago. CareerWire: How Much Notice is Enough? 04/28/08 Giving enough notice, maintaining your career's momentum, and more. Real Paths to the CFO's Chair 04/25/08 Forget everything you've heard. The road to the CFO's chair doesn't always pass through public accounting firms and big company detours that could leave you stranded, staring at spreadsheets in your cubicle for decades. Here's some advice from two CFOs about how to break into the management game. 'Fairness Opinion' Expertise Sought in N.Y. 04/22/08 New York and New Jersey CPAs with fairness opinion expertise are in hot demand. Just what's driving the boom, and what skill sets are needed to get into this growing area of accounting? CareerWire: Online Networks Grow as Recruiting Tools 04/21/08 Even more managers are looking at your online profile. Can a Top 100 list be a job-hunting tool? And some accountants are starting to get nervous about the economy. San Francisco Firm on Fast Track 04/18/08 CPA job seekers on the look-out for firms on the rise take notice. Burr Pilger and Mayer took top honors as California's fastest growing accounting firm in 2007. In a state with firms like Armanino McKenna, Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt, and Novogradac & Co. posting 20 to 30 percent gains - or more - that's no small feat. Roundup: Hires, Promotions, in Penn., Texas, Miss. 04/17/08 News from Malin, Bergquist in western Pennsylvania, Houston's McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, and Eubank & Betts in Jackson, Miss. Call Me Anything I Want 04/16/08 Would you jump to a new firm if it agreed to give you any title you wanted? Like, say, Chief of the Known Accounting Universe? Don't laugh. More companies are dangling "chief" titles as lures to keep current leaders onboard as well as to entice new employees. Boston Campus Recruiting Steady - For Now 04/15/08 Campus recruiting in Boston doesn't appear to be dramatically impacted by the economy's recent turmoil. CareerWire: Working Abroad 04/14/08 A Chicago-area magazine describes some day-to-day concerns of Big Four accountants temporarily posted to India, Europe, Australia and elsewhere. Tech-Risk Experts Needed in New York 04/11/08 Considering the nature of business today and the growth of legal and financial reporting requirements, it's not surprising technology risk professionals are needed by many corporations. The demand is especially critical in the New York and New Jersey area. Roundup: Gender Milestone; Merger in Missouri 04/10/08 Clifton Gunderson became the first top-25 CPA firm to name a woman as CEO. Elsewhere, firms in St. Louis, Montana, Pennsylvania and Virginia made key hires. When Negotiating, Look Beyond Base and Bonus 04/09/08 Even in a ragged job market, candidates who get job offers can improve them. The key is being flexible about what you ask for - and having the confidence to ask in the first place. How Accountants See Jobs in Non-Profits 04/08/08 Compared to the rest of the people working in the non-profit sector, accounting and finance professionals are more likely to be male, have an MBA and work in middle management. CareerWire: Is Climate Change the Next Specialty? 04/07/08 Accountants overseas are considering the implications of climate change, the Big Four are among the top 50 companies recognized for activities in diversity, and more. California Firms Leverage Growth 04/04/08 Fast growth has been a common theme among California accounting firms. In Accounting Today's annual survey of the country's largest firms, four in the Golden State were among the 20 fastest growing. Revenues at Burr, Pilger & Mayer, Armanino McKenna, Novogradac & Co. and Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt each rose by at least 23 percent. Roundup: Hires, Promotions in Ohio, California, N.C. 04/03/08 Tax season hasn't stopped personnel moves at firms around the country. Master's Program at Western Washington 04/02/08 Western Washington University's College of Business and Economics and Department of Accounting will unveil a new Master of Professional Accounting program tonight. Despite Crunch, Hedge Funds Hire Accountants 04/01/08 Discussion of hedge fund careers usually focuses on portfolio management, where top performers enjoy rock-star status and routinely pull seven- or eight-figure incomes. But funds' need for additional bodies actually is strongest in supporting roles - like accounting. CareerWire: FDIC Seeks Cleanup Help 03/31/08 The FDIC is hiring, interview horror stories, trading workdays for pay, and more. Detroit Firm's Focus is Over the Horizon 03/28/08 Clayton & McKervey serves only middle-market entrepreneurs who want to expand globally. Such focus makes it easy to train employees, but harder to find the accountants it wants: Those who already know both IFRS and GAAP. Roundup: Hirings and Promotions Across U.S. 03/27/08 News from Goodman & Co., Legacy Professionals, Schmitt, Griffiths, Smith & Co., Carneiro, Chumney & Co., Hughes Pittman & Gupton, and SolarCraft. California Firms See Hiring Throughout 2008 03/26/08 The economy may be slumping, but California CPAs should continue to enjoy a favorable job market. Show Up, Show Off, Get On The Team 03/25/08 Globalization and increased regulation are making business more complex and causing multifaceted challenges for large and mid-sized businesses. To face them, more companies are creating cross-functional teams that include professionals from