Job of the Day: Dell Needs an Audit Consultant
The description, qualifications and desired experience all sound familiar for an internal audit position but we’ll refrain from coming right out and calling it that.
Dell needs someone for this position that has at least four years of audit experience with CPA, CMA, CIA and APICS all highly desirable.
Get more details on this position in Austin, TX after the jump.
Recruiter: Dell
Title: Audit Consultant
Location: Austin, TX
Minimum experience: 4 years
Description: The consultant candidate will responsible for executing audit scopes formulated to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of activities/economic drivers that create enterprise market value. Specifically the consultant will test whether an Risk Management framework exists and is functioning effectively for each selected auditable entity.
Responsibilities: Audit against a set of defined control objectives; meet project schedules; interview appropriate personnel and document results; perform appropriate testing; understand root causes, risks and opportunities of individual areas; synthesize ideas within the project team; write portions of published reports; track the status of action items; perform evaluations relative to management assertions based on accounting information arising from business activities; utilize independent judgment and initiative in the recognition and resolution of problems and discrepancies; provide guidance to the Business on matters pertaining to internal controls and process improvements; carry out ad-hoc investigations
Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree is required, MBA is a plus; four+ years of finance experience with a combination of the following would be preferred: Project management; Business controls; Audit experience
CPA, CMA, CIA and APICS certifications are all desirable; Language skills are a plus
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: Morgan Stanley Needs an Internal Audit Senior Manager
Morgan Stanley needs a Internal Audit Senior Manager to join its Institutional Securities Group. This person will assist the Institutional Securities audit team in completing its annual audit plan, communicating to senior management and the Audit Committee those areas requiring control enhancements and improvements.
The position requires a minimum of seven years experience with a CPA license or equivalent strongly preferred.
Get more details on this position in New York, after the jump.
Recruiter: Morgan Stanley
Title: Internal Audit Senior Manager – Institutional Securities Group
Location: New York, NY
Minimum experience: 7 years
Description: The person in the role will assist the Internal Audit department’s Institutional Securities audit team in completing its annual audit plan, communicating to senior management and the Board Audit Committee those areas requiring control enhancements and providing recommendations for improvements.
Responsibilities: Preparing audit planning memorandum including identifying and evaluating key risks, setting audit scope, determining budgets and staff assignments; possessing considerable experience performing walkthroughs, assessing the internal control environment and performing controls and substantive testing; being able to supervise and mentor junior staff, and review work papers to ensure they meet internal standards; being able to manage audits to meet budgets and the time frame for completing audits; being able to properly assess potential findings for significance; drafting audit reports including writing clear and concise findings and recommendations; following up actions quarterly with clients through to completion.
Qualifications: 4 year college degree required, CPA or international equivalent strongly preferred; seven to ten years experience in financial services with a preference for those with at least five years auditing financial services; strong knowledge of financial instruments including derivatives (e.g. good understanding of option valuation, able to discuss trading strategies with the front office).
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: Ready to Be the Director of Finance?
After graciously making room for our advertisers yesterday, the Job of the Day returns with a Director of Finance position in New York City through MJ Boyd Consulting.
The position requires someone with a minimum of ten years experience and responsibilities include GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, along with overseeing the financial reporting process.
Get more details on this position after the jump.
Recruiter: MJ Boyd Consulting
Title: Director of Finance
Location: New York, NY
Description: Ensuring financial statements are in accordance with GAAP, reporting company performance, and identifying opportunities, risks, and cost cutting initiatives.
Responsibilities: Prepare annual budget, monthly forecast, and other financial reports as needed; define and analyze key areas of the business, including product profitability and student retention; provide financial advice and guidance to senior management; contribute to strategic planning and development as member of management team; ensure compliance with GAAP; ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley; support monthly financial close; balance sheet and P/L analysis, reconciliation; enhance financial analysis and reporting; interact with Corporate Accounting; develop cost reduction and cost management initiatives.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA qualified, Masters preferred; Strong understanding of GAAP and its application to business issues; 10+ years progressive accounting/finance experience, including strong operating unit experience; exceptional analytical and financial analysis skills; strong computer aptitude and proficiency, including expert Excel skills; reporting functions will require ability to quickly obtain Oracle General Ledger mastery, as well as proficiency querying a number of Oracle and proprietary databases using SQL.
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: Thomson Reuters Needs XBRL Accounting Consultants
Regardless of the sluggish pace of XBRL becoming the norm for SEC filers, Thomson Reuters has two positions available in the EDGARfilings division of Business WestLaw.
The Senior Consultant position requires a minimum of 7 years experience and the Junior Consultant position requires a minimum of 3 years experience.
Get more details on these positions, located in Houston, after the jump.
Company: Thomson Reuters
Title: XBRL Accounting Consultant; Senior XBRL Accounting Consultant
Location: Houston, TX
Description: EDGARfilings, a division of Westlaw Business, a Thomson Reuters Company, seeks an XBRL Accounting Consultant to work with a team of professionals to assist public companies file in XBRL using cutting-edge technology. This role will involve the creation of a customized taxonomy mapping document for a client’s financial statements, footnotes, and financial statement schedules by mapping each item to an element from the US GAAP Taxonomy (UGT) developed by XBRL US, the national consortium for XML business reporting standards
Responsibilities: Create a customized taxonomy document using a client’s recent filing with the SEC (10-Q or 10-K) as well as the US GAAP Taxonomy (UGT); consult with clients in a timely manner to determine and confirm which of their reported financial statement items appear to map directly to the UGT or which ones may require the creation of customized extension elements in order to create an XBRL instance document; use information provided by the SEC, in addition to whatever additional material is required, to understand evolving XBRL compliance requirements and address client questions related to their specific compliance requirements.
Qualifications: For Senior XBRL Accounting Consultant: Must have an Accounting or Finance Degree
CPA or Financial Reporting experience preferred with 7-10 years of experience
XBRL Accounting Consultant: Must have an Accounting or Finance Degree; CPA or Financial Reporting experience preferred with 3-5 years of experience
See both descriptions over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Job of the Day: Dell Needs an Accounting Manager
Dell has an Accounting Manager III position that will oversee the financial reporting for business operating units (i.e., sales, marketing, service), treasury, cost and corporate areas.
The position requires a minimum of 6 years experience and a CPA is preferred.
Get more details on this position, located in Austin, TX after the jump.
Company: Dell, Inc.
Title: Accounting Manager III
Location: Austin, TX
Minimum experience: 6 years
Description: Responsible for developing and maintaining financial accounting systems and preparation of financial statements and management reports in one or more of the following areas: Business operating units (i.e., sales, marketing, service), Treasury, Cost and Corporate. Applies knowledge of accounting principles, practices and processes to activities associated with maintaining ledger accounts and developing financial statements and reports.
Responsibilities: Manage the maintenance of the accounting system to ensure that it accurately reflects the financial status of the business unit; review journal entries and supporting documentation to ensure accurate reporting; review monthly account reconciliations; determine cost center requirements and rollup structures and coordinate update requirements with the Financial Control Group within determined deadlines; implement system improvements to increase department efficiency and accuracy; review internal and/or external audit process and documentation for completeness and accuracy; manage accounting staff and prioritize activities to meet close deadlines as assigned; coordinate communications with and support provided to business unit finance group; coordinate, develop, issue, review and update business unit financial accounting and operating policies; ensure that the internal financial reporting requirements of the company are met; advise, consult and present to executive management on financial and/or accounting issues involving business activities for a business unit to ensure proper compliance with laws and GAAP; recruit, retain and develop accounting staff.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in or Accounting with 6-8 years experience or equivalent training and experience. CPA 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: VP of Financial Reporting and Fund Admin. at J.P. Morgan
The Vice President of Financial Reporting/Fund Administration postion requires someone with extensive experience with funds that are subject to the Securities Act of 1940.
This individual will oversee the preparation of quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders and to the SEC.
Get more details on this position, located in Boston, after the jump.
Company: J.P. Morgan
Title: Vice President – Financial Reporting/Fund Administration
Location: Boston, MA
Responsibilities: Oversee the production of the Fund’s quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders and file with the SEC; Coordinate shareholder report mailings with transfer agent or distributor; Ensure the timely completion and review of all financial statements prior to production; oversee the preparation and review of filing; Form N-SAR and N-Q; oversee the preparation and filing of Form N-CSR for all funds with SECWork with the Fund’s legal counsel and outside auditors with regard to filings, examinations, and reporting; provide Fund’s Board of Directors and Fund Management with timely, essential and accurate reporting of Fund operations; prepare correspondence for distribution to Fund management and Board of Directors when deemed appropriate; manage all financial reporting responsibilities as appropriate.
