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.

Job of the Week: The Decade Is Closing Fast, Have You Found a New Job?

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgIt’s already less than a week until Thanksgiving and you haven’t started your job search have you? Allow us to give you a push so you can get a fresh start to the new decade. State Street needs tax analysts in Quincy and Newton, MA. Get details after the jump.


Company: State Street
Location: Newton/Quincy, MA
Position: Global Services Tax Analyst Manager, Senior Associate
Experience Required: 5 – 7 years
Key Responsibilities: Manage and support a staff responsible for timely tax withholding and reporting and associated client servicing activities; Document and maintain group procedures; Ensure operations, processes and employees adhere to all regulatory and business continuity requirements and corporate standards; Constantly review operations workflows for process improvements, unit cost reductions and service level improvements; Audit processing functions; Assist in new tax product developments and projects; Provide client service supporting fund groups, external clients and global site partners;
Other Requirements/Preferences: Master of Science in Taxation or other advanced degree is preferred; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required. A minimum of 5 years of operations related, global custody, accounting, income, or tax processing related experience is required; Knowledge of non-resident alien tax withholding issues, tax reporting, and tax treaties is required.
See the entire description over the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all the latest job postings.

Job of the Week: Cash Money

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgSomeone has to manage the ins, the outs, the what have you’s related to the cash position of every company. It’s kinda an important job. Maybe your next job. Get the details for a Treasury Analyst position, after the jump.


Title: Treasury Analyst
Location: Chicago
Experience: 3 – 5 years
Responsibilities: Manage daily data collection process; Primary input of receipt and payment data in treasury system; Assist in timely payment of international and domestic wires; Report foreign currencies balances daily to help maintain proper liquidity; Support review of carry broker statements for margin excess/deficit funding needs; Maintain log of non-receipt of wires; Assist with investigation & documentation of all wire differences; Maintain overdraft listing for processing by Cash Manager; Review previous day’s balances and investigate missing items.
Skills: Treasury experience 1-5 years; Fast and accurate data entry skills; Cash management, payment systems experience; International and domestic payments procedures and requirements; Customer Accounting, Banking, Exchange, General Ledger Systems; Generally accepted accounting principles and financial reporting requirements.
Check out the entire description over at the GC Career Center and check out the main page for all your pavement pounding needs.

Job of the Week: GTT (Gone to Texas)?

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgSince we’ve just gone through another week marred by layoffs, it might be time to consider some options.
In the 19th Century, people went to Texas to escape their troubles, so we figure this could be a possible solution for somebody (including those that already live there).
NetworkersMSB has a position in Dallas that could be your ticket back to the high life.


Location: Dallas
Title: Finance Manager
Compensation: $90,000 – $100,000
Responsibilities: Monthly preparation of financial reports for the Group Financial Controller; Managing the company’s financial accounting, monitoring and reporting systems; Liaising with our accountants to ensure all State and federal tax obligations are met; To assist in the preparation of the year end statutory accounting for audit UK purposes; Providing annual budget information for respective market unit; Cash flow forecasting; Developing financial management mechanisms that minimise financial risk; Assisting in the development of sister companies financial departments within the North and South American region.
Requirements: Strong knowledge of accounting and US GAAP; Knowledge and experience of state and federal tax obligations; Experience in payrolling of employees; CPA qualified
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and check out the rest of the jobs at the Career Center homepage.

