Big 4 Public Accounting Jobs

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Bob

To discuss the opportunity – pro and con, send an email to bob@accountingheadhunter.com
All inquiries are confidential.

If you are in a Big 4 firm or second tier firm, you may find that your environment is not satisfying your career goals.  If you are not part of a team that is creating value for your clients, and also providing you with a meaningful role, we should talk.
Building your career according to your goals, and getting support from your employer is critical to most professionals.

Locations include New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia.
|Maybe you are fairly happy, and maybe it’s worth evaluating where you are.  Let’s discuss your career goals, and see if this makes sense.

Professionals sought:
Your professional profile should include large firm CPA experience, CPA preferred, of course.
Drive, determination, and desire to help your clients.
Experience levels desired are from Senior to Senior Manager.
The compensation is competitive and depends upon experience.

To discuss the opportunity – pro and con, send an email to bob@accountingheadhunter.com

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Headhunter frame of mind

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Bob

I do speak with many candidates who express frustration with recruiters.  They don’t call back, keep them in the loop, etc.  A big part of that is that hiring managers and our clients don’t give up timely feedback, and want to interview an abundance of candidates before making a decision.

However – you may be the victim of discrimination.  Not age, not background – but “placeability”.  I found this list of “good candidate” characteristics at Greg Savage’s blog.

Since most recruiters only get paid for placing someone, their most valuable asset is time.  And if you are deemed to be “unplaceable”, you may find yourself wondering why.  It is also a good motivation to evaluate how you undertake your job search.

Here is the list:

  • They have skills and experience currently in demand.
  • Their salary expectations are reasonable and they present as an affordable option to a potential employer.
  • They have legitimate and tested reasons for leaving where they are now. You have dug down and unearthed their true motivators to leave and you believe you can find them these things in a new role.
  • You have pre-empted the possibility of a counter offer from their current employer.
  • They interview well. Likeable, personable, communicative.
  • The candidate buys into your “rules of engagement” where you explain how you and he will work together, and during the process they deliver on that commitment. (For example returning your calls, attending all interviews etc.
  • The candidate agrees to allow you to exclusively handle their job search.

This post I left open for comments.

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Risk Consulting Role

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Bob

I recently received a call from an outstanding company, very stable, long history.  They are looking for a Risk Management Consultant for their New Jersey/New York Metro based clients.  An overview of the job is below.  I thought that the call was timely, having read an article at CFO.com  on Risk Management.   Here is the article -  CLICK FOR ARTICLE

Business Risk Consultant

Our client is a very stable Commercial Insurance Company. They are looking for a Consultant to provide business risk consulting services.  You will do a business impact analyses, provide business continuity management support, financial support services and training to the company’s cleintele.
Dealing with the clients’ financial executives, you will assess the business impact of losses, identify ways to mitigate losses, and quantify the impact.   Providing financial modeling will help the client understand the benefits of risk management.
The role requires strong financial accounting knowledge, as you will be dealing with the clients’ CFO’s.
Position requires: 5+ years of
1) financial management and/or analysis

2) consulting or professional services advisory

Experience should include a Bachelor in Accounting, CPA and MBA prefered.
Abililty to travel occassionally
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Offering competitive compensation, with bonus.  Outstanding benefit package.

For more information, email me.

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Plant Controllers

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Bob

Plant Controllers  – Cost Accounting Candidates Available

We have been working on a number of searches for Plant Controllers throughout the US.  In the course of these search assignments, we have identified a number of highly qualified Plant Controllers.

Since they mirror our search assignment specs, they are typically certified (CPA, CMA, CISA, CIA)  and have strong systems exposure (SAP, MAS).

If you are a hiring manager looking for such talented professionals, please contact us to discuss these candidates on a “no obligation” basis.  You only owe us a fee if you hire someone we have introduced to you.

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Does company size matter for your career?

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Bob

Is Company Size Critical?
I had a client looking for a Senior Accountant. The company is a medium sized company, and they are doing well, even in this environment.

This question has come up from some candidates – is a position with a smaller company going to limit my career potential? Am I not better off in a large company?

Career Path
Personally, I feel that a position like this, where you are reporting to the CFO is a great career move. Is you spend five years in this position, what’s your next move? Most likely to a Controller position, since you have had hands-on experience in the department.

A Senior Accounting position in a very large company will lead you to a middle management role. And there is the problem. As companies become leaner, and profit conscious, they will make due with less. Even after the economy rebounds.

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Six Hated Resume Phrases

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Bob

What are the six most hated resume phrases?  Here they are:

  1. trustworthy
  2. team player
  3. flexible
  4. good communicator
  5. problem solver
  6. works well under pressure

To find out how you can communicate these traits more effectively, read the article by Barbara Safani.

Click Here for Six Hated Resume Phrases

Posted in Resume Writing | 1 Comment

Mark to Market – FASB

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Bob

Video on Mark to Market Accounting Rules.


Posted in Accounting Principles | 2 Comments

Will IASB Benefits Issue Create Accounting Jobs?

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Bob

In January 2001 the IASB (International Accounting Standards Board) was initiated with the ambitious but worthy goal of creating a set of international accounting rules.  Recently, in August 2009, they issues a draft on  accounting for post-employment benefits, which is an important aspect of financial reporting.

Both users and preparers of financial statements have criticized the current
accounting requirements for failing to provide high quality, transparent information about post-employment benefit promises.  Will this be the focus of corporate accounting, or public accounting firms, or both.   With greater international interest in providing uniform accounting standards, we should see an increase in accounting jobs to address these issues.

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Accounting job with Big 4 CPA Firm

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Bob

A most popular career choice for Accounting graduates is to work for a Big 4 CPA firm.  Currently, the “Big 4″ included KPMG, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte.

Most will choose a career as an auditor.   After a few years of audit experience, some may choose to move to tax accounting.

Starting out with a public accounting firm increases your ability to find a job in private accounting, or many choose to stay and become partners with the firm they join after college.

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Passing Rates of CPA Exam

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Bob

As the economy improves and hiring increases, there will be a high level of competition for the better jobs.   As an Accountant, you must differentiate yourself from the other candidates.  Successfully passing the CPA examination, and becoming certified is critical to getting interviews and job offers.

The passing rate during 2008 was  bit under 50%, according to www.cpa-exam.org.   They have released the results for the first and second quarter of 2009, and again the success ration is around 50%.

There are many self-study CPA exam courses, as well as the in class courses.  The odds of passing, with dedicated effort, can be in your favor.  The chances of landing those premium jobs once hiring increases will also be higher having completed the exam.

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