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 Hedge Fund Accountant in Seattle
BlackRock’s Emerald City locale needs someone that’s ready to dive head first into the world of alternative investments.
They are looking for a hedge fund accountant who will be responsible for several duties including preparing financial statements and acting as the liaison for the external auditors and the fund administrator.
Get more details after the jump.
Company: BlackRock
Title: Hedge Fund Accountant
Location: Seattle, WA
Responsibilities: Accounting (GAAP) for several of the firm’s Hedge Fund Products, including monthly valuation procedures; Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual Financial Statements with supporting documentation (tie outs); Continuous cash reconciliation procedures for Fund investment purposes; Liaise with Funds’ independent auditors and offshore administrator; Communicating performance results to investors and resolving investor’s questions; Custom reporting and projects for investor specific needs; Partnering and Communicating with various internal business units regarding ARS Fund Products and performance data; Group project opportunities related to implementation of new product accounting and operational procedures.
Qualifications: Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Finance or commensurate experience; 1-3 years of relevant accounting work experience. Investment or fund accounting experience is desirable, as is public accounting experience.
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: The Association for Financial Professionals Needs a Controller
After taking President’s Day off, the Job of the Day returns with another opportunity with a non-profit organization, this time at the Association for Financial Professionals in Bethesda, Maryland.
They are looking for a Controller that is a CPA with staff management experience.
Get more details after the jump.
Company: Association for Financial Professionals
Title: Controller
Location: Bethesda, MD
Responsibilities: Internal and external financial reporting, making recommendations to existing accounting procedures and the internal control environment, and overseeing the annual audit to include AFP’s international subsidiary organizations.
Qualifications: Along with a demonstrated proficiency in GAAP/SOX/tax knowledge, successful candidates will have prior experience in preparing monthly consolidated financial statements for a multi entity international operation, accounting for foreign currency and intercompany transactions and managing organizational risk programs and initiatives. Proficiency with Great Plains Accounting systems preferred. Staff management experience and a current CPA is 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: Non-profit Org Needs a Director of Finance
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers was founded in 1911 and serves people in need in 27 countries.
They need a Director of Finance that has a CPA/MBA with a minimum of eight years experience.
Get more details after the jump.
Company: Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers
Title: Director of Finance
Location: New York, NY
Experience: 8 – 10 years
Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer, directs and oversees the operations of Maryknoll’s Controller and Treasury Departments and is accountable for budgetary oversight, managing accounting/financial practices, policies, systems and processes, tax and regulatory requirements and Maryknoll’s internal control environment. On a strategic basis, under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, managing and implementing the strategic plans for Maryknoll and its affiliated charitable trusts.
Qualifications: Requirements include a CPA and/or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance; 8-10 years of experience in senior level financial management of a non-profit organization, preferably faith based, with increasing responsibilities for direction and planning; strong knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing non-profit organizations and G.A.A.P.; familiar with tax codes, trust management and investments strategies; familiar with health care systems a plus.
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: Deutsche Bank Needs Your GAAP and IFRS Knowledge
Deutsche Babk need someone to join their Finance Division; preferably someone that has knowledge of both U.S. GAAP, IFRS and bonus points for you if you know anything about German HGB accounting.
The position requires at least four years experience and a CPA/MBA is desirable.
Get more details after the jump.
Company: Deutsche Bank
Title: Finance Manager – VP
Location: New York, NY
Experience: 4 – 8 years
Selected responsibilities: All DB legal entity financial reporting for a number of subsidiaries supported in DE. This includes all general ledger balances, and reporting oversight for risk, intercompany reconciliation, regulatory and management purposes; Requires compliance with corporate and regulatory policies. Must be able to identify when a transaction may impact certain key policies, and know when to refer issues to key contacts in treasury, accounting policy, legal, tax and regulatory areas; Work with Accounting Policy and DB Advisory to properly apply GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) to transactions initiated by business lines that will be recorded on legal entities.
Qualifications: BS/BA Accounting and 4-8 years work experience in financial accounting; CPA or MBA is desirable, but equivalent experience acceptable; Experience with SAP, Essbase and or BCS (Business Consolidation System) a plus; Good knowledge in IFRS GAAP and/or US GAAP needed. Any knowledge of German HGB accounting standards a big plus.
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: Genworth Financial Needs an Assistant Controller
Genworth Financial needs an assistant controller that can manage a variety of responsibilities including overseeing the SEC reporting process, staying cognizant of technical accounting issues, and engage with external auditors.
Qualified candidates need a CPA and a minimum of 8 years experience with a Big 4 or public company experience; preference to those with insurance and international experience.
Get more details after the jump.
Company: Genworth Financial
Title: Assistant Controller
Location: Raleigh, NC
Experience: 8 – 12 years
Description: Reports to the International Controller in the International Headquarters in Raleigh, NC. The role has oversight of 3 reports across the globe.
Responsibilities: Manage monthly close process facilitating with our Corporate headquarters and our platform level controllership teams within the various countries; individually perform and oversee aspects of GAAP reporting, maintaining strong communications between our countries and our Corporate partners (Analytics, Financial Statement Review); provide technical guidance on US GAAP treatment to our in-country Controllers in conjunction with our Corporate TAG (Technical Accounting Guidance) group; develop and lead change process internationally to ensure continuing compliance with technical developments; responsible for Controllership aspects of New Country and New Product Launch, Acquisitions, and Divestitures in conjunction with our Corporate partners; provide analysis and business input on quarterly SEC reporting and necessary audit support; responsible for participating in Genworth wide finance and non-finance initiatives as required by the business; oversee and manage the account reconciliation process; follow-through and execution of all identified audit findings, as necessary; proactively identify and facilitate global resolution of issues; participate in policy review and implementation.
Qualifications: CPA; BA/BS in Accounting; Strong understanding of ERP Ledger systems (Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft); Public Company Experience; Big 4 Accounting Experience; Strong Project Management and Process Skills; 8 – 12 years Experience.
Preferred Qualifications: Insurance Industry Experience; international experience; MBA
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: Morgan Stanley Needs a Stock Option Guru
With all the outrage around big bonuses more executives (read: Jamie, Lloyd) will be getting larger portions of their payouts in the form of equity. This is good news for those of you that can’t get enough of FAS 123(R) or Topic blah blah blah in the codification.
Morgan Stanley is looking for an associate or senior associate to join their financial controllers group that will specialize in compensation reporting, preferably a CPA or CPA candidate with proficiency in equity-based compensation plans.
Get the details after the jump.
Company: Morgan Stanley
Title: Associate/Sr Associate – Financial Controllers (Compensation Accounting)
Location: New York, NY
Experience: 2 – 5 years
Description: Compensation Accounting Team within HR Controllers is seeking to fill a newly created position at the Associate or Sr. Associate level. This position will be responsible for functions related to compensation reporting and will work on the accounting related to the firm’s equity-based compensation plans.
Responsibilities: Managing the reporting of actual and estimated earnings per share information for external reporting purposes and monthly forecasting to senior management; Monthly, quarterly and year-end financial close activities: general ledger maintenance, journal entries and account reconciliations; Booking amortization for stock-based compensation performance awards and cash-settled equity awards; Maintaining a strong control environment and audit documentation over various share reporting & earnings per share related areas; Improving the reporting and analytics related to equity-based compensation plans.
Skills: B.A./B.S. Accounting or Finance; CPA or CPA-candidate preferred; approximately two to five years related work experience in financial accounting and/or financial reporting preferred; financial services industry and stock-based compensation experience preferred; proficiency in technical accounting research skills related to earnings per share and stock-based compensation preferred (e.g., FAS 128, FAS 123R, ASC 718, ASC 260).
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 Jamie Dimon Celebrate His $16 Million Bonus
Probably not but now that Jamie Dimon’s bonus is out, don’t you wish you could be him? Right. We all do. For starters, you could at least get a gig at the same company.
J.P. Morgan is looking to fill an AVP Senior Financial Associate role in their Worldwide Security Services group in the division of Treasury & Securities Services. Get the details after the jump.
Title: Senior Financial Associate – AVP
Location: New York, NY
Description: The Worldwide Securities Services Planning, Reporting and Analysis team is responsible for providing Business and Finance Executives standardized, meaningful and timely MIS to facilitate management decision making in support of performance analysis, forecasting and planning.
Responsibilities: Coordinate the weekly/monthly revenue and expense forecast process; deliver consolidated analysis, inclusive of the consolidated monthly and quarterly executive reviews; monitor the month-end close; support the annual planning processLiaise with product and function CFOs to understand the drivers of business variancePlay a proactive role in enhancing the current BAU processes.
