Category: Career Center

The Career Center is sponsored by Accountingfly, the profession’s leading remote recruiter. We were into remote work before it was cool.

Tweets and Pokes: How the Big 4 Is Recruiting the Next Crop of Accountants

BelushiCollege_CPA.jpgNo one here is arguing that there is a vast disparity between the intern program experience and the stark reality of working in public accounting. What’s bothersome, however, is the smoke and mirrors that the firms use to convince recruits that their careers should start in one location over another. This begins and ends with spending exorbitant amounts of time and money on campus, growing multi-yeardressing up public accounting as one’s best bet if you want to work globally.

It has come to the point where the firms’ online presence is two-faced. One side of the proverbial coin shows the straight-laced, information-packed websites that industry and employees see. Flip it over and you’ll encounter extensive and oftentimes flashy sites targeting tomorrow’s crop of new hires:

• Deloitte
• E&Y
• KPMG (warning – mute your speakers)
• PwC

Accounting never looked so sexy.


Many of these sites are taking advantage of the technology that students use, which makes sense. E&Y spent thousands on creating a presence on Facebook, one that would show advertisements to a select target of majors. KPMG chose to go the YouTube route, primarily to promote its Global Internship Program. PwC’s campus-focused site has its own “.tv” brand. And of course, Twitter.

All of these methods of communication and established online web presences are fine and dandy, albeit expensive to maintain (marketing teams are dedicated at each firm solely for campus recruiting needs). However, what about the relationships with the students? Recruiters target students as freshman, four to five years prior to any chance of return on investment. Honors programs are sponsored by firms; same goes for professor salaries. Every Big 4 hosts their version of a “leadership summit” – these generally take place one or two years prior to being eligible for an internship. These multi-day summits occur under the sun and are attended by the respective firm’s national leadership. Trust falls and scavenger hunts in sunny Florida. Or Arizona. Or California. Every year. At every firm.

By the way, that bonus you were expecting? Sorry, can’t find the money in the piggybank.
In defense of the Big 4’s marketing gurus; their work is paying off. BusinessWeek’s 2009 ranking of “best” internships has the Big 4 in the top five: Deloitte is #1; KPMG, #2; E&Y, #3, PWC #5. This translates to the same firms taking the top four spots in BusinessWeek’s ’09 rankings of best places to launch a career. This comes as a no-brainer when you consider the vast majority of new hires were former interns. The Kool-aid has been known to have long-term effects.
But the questions remain – is the multi-million dollar recruiting campaigns run by each Big 4 firm worth it? Are these rankings worth the time of students and the decisions they need to make? And what happens after your career has been launched? What’s the next step?

Daniel Braddock, your friendly Human Resources Professional could very well be considered the hypothetical love child of Suze Orman and Toby Flenderson. Following his varsity jacket wearing college days, he entered the consumer markets as an auditor for a Big 4 firm in New York City. He spent three brisk years as an auditor before taking the reins of stirring the HR kool-aid. He currently resides in Manhattan. Daily routines include coffee breakfasts and scotch dinners. You can follow him on Twitter @DWBraddock.

Job of the Day: Fund Accounting Manager – Private Equity at J.P. Morgan

Thumbnail image for Need_a_job.jpgThis position involves various responsibilities including financial, operational, client service, and deal related. The House of Dimon will not stand for slackers.

Check out the details for this position in Chicago, after the jump.


Company: J.P. Morgan
Title: Fund Accounting Manager – Private Equity
Location: Chicago
Minimum experience: 5 years
Requirements: Must have a strong accounting and tax background, familiarity with acquisitions, partnership accounting, investor relations, partnership agreements, the ability to deal effectively with sophisticated accounting and tax issues and a strong attention to detail. At least five to seven years experience with a Big 4 public accounting firm is required and additional experience at an established private equity firm is desirable.
Responsibilities: Establish process and procedures to provide accurate and timely financial reporting to multiple constituents; maintain and ensure accuracy of distribution calculations/waterfall models; maintain capital accounts and available commitments; work with other groups to ensure all accounting and other information (e.g. security type, custody…) are consistent with deal documents; manage the operations and reporting for regulatory authorities; budget/prepare financial projections of income and cash flows for funds and management companies

See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Job of the Day: CME Group Needs an Auditor

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgJob market got you down? Or your friend who is just out of school? CME Group needs an staff auditor, preferably one that isn’t susceptible to the likes of Sam Antar.
Check out the rest of the details for a Staff Auditor in Chicago after the jump.


