EY’s Gonna Borrow Money and Do Some Accounting Tricks to Spare Partner Payouts From Everest Fallout
The following tidbit of information about the aftermath of the Project Everest failure is going in Footnotes later today however we felt it important to call it out for those who skip the weekly linkwrap. Apologies for doubling down on EY news today. WSJ published an exclusive about the post-Everest mess at the crack of […]
KPMG Vice Chair Hopes All the Tech Layoffs Will Scare College Kids Into Accounting
KPMG Vice Chair Greg Engel has been having trouble sleeping lately. It isn’t climate change or social justice or the price of eggs keeping him up at night, like most accounting leaders he is consumed by the talent shortage. No really, that’s what he told CFO Dive. Not to worry, Engel has hope. Hope that […]
Deloitte So Desperate to Populate Its LinkedIn Group They’ve Resorted to Bribery
I'm not sure why an accounting firm would even care how many members its LinkedIn group has, perhaps it's just another dick measuring contest among the Big 4. I would think they'd be more worried about avoiding lawsuits and staying off the PCAOB's ever-growing shit list but whatever. US National Relations has just pestered alumni […]
These 50 Colleges are So Desperate for Students, They’re Putting Education on Sale
June is a little late for schools to be thinking about filling up their freshman and transfer spots but the National Association of College Admissions Counseling says 470 schools — some of which you've actually heard of — are telling them they're in need of warm bodies: NACAC’s new 2014 “College Openings Update” list is […]
Is There Really a Shortage of Entry Level Accountants?
There is if you believe this post by Buffalo Business First (subscription, sorry): Freed Maxick CPAs P.C. is the region’s largest accounting firm. It has continued to hire new graduates every year since the recession, but lately there seems to be a “talent shortage” for entry-level positions, said recruiting director Shawn Frier. “People are just […]
Scamwich Artist Takes Trademark Accountant Cheapery To An All New Level
In these troubled times, it makes sense to pinch pennies whenever possible. I managed to find an oil change place to regularly give me half off on my $90+ synthetic oil only service just by being charming, personable and – presumably – a chick. Some of us clip coupons. Others haggle (you guys should be […]
The Nets’ Latest Attempt to Boost Attendance Is to Offer Free Tax Preparation
Okay, who’s got no plans on Friday? Work? Bah. How about you go to the Nets game against the Orlando Magic instead? Sure they’re terrible but you’ll get a coupon that is redeemable at a Roni Deutch Tax Center to get your state return done for free (a $29 value!).
Yes, we said the Nets are terrible but to put it more accurately, they’re atrocious. So atrocious that they have the worst attendance in the NBA. You need your tax return prepared; the Nets need fans. Let’s make this happen. We’re not saying you have to paint your face or anything but show up and drink a beer or two. You can always leave at halftime.
And even if you’re bound and determined to prepare the return yourself, there will Roni Deutch reps at the game to answer your tax questions. Again, free of charge. Of course they’d prefer if you just handed over all your paperwork and coughed up the $185 to have your federal return done too but it’s really about being a fan and supporting the team:
“It’s easy to jump on the Lakers’ bandwagon,” said [Roni] Deutch, who claims to have been the first girl to play Little League baseball on an all-boys team in her home state, California. “The hallmark of a strong company is one that aligns with young companies. I’m a betting woman, and I think the Nets are going to win a championship this decade.”
Write it down.
Nets Will Offer Free Tax Preparation as a Game Promotion [NYT via Yahoo!]
Just When You Thought You Were Out…
There comes a time in every unemployed person’s stint as Costanza where you consider going back to the job you just quit. Or maybe you got canned but now they’re reaching out to you through the alumni network just to let you know how great you are nd dang, we sure miss ya.
The BBC was asking around about employment prospects in the new year and lo and behold, they interviewed Keith Dugdale, director of global recruitment at KPMG. Amongst other ramblings, Mr. Dugdale put it out there that KPMG is maybe thinking about asking you some of you to come back:
One thing KPMG is looking at is the notion of rehiring former workers to make use of their experience.
“We are putting a lot of effort into alumni activities,” Mr Dugdale says.
Oh sure, maybe the BBC is reading into it too much but it does make us wonder how many of you would consider going back to an employer that you left because of [insert reason]. Not because you’re desperate (well maybe you are) but perhaps you decided the grass wasn’t greener after all or you’ve got streak of forgiveness in you that you didn’t realize or you told them they had to beg — like get on your knees and beg and tell me you can’t live without me! And I want an iPhone. No! Two iPhones! — and…they did. Maybe we’re broaching the unthinkable but somehow we think some of you might miss the old digs and would jump at the shot to go back. Kindly satisfy our curiosity.
Is Low Bidding by Your Firm Going to Bite You in the A$$?
By now it’s no secret that accounting firms are getting all Wal-Mart with their bids/fees in order to drum up desperately needed new business and keeping current clients happy.
Offering or renegotiating lower fees, while an excellent “client service” tool, can cause all kinds of problems with staffing and the feasibility of engagements.
If you’re working on a small engagement with a tight budget, things could tricky (read: impossible) to reconcile mandatory hour work weeks to the budgeted time on your engagements.
One reader is curious as to the repercussions of all this:
[They are] low bidding jobs, taking audit clients at rates < $100/hour when average rates used to be $150 - $250/hour. Tell me they won't dump those clients when the economy turns around. Or have people eat hours on the jobs. They are desperate for work right now.
Those numbers are relative of course but it does make one wonder how this will all pan out long term. As we’ve noted, if it gets to the point to where there’s simply not enough money coming in the door, closing up shop isn’t out of the question. If you’ve got concerns, thoughts, complaints, etc. on how this latest trend will affect you and your office, discuss them in the comments.
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.