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: Investment Management Firm Needs a Senior Financial Reporting Accountant
A SEC registered investment management firm that manages approximately $9.6 billion in total assets with a staff of 65 employees needs a Senior Financial Reporting Accountant with SEC and internal reporting experience in Rosemont, IL.
Qualified candidates include a CPA or CPA candidates with three years experience, preferably in public accounting.
Get more details for this position after the jump.
Title: Senior Financial Reporting Accountant (SEC & Internal Reporting)
Location: Rosemont, IL
Minimum Experience: 3 years
Responsibilities: Coordination of quarterly SEC financial report preparation (10-K, 10-Q), including the drafting of initial updates to financial statements, footnotes and management discussion and analysis; Processing management, legal and auditors changes and maintaining blackline versions and distributions to reviewers as well as the coordination of the EDGARization process with outside vendor; Assisting with preparation of monthly internal financial reporting package, including the preparation of comparative analysis as well as the preparation and tie-out of information used to prepare supporting schedules.
Qualifications: CPA or CPA Candidate with at least 3 years of experience with SEC reporting; Public accounting experience preferred; Knowledge of financial statements and generally accepted accounting principles to prepare, reconcile, and analyze financial statements (e.g., earnings statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, supporting footnotes, etc.); Knowledge of applicable regulatory rules (e.g., Security and Exchange Commission, Financial Accounting Standards Board, etc.) for external reporting.
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: Genworth Needs a Financial Analyst
An analytical CPA/CFA/MBA is needed for a position located at the Genworth HQ in Richmond, Virginia. Qualified candidates need to have at least five years of Big 4/public accounting experience or experience in financial services or insurance.
Check the more details for this position after the jump.
Company: Genworth Financial U.S.
Title: Sr. Finance Analyst – Strategic Capital Planning
Location: Richmond, VA
Minimum Experience: 5 years
Description: Genworth Financial is looking for a highly experienced and analytical CPA, CFA or MBA to join the Genworth HQ Stat Financial Planning & Analysis team.
Responsibilities: Liaison with various functional areas of the business, including Treasury, Tax, HQ GAAP FP&A, Business Development, Controllership, and Segment Finance groups as needed to consolidate long-term enterprise-wide financial plans, including all key financial metrics; Maintain models for use in updating the consolidated financial plans as needed and to show the impacts of various “what-if” scenarios on all key financial metrics; Use this information and analysis to support strategic corporate planning, including communications to the Board of the Directors; Support the management of the Corporate and Executive Capital Committees, including maintaining committee calendar, minutes and follow-ups, organizing and distributing materials, and documenting project statuses and approvals; Support the Business Development team by providing regular financial inputs, and ad hoc data and analysis as required; Support Board of Director, Quarter Close, Planning, Rating Agency and Capital Committee presentations and analysis as needed
Qualifications: CPA, CFA, or MBA designation; 5-7 years Financial and/or Insurance Experience; Prior Big 4 or public accounting experience; Corporate Finance Experience;
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: Fund Accounting Analyst at J.P. Morgan
Who wouldn’t want to get into Jamie Dimon’s house? JPM is looking for an AVP/Fund Accounting Analyst in Boston.
Check the details for this position after the jump.
Company: J.P. Morgan
Title: Fund Accounting Analyst – Supervisor
Location: Boston, MA
Description: As an Assistant Vice President in the Global Support Unit, you will be responsible for establishing and reviewing the controls of the daily operation, ensuring adherence to procedures and policies, and for providing necessary data to senior management and clients.
Responsibilities: Manage up to four supervisors, each with a staff of four to six fund accountants, senior fund accountants and support positions; Your core responsibilities include: interviewing, hiring and coordinating the training of new employees; performing salary and performance reviews of the staff; reviewing key areas of daily operations in order to ensure accuracy and compliance with procedures and controls; ensuring the completeness and timeliness of reporting to clients, outside parties, and other internal departments; assigning responsibilities and ensuring an efficient work environment; reviewing accounting related issues including posting corporate actions, interpreting tax rulings
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Who Has Advice on Picking a Subgroup in a Big 4 Tax Practice?
We received a request from a young reader who got an email for their start date this summer and now needs some help picking a subgroup.
“ I am trying to decide between pass-throughs, C-Corps, and Consulting/research/writing.”
Personally, our take is to remember some of the people that recruited you. If you felt like you would enjoy working with a particular person that you met during that process, start there. Shoot them an email asking them about the practice that they work in, what the work is like, what are the pros, cons, etc. Chances are they’ve spent time in other practices, so you ask for their opinion on those as well.
Since there are plenty of seasoned Big 4 tax gurus out there, help the soon-to-be new associate out. Advice along the lines of, “You’re screwed, they all suck,” and “Stay in school as long as you can, the real world is a bitch,” while grounded in some truth, is not what your future associates are requesting.
Job of the Day: Moody’s Needs a Senior Internal Auditor
Moody’s needs a senior internal auditor to help keep their internal controls tip-top.
The position requires 3 to 5 years of experience and requires some both domestic and international. Check out more details for this position after the jump.
Company: Moody’s
Title: Senior Internal Auditor
Location: New York
Minimum experience: 3 years
Responsibilities: Plan and execute financial, operational and SOX audits of Moody’s ratings and analytics businesses in accordance with the internal audit plan and departmental & the Institute of Internal Auditors standards; Develop a complete understanding of Moody’s ratings and analytics business, current accounting, compliance and operating policies; Assist Internal Audit management with defining and updating the annual and long-range internal audit programs based on associated financial, operating and compliance risks;
Execute internal audits with the following responsibilities: Plan and communicate the detailed audit scope; Supervise & develop staff auditors; Oversee 3rd party internal audit professionals; Ensure timely completion of audits; Communicate all aspects of audit results / findings timely from the closing meeting to the final audit report; Assist with updating Internal Audit policies and procedures based on changes within the profession.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with approximately 3-5 years experience; A combination of Big 4 Accounting firm and private industry experience is preferred; CPA required; Ideal candidate will have an understanding and experience of a global organization and a strong knowledge of GAAP; Ability to travel 20% (domestic & international); Proficiency in financial system is a must – PeopleSoft Financials highly desirable.
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: Citi Needs a Financial Accounting Analyst
If busy season is already kicking you in the teeth and nothing has been able to motivate you, then perhaps it’s time to try something new. Or perhaps you just woke up and you realized you’ve got to pull your life together.
Whichever applies, Citi is looking to fill a Financial Accounting Analyst position with a minimum of five years experience in New York. Get the rest of the details after the jump.
Company: Citi
Title: Financial Accounting Lead Analyst
Location: New York
Minimum experience: 5 years
Responsibilities: Participate in analyzing and advising on the regulatory capital implications of broad Corporate strategic initiatives (including, for instance, potential M&A activities); Partner with the Corporate Regulatory Reporting team in addressing regulatory capital and reporting issues of significance; Interface with Corporate staffs (e.g., Accounting Policy, Treasury, Corporate Reporting) regarding certain regulatory capital matters; Garner exposure to Clearing House discussions as well as those with the U.S. banking agencies (Fed and OCC) regarding complex and/or nuanced regulatory capital or other relevant regulatory matters of significance.
Skills: Bachelor of Science Degree – Accounting Major; CPA; 5 – 10 years professional experience, preferably a combination of public (ideally Big 4) and private within the financial services industry (commercial or investment bank); Preferably GAAP Accounting Policy or Regulatory Reporting or Advisory experience
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: State Street Needs a GAAP Guru in Boston
After taking Wednesday off, the Job of the Day returns with an opportunity at State Street that has the expectation for advancement within the Corporate Accounting and Finance departments.
The catch is, you better know your GAAP; specifically FAS 123, FAS 158 and FAS 132. Don’t ask us which topics they are in the new codification.
Check out the details for a Policy and Technical Accounting Director in Boston, after the jump.
Company: State Street
Title: Policy and Technical Accounting Director, Vice President
Location: Boston
Minimum experience: 8 years
\Responsibilities: Reviews transactions of high complexity, determines appropriate GAAP accounting and communicates this to management; Interacts with various line and corporate functions to provide input into the initial structuring of transactions to achieve desired accounting results, providing innovative and creative solutions to clients; Analyzes FASB, IASB and SEC pronouncements and assists in preparing of corporate response; alerts and educates management on accounting developments, and provides input into strategies to take advantage of accounting developments; Develops and communicates changes in accounting policies and current accounting issues; Drafts guidance, where necessary, on new accounting rules, and regulations from regulatory bodies such as FASB, EITF, AICPA, IASB and SEC.