Company: CME Group
Title: Staff Auditor
Location: Chicago
Minimum experience: Entry level
Description: Staff Auditors are responsible for performing financial, compliance, and clearing fee audits of clearing member firms of CME Group Inc. Financial audits require detail testing of member firm’s balance sheet, computation of net capital and computation of customer funds in segregation in accordance with GAAP and industry regulations. Compliance audits require a detailed analysis of a member firm’s procedures in executing orders and protecting its customers. You will also participate in special projects relating to Exchange, industry, and department issues.
Requirements: B.S./M.A. in Accounting
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Job of the Day: Prudential Needs a Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis

Thumbnail image for Need_a_job.jpgYes, The Rock needs your help. In Hartford, not Spain.
And they’d prefer if you have a CPA, MBA, or CFA. What’s that you say? You’ve got all three? You’re a shoe-in.
Check out the details for a Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis at Prudential in Hartford, CT after the jump.


Company: Prudential
Title: Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis
Location: Hartford, CT
Minimum experience: 5 years
Description: This position is responsible for forecasting all capital requirements, net customer flows (plan sales, plan lapses, and participant contributions and withdrawals), earnings, and investment cash flows for the Full Service segment. Additionally, this position is responsible for analyzing and communicating data and trends that will drive business decisions regarding participant activity, capital positions/flows and investment results. This position has significant interaction with Senior Finance Management within the division.
Responsibilities: Maintain and enhance Full Service planning models consistently and efficiently while meeting deadlines; Manage all aspects of cash flow forecasting and analysis; including monthly cash flow forecasts to senior management and quarterly/annual cash flow forecasts to business partners; Responsible for various forecasting and attribution analysis of specialized items including investment income and equity market appreciation
Skills/Requirements: Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Actuarial Science or related field. MBA, CFA, or CPA preferred; Minimum of 5 years experience in financial planning or reporting; Strong analytical skills including the ability to identify interrelationships between components of financial information in order to identify key drivers of earnings and other significant trends; Financial services industry experience a strong plus, especially in retirement and/or investments; Advanced Excel skills required; Experience with relational databases (Access) strongly preferred.
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Job of the Day: Real Estate Fund Controller Needed with Knowledge of GAAP and IFRS

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgHere’s a controller position that has a good salary that beats the average controller salary from our earlier post on salaries for jobs that you may want.
Check out the details for an open end real estate fund controller available in New York City, after the jump.


Title: Controller
Compensation: $150,000 – $185,000
Location: New York, NY
Minimum experience: 8 years
Description/Responsibilities: Define client services for open end investment funds, liaison with client financial advisors and build a staff. Manage relationships, operations and reporting re: US GAAP and IFRS.
Requirements: Requirement is for CPA/ Controller with 8/10 year yrs in open ended real estate investment vehicles utilizing CORE or CORE+ strategy. Good GAAP and client facing experience. Working knowledge of MRI/YARDI and Investran, PEFS real estate and fund administration is a plus. Position can be based in New York, Luxembourg or London.
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Job of the Day: BlackRock Needs a VP in Its Finance Group

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgThe Company’s Finance Group is comprised of three units: Accounting Policy and Controls, Business Finance and Corporate Controllers. General functions include financial accounting, financial reporting, management accounting, treasury, tax, compensation/payroll accounting, auditing and certain other compliance functions.
Check out the details for the VP of General Accounting in New York, after the jump.


Company: BlackRock

Title: Accounting Manager

Location: New York, NY

Minimum experience: 7 years

Description: Responsible for the supervision of eight professionals overseeing selected day to day responsibilities of the general accounting group at BlackRock. Responsibilities include closing of books and detailed review of financial statements.

Responsibilities: Responsible for overseeing the activities of all broker-dealers including financial reporting and regulatory filings; Oversee the maintenance of fixed assets sub-ledger. (Add new assets, record depreciation and reconcile sub-ledger); Assess impairment issues relating to leased properties and certain long lived assets; Oversee all cash processing for company; Oversee the reconciliation and settlement of inter-company balances processes; Review monthly balance sheet reconciliation for selected accounts; Review accounting of all debt and related interest expense; Oversee recording of occupancy expenses and accruals.
Liaise with internal and external auditors; Balance sheet and income statement variance analysis; Coordination with a variety of Finance departments including: forecasting/budgeting, management, financial reporting & accounts payable.
Requirements: CPA is a must; 7-10 years of related experience in a publicly traded, multi-entity environment; “Big 4” public accounting experience a strong plus; Excellent accounting operations and GAAP skills; Thorough knowledge of internal controls as they relate to the accounting operations of a publicly traded entity; Knowledge of SOX process helpful; Current and previous supervisory experience required.

