August 2012

Industry News and Updates

Diane – can you believe that Summer is almost over? Right now it seems that most people are focused on last minute vacations, back to school shopping and getting prepared for unbelievable amounts of traffic on the freeways again. I must say, I do love the sunny and warm days of summer, but I am ready for the fall. One of the main reasons for that excitement is not only the change in weather, but the amount of hires that happen in September, October and November. These are typically the busiest months for permanent placements. Contract placements tend to be higher in the summer　months, although there are record numbers of temporary hires happening this year.

So what is new to Houston?　According to the Greater Houston Partnership’s Economy at a Glance, consumer confidence seems to be　improving. Houston enjoyed the highest auto and home sales numbers since 2007 this past month.　　The GHP ties this back to 3 factors which include: job and income growth, as well as the strong performance of the energy industry. They also mentioned that the average annual wage is up $9,100 from 2009. I can tell you first hand that making a move right now does not mean you have to go backwards in salary.　That is not to say that people are not making lateral moves,　but for the most part everyone is seeing an increase in salary. The market is still doing very well in Houston and good talent is getting harder to find. Accountants like yourself will benefit from that today and for years to come!

Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have and stay tuned for the next newsletter in October.

Local Statistics:

• National / Houston Unemployment rate: 8.4/7.5
• Price of Oil:$83.13 (last year $95.87)
• Oil Rig Count:1944 (last year 1900)
• Industries hiring:
• Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Oil & Gas Field Services, Retail, Chemicals and Services
• Positions in demand: Staff Accountants, Auditors, Analysts, Oil　& Gas Accountants,　Operations Accounting　Roles
• Industries not hiring or flat: Telecommunications, Government, Financial Services

Local Searches

• Staff Accountant, Katy, 45 to 55K
• Tax Staff Accountant, CPA Firm, Galleria, 45 to 55K
• Internal Auditor, Sugar Land, 60 to 65K – 5% Travel
• Operations Analyst, Galleria, 75K
• Internal Auditor, Galleria, 60 to 65K – 20% Travel
• Accounting Manager, Trading Co, Galleria, 85 to 95K
• Staff Auditor (Financial & IT), Med Center, 60K
• AR Analyst, non degreed, South Houston, 35K
• Sr Accountant, AR, Westchase, 55K
• Buyer, Planner, NW Houston, Metals exp., 45 to 55K
• Hyperion / HFM Analst, West, 60K plus 20% bonus
• Gas Plant Accountant, Westchase & DT, 75 to 100K
• Treasury / Financial Analyst, Galleria, 100K
• Cost Analyst, Rosenberg, 75 to 85K
• FP&A Senior, Woodlands, 100K
• Sales Analyst (heavy excel), Greenway, 55K
• Accounting Manager, NW, MFG exp. 80K
• JIB Manager, DT, 100 to 115
• Director of Accounting, E&P, 130 to 150K
• Credit Analyst, DT, 70K
• Billing Lead, DT, 60K
• AP Manager, DT 65K
• Payroll and Payroll Tax Accountants, Galleria, 45 to 65K
• Pharmacy Analyst – Greenway Plaza, 80 to 90K
• Internal Audit Manager, Galleria, 90 to 110K
• Credit & Collections Manager, SE, 90K