Skills/Requirements: Proven track record of advancement, with a minimum of 8-10 years experience at a large financial institution or a national Public Accounting Firm; Subject matter expert in accounting and finance with some knowledge of bank and securities industry policy and reporting; Capital markets experience and solid knowledge of FAS 123, FAS 158 and FAS 132 necessary; Bachelor’s degree and CPA required; Some travel required.
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Do You Have Any Tips on Achieving Work/Life Balance This Busy Season?
As your chargeable hours begin the steady uptick, it is naïve to think that you can take the the same mental and physical approach to busy season that you took to the interim months. Baseball players don’t use the same training methods in September that they did in spring training, and neither should you. “Busy […]
Job of the Day: Director, Ethical and Professional Standards Needed at CFA Institute
Since humans are such corruptable creatures it takes a person with near-divine qualities to teach people about ethics. Luckily, we know that we have some of the pious readers out there, thus we’re confident that one of you will snatch this gig with little difficulty.
Check out the details for the position in Charlottesville, VA after the jump.
Company: CFA Institute
Title: Director, Ethical and Professional Standards
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Description: The Director, Ethics and Professional Standards is responsible for creating, sourcing, and developing educational content for CFA Institute members and serious investment professionals in the area of ethics and professional standards.
Responsibilities: Develop ethics-related educational content (e.g., case studies, online learning courses) targeted toward members, employers, societies, and university partners working collaboratively with stakeholders within and outside CFA Institute; Support the Lifelong Learning Strategy in developing educational content in the area of ethics and professional standards; Interface with executive education clients seeking customized training material; Develop and train a network of investment professionals to provide on-site ethics training; Collaborate with colleagues and members in supporting public awareness initiatives to include increasing brand awareness and establishing CFA Institute as the “go to” resource in the area of ethics and professional standards.
Requirements: CFA charterholder strongly preferred; Master’s degree or comparable degree/designation in a related field; Proven investment industry experience; Demonstrated expertise in ethics and professional standards, such as service in a highly valued compliance role; Superior communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation); Team oriented with the ability to collaborate with others in a matrix organization; Ability to manage multiple projects successfully within various time frames; Sensitivity to and appreciation for cultural differences; Teaching or training experience strongly preferred; Up to 25% travel
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: Bank Controller at Morgan Stanley
As a result of Morgan Stanley becoming a bank holding company, the firm has now the unenviable responsibility of dealing with FDIC oversight. The silver lining here is that all kinds of exciting new jobs were created. Thanks FDIC!
Check out the details for a Bank Controller position at Morgan Stanley in New York, after the jump.
Company: Morgan Stanley
Title: Bank – Controller
Location: New York
Minimum experience: 8 years
Description: Looking for a strong Senior Manager / Vice President for an exciting new role for with the Morgan Stanley Bank (MSBNA – is an FDIC insured, state non-member bank. The Bank produces its own audited financials, has a board of directors, conducts quarterly board meetings, and undergoes examinations by the DFI (state of Utah) as well as the FDIC).
Responsibilities: Conducting an in depth analysis of the financials (Net Revenue and Balance Sheet) on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis; Reviewing the financial and ad hoc reports for quarterly board of directors’ meeting; Ensuring the Legal Entity control frame work is robust and all encompassing; Overseeing all daily p/l and balance sheet production and reporting; Developing, implementing and managing the Reg W reporting process and ensuring timely remediation of breaches working with Operations and the Business Unit Risk Management Team; Liaising with Bank Regulators (OCC and FED), Bank Senior Management, Internal and External Audit, Operations and Product Controllers on a regular basis as it relates to the Banks financials and regulatory requirements; Assisting with new product analyses as they relate to compliance with GAAP and Bank regulatory requirements
Skills/Requirements: Proficient in Excel and be able to quickly learn various front office and finance related systems; Knowledge of regulatory / legal entity reporting and annual report preparation; Experience in Product Control or Regulatory Reporting is a plus; BS Finance / Accounting degree and/or a CPA; 8+ years related work experience preferably from another securities firm or large bank.
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Tweets and Pokes: How the Big 4 Is Recruiting the Next Crop of Accountants
No 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-year dressing 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
This 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
Job 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
Yes, 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
Here’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
The 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
California 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?
Starting 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
Doesn’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
Fannie 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
Rather 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
A 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.
Job of the Day: Lots of International Accounting Experience Wanted
Specifically any of the following: UK, German, or Japanese GAAP. Plus if you’re on top of this IFRS thing, that’d be swell too. If you’ve got experience with all these then we’ll assume you’re a shoe-in.
Unless, of course, you have the personality of a park bench, in which case we’d say your chances are 50-50.
Check the details for a Senior Accountant position at Interactive Data in Boston after the jump.
Company: Interactive Data
Title: Senior Accountant
Location: Boston
Minimum experience: 5 years
Responsibilities: Prepare worldwide consolidated financial reporting for Interactive Data Corporation utilizing Oracle Financial Software; Responsible for specific Oracle and financial schedule requirements for both the monthly and quarterly close cycles; Performs quarterly review of financial records and ledgers of all US and non-US divisions, including divisions in Europe and Asia Pacific, to ensure accuracy, reporting consistency and US GAAP compliance as directed by Accounting Manager; Assist Corporate Controller in preparation of quarter SEC 10Q filing and annual SEC 10K filing. Works with other members of senior management to prepare final document; Assist Accounting Manager with regular training to all divisions on new developments in US GAAP and IFRS. Keep abreast of all new FASB and IASB issuances and make entire Finance community aware of such changes.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting; CPA or equivalent non-US license is required; At least 5-8 years related experience.
Skills: International experience is a plus; Sound knowledge of US GAAP and IFRS knowledge is preferable; Knowledge of UK and/or German and/or Japanese GAAP is a plus; Willingness to travel; Travel expected to be about 15%-20% of time annually.
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: Ready to Roll Up the Sleeves at Fortress?
That’s part of the “skills required” for their Senior Accountant position that they just created. Since most of you are used to that sort of thing, landing this gig should be a snap.
Get the details after the jump.
Company: Fortress Investment Group LLC
Title: Senior Accountant
Location: New York City
Minimum experience: 5 years
Description: This is a new position reporting to the CAO of Fortress. The person will be exposed to the accounting, regulatory and business issues surrounding the company’s diversified investment portfolio.
Responsibilities: Assist the CAO and Accounting Policy Senior Manager with the oversight and documentation of the accounting policies of Fortress and its sponsored funds; Liaison with the controllers of the various funds on accounting, controls, and regulatory issues; Assist the CAO and Accounting Policy Senior Manager with accounting research/issues; Assist the CAO in the preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements; Prepare schedules for internal management reporting; Assist with various special projects
Required Skills: The ideal candidate will be a CPA and hold a BS Degree (or equivalent) and 5-8 years of finance accounting experience. Public company and/or private equity fund accounting experience is a plus.
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: If You’re Lucky, You’ll Get Discounts at the Nike Store
Something a little unique for our job of the day.
Laika is an animation studio owned by Nike co-founder and Chairman Phil Knight that specializes in feature films, commercials, music videos, broadcast graphics and short films.
They are looking for a Head of Financial Planning and Analysis in Portland, OR. Get the details after the jump.
Company: Laika
Title: Head of Financial Planning and Analysis
Location: Portland, OR
Minimum experience: 5 – 7 years
Description: This person will be responsible for the management of all financial planning and analyses for LAIKA. The position will take the lead in collecting, summarizing, and interpreting financial data for LAIKA partnering with key stakeholders regarding their annual operating budgets and quarterly forecasts.
Responsibilities: Creating and maintaining all company budgets and financial projections including consolidated company projections, film ultimate P&L’s, overhead budgets across functional areas and two operating divisions; Prepare a range of film modeling analyses including creating film ultimate financial planning models for all LAIKA films; Prepare long range company projections under different production and performance scenarios; Work with distribution partners to develop reasonable and informed financial projections for released and soon to be released films; Prepare financial reporting for senior management and Board of Directors; Provide financial analysis supporting new and evolving business projects.
Required Skills: Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience; 5+ years in corporate financial planning or similar; film industry a significant plus; Significant and in-depth experience in financial model building and financial statement construction and analysis required; Experience creating primary quantitative analyses with proven ability to communicate and present the information in a summarized way to senior management.