See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Job of the Day: California State University Needs Auditors

Thumbnail image for Need_a_job.jpgCalifornia is still trying to sort itself out but the last thing Arnie would do is issue IOUs to state employees (that’s a big assumption on our part).
The Office of the University Auditor at California State University is looking to fill both an internal auditor and senior auditor position at its location in Long Beach, CA. The CSU offers a premium benefits package including 24 days of vacation and 14 paid holidays per year.
Check out more details after the jump


Company: California State University, Office of the University Auditor
Title: Internal Auditor; Senior Auditor
Location: Long Beach, CA
Minimum experience: 2 years; 3 years
Description: The California State University, Office of the University Auditor, is seeking an Internal or Senior Auditor to conduct operational and compliance audits at the system office and each of the 23 campuses.
Responsibilities: Conducting reviews of assigned organizational and functional activities; evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the management controls over those activities; and determining whether organizational units in the university are performing their planning, accounting, custodial, or control activities in compliance with management instructions, applicable statements of policy and procedures, and in a manner consistent with both university objectives and high standards of administrative practice. The senior auditor occasionally assists in audit program development and periodically supervises the work of others, including instructing new staff.
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university is required for either position; The internal auditor position requires two years’ experience in internal/external auditing; and CPA, CIA or CISA certification is desired; The senior auditor position requires three years’ experience in internal/external auditing; CPA, CIA or CISA certification highly desired; and progress towards certification required. The position requires approximately 33% out-of-area travel (within California, no weekends).
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Is Becoming Your Own Boss the Next Move?

aspirations.jpgStarting your own firm might seem like a tall order but with all the uncertainty out there many people are giving more thought to putting them their name in the window.
And plenty of people are leaving on their own after several years working for a large public accounting firm and/or working in-house once they realize that they don’t want to wait to be the boss.

Web CPA addressed this a while back and it seems there are lots of reasons that younger CPAs consider the move:

“What I have learned is that audit risk keeps increasing while fees don’t and that tax practices keep facing more competition from home tax-prep software,” said Vuchnich, 31, a sole practitioner in Charlotte, N.C. “When I made the leap it was because I didn’t want to spend years working for a firm to buy into a service industry that is high-risk, low-reward, or where my services would be regularly compared to a $40 software package.”
…


Jody Padar, 37, left her position of four years at a midsized firm after feeling management saw her as just a stay-at-home mom with a part-time tax job. “The sacrifices I was making to be a competent, exceptional professional were never appreciated. So I left.”

The other possibility is that maybe you have your own ideas on how a firm should be run. There is no shortage of opinions on processes and how a firm should be run so some see that as an the opportunity:

“Young professionals will leave if they feel that they can innovate better than their firm and ‘do’ CPA work in a better way. This may be as a free agent, or it may be as a solo practitioner.”

The other option is that you come from a long line of CPAs and it’s your turn to take over the family business. While the mere idea of working with family members may be enough to give some of you an aneurysm, for others it’s an easy way to get into an established firm.

So is being the boss in your future? Judging by the response to our partner track poll, it’s a goal for many of you but going out on your own to get there is a whole other ball game. Discuss your thoughts and for those that have made the leap, share your experiences and shell out some advice for those looking to make the move.

Becoming your own boss [Web CPA]

Job of the Day: Lynn Tilton Needs an Assistant Controller

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgDoesn’t ring a bell? Ms. Tilton is the founder of Patriarch Partners is a leading private equity firm with over $6 Billion AUM. The company specializes in distressed buy-outs with a long-term investment approach.
Patriarch is looking for an assistant controller in New York. Get the details after the jump.