a variety of disciplines. This means opportunity for candidates who can be effective team players as well as great technicians. CareerWire: The Ins, Outs and Sometimes Odd Dynamics of Forensics 03/24/08 How many CPAs can say they've been shot at on the job? The answer, and some thoughts on networking and alternative career paths, in this week's CareerWire. CPAs Eyes Jobs as Recruiters, Consultants 03/19/08 For many New York-New Jersey CPAs, saying goodbye to the 80-hour work week entails leaving their corporate, Big Four or regional firm to pursue jobs at small consulting firms, specialized recruiters, and others. Seven Signs You're Getting Good Training 03/18/08 Virtually every accounting firm offers training, but not all firms offer great training. Take this quiz to find out if you're getting just training - or really great training. CareerWire: The IRS Got There First 03/17/08 Some people say working for the IRS isn't glamorous, but it was the Service's investigators who first suspected something was amiss in (former) N.Y. Gov. Eliot Spitzer's financial records. It just led them in a direction they didn't expect to go. Make a Social Network Work For You 03/14/08 You may not find your next job by hanging around on Facebook or LinkedIn, but you sure can raise your professional profile. Roundup: Executive Moves in the Northeast 03/13/08 The AICPA steps up its campaign for mobility laws, while Thomas Rollauer joins Deloitte's regulatory and capital team and Benjamin Gadon becomes a tax partner at New York's Mahoney Cohen & Company. Few Women See Financial Workplace Gains 03/12/08 Nearly all women working in finance believe they are paid less than men for the same work, and most don't feel they've made much progress when it comes to issues of parity. Corporate Options Abound in N.Y., N.J. 03/11/08 Accountants in the New York-New Jersey area are fast becoming well-respected experts in business issues beyond accounting, and are gearing up for choice spots in the boardroom. CareerWire: Deloitte-Branded What? 03/10/08 Firms push recruitment efforts into high school, tech firms still need financial professionals and more. Heat Continues in Search for Middle Managers 03/07/08 A new report says accounting firms continue to face a particularly acute shortage of mid- and senior-level staff. CFOs See Slowdown in Hiring 03/05/08 Chief financial officers expect hiring activity in accounting and finance to slow during the second quarter, with the great majority seeing no change in their hiring levels at all. North-South Gap in California Salaries 03/04/08 If you're an accountant looking to earn more in California, consider this advice: Head north. CareerWire: Carbon Accounting, Recruiting and Perks 03/03/08 A new accounting system that calculates the size of a business's carbon footprint, some firms base perks on food, and recruiting begins earlier and earlier. New Resource For Corporate CPAs in California 02/29/08 California CPAs working in business and industry have a new forum for discussing issues of concern, keeping skills up to date, and networking with peers. The Ins and Outs of International Assignments 02/27/08 You're no longer competing only against the accountant in the next cubicle, now you have to beat out the accountant in the next country, according to a survey of more the 850 C-suite executives in the U.S., the European Union and Asia. Q&A: Kenn McFarland, CPA, Hospital CFO 02/26/08 "Young accountants don't want to make decisions because they want to do more analysis. I got some wonderful advice: Don't be afraid to make the decision. You've got to have it in your head but you've got to move with your heart." CareerWire: Campuses Big and Small 02/25/08 It's not only the big-name schools who are building their accounting programs. The Art of Effective Presentations 02/22/08 Although speaking in public frightens many people, it can help you gain visibility and exposure, and increase your chances of getting that new job or promotion. Roundup: Hirings and Mergers Across U.S. 02/21/08 Bennett Thrasher hires a director of tax outsourcing. Deloitte launches a pro-bono program. And more. Hedge Funds Expected to Add CPAs 02/20/08 Hedge funds in New York and New Jersey need CPAs who can handle risk management. Even in the midst of the credit crunch - and maybe because of it - funds will bring on board more accountants as they mature and receive more scrutiny. CareerWire: Recruiting Tools and Challenges 02/19/08 Separate surveys by BDO Seidman, Robert Half and a professional association took different tacks to quantify the challenges of recruiting and retaining accounting talent, and the best tools for doing so. Switch Jobs During Tax Season? 