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: The OC Is Calling
If we knew anything about reality TV maybe we would throw in a quip about Laguna Beach/The Hills/whatever the hell those shows are called nowadays but we don’t. The allure of weather that isn’t Biblical should be enough pique your interest.
Check out the details for a Pricing Manager position at PIMCO in Newport Beach, CA after the jump.
Company: PIMCO
Title: Pricing Manager
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Minimum experience: 2 – 5 years
Description: PIMCO Pricing is primarily responsible for oversight of security valuation of PIMCO’s mutual funds and private trusts advised and administered by PIMCO. The group works closely with third-party vendors (fund accountants/administrators, custodians, auditors and security pricing vendors) that provide services to the funds/trusts.
Responsibilities: Interact with the pricing vendors in order to price additional securities PIMCO owns; Communicate daily inquiries to appropriate internal departments; Manage various projects related to process improvements, procedures and systems development; Maintains current knowledge of domestic and foreign securities markets and monitors effects on funds and pricing and valuation procedures; Develop reports for PIMCO funds, the Boards, Legal, and Portfolio Management
Required Skills: Candidate will have two to five years of professional work experience in mutual fund operations, broker/dealer back-office or mutual fund auditor. Solid understanding of operational controls, processes, procedures.
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: A Hedge Fund Needs Your Brilliant Tax Mind
Now that the book has been closed on 2009, you’re more or less ready to get back into the swing of things. Unless of course you just got laid off unexpectedly or you felt like sticking it to your old employer and did the march in yesterday.
Or even if you’re just moseying around on your second day back and you wonder what else is out there.
Michael Page, Inc. has a hedge fund client that is looking for a Tax Manager. Get the details after the jump.
Company: Michael Page, Inc.
Title: Tax Manager
Location: New York
Minimum experience: 5 – 10 years
Description: Provide tax compliance and planning expertise, as well as leading a small team of tax professionals
Responsibilities: Reviewing federal/state corporate and partnership returns; Managing information from accounting administration provider in order to accurately prepare tax returns; Preparing and analyzing accounting data to ensure proper tax categorizations; Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual tax provision calculations and financial statement tax footnotes; Prepare withholding documentation submissions to external parties; Assisting in performing research and providing analysis on a variety of moderate to advanced tax issues or perform special projects as directed by the Tax Director
Required Skills: 5-10 years tax experience with exposure to Hedge Fund or Private Equity Tax structures.
See the entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
California CPAs to be More Ethical Starting in 2010
The California Board of Accountancy is ringing in the New Year with some increased requirements for California CPAs including additional ethics training to maintain an active status.
With so much unethical behavior in the world today, the CBA figured a few more hours of CPE will straighten you all out:
CBA president Manuel Ramirez said the regulation changes are part of an increased focus by the CBA on ethics and education. “I believe the newly approved continuing education requirements are an important step to increasing the CBA’s consumer protection mandate, while also reestablishing CPAs’ reputations as one of the most ethical professions in the country,” he said in a statement.
Not only will California have the most ethical CPAs in all the land but the CBA is jumping on the transparency bandwagon by broadcasting its future meetings via webcast. This will “give both consumers and CBA licensees a ‘window’ into important issues and how decisions are made.” Prior to this ‘window’, anyone wanting to observe a meeting had to attend — GASP — in person. One can safely assume that the CBA’s decision was partly due to realizing that webcasts would save them the embarrassment of A) a near empty meeting and B) those in attendance snoozing through the whole thing.
California Toughens Requirements for Accountants [Web CPA]
Other California CPA News:
CalCPA Is Doing About Everything It Can to Motivate You to Reactivate Your CPA
Arnie Signs 150-Hour Rule for California
Job of the Day: Get Started on that Resolution Now
For those of you that punched the “Find a new job” button on our resolution post, this will help you get started. Even if you indicated that want to do less work in 2010, you may want to do less work at a new job.
Get details for an Accounting Analyst position at BlackRock in San Francisco, after the jump.
Company: BlackRock
Title: Accounting Analyst
Location: San Francisco
Minimum experience: 2 – 3 years
Description: The Accounting Analyst is engaged in the accounting, analysis and reporting of securities lending and cash management revenues. This includes securities lending rebate and fee settlement with counter-parties (securities dealers and brokers). In addition, the Analyst will create analytical and performance reports as needed. The position will be in communication with accounting personnel from other securities brokers and will work closely with GIMG Securities Lending’s Trading and Operations.
Responsibilities: Prepare rebate and fee statements and settle with counter-parties; prepare and process journal entries; analyze, research and reconcile accrual variances; prepare and distribute relevant management reporting analytics
Required Skills: College degree (BS/BA) preferably in Finance/Accounting/Business; strong computer skills, including Oracle, OFA (Oracle Financial Analyzer), and advanced Excel
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: Someone Is Promising Fun at Work
Animation Mentor, that’s who. Including: “True work-life balance, urban adventures, movie premieres and many more enjoyable team activities and an environment where your input and suggestions matter!”
Check out their Senior Accountant position in Emeryville, CA after the jump.
Company: Animation Mentor
Title: Senior Accountant
Compensation: $50,000 – $80,000 (depending on experience)
Location: Emeryville, CA
Experience: 5 – 7 years
Responsibilities: Full cycle general ledger close (balance sheet account reconciliations, standard, recurring, reversing and allocation journal entries, review income and expense accounts for reasonableness); Prepare cash flow statements; Accounts receivable and Revenue; Assist in monthly budget vs. actual expense analysis; Assist is annual budget and quarterly forecasting process as required; Prepare audit schedules.
Requirements: 5+ years accounting experience (preferably 2-3 years in Sr. Accountant role with full cycle close experience); CPA, QuickBooks and large ERP systems, eCommerce industry experience, consolidations experience, all a plus.
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: Tax Maven Wanted at BBH
Nine days left in 2009 and all you tax trolls are gearing for another great tax prep season. For those of you looking to bestow your IRC wisdom at a new shop, we’ve got at least one option for you.
Check out a Senior Tax Manager position at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York, after the jump.
Company: Brown Brothers Harriman
Title: Senior Tax Manager
Location: New York City
Experience: 8 – 10 years
Description: The Sr. Tax Manager at Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is responsible for the maintenance of tax records as well as the preparation and review of all specifically assigned tax returns and related documents for all BBH Partners and Managing Directors, Partnership and Trust returns.
Responsibilities: Tax Preparation: Review as well as assist in data gathering, preparation and filing of the firm’s federal, state, and local partnership income tax returns as well as personal property tax returns, sales tax returns, unincorporated business tax, business privilege tax and other returns.
Tax Research: Collaborate on tax research on new tax laws, regulations and rulings to disseminate information to the firm; Research and assess the integration of foreign tax credits, from operations and investments, on the overall tax burden of the firm.
Tax Review: Review individual partner tax filings as well as discuss and explain tax positions to Partners. Review tax returns and tax return workpapers for individual Partners and Managing Directors
Requirements: BA/BA degree; Masters in Tax and/or CPA a plus but not required; Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local personal income taxes, gift taxes, generation skipping taxes, estate taxes, nonresident withholding taxes and payroll taxes for high net worth individuals; Strong fundamental understanding of international tax concepts, including value-added tax, foreign tax credits and withholding tax.
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: How About a New Job as a Last Minute Gift Idea?
With less than four shopping days left until Navidad, what better gift for yourself or someone you love (or someone that you’d prefer to see leave your company) than a new job?
Get the details for a MBS/ABS Valuation Review Specialist position in New York after the jump.
Company: Comprehensive Recruiting
Title: MBS/ABS Valuation Review Specialist
Location: New York City
Minimum experience: 3 – 5 years
Description: Global Bank in NYC is looking to add candidates to their Valuation Risk Group who have MBS/ABS product experience.
Responsibilities: Analyzing and valuing the Bank’s diverse MBS/ABS portfolio; Manage the independent valuation through the monthly Mark Review process to insure measurement at fair value; Insure that the all trades on the Balance Sheet are properly classified according to FAS 157, Fair Value Measurement.
Required Skills: Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, economics, mathematics or related discipline, with advanced degree(MBA or Masters degree in related discipline) or certification (CFA/CPA) preferred; Experience with MBS/ABS products. The ideal candidates will also have previous risk experience; Familiarity with accounting guidelines and pronouncements, including FAS 157 (Fair Value Measurement); Ability to identify and recommend changes to existing processes in order to improve and streamline those processes.
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: Out with John Mack, in with You
You probably don’t have the qualifications — which includes being able to tell Tim Geithner to get f*cked — for the big chair (it’s already spoken for anyway) but MS is looking for plenty fresh blood.