Your Words Say, ‘I want this job’ but Your Body Language Says, ‘I’m really interested in my shoes’

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for BelushiCollege.jpgIt’s our understanding that there are still interviews to go before offers are made so we thought we’d discuss some not so good things to do while you’re sitting across from your interrogator.
U.S. News & World Report lists 15 ways to annoy your interviewer and we’ll expand on a few to get the ball rolling:
• Knee jiggling or finger drumming – Performing the Wipe Out drum solo is typically frowned upon in any social setting. Double thumbs down during an interview.
• Playing with your pen – No one is impressed by your David Letterman-esque flipping technique.
• Checking your cellphone – Um, yeah.
• Nail biting; Sniffling; Picking at, rubbing, or scratching any part of your body – Bodily functions, while a fact of life, should be controlled as much as possible. If you think you’re going to explode, just internalize and try to keep your eyes from watering.
• Smiling too much (or not smiling at all) – On the one hand, permagrin is totally acceptable if you’re planning to engage in a Seth Rogen marathon. Not so if you’re trying to get a job. If you’re totally incapable of smiling, this is also not good. Your mortician face will not go well around the office.
This is just a starting point. Since your life experiences are far more interesting, kindly discuss your strangest encounters as an interviewer or an interviewee. Since we’ve already discussed the words that are actually coming out of your mouth, we’ll ask that you stick with non-verbal faux-pas.

FINS: Big 4 on the Resumé Is a Must-Have

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgWe have had some lively discussions regarding how important having a Big 4 firm on your resumé is.
According to FINS, it’s a must-have:

PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte or KPMG. Resumes that boast experience at a Big Four firm are a step ahead of the pack.
These names signal that candidates are well-trained and meet stringent hiring standards, says Lisa Garcia, a marketing manager at Adecco’s Ajilon Professional Staffing, a recruiting firm based in Melville, N.Y. Other large firms such as Grant Thornton and BDO Seidman will also catch a recruiter’s eye.

“[S]tringent hiring standards” could be called in question in some instances but for the most part, we agree that having a big name on your resumé is definitely something that a lot of employers notice.
Our thread on Life After Big 4 life is a good place to get some further discussion.
Contrary to popular belief, your career is not dead in the water if you don’t have experience at a Big 4 firm. FINS lists some other must-haves including:
• IFRS – It’s coming people (albeit slowly). If you’ve got experience with it, make it known.
• SEC – Regardless of the Commission’s track record, there will always be filings.
• Experience with specific industry software – Caseware, SAP, PeopleSoft, Deltek, and Black Baud
• Numbers – listing specific accomplishments that result in cost savings or creating revenue streams
• Customer service skills – Yes, you socially awkward types will be at a disadvantage.
So a good presence of all these things will look good on your resume but we wouldn’t get too hung up on any one aspect. If there’s anything else you’ve noticed that get the recruiters giving you that extra look, please share in the comments.
Now get out there and impress the pants off somebody. January will be here before you know it. Good hunting.
Six Must-Haves for CPA Resumes [FINS]

Job of the Week: You Want a VP Title?

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgEarlier this week we told you about E&Y’s latest attempt to give its employees much-needed pat on the back. So some people are hung up on titles. Not too surprising.
If you’re one of those people — or you just need a new job — Morgan Stanley is looking for a VP of Global Accounting Standards and Control. Get the details after the jump.


Company: Morgan Stanley
Location: New York
Title: Vice President, Global Accounting Standards and Control
Job Overview: Individual will be responsible for monitoring and interpreting various emerging technical accounting issues pursuant to U.S. GAAP. Additionally, this individual will work with the various business units, and corporate functions to apply existing and evolving standards. Also, this individual will help coordinate technical guidance distributed firm wide.
Responsibilities: Monitor emerging issues through the interaction with various industry groups, liaising with certain standard setters, and discussions with Company individuals; Assist the business units/corporate functions in assessing the impact of evolving standards; Interact with business units and corporate functions related to new transactions to identify accounting issues; Apply U.S. GAAP to transactions and document accounting analysis and conclusions; Apply Morgan Stanley accounting policies and periodically update policies as new guidance is issued
Skills Required: 7 – 10 years of experience with at least 4 years in public accounting; B.S. in Accounting (or equivalent) and CPA are required.
See the full description at the GC Career Center and if this vice-president position doesn’t sound like the perfect title, go to the main page where you can find lots of other great titles/jobs.