02/15/08 With so many empty seats to fill, public accounting firms may be willing to overlook a candidate's willingness to jump during the busy season. But that doesn't mean doing so is a good idea. Roundup: Mergers and Promotions 02/14/08 Flexible scheduling is losing ground as a recruiting tool. Dixon Hughes absorbs a Memphis firm, while Archer Daniels Midland, CNET and Conn's name new CFOs. Health Benefits Overshadow Work-Life Balance 02/13/08 Traditional benefits such as health insurance are surging as recruiting tools, while telecommuting and flexible work schedules are losing ground. Merger Trend Can Impact Careers 02/12/08 If you work in a small CPA firm, would your career suffer if your employer were to merge with a larger organization? If you think so, you'd better start preparing now. CareerWire: PwC Tops Professor's Survey 02/11/08 Accounting professors ranked PricewaterhouseCoopers first among the Global Seven accounting firms in an annual poll that covers various dimensions including client service, staff training, ethics and compensation, and ranks employers separately in each. Shrunken Bonuses Spark Grumbling In New York Area 02/08/08 Accountants in financial services firms in New York and New Jersey remain secure in their positions. But with all of the flux going on in the sector, they're beginning to feel a tad discontented. Best Workplaces: CPA Firms Rank High, But Not Tops 02/07/08 They may be great places to launch a career, but the Big Four landed far from the pinnacle in Fortune Magazine's annual ranking of America's 100 most desirable employers. Roundup: Mergers, Moves Across U.S. 02/06/08 The hiring landscape's still good, CFOs are sweating about recruitment, and firms are making business moves from Texas to California. Pay Moving Higher in California 02/05/08 Why are California employers nervous? Because a whole lot of accountants are open to the idea of changing jobs, and their replacements are nowhere in sight. CareerWire: Interviews Just Got Better 02/04/08 How about this: Employers want to talk to some candidates so badly, they'll pay them for the job interview. Opportunities in Healthcare Companies 02/01/08 Whatever's happening in the economy, healthcare companies continue to need accountants to keep business going and handle a maze of regulation. Accounting Workers' Confidence Posts January Rebound 01/31/08 The Hudson Employment Index of confidence among accounting and finance workers rebounded in January after five straight declines, but remains sharply below its level of a year ago. Roundup: Firm Mergers, Hires, Promotions 01/30/08 CPA firms merge in South Florida, Chicago, Long Island, N.Y., and Fort Worth. In Tucson, a local CPA firm adds two staff accountants, while an industrial firm names a permanent CFO. Demand Won't Let Up Any Time Soon 01/30/08 The short-term economic outlook may seem dim, but good times are far from over for accounting job candidates. Accountant Shortage Propels Risk Managers' Bargaining Power 01/29/08 A gap in the ranks of new accountants early this decade is helping drive bidding wars for financial risk managers today, according to research by GRS Group, a London executive search firm. CareerWire: Mortgage Securities Downturn Hits Big Four? 01/28/08 Retrenchment, or reorganization? A popular financial gossip site says many Deloitte employees in the securitization transaction group will be laid off, relocated or transferred in the next several weeks. What Mid-Size Firms Seek in California 01/25/08 Despite the slump in real estate and worries about the economy, the market for accountants in Los Angeles and Orange County shows few signs of tailing off. Several small- and mid-sized firms will be adding employees in upcoming months, and even beyond. The View From Over 50 01/24/08 Twenty one percent of the U.S. workforce will be 55 or older by 2014, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So if you feel superannuated among your Gen X and Y colleagues, you've got age-appropriate company. And the good news is: Employers will value your experience. Roundup: Rising Pay in S.F. Bay Area 01/23/08 Pay pressures in San Francisco, promotions - and psychological health - in the East. Here's our roundup for the week. Volunteering: More than 'Feeling Good' 01/22/08 Too busy for volunteer work? There's a reason you may want to find time to squeeze some in: It can boost your career, and even help you be a better accountant. CareerWire: Telecommuting Gets a Test 01/21/08 A snowstorm puts telecommuting to the test in Massachusetts, a controversy simmers in California, and more. Demand Rising from N.Y. Non-Profits 01/18/08 Large not-for-profit associations and philanthropic organizations pick the Big Apple as a key spot to locate. For area CPAs with the right credentials, the nonprofit sector holds good, though specialized, opportunities. Uncovering Your Resume's Hidden Surprises 01/17/08 If a manager searches the Web about that hobby of yours, do you know what they'll find? Are you sure? Roundup: Mergers, Promotions at Local Firms 01/16/08 Cohen & Company moves into Columbus, StoneTurn Group hires and promotes, and Goldstein Schechter Price Lucas Horwitz merges with Koch Reiss. Here's our roundup. A New Way to Injure Yourself Online 01/14/08 Job-seekers are often urged to ramp up their use of online tools like personal Web sites, social networking, live-blogging and mobile, Web-based email. Just as with physical tools, however, using any relatively new product poses a risk of self-injury. CareerWire: Sleep Working 01/14/08 If your firm can't find the accountants it needs, guess who's going to keep things moving? That's right. You are. Roundup: Mergers in East, Midwest 01/10/08 Small and mid-sized firms are merging in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Here's our roundup. Midsize Firms Act to Retain Young Accountants 01/09/08 To keep junior staffers from bolting, midsized accounting firms are moving to provide more feedback from managers, formal input into firm decisions, departmental and individual employee work schedules calibrated to minimize the 24/7 syndrome, and mentoring programs. New Skills Required for CFOs 