Check out a VP – Equity Derivative Products Financial Resources Controller position at Morgan Stanley in New York, after the jump.
Company: Morgan Stanley
Title: Vice President-Equity Derivative Products Financial Resources Controller
Location: New York City
Experience: 8+ years
Description: Working with manager to determine and execute on Financial Resources agenda for Global Equity Derivative Product Controllers; Managing Liquidity Risk reporting and analyses for Derivatives; Partnering with Derivatives senior management team on managing business’ Financial Resources; Coordinating Derivative Controllers involvement in Firm-wide B/S and Funding Project; Liaise with Business Units on implementation of enhanced B/S and Funding reporting and analytics; Advise on business adoption strategy: new processes/tools to be implemented/rolled out; Contribute to requirements for creation of new strategic reporting for B/S and Funding
Skills: Equity Product Control experience; Experience with B/S and Funding reporting and analysis; Extensive business analysis background; Experience summarizing feedback/results and producing management reporting; Provide support for projects; BS/BA in Finance, Accounting or Business strongly recommended
Jump over the GC Career Center for the entire description and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
>75: I’ve Passed, So What About CPE Requirements?
Editor’s note: This is the latest edition of >75, our weekly post on questions that you have related to the CPA Exam. Send your questions to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer as many of them as possible. You can see all of the JDA’s posts for GC here and all our posts related to the CPA Exam here.
Reader Kyle (Louisiana CPA applicant) asks:
Passed the exam in October, start working part-time (finishing useless grad school till August) in January. Do I have to start doing CPE stuff even though I won’t be a “CPA” for at least a year? Can I start doing CPE stuff now and have it count? Does taking the CFA count as CPE stuff?
As a general rule (since each state/territory makes its own CPA exam rules), CFA, CA, MBA, STFU, whatever letters you have after your name before tackling the CPA mean shit to most state boards of accountancy. However, maybe your CFA required classes that will also meet your state’s CPA exam requirements, figure it out independently of whatever other certification you have and give up the idea that you get credit for any of that.
You can see more about the Louisiana requirements here (or find your state here). I hate the word “expert” and I don’t like having to claim that I am one just because I work with this every day in CPA Review. So when in doubt, check directly with your state board or NASBA. Be patient and make a list of questions you have for them – I don’t feel sorry for you if you go into this blind and then cry to me that you had no idea you shouldn’t pay for all four parts on your NTS. All you had to do was ask and someone who knows would have told you. /endrant, I’m just suggesting to also contact the Board or NASBA.
That being said, Louisiana doesn’t specifically define “CPE” but they don’t really have to. Generally you can speak with your state’s society of CPAs to get information on accepted CPE programs in your state. Again, there are resources available to you as a CPA candidate, it’s up to you to utilize them.
Our candidate also asked about experience requirements, which Louisiana defines as the following:
At least one year of experience must be confirmed that was within the four years preceding the date of this application; involved the use of accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills; and, was supervised and verified by a licensee.
It only takes 18 months (or less) to get through the exam, you can do the math, little future CPA.
Like I said, you are encouraged to send your CPA exam questions to us but do your own homework, I’m probably hungover while writing this.
Job of the Day: Bring Your Extensive GAAP Knowledge to Fannie Mae
It’s already been determined that Fannie Mae is TBTF so any concerns that you have about company security should be put to rest.
Plus, as a quasi-government entity (or is it just a government entity now?) your country will owe you a debt of gratitude.
Get the details for a Senior Manager of Accounting Policy position in Washington, D.C. after the jump.
Company: Fannie Mae
Title: Senior Manager – Accounting Policy
Location: Washington, D.C.
Minimum experience: 4 – 6 years public accounting experience or equivalent experience
Description: This Senior Manager of Accounting Policy will work with his/her Director and peers to ensure up-to-date company-wide accounting policies in compliance with relevant authoritative accounting literature. The Senior Manager will interact with internal customers (e.g., business units, Accounting Operations and financial reporting) to understand new transactions/business changes, research technical accounting literature and provide applicable accounting guidance.
Responsibilities: Evaluate new business initiatives, products and changes to the business through interaction with internal customers, understanding the facts and researching applicable technical accounting guidance; Write accounting policy memos documenting facts and applicable accounting policy guidance and discuss proposed accounting guidance with Directors, VPs and others within Accounting Policy Address implementation issues and questions; Interact and coordinate with consultants, auditors, and other stakeholders; Monitor accounting developments through the accounting setting process, communicate status of projects and impact to Fannie Mae, and provide guidance on the implementation of new accounting standards; Prepare and review SEC and other external reporting relating to assigned areas.
Skills: CPA required; Experience in the interpretation and application of SFAS No. 166, SFAS No. 167, FIN No. 45, SFAS No. 133, SFAS No. 5/114, SFAS No. 15/65, SFAS No. 115 and/or SFAS No. 157; Relevant SEC experience 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: You’re Good Enough for Government Work
The word on the street is working in government isn’t a bad move. Plus, Texas doesn’t have an income tax.
Check out the details for a financial examiner position for the Credit Union Department for the State of Texas located in Houston, after the jump.
Company: Credit Union Department – State of Texas
Title: Financial Examiner IV
Location: Houston, TX
Experience: 3 – 5 years
Compensation: $50,000 – $70,000
Description: Professional examining position with the responsibility for conducting examinations of complex credit unions with persistent problems, in addition to routine examinations. Work involves examining and verifying financial and operating statements, analyzing and interpreting financial and statistical data, ascertaining compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, bylaws, and sound business practices, and evaluating management performance. Functions as the Examiner-in-Charge of large team examinations or provides oversight responsibility for a specific function of the examination. May be an examiner with extensive experience or expertise in one or more areas of the examination process, such as accounting, specialized lending, management consulting, or investments.
Responsibilities: Verifying the accuracy of accounting records and related financial statements; reviewing a sample of loan files to ascertain proper documentation and adequate procedures; reviewing board policies and verifying compliance; verifying investments and determining that investment policies are adequate and appropriate; verifying compliance with applicable sections of the Texas Finance Code, Commission Rules, and Bylaws; verfying compliance with other related laws or applicable federal regulations; and evaluating management effectiveness and internal controls.
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: We won’t rest…
…until you’re all gainfully employed. Except maybe the last week of the year. Nobody does a damn thing that week.
Check out the details for a financial analyst position at BBVA in New York, after the jump.
Company: BBVA
Title: Financial Analyst
Location: New York City
Responsibilities: Analyze daily/monthly fluctuations in P&L (by entity, business lines, and product), prepare explanations of significant changes, and investigate any open items; Prepare monthly management reporting package, including reporting of adjustments, suspense items and reconciling items; Identify any errors (system or manual) in the daily P&L and work closely with the Operations department and Front Office to ensure they are corrected in a timely manner; Assist in preparation of budget and expense allocation; Review monthly report of suspense items and obtain explanation and target dates for clearance of aged items;Prepare various analyses by products (Loans, Fees, Fixed Income, FX, IRS, etc.); Assist in preparing support for various audit requests; Other ad-hoc projects, as needed
Qualifications: Bachelors or Masters in Accounting or Finance, CPA preferred; Three to Five years of experience in the Financial industry (Banking preferred), with an emphasis in management reporting or accounting; Possess knowledge of U.S. GAAP and/or IFRS, standard accounting concepts practices and procedures and ability to understand and solve complex accounting issues; Fluency in Spanish preferred
See the entire job description over at the CG Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Robert Half Survey: CFOs Are Nearly Done Firing People
Bob Half is spreading some good cheer the-world-is-not-ending-in-2010 news this holiday season, as the staffing company’s latest poll has indicated that the job market for accountants should “stabalize” in the first quarter of the new year. Call us morbid but “stable” makes us think of someone in the ICU.
Web CPA:
Staffing company Robert Half International found that a net 3 percent of the 1,400 CFOs interviewed for the survey plan to reduce their accounting and finance personnel in the first quarter of 2010, but this represents an improvement from the net 6 percent forecast the previous quarter. Most executives — 84 percent — expect no changes to their staffing levels.
Six percent of executives plan to increase hiring in the first quarter and 9 percent foresee personnel reductions. Compared to the fourth-quarter projections, the number that anticipated adding staff rose while the number projecting cutbacks declined.
Thought so! Not anything to write home about since 84 percent of the respondents expect no changes in their staffing levels. To make matters worse, according to the survey those of you pounding the pavement don’t have any skills:
Despite current unemployment levels, CFOs continue to report challenges finding highly skilled professionals for certain functional areas. Twenty-five percent of financial executives said accounting roles are the hardest to fill, and 20 percent said they experience the most difficulty hiring for operational support positions.