Robert Half’s Salary Guide Doesn’t Have Many Surprises

Robert Half has issued its salary guide for 2010 and we wouldn’t say that’s its chock full of good news. It follows the Ajilon salary guide that came out a couple of weeks ago and it seems to present a lot of the same sobering conclusions.
Salaries will be virtually flat, according to Bob’s guide, increasing approximately 0.5% for next year. However, there are some areas that seem to have better prospects than others including:


• Tax accountants
• Financial analysts
• Senior and staff accountants
• Business analysts
Along with these positions, the guide states that employers are seeking professionals with certifications, broad experience, and expertise in technology or compliance.
RH also has a “Public Accounting Outlook” in the guide and it does not paint a pretty picture:

Compensation packages in public accounting have seen notable changes. Salary levels have moderated, with declines reported in some areas. Additionally, instances of large signing bonuses and raises are far less common and typically reserved for premier performers.

The silver lining is, again, for tax professionals but since more companies are trying to do tax work in house, public firms are now competing directly with their corporate clients for the talent. It also indicates that some smaller firms have done some hiring and our earlier post on considering a smaller firm elicited some comments in favor of choosing that route.
Overall, with the significant change in the political environment, the job market for accountants seems to be trending towards positions centered around compliance and rule changes and the competition will likely be fierce. You can request a copy of the salary guide by going here.
For those of you currently on the job search, discuss the salary trends that you are seeing in the current market. Good luck to everyone that is currently on the hunt.

GC Weekend: How Did You Choose Your Firm?

Thumbnail image for BelushiCollege.jpgRecruitment is still going on in many parts of the country and soon little grasshopper accountants will have to make a decision on where their career will start. Their decisions will be based on many factors, including but not exclusive to:
• The obvious
• Benefits
• The people they meet
• Perceived prestige of the firm (or lack thereof)
• Work/life balance
Web CPA has a piece from last week written by an HR service professional that makes the point the better benefits will yield better employees for a firm.


Okay, maybe. As important as benefits packages are, most firms offer competitive packages that won’t serve as a deal-breaker. That still doesn’t stop some partners from boasting about standard options that most companies already have, however.
While we’re not crazy about the idea that benefits serve as the major selling point for employers, it does bring up the interesting question of how you were originally sold on your current (or former) firm?
Regardless of how you feel about your employer now, you were probably excited to start working for said company at some point. If you’ve hated your employer since day one then you seriously need to consider talking to someone. No one put a gun to your head to take the job so what was it that convinced you?
Maybe it was the firm with the coolest schwag? Maybe you were getting the extra-special hustle from a partner. Or maybe you just took what you could get.
Whatever your reasons for jumping on board, discuss them in the comments in order to give the recruits out there some guidance with some non-firm responses. Recruits if you’ve already made a choice, discuss who and why. For the rest of you, if you knew then what you know now, would you make the same choice? Some recruits are still getting the pitch now so let’s give them the straight shit. They’re going to be working for you, after all.

Job of the Week: S&P Needs Help Getting Things Back on Track

hire me2.jpgOr at least give it your best shot. Rating agencies have received their fair share of the blame for the mess we’re in so some fresh blood is in order.
S&P needs an Associate Director – Financial Planning and Analysis. You.


Company: Standard & Poor’s
Location: New York
Title: Associate Director – Financial Planning and Analysis
Description: The Associate Director – Financial Planning & Analysis is responsible for providing financial analysis and support to the Standard & Poor’s Structured Finance Ratings team. The position provides financial support to the Director, Finance and VP, Finance in the US including the preparation of budget and medium range plans for individual cost centers.
Responsibilities: Identify, track, and disseminate information on environment and industry trends; Perform special in-depth analysis on an ad hoc basis; Report and track Global Insurance trends and produce forward issuance estimates in conjunction with BLs/RPLs; Direct the centralized planning function for Structured Finance Ratings, ranging from more conceptual to the more task-oriented; Prepare internal and external presentations; Develop central components of monthly management reports; Advise line operations and development personnel in the identification, research, evaluation and presentation of specific recommendations to senior management on new products and business opportunities; Provide timely flow of the full range of strategic and environmental planning information and analysis
Skills Required: An MBA with a concentration in Finance or a CPA, as well as a minimum of 4-7 years experience in business planning and development functions and/or management consulting; Highly developed research and analytical skills
See the full description at the GC Career Center and check out all the other great jobs at the main page.