Company: Patriarch Partners, LLC
Title: Assistant Controller
Location: New York City
Minimum experience: 5 years
Responsibilities: Preparation and analysis of multiple funds’ financial statements and distribution schedules, including working closely with internal Structured Finance and Loan Administration teams as well as external Trustees; Review and understand fund indentures and Limited Partnership Agreements, navigate interpretations of legalese, and maintain external fund compliance deliverables; Managing invoicing process to portfolio companies; Departmental budgeting for corporate entity; Treasury, cash management & plain vanilla, non-exotic investment strategies at the corporate level for excess liquidity
Requirements and Skills: 5 years minimum in accounting/finance function; Accounting degree or CPA required. MBA a further plus, and preferred; Private Equity, Hedge Fund or other Alternative Asset Mgmt accounting experience (we need someone who understands from an accounting standpoint capital & fund structures, financial services, etc.); Accounting for multiple corporate entities and subsidiaries (w/ intercompany accounting concerns).
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Job of the Day: Help Fannie Mae Straighten Out Their Financial Statements

Thumbnail image for Need_a_job.jpgFannie is working on getting things back on track and they need good people that can handle some financial reporting duties. Everything from 404 to implementing new GAAP, to SEC reporting. Plus, you’d kinda be serving your country.
Check out the details for a Financial Reporting Analyst position in Washington, D.C. after the jump.


Company: Fannie Mae

Title: Financial Reporting Analyst

Location: Washington, D.C.

Minimum experience: 4 years

Description: Reporting to a Manager of Financial Reporting, this position is part of a team responsible for preparing analysis of monthly, quarterly and annual corporate financial results and preparation and review of certain monthly and regulatory reporting.

Responsibilities: Preparation and review of analysis of monthly, quarterly and annual financial results for management, our regulators and external auditors; Coordination with business units and other areas within Controllers/Finance to ensure results are reasonable and variances are researched and explained; Supporting and managing timely and accurate reporting of financial results in various deliverables; Participating in special projects, including automation efforts and other improvements to the reporting process/efforts, to streamline processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness of group’s reporting and financial analysis; Implementation of new GAAP standards, as necessary; Participating in SOX 404 efforts, including documentation of process and facilitating testing of controls, as necessary; Assisting with Finance compliance efforts, as necessary; Assisting SEC reporting team, as needed, with preparation and review of external filings with the SEC (10K, 10Q) or implementation of new SEC standards.
Requirements and Skills: Bachelor Degree, or equivalent; CPA Preferred; 4-6 years of experience in accounting-related position with progressively challenging experience; Experience with and understanding of financial statements and current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including experience in analyzing financial statements and corporate results

See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Job of the Day: It’s Time to Get Serious

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgRather than get too cute with you on our job of the day, we’ll just level with you. If you need a job, what the hell are you doing? You’re missing out on all the fun. Move on this.

Check out the details for a Senior Product Controller position at RBC Capital Markets, after the jump.


Company: RBC Capital Markets

Title: Senior Product Controller

Location: New York

Minimum experience: 4 years

Description: The Senior Product Controller will maintain the accounting and finance module of the main NY GAT Fixed Income and Equity subledger system. The position requires a professional able to work closely with various traders, IT professionals, operations, and business analyts to manage the integrity of the local sub-ledger and its feed to the general ledger. The individual must possess an excellent understanding of Accounting basics, P/L production, product knowledge, P/L Decomp, and IT savy. This is a highly visible role due the nature of the position.
Responsibilities: Manage, assemble, organize and produce the Sophis accounting rules necessary for daily functions across all groups such as product Control, Operations, Front Office and Risk. This will include being the lead Finance and Accounting represtantative on all new business rollouts and current business conversions

Requirements: Bachelor Degree, or equivilant, in Accounting/Finance. – Minimum 4 years relevant industry experience. Preferred: – MBA Finance – CPA.

See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.

Wanted: Accounting Manager, Enforcer Experience a Plus

mandatory.jpgA source passed along a job opportunity for a company in Miami that needs an accounting manager. Doesn’t sound out of the ordinary but that there’s a little bonus in it for you if you can make it 365 days:

Accounting Manager – Pre IPO Company- Hospitality Industry
Location: Miami
Compensation: $90,000 – $100,000 + Bonus and other incentives (Free European Cruise after 1 year of employment)

Nice, right? There may be a bit of a catch though. Here’s part of the job description:

We are looking for an exceptional finance professional/ CPA who has very high ethics, strong interpersonal skills, loyalty to the company and to the President, someone who is very honest, trustworthy, hands on, very good with budgets, managing a complex debt structure, very good with complex capex projects, able to watch receivables like a hawk and not shy away from tough collections: able to work quickly and flexibly with cash flows and related dynamic Manage large outsourcing contracts/ contractors manage all expenses create reports for the Board and finance.

So based on the above, we’re thinking that not only must you be a master of double-entry accounting, you shouldn’t be afraid to break some kneecaps in order to convince some deadbeat customers to pay up. Do all this for one year, and you will have earned yourself a nice little vacation. Qualified applicants should get in touch and be prepared to demonstrate your abilities.