Leave it to the BSDs of the world to bring you down by telling you don’t have any skills. We believe in you, unemployed number crunchers of the world! Don’t let the bastards get you down.
Accounting Staff Cutbacks Expected to Slow [Web CPA]
Job of the Day: If Nothing Else, the Title Sounds Impressive
Sure you’ll be neck deep in the new codification but somebody’s got to do it, amiright?
Check out an Investment Accounting Policy Manager position at BlackRock, after the jump.
Company: BlackRock
Title: Investment Accounting Policy Manager
Location: New York City
Description: Direct accounting policy related to BlackRock’s nearly 2,000 investment products, including mutual funds, i-Shares, private equity funds, CDOs, structured products and other alternative products, including real estate funds, hedge funds and hedge fund of funds.
Responsibilities: Document existing policies for investment companies, working closely with fund administration teams and product CFOs; Assist in structuring new products; Monitor the firm’s compliance with SFAS 167; Assist in general corporate policy matters, including SFAS 123(R), SFAS 109, SFAS 141(R), SFAS 142 and SFAS 160, SFAS 157 and SFAS 52.
Qualifications: B.A. / B.S. degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required; 7 to 12 years related work experience (Big 4 experience in a policy or technical accounting role preferred; Asset Management specialization necessary); Knowledge of new and proposed professional accounting guidance; IFRS expertise preferred, but not 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: Global Asset Manager Needs Someone Who Loves GAAP
Which should be all of you. Okay, tax peeps, you got us but take a peak anyway.
Ashton Lane Group is looking to place someone in a senior accounting analysis and reporting position for a global asset manager in New York. The position requires at least 5 years experience and offers a competitive base and bonus.
Check out more details after the jump.
Title: Financial Reporting Accountant
Location: New York City
Responsibilities: Analysis and documentation of complex transaction terms and accounting treatment, which involves interaction with Business, Legal and Finance; Conducting accounting research and formulating application of the US GAAP framework to transactions, financial instruments, and hedging programs; Keeping current on new relevant US GAAP requirements; Assisting with the implementation of new US GAAP pronouncements and formulating relevant accounting policies; Participation in future implementation efforts around IRFS framework
Other requirements: 5-8 years in Public Accounting (Financial Services Industry exposure a strong plus) or 6-9 years of work experience in the financial services industry; Strong command of the US GAAP framework associated with: consolidation, derivatives, hedge accounting, transfer of financial assets, fair valuation of financial instruments; CPA license a strong plus.
See the entire job description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Job of the Day: What Exactly Does a Consultant Do?
They consult, naturally. We can’t really get into more detail at this point. But if you consider yourself a renaissance man/woman in the financial realm (and don’t mind some travel), a consulting gig may be right for you.
Check out the details for both senior and staff finance consultant positions at Infrastructure Management Group, Inc. in Bethesda, MD after the jump.
Company: Infrastructure Management Group, Inc.
Title: Finance Consultant
Location: Bethesda, MD
Requirements: All candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least some coursework in finance, economics, and/or accounting and have a strong interest in infrastructure finance. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Some domestic and international travel may also be required for some projects.
Senior Consultant Profile: At least two years of finance experience preferably with an investment or commercial bank, accounting firm, or construction/development firm; Experience with cash flow financial models, using net present value and IRR functions; Master’s degree preferred but not required.
Staff Consultant Profile: Entry-level position; Graduating college senior or recent graduate; Some coursework in finance and accounting.
Check out the entire description for this listing over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Job of the Day: Spanish or Portuguese-Speaking Auditors Report
Today on the job hunt we bring you an audit associate position at BNY Mellon in Boston. Bonus points for those of you that are fluent in Spanish or Portuguese. Check out the details after the jump.
Company: BNY Mellon
Location: Boston
Title: Audit Associate
Description: Performs high quality, risk-focused fieldwork, in accordance with Internal Audit policies, methodologies and standards, in order to identify meaningful issues, risks and other exposures in the Asset Management sector.
Qualifications: Three to six years of relevant auditing experience preferably in Asset Management or related financial services areas, preferably working towards CPA, MBA, and/or CIA designation or already qualified. Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese would be an asset.
Check out entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
Job of the Day: Hate the Cold? Move to Florida
Global warming? Bah. Over half the country is experiencing inclement weather.
That’s a perfect excuse to move to South Florida. Analytic Recruiting has a Manager of Derivatives Accounting position that is offering a “generous relocation” to Palm Beach. Check out all the details after the jump.
Title: Manager – Derivatives Accounting
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Description: This position will manage accounting and control for all of the firm’s trading and hedging activities.
Responsibilities: Managing hedge effectiveness strategies for Energy Trading; oversee all accounting and financial statement activities [FAS 133, FAS 157 and FAS 161 and FX and Commodity hedge analysis].
Requirements: BS in Accounting or Finance, and at least 5 yrs of derivatives accounting experience and be very comfortable with FAS 133, FAS 157 and FAS 161. A CPA is strongly preferred.
Check out the entire job description over at the GC Career Center and check out the main page for all your job search needs.
Job of the Day: All I Want for Christmas Is a New Job
If a new job is on your list to Kris Kringle, then you’re in luck because we’re going to start throwing a job out there for your viewing pleasure on a daily basis. It’s up to you click the links provided. We can’t do everything after all.
Check out the details for a Senior Alternative Investments Accounting Analyst position at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York, after the jump.
Company: Brown Brothers Harriman
Title: Senior Alternative Investments Accounting Analyst
Location: New York City
Description: The Senior Accountant – Alternative Investments will be responsible for the accounting, operational and administrative functions for BBH alternative investment products.
Responsibilities: The individual will be responsible for the core accounting and reporting (financial and tax) for these products, including maintenance of general ledgers, partnership capital accounts and unit prices for offshore share classes. The position will also be responsible for operations and administration of the products, including subscriptions, redemptions, cash management, investor reporting, and supervision of administrators. As well, this position will directly support the front office staff who works on the products. The individual will deal with front office management of BBH, product and portfolio managers of BBH, external relationships with external accountants, some external product portfolio managers and administrators as well as the Core Accounting group of Controllers.
Requirements: Bachelor Degree, Accounting Major preferred; 4+ yrs of relevant experience, preferably with exposure to alternative investments; Good knowledge of financial products, including alternative investments
See this job’s entire description over at the GC Career Center and visit the main page for all your job search needs.
The Partner Track: Open Thread
A friend of GC recently brought up the holy grail of public accounting: admission to the partnership. We were informed that in one Big 4 office in the west, the timeline for making partner had recently increased from 12 – 13 years to 15 – 16 years.
Maybe three additional years after a dozen is NBD but it might cause some to jump ship.
We would assume that this trend would be more likely in smaller markets but we’re opening this to you to discuss what you’re hearing about your office and firm.
Vote in our poll below about your partner aspirations and discuss further in the comments (and anything else partner-related for that matter). For the current partners kindly give your future partners some perspective on the journey. The good, the bad, whatever.
Job of the Week: Resist the Turkey Coma and Find a New Job This Weekend
Since you’ll have a couple of days off it’s a perfect opportunity to get leg up on everyone else out there suffering from an L-tryptophan overdose.
After the jump, get the details for a Senior Auditor position at the Pentagon Federal Credit Union.
Position: Senior Auditor
Company: Pentagon Federal Credit Union
Location: Alexandria, VA,
Experience: 5 – 7 years
Responsibilities: Executes and/or leads complex audits and reviews to determine effectiveness of controls, accuracy of financial records and compliance with regulations and policies in accordance with accepted standards.
Develops audit programs, obtains, analyzes and appraises documentary evidence sufficient to formulate an objective opinion regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations and activities being audited.
Oversees the work of Staff Auditors assigned to assist on audits, including methodologies utilized, work paper documentation, and reports of findings or recommendations to Management.
Based on established reporting standards, prepares a formal written report of the audit showing the purpose and scope of the completed audit, the conclusions and any findings and related recommendations.
Qualifications: Possession of strong financial and analytical skills, advanced planning, organizing and problem-solving skills, a thorough understanding of financial institution practices and in-depth knowledge of internal audit principles and regulatory compliance.
See the entire job description over at the GC Career Center and jump over to the main page for all your job searching needs.
Job of the Week: The Decade Is Closing Fast, Have You Found a New Job?
It’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
Someone 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)?
Since 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’
It’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
We 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?
Earlier 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?
Recruitment 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
Or 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 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
One 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
Tax 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.