01/08/08 If you have designs on a chief financial officer's office in California or other points west, you'd be wise to strengthen your communication and other "softer" skills. The region's employers are more likely to hire executives who know how to present information clearly and work well with others. In other words, financial skills aren't enough any more. N.Y. Area Mergers Driven by Need for Growth 01/07/08 New York and New Jersey CPA firms are still in the midst of a serious reshuffling, as merger mania continues across the Empire and Garden States. But even an attractive merger deal can be fraught with angst for accountants wary of change. CareerWire: Spanish Skills Preferred 01/07/08 Tax preparers are being urged to brush up on their Spanish. Can the need for bilingual accountants be far behind? Finance Worker Sentiment Continues to Slide 01/04/08 Confidence among accounting and finance workers remains on an extended slide, new data show. Roundup: Weaver & Tidwell Expands Energy Practice 01/03/08 The new year begins with mergers of firms large and small. Balance at Deloitte 01/02/08 We talk with Deloitte Services' Anne C. Weisberg, a director specializing in talent diversity, about the firm's experience in keeping up with the changing workforce. Follow Ups Are Important - Even When There's No Reply 12/27/07 Conventional wisdom says you should always follow up with prospective employers after you've sent them a resume or met them for an interview. But many candidates find such tactics fruitless: Either they receive no response from their actual contact, or find no way to reach a live human being. We asked Dawn Fay, a New York vice president for recruiter Robert Half International, how best to proceed. CareerWire: Escaping to Interview 12/26/07 If you're job-hunting while working, there are better options than using your sick days to get away from your office for job interviews. 'Average' Monthly Confidence Among Accounting Workers Gained in 2007 12/21/07 Employee confidence looks to end 2007 at a record low among both accounting and finance workers and the overall U.S. population, according to one widely followed monthly survey. But connoisseurs of rear-view-mirror driving can take comfort from this: averaged throughout the first 11 months of 2007, the monthly Hudson Employment Index slightly exceeded the monthly average for 2006. More Risk Opportunities for N.Y. Area CPAs 12/20/07 Management accountants in the New York metropolitan area are finding increasing opportunities in the burgeoning field of enterprise risk management. But the jobs require the right combination of technical, financial, industry, and managerial savvy. Introverted? Consider Accounting and Auditing… 12/19/07 Opportunities for accountants and auditors are expected to grow more than 22 percent between now and 2014, which may be good news for people who want to strike a balance between working with others and working alone. Accounting Grads Seek Opportunity Over Dollars 12/18/07 The class of 2008's business majors seemed more focused on where their careers might take them rather than how much they'll receive in their first pay packet. CareerWire: Tips for Career Changers 12/17/07 Thinking of changing careers? When it comes to making a plan, you've got to sweat the details. That and more in this week's CareerWire. Ask the Expert: Your Degree is Nice, but Experience is Critical 12/14/07 You've got the degree, but finance departments often want real experience before they hire someone. What do you do? Our expert has the answer. Hedge Funds Need Accounting Talent - And Pay for It 12/13/07 I want to say just two words to you, Ben. "Hedge funds." Office Politics and You 12/12/07 Pam Hedges has spent nearly thirty years advising senior executives - including CFOs, controllers and other financial executives in a range of industries - about how to do their jobs better. Among her themes: being "politically competent" in the workplace by building strong ties with people, including subordinates and peers. Big Four Diversity Programs: A Wrap-Up 12/11/07 The Big Four initiated diversity programs before much of the finance world. But just what do those efforts consist of today? In recent interviews, the firms offered up details of their current programs. CareerWire: Tricks for Online Networkers 12/10/07 Which social networking site is the most effective for CPAs? Calif. CPA Focuses Practice on 'Special Needs' Families 12/07/07 Some California accountants believe they don't have many options when it comes to what industries or areas they cover. But a few have broadened the playing field by creating practices around their own outside interests or causes. Finance Staffers Glum, But CFOs Plan Hiring 12/06/07 Two surveys show different views of the job market: While accounting and finance staffers are increasingly nervous about it, CFOs plan to keep hiring. N.Y. Area Litigation Experts in Demand 12/05/07 Area CPAs acting as litigation experts are enjoying prosperity as New York and New Jersey accounting firms and corporations lean more heavily on their specialized skills. Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Get Me a Job 12/04/07 Fiddler on the Roof had Yenta, the matchmaker. The corporate world has recruiters. Same principle, slightly different parameters. But if you want to find a job you love, developing a relationship with a recruiter, says Heidrick and Struggles' Michele Heid, "is a phenomenal idea." CareerWire: Ethics and the Real World 12/03/07 Some recent surveys indicate the push toward corporate responsibility may not be as strong as many say - at least as far as job-hunters are concerned. Is This Job Offer for Real? 12/02/07 How do you protect yourself from fake job offers you might receive from spammers? Here are some tips. It's Not About Balance - It's About Reality 11/30/07 Notoriously long hours, detail-oriented work, and considerable face time are parts and parcels of the CPA's working life. For accounting firms, changing this kind of culture may be even more important than money in the quest for new hires. Audit Opportunities Expand As Private Companies 'Go Bright' 11/29/07 Sarbanes-Oxley is creating jobs for internal control and audit professionals within companies not formally subject to the five-year-old law. 'Responsibility' Reporting Poised to Widen? 11/28/07 Corporations and investors are increasingly adopting environmental, social and governance measures of performance, alongside the usual financial ones. That means expanded career opportunities for internal auditors, management consultants and other professionals who can apply a new generation of non-financial reporting tools. The activities of finance departments and external auditors will be affected as well. But it's going to happen slowly. Area Accountants Feel Wall Street's Pain 11/27/07 With record write-downs reported at large banks and investment firms, many of which are headquartered in the tri-state region, it's not surprising that hiring is slowing down. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut accountants needn't rush to these firms looking for a golden opportunity, at least not in the short-term. CareerWire: Punctuality and Other Tricks 11/26/07 It's the little things - like showing up on time - that can sometimes make you stand out. Getting Credit When Credit is Due 11/21/07 You're doing all the work and someone else is taking all the credit. It's not only unfair, but it may affect your career. Handling the situation requires tact, diplomacy and a plan. How Clothes Make the Accountant 11/20/07 In California, most accounting firms favor business casual attire. Staples of twentieth century office life - like ties and jackets for men or hosiery for women – are largely passe. So, what do the well-dressed accountants wear? Pay attention if you want to look the part. CareerWire: The IRS Man Behind Bonds' Indictment 11/19/07 How often do IRS special agents get into the spotlight - whether they want to or not? What to do With Ethical Questions 11/16/07 If you stay in finance and accounting long enough, someone is going to ask you to fudge something. What should you do? First, clarify the situation, then refuse to act unethically and seek input from outside sources and people further up the chain of command. Network Your Way to the Top 11/15/07 "I can find my next job all by myself" is one myth that needs to be exploded, say search experts. The old conventional wisdom, "It's not what you know, it's who you know," is alive and well. So get out of your chair, into some social and professional events, and nurture your network. How Long Should Your Resume Be? 11/14/07 For any resume, a key to success is length - or lack of it. It's critical to understand not only how a resume is reviewed, but what its length says about your professionalism. Successful Job Hunts Begin with a Plan 11/13/07 Starting a job search by revising your resume isn't much different from saying "Ready, fire, aim." CareerWire: How You View Networking 11/12/07 Online or offline, on LinkedIn or through e-mail, many accountants and financial professionals understand the importance of keeping in touch. Conflict Resolution Skills Can Boost Careers 11/09/07 While accountants are used to helping clients solve difficult problems, they're often less adept at resolving issues within their own firms. Reserved by nature, they tend to shy away from conflict and let situations fester. What they may not realize is the ability to resolve disagreements can be a great tool in developing their careers. Success with Telephone Interviews 11/08/07 Telephone interviews can be trying. There are no visual cues from the interviewer, no body language to read and, in some cases, you've got to answer questions posed by a panel of voices over conference lines or speaker phones. Here's some tips on engaging successfully - long-distance or local. How to Leapfrog the Pay Scale 11/07/07 Through a recruiter, a former co-worker got an offer for 30 percent more than he was making. His employer offered him 50 percent more to stay. How do you orchestrate a deal like that for yourself? N.Y./N.J.: Advisory Services Staff Up With CPAs 11/06/07 Small and mid-sized CPA firms in the New York metro area are branching out into business consulting, giving rise to a new category of professional opportunities for accountants. CareerWire: Paying Lip Service to Ethics 11/05/07 Having detailed corporate ethics policies appears to be primarily a "CYA" activity for the C-suite. Ask the Expert: How to Find Solid References 11/02/07 "I've interviewed for a position with a company that wants to contact my current employer for a reference. Obviously, I don't want anyone in my firm to know I'm looking for a new job, in case I decide to stay put. However, I've worked here for the last 15 years, and so no other references seem relevant. What should