Industry News and Updates

Well just as suspected the 4th quarter has been very busy. Most of the hiring tends to take place the second half of the year, so don’t give up if you are still looking! There are hiring needs due to internal / external moves, promotions, growth and acquisitions. The market in Houston is great for Accountants right now. I am also seeing a lot more needs in the Finance arena. I still think Houston is on the upswing and I do believe 2014 is going to be a great year! We may not grow as fast as we did in 2013, but there will be a steady demand for great talent. So, if you are thinking about making a move make sure your resume is ready. Here is a great article to review:

http://wp.me/puDjI-Di　I do think that is an amazing　example of an eye catching resume. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and a fantastic end to your 2013! See you in 2014!

Local Statistics:

• National / Houston Unemployment rate: 7.3/6.1
• Price of Oil:$101 (last year $89)　　
• Oil Rig Count:1744 (last year 1834) 　
• Industries hiring: Anything related to Oil & Gas / Manufacturing /Homebuilding / Engineering & Construction
• Positions in demand:Public Accounting Tax and Audit, Supervisors and Accounting Managers, Controllers

Current Openings:

• Controller – Galleria – Small Services Company 100K
• Financial Reporting Manager, NW Houston, 100 to 130K plus, plus
• Accounting / Systems Implementations/ Business Analyst – DT – 90 to 110K
• Sr. Financial Reporting Analyst (XBRL) – DT – 75 to 85K
• Senior Tax Accountant, Local Firm, High Net Wealth Client Base, Galleria
• Fixed Asset Supervisor – SW – 75K
• SEC Supervisor – SW – 80K (senior ready for the next step)
• Accounting Manager, CPA – Stafford
• Tax Director, CPA – The Woodlands – Bringing tax in house 140 – 165K
• AP Lead – E&P – NW Hooton – 55 to 75K
• Assistant Controller – The Woodlands – 100 to 115K
• Senior Auditors and Supervisors – Public Accounting
• Staff Accountant – Katy – 45K
• Senior Accountant – Katy – 65K
• Accounting Manager – Lease & Fixed Assets – Katy – 85K
• Assistant Controller, CPA　- Controller track – Greens point – 85K plus, plus
• Senior Auditor, 10% Travel, Oil & Gas, DT, 60 to 90K
• Staff Auditor, Woodlands, Local CPA Firm
• Audit Manger, local CPA firm, 100 to 140K
• Senior Auditor, 2 year rotational program, Oil & Gas
• Property Accountant, Greenway,　50K
• Revenue Accountant,　Greenpoint – 75 to 85K
• Revenue Accountant,　Galleria – 85K
• Construction Accountant – DT – 65 to 85K
• Tax Manager,　CPA, Galleria, 110 to 135K
• Staff Auditor, Greenspoint, 10% travel, EL Accountants　apply!!!!
• SEC Reporting Director, San Antonio,　

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2013/11/houstons-economy-among-fastest.html?ana=e_hstn_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2013-11-20