Job of the Week: Lions Club International May Even Let the Gents Grow Out Their Manes
The lion. King of the jungle. They’ve even got a club. Sorry, there’s no liger club. We checked.
Lions club needs an accountant. A CPA even. This could be you.
Details after the jump.
Company: Lions Club International
Location: Chicago
Description: This position provides overall accounting and financial support to our Foundation.
Responsibilities: Compiling and analyzing financial information; account reconciliations, report generation and the preparation of financial presentations for upper management; preparation of budgets and forecasts, preparation of supporting schedules for annual reports, Form 990 and related state tax filings. Supervises one staff member. Ideal candidate will have experience in general accounting with tax exposure.
Skills Required: Bachelor’s degree; 3+ years accounting experience (public accounting experience preferred); CPA preferred
See the full description at the GC Career Center and a gig with a non-profit organization named after an animal doesn’t get you excited, go to the main page and find your next temporary dream job.
Your Next Career: Ultimate Fighting Champion
Yesterday we suggested some of you might be interested in slumming it for the McDonald’s of the tax prep world. We understand that some of you are way too special to even consider that, so we’ll suggest something completely different.
With all the rage in some of you out there, you’d think that some of you would wake up and get yourselves into psychoanalysis. If you’re Irish, obviously this won’t work, and some of you are interested in getting in touch with your feelings. Fine. Get your rage worked out in the Octagon rather than your gray cubicle. Chuck Liddell will gladly bash your face in while reciting the basic accounting equation to you. Perhaps he even has an opinion on global accounting convergence.
Turns out that Liddell, prior to deciding that knocking people out, appearing on Entourage and dating Playboy playmates was only slightly more fun, got an accounting degree from California Polytech. Look at this guy. If this guy was your audit manager, don’t you think the client would quit f*cking with you? It’s too bad Chuck, you could have been one of the great ones.
As for the rest of you, we realize that this might be a stretch since giving up soda and adhering to any sort of exercise regimen aren’t really realistic but we’re trying to present options people. This seems like a decent one.
This Is Merely a Suggestion
Look. We realize that there are some unhappy campers out there and things seem completely hopeless. Can’t get any worse, right? Okay, then. Get your ass a job at H&R Block.
Apparently they’re hiring 15,000 people for the upcoming 2009 tax season and all you have to do is get through an 11-week course that costs $200-$300. Since many of you are already tax wonks just take the online assessment in 90 minutes and it’s open book.
No chance in hell? Career suicide you say? Fine. You may be giving up free Gulbis calendars for all you know.
Job of the Week: Yes. That Zagat
If you don’t have enough [insert anything] guides in your life, get yourself a job at Zagat, the mother of all guides to anything and then you’ll never have to wonder what to do ever again.
You may develop an annoyance, however, to all your friends asking for free copies.
Details, after the jump
Company: Zagat Survey
Location: New York
Title: Manager, Accounting
Responsibilities: Month end closing preparation; General ledger maintenance; Enter monthly journal entries and accruals; Account reconciliation and review; Account analysis; Supervise staff performing payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable functions; Sales tax & Commercial rent tax preparation; Prepare quarterly commissions; Budgeting experience a plus; Supervisory experience
Primary Qualifiations: Bachelors degree; CPA required; Great Plains a plus; Proficient on Excel; Paychex payroll software knowledge a plus; 4-7 years experience acting in role
See the full description at the GC Career Center and check out plenty of other jobs on the main page.
Crain’s: New York CPA Firms’ Employment Down 7%
Hopefully it’s not too early for bad numbers. Crain’s New York put some together to give you an idea about how bad the employment picture has gotten for accountants in the past year.
The total number of accounting professionals for the top 25 firms in New York was more than 23,176 as of June 30, 2009.
That number is down from 24,909, or 7% from the previous year. The Big 4 horsemen account for two-thirds of this total and, not surprisingly, they all reported drops:
Continued, after the jump
No. 1-ranked KPMG cut 13% of its professional staff, or 681 employees. No. 4, Deloitte, was not far behind in job shrinkage, with a decline of 378 staffers in the New York area, or 11.7%. Pricewaterhouse reported 350 fewer professional, or a 9.2% decline. Of the four, Ernst & Young posted the smallest loss: a drop of only 1.6%, or 67 professionals.
Crain’s list of details on the top five firms (Big 4 + RSM McGladrey) shows additional data, including KPMG having over 10% more total professionals in New York than the next highest, PwC.
Smaller firms including CBIZ Mahoney Cohen & MHM Mahoney Cohen CPAs (probably the most ridiculously long name for firm we’ve ever seen) and Weiser also experienced significant drops:
CBIZ Mahoney Cohen & MHM Mahoney Cohen CPAs, which saw a loss of 53 professionals, or 22.7%, despite last December’s acquisition of Mahoney Cohen by CBIZ & Mayer Hoffman McCann…Weiser…reported a decline of 10.7%, or 42 professionals.
Sorry for all the gloom. Here are some small bright spots:
• Eisner, hired 120 professionals, an increase of 25%
• Marks, Paneth & Shron, 47 and 13.4%
• Seymour Shapss Martin & Co, 20 and 11.7%
You don’t have to be John Nash to see that the drop by the Big 4 overtake any increases by the smaller shops. And seven percent seems like a pretty significant drop but what the hell do we know?
Discuss your firm’s (or former firm’s) numbers in the comments and feel free to speculate on the job outlook for the coming year. It’s not like it could get worse. Could it?
A hard number for accountants: 7% fewer jobs [Crain’s New York]
Job of the Week: Taxes Aren’t Going Away…Ever
Fortunately for you tax people anyway. It was a rough week for a lot of you out there. Luckily, in our selfless nature, we’ll kindly remind you to check out the GC Careers Center for your next career move.
Hopefully, we’ve found someone their next job, because we’re sure some of your severance is blown already:
Details, after the jump
Company: John Hancock
Location: Boston
Title: Senior Accountant – Investment Tax Accounting
Description/Responsibilities: Manulife’s US Taxation Department within the Corporate Division is responsible for the tax compliance and financial reporting for Manulife’s operations within the US tax jurisdiction. Maintaining timely and accurate tax basis inventory of U.S. jurisdiction investments to support financial reporting and IRS audit work.
Assisting in the implementation of appropriate process improvements and technology solutions for the ongoing tax accounting and controls to support tax return preparation and financial reporting.
Assisting in analyses of investment tax positions taken and proposed to support ongoing valuation allowance analysis and tax planning initiatives.
Experience/Skills Required: Minimum Bachelors degree in accounting required, experience with tax accounting for investments preferred.
CPA or M.S.T. or M.S.A. would be preferred but not required. 3-5 years’ experience with: life insurance company financial reporting for NAIC and U.S. GAAP, experience with Canadian GAAP is a plus.
Must have expertise in Federal and State taxation laws as well as a strong knowledge of accounting for investments.
See the full description at the GC Career Center and if this position doesn’t get you amped, go to the main page and find something that does. We can’t do everything.
Recruiting: Considering the Non-Big 4 Employers
As recruiting continues this week, we’ll put out the idea of opting to starting your career with a firm or company as opposed to starting at a Big 4 firm. Regardless of the Big 4’s dominance of the BW list, there are several smaller firms that make good offers and all businesses need number crunchers to track all the bloody money.
And this year, since many of the Big 4 don’t appear to be making as many offers, going with a national or regional firm or private company becomes a serious option for many recruits.
For the recruits out there, are you giving serious consideration to taking a position with a non-Big 4 firm? For the rest of you, is starting your career at a Big 4 the only way to go or can relative happiness and success be found elsewhere?
Discuss in the comments.
Job of the Week: Do You Have a Preternatural Ability for GAAP Disclosures?
Since there seems to be some unhappy campers out there we’ll take a moment of your day to tell you about a position that might make you less miserable or hopefully better compensated:
Company: Morgan Stanley
Location: New York
Title: Associate/Manager
Description: Associate or Manager for our Legal Entity Accounting & Disclosure Group. Responsibilities will include gaining an understanding of the firm’s equity financing products, derivatives and securities lending business in order to assist in producing and analyzing many of the division’s financial accounting disclosures.
Skills Required: BS or BA in Finance and/or Accounting, CPA preferred; 3-5 years of experience in Public Accounting and/or financial services industry; Must have thorough understanding of FAS 133, FAS 140, FIN 46, FAS 157 and FAS 161 FASB pronouncements
See the full description at the GC Career Center and if this position doesn’t tickle your get your ass off the couch/ship-jumping bone, go to the main page and find your next temporary dream job.