I do?" Accounting Workers' Confidence Slides 11/01/07 Accounting and finance workers' confidence appears to be swinging downward more steeply than among the U.S. adult population as a whole, new surveys show. Relocating Means Negotiating the Best Package 10/31/07 You live in Baltimore and you've been offered two jobs: one in Kansas City and the other in Columbus. The jobs pay the same, but the company in Kansas City will pay your relocation expenses. How hard will your wallet be hit if you decide Ohio's the place for you? Calif. CPAs Meld Tech, Accounting Skills 10/30/07 The use of technology for business is opening up new job opportunities for California CPAs. Consider the growing number of consultancies that need CPAs to help implement and support business management software. The work can be stimulating for accountants who want to try something beyond public firms or private industry. CareerWire: Networking Survival 10/29/07 Networking is an important - most would say critical - tool to use in managing your career. Yes, there are drawbacks to it. But there are ways to address the downsides. It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time… 10/26/07 The new job sounded perfect: a great working environment, the right amount of travel and an exciting accounting challenge. But a month after you started, you realize the working environment is toxic, the travel is non-stop and your biggest challenge is figuring out what to do about it. Accountants' Starting Salaries Pushed Higher 10/25/07 Starting salaries for accounting and finance professionals are expected to increase an average of 4.3 percent in 2008, according to Robert Half International's 2008 Salary Guide. Public accountants, financial analysts and internal auditors are expected to see the largest gains. Employers Open to Jobless CPAs 10/24/07 With a dearth of talent on the market, companies in the New York metro area are considering candidates they might not have looked at before. That's good news for CPAs who got pushed out of large firms for growing too old, and for mass-layoff victims. Q&A: Jerrold Pellizzon, CFO, Ceradyne Inc. 10/23/07 "I don't think you can be focused on just being the guy who crunches numbers. It's the analytics that you need to put together with those numbers. To quantify something is great but you have to look at the quality aspect of something. I think a lot of times financial people are stuck on the quantifying approach too much." CareerWire: Limits of Electronic Communications 10/22/07 While e-mail, intranets and PDAs are critical for doing business, companies are realizing that they work best when they supplement good old face-to-face relationship building. Accounting, Job Security, and You 10/19/07 Pretend you're a techie: Someone offers you a raise or even just an opportunity to work with a product that's new and cool. You'll probably happily leap to the new job. But you're an accountant. Someone offers you $10,000 more a year, and maybe - maybe - you'll consider their offer. What's up with that? Should You Take Notes in an Interview? 10/18/07 If a job interview is an exchange of information, is it proper for you to take notes during the conversation? It depends who you ask. We checked with a variety of career authorities and received a diversity of answers. Firm Merging? Your Job's Probably Safe 10/17/07 The perpetual search for talent and leadership is propelling a wave of mergers and acquisitions among accounting firms. If your shop is involved, should you be concerned about your job? Ask the Expert: Waiting for the Right Offer 10/16/07 "I've been offered a job at one firm, but also interviewed for a position at another, a place where I'd prefer working. How do I hold off replying to the first firm until I have a sense of what's happening at my first choice?" CareerWire: Cautionary E-Mail Tales 10/15/07 You'd think by now people would be careful about forwarding funky e-mails to their friends. Think again. N.Y., N.J. Companies Recruit Auditors Out-of-State 10/12/07 New York and New Jersey recruiters are looking high and low for CPA audit pros as the field continues to churn and burn staffers. Now, firms are filling openings with folks from outside the area - another sign the market is red-hot. Negotiating Severance Upfront Can Be Tricky 10/11/07 If you're a below-C-level employee, a golden parachute may be beyond reach. But you may be able to get a golden umbrella that protects you if it starts raining pink slips. The Job Hunt: Birth of a Salesman 10/10/07 Regardless of your professional experience and title, when you're job hunting you become a salesman with one product: you. CareerWire: Sometimes You Have to Sell 10/09/07 If you prefer tooling through spreadsheets or a QuickBooks problem to chatting people up at a chamber of commerce breakfast, you may need to make a conscious effort get out more. Firms Venture into New Territories 10/05/07 Last month, California-based Armanino McKenna LLP ventured into new territory, launching what could be the accounting industry's first media consulting practice, Armanino McKenna Foster. The move is just one illustration of how some firms are expanding their non-accounting services. Considering a Career Change? Plan Ahead 10/04/07 Many career experts say modern workers will have multiple careers over the course of their lifetimes. Certainly a number of accountants mull what life would be like if they were focusing on