CalCPA Is Doing About Everything It Can to Motivate You to Reactivate Your CPA

the-big-lebowski-bridges-dude.jpgThe California Society of CPAs understands that some of you are lazy. You don’t work for a company that provides enough CPE (and the cheapskates won’t send you to Vegas for a week) and self-study is out of the question, so your license becomes inactive.
So CalCPA is trying to get you back on the fast track to active status by offering the CPA Active Pass.
This will allow you to get the “inactive” from behind those precious letters and you can wear all of your CPA attire again without having to explain that you’re technically not an active CPA. Details-shmetails.
The CPA Active Pass allows you attend 80 hours of live CPE courses including webcasts, which is the real bonus so you won’t even have to leave your house.
No more excuses people.
CalCPA Helps Inactive California CPAs Reactivate [Web CPA]
Earlier: Arnie Signs 150-Hour Rule for California

Face It. Your Resumé Probably Needs Work

Thumbnail image for hire me2.jpgOne way or another, lots of you are looking for jobs. The problem is that many of you have pre-tay, pret-tay, pre-tay similar work experiences. So how do you get your resumé to stand out without attaching nude glamor photos?
FINS has some tips including that may give you an advantage on your pavement pounding competition including:
• The Basics – If you’ve got letters behind your name, put that at the top. Don’t slip it in as an afterthought.
• Demonstrate How Skills Apply – If you’re a badass at anything, don’t be shy. SOX 404, tax planning, M&A, whatever your speciality, make it known.
• List High-Value Experience – Mention how you explained accounting for derivatives to all your clients. Don’t mention nightmare inventory counts.
Head over to FINS to see all their tips including a before and after example resumé. Oh, and DON’T. DO. THIS.
Foot in the Door: The Perfect Accounting Resume [FINS]

Job of the Week: Now That the Tax Deadline Has Passed, the Job Search Begins

hire me2.jpgTax professionals, now that you’ve managed to make it through yet another tax year with totally flipping out, it’s time for the annual ritual of working up the nerve to find a different job.
Good money says that most of you will look for about two hours over the next week and then, next thing you know, it’s January and you’re doomed for another 10 months.
Our attempt to give you a little push after the jump.


Company: CME Group
Location: Chicago
Title: Corporate Tax Manager
Description: This role is “hands on”, entailing day-to-day management and direct responsibility of several areas of the tax function. It will work crossfunctionally with a wide group, including staff, customers, vendors, and outside consultants. As such, the ability to effectively communicate tax technical terms to a nontax audience is very important. This position also requires the ability to work independently as well as the ability to manage over long distances.
Responsibilities:
• Compliance: Work with the Director, Tax, Manager, Tax, and outside service providers on federal and state income tax filings for CME Group. Research issues related to the preparation of nonincome and income tax returns.
• Audit defense: Work with Director, Tax on strategy and tactics. Research audit issues and respond to auditor questions.
• Tax research: Assist Director, Tax in identifying tax minimization opportunities. Research a variety of issues across a broad range of taxes, including transactional and project issues. Demonstrate the ability to communicate findings in written and verbal form to a wide range of internal and external customers, most of whom are not tax fluent.
• Income tax accounting (financial reporting): Work with Director and Manager, Tax on quarterly and yearend tax provisions for CME Group. Will also work with the Director and Manager to improve process and output.
See the full description at the GC Career Center and check out all the other great jobs at the main page.