http://mashable.com/2013/11/17/linkedin-tips-2/

You know the drill. You’re unhappy in your current job — or unhappy with no job — and are desperately updating your LinkedIn profile that hasn’t been touched since the last time you were in this situation.
Well, you’re not alone; this sums up the dysfunctional relationship many professionals have with their LinkedIn profiles. While some flock to LinkedIn only when in need and apply to already posted positions, the platform is at its best when maintained regularly and optimized to allow hiring managers to reach out to you.
LinkedIn’s career expert Nicole Williams helps elaborate on six ways to optimize your profile and attract more recruiters to you now.
1. Develop a Keyword Strategy
If search engine optimization is not your expertise, here is a mini lesson. LinkedIn’s search functionality makes it easy to find people by their name, skills and any other words that appear in their profile — which is why these words should be chosen with thought.
First, make a list of terms associated with your skills and experience. Ask yourself, “What words would someone search for to find me?” If strapped for terms, seek inspiration from a job positing you are interested in.
Next, take those terms and rework them from the perspective of a searching recruiter. For example, you may have the term “digital strategy” in your LinkedIn profile; however, a recruiter would be more likely to search for the term “digital strategist.” Synonyms are also important; you never know if recruiters will search for “digital,” “online” or “Internet,” so include them all. Lastly, you want to organically incorporate these key terms into your profile to attract both the search engine and human reader alike.
2. Say Cheese
Williams says that “hiring managers are seven times more likely to view your profile if you have a photo; it’s a must have.”
Not only does a photo allow your profile to stand out in the search results, but also shows recruiters that you are active on the network and LinkedIn is a viable way to contact you. Williams suggests using a photo that places you in the context of your job. You want to help hiring managers envision you in that position.
“If you are a chef, feel free to show yourself in a kitchen, or in front of a whiteboard if you are a marketer,” Williams says. “But don’t use a picture of yourself with your dog, unless you’re a veterinarian.”
3. Be Vain
Williams also prompts all passive and active job seekers to claim their vanity URL. This is a customized URL that drives directly to your profile.
“Using your name in your vanity URL gives it a chance to appear in a Google when someone searches for you,” says Williams.
This makes it easier for hiring managers to find you and share your information with other hiring managers. If your preferred vanity URL is already claimed, incorporate a relevant key term, for example http://www.linkedin.com/in/CarlySimonSinger.
4. Rack up Recommendations
Solicit recommendations from people you have worked for or with. “Make a strategic plan for your recommendations,” says Williams. “Approach different people and suggest particular skills or experiences you would like them to highlight.”
This strategy helps provide hiring managers with a more holistic view of you and your past work. However, the most important part of the recommendation is not necessarily the content, but that it exists at all. It shows that someone was willing to take the time to personally vouch for you.
5. Strategic Connections
The more connections you have on LinkedIn the more likely you are to come up in a hiring manager’s search results. Strategically identify people you’d like to be linked to and approach them with a custom connection request.
“The biggest mistakes users make is asking for too much in the first request,” says Williams. LinkedIn are no different than connections in real life.
“Find an affinity you have in common, ask a question, but don’t ask for a job in the first connection.”
Groups work similarly and if you and a recruiter are in the same group, you can rise to the top of their search results. Join groups that are relevant to the industry you are in and a few recruiters in your field will most likely be members as well.
6. Now Share with your Connections
“Don’t just set up your profile; actively engage in LinkedIn,” says Williams. Share useful content or comment on the shared content of others to make your profile more viewable. Interacting with others on the platform not only makes you visible to them, but also their connections.
If you don’t have time to scour the Internet for shareable content, Williams suggests leveraging LinkedIn Today, a feature that allows you to receive the most read news on your chosen topics. Choose one story per day from that feed and not only will it help you in your current job, but it might catch the eye of a hiring manager for a future position.

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Area Director, Executive Search & Branch Manager | Creative Financial Staffing, a division of Fitts, Roberts CPA Firm | 5718 Westheimer Suite 1300 | Houston, TX 77057 | 713-490-6003 | dcd@fittsroberts.com|

Responsibilities:

Assisting business in identification and documentation of key internal controls.
Performing internal control walk-throughs to assess control effectiveness.
Performing and/or coordinating internal controls testing.
Assisting business in remediation of internal control gaps noted during documentation, walk-through and testing processes.
Assisting Internal Audit management with periodic reporting to senior management and the Audit Committee.
Participating in scoping exercise to identify key financial statement elements and business processes in scope for SOX compliance.
Championing internal control and corporate governance concepts throughout the business.
Directing and reviewing the work performed by other internal audit personnel, including resources from the co-sourcing firm.
Representing internal audit on organizational project teams, at management meetings, and with external organizations.
Developing and maintaining productive client and staff relationships through individual contacts and group meetings.

Required Skills
Professional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate thoughts and ideas
Organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and/or projects at one time
Analytical and interpretation skills including departmental, utilization, financial and operations data
Decision-making skills with the ability to investigate and weigh alternatives and select the course of action that provides the greatest benefit to the organization
Creative thinking skills with the ability to ask the needed bigger-picture questions that lead to process and team improvements
Time management skills with the ability to prioritize and schedule daily activities for the most efficient use of time
Problem solving skills with the ability to look for root causes and implementable, workable solutions
Interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and participate as an independent contributor with little supervision or as an active team member depending on the situation and needs
Must have a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail, and reflects well on the organization

Required Experience

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
CIA or CPA designation
Minimum 3 years of SOX audit experience from either private industry and/or public accounting with knowledge of internal controls, accounting, and finance areas
Understanding of the technical aspects of accounting and financial reporting
Experience with and strong understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404, Internal Controls over Financial Reporting and COSO standards
Proven experience identifying and assessing internal controls in compliance with SOX 404
Track record in performing complex internal audit projects
Knowledge of management information systems terminology, concepts, and practices
Understanding of internal control concepts and experience in applying them to plan, perform, manage and report on the evaluation of various business processes/areas/functions

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-this-is-an-excellent-resume-2013-11

Diane Delgado LeMaire|　Area Director, Executive Search & Branch Manager | Creative Financial Staffing, a division of Fitts, Roberts CPA Firm | 5718 Westheimer Suite 1300 | Houston, TX 77057 |713-490-6003 | dcd@fittsroberts.com|

Reporting to the CFO, the Tax Director supervises all functions and activities related to the Company’s U.S. taxation. The Tax Director provides leadership, support and planning for this critical area including coordination with external tax firms and consultants on all tax-related matters to ensure compliance with all