something besides tax returns and accounting rules. But changing careers is difficult. It requires a great deal of perseverance, conviction and quite frequently a temporary downshift in lifestyle. However, the rewards can be fruitful. Move to a Non-Profit With Open Eyes 10/03/07 If you day dream about using your skills to sway the electorate, shelter the homeless or spread your religion, a move into the non-profit sector may brighten your workday. It'll also lighten your wallet. Calif. Demand Strong, But Lags Other Areas 10/02/07 The market for accountants and finance professionals in California will remain strong during the fourth quarter, according to the latest Robert Half International Hiring Index. But demand will lag behind the regional and national average in the state's four largest cities. CareerWire: Listening to Your Critics 10/01/07 As painful as it may be to listen to, honest criticism can help improve our performance on the job. Here are some ways to spin negatives into positives. A Primer for Interview Disaster Recovery 09/28/07 Smoothly recovering from an interview faux pas can help a candidate's cause. The problem is: Most people who slip up are unaware they've done so. N.J. CPAs Want Better Pay, Mentors 09/27/07 CPAs in New Jersey are looking for better working conditions and better pay for their overtime efforts, one partner says. Looking for a New Job - Discreetly 09/26/07 Elizabeth Taylor excepted, most people change jobs more often than they do mates. But no matter how many times you do it, looking for a new position when you already have one can be tricky. Finance Staffs to Expand in Fourth Quarter? 09/25/07 A growing number of CFOs are stepping up their own departments' hiring plans for next quarter, a new survey shows. CareerWire: Thoughts on Diversity 09/24/07 Can diversity programs succeed without real culture change - change that extends far beyond the offices of accounting firms? Mature Workers: A New Challenge for Employers 09/23/07 By the end of this decade, some 64 million baby boomers will stare down the road to retirement. This fact leaves some companies facing an about-turn on their employment practices. Audit Sector Outlook Remains Bright 09/21/07 Auditing client companies' books was the traditional raison d'etre of public accounting firms. The growth of newer services such as consulting, merger advice and compliance testing has reinforced the market power of both CPA firms and the professionals who work in them. Choosing a Resume Consultant 09/20/07 It's a daunting task for anyone to prepare a good resume, especially if you're the kind of person that has difficulty expressing yourself on paper. If you are one of those people, or just figure you'd like some help, does it make sense to hire one of the countless writers out there who profess to be resume professionals? Do Minority Women Have a Reason to Stay? 09/19/07 For many minority women, cultural challenges and a feeling of exclusion make it easy to leave their current firms. They can empower themselves to succeed, but many are asking if it's worth it. Six Things Not to Do During an Interview 09/18/07 An interview is a chance to show you're a standout. A bad interview will make you memorable for all the wrong reasons. CareerWire: Vacation Self-Discipline 09/17/07 More than one-third of accountants take a computer with them on vacation. This is R&R? CFOs Less Upbeat About Economy and Hiring 09/14/07 Business sentiment among CFOs dived this quarter, according to a survey by Duke University and CFO magazine. A Duke finance professor says the results raise the odds of recession. A Blog on Certification Woes 09/13/07 Building on the popularity of the Internet as a form of communication for younger CPAs and accounting students, the New Jersey Society of CPAs' Web site now features the “Exam Cram Blog.” Fewer Top-Level Shifts in Finance - For Now 09/12/07 For better or worse, if you work at a giant public company your odds of having a new CFO this year are the lowest since 1995. But that's about to change, a C-suite headhunter predicts. Will This Recruiter Get Me a Job? 09/11/07 Time is money. So, should you make an investment by interviewing with agency recruiters when looking for a new opportunity? The answer is yes - if the recruiter has available jobs that match your skill set and career goals. United Commercial Bank Adding Financial Staff 09/10/07 United Commercial Bank is on the prowl. Over the next year, the San Francisco-based commercial bank wants to add to its treasury and controller departments, in positions ranging from low-middle to more senior posts. Ask the Expert: How Do I Resign 'Professionally?' 09/06/07 "We've had a management change at our firm, and I am very unhappy with my new supervisor. The one I worked with for the last five months has just disappeared. I'm planning to resign and wonder whether I can do this verbally, or must I write a resignation letter?" In Job-Hunting, Subtle is Best 09/05/07 Of course, you want to stand out. But when you're trying to convince a firm you're the solution to their problems, there's a fine line between creative and weird. CareerWire: Have You Thought of Personal Branding? 09/04/07 Is personal branding about more than just spin? We think so. To Blog or Not to Blog? 08/30/07 Visibility and Web-savvy are useful when job-hunting. So, should you merge those goals by starting your own financial Web site or blog? In most situations, experts say no. Facing the Tough Stuff 08/29/07 What do Steven Jobs, Howard Stern and Terrell Owens have in common? They've all been fired. While at the time it seems devastating, most people rebound after termination and move on to new opportunities. One thing is certain: To get your next job you'll need to answer questions about why you left your last one. Compliance, M&A Drive Hiring in N.Y., N.J. 08/28/07 Compliance initiatives and merger and acquisition work are driving CPA hiring in New York and New Jersey. Meanwhile, professional ethics remain in focus for Empire State accountants, as the state's industry association appoints the first public member - a former New York State comptroller- to its professional ethics committee. CareerWire: Privacy Online? Maybe. 08/27/07 Like it or not, when you post online funky photos or tales of your weekend partying, you're setting yourself up for judgment. Calif. Firm Delves into Communications Consulting 08/24/07 California accounting firm Armanino McKenna has brought on a publishing industry veteran to form a communications and media consulting firm. Ask the Expert: About Professional Associations... 08/22/07 "My boss wants me to join his professional association. It's a big financial and time commitment, and I'm not sure I see the benefit. Am I missing something?" Cover Letters: Not Extinct, Just Evolved 08/21/07 The paperless world of electronic job boards means you don't need a cover letter any more, right? Well, actually, no. CareerWire: Gen Y in the Real World 08/20/07 Gen Y'ers are changing the business world - but will they be able to adapt themselves? This and more from last week's blog. Certifications Boost Pay for Management Accountants 08/17/07 Despite demand, salaries for management accountants have been rising only modestly. However, bonuses and profit sharing are picking up, and the money for those with relevant certifications - like the CPA and CFM - remains much higher than for those without. Calif. Program Targets Industry CPAs 08/16/07 An increasing number of CPAs have been filling leadership roles in California's non-accounting firms. Yet traditionally, most programming from the state's leading accounting organization has targeted CPAs at public accounting firms. Now, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants thinks it's fixed that. Recruiters Hunt in Association Directories 08/15/07 Joining a professional association for accounting or financial professionals may have an added benefit beyond networking and keeping up-to-date on industry trends: Recruiters are increasingly combing their membership lists of potential job candidates. Get Ready: Four Trends to Watch 08/14/07 Just as CPAs have caught up with the changes wrought by Sarbanes-Oxley, a whole new set of dynamics is coming down the pike. The time to prepare is now. CareerWire: The Inside Scoop 08/13/07 Learning what life is really like at a potential employer takes a strategy, discretion and contacts - and contacts only come with a long-term networking effort. This and more were covered on our blog last week. AICPA to H.S. Students: Look Over Here! 08/10/07 As the pressure for talent continues, the AICPA is looking for ways to encourage high school students to pursue the education they need to become accountants - and to remember who their friends were along the way. CalCPA Chair Focused on Women, Corporate CPAs 08/09/07 Three months into her one-year term, the chairman of the California Society for Certified Public Accountants has two major goals: Encouraging more firms to promote women into partnership roles, and providing more resources for accountants in senior positions throughout the state. Ace the Interview at Age 50+ 08/08/07 Rejecting a candidate because of their age is illegal, right? Ask anyone over the age of 50 and they will probably tell you that, despite what the law says, there have been times where they felt discriminated against because of their age. N.J. Sees Need for Forensic Accountants 08/07/07 A New Jersey community college is responding to the demand for forensic accountants, and an executive recruiter observes the specific job needs in the area around Parsippany. Across the river in New York, the state's CPA society holds its annual leadership conference. CareerWire: Stand Up, Get Up, Network 08/06/07 Networking is really pretty simple. But you have to get up out of your chair to do it - Facebook or not. This and other highlights from our blog are here. Winning Strategies for Loser Projects 08/03/07 It's unavoidable: Projects appear that no one wants to tackle. Some of them are bound to end up in your lap, and when they do you might as well take them on cheerfully. If nothing else, your attitude may get you noticed. In Networking, Making Introductions Pays Off 08/02/07 When people think about networking, they usually put it in the context of meeting other people. But when you're out there developing a group of contacts who can help you with advice, job tips and raw information about potential employers, it's important to remember these same people are looking for you to help them. How to Ask for a Raise 08/01/07 You've done your homework, methodically assessed your skills and experience, consulted salary surveys, and determined you're worth more than you're getting. So, how do you broach the subject with your boss, much less negotiate a successful outcome? Ask the Expert: Job-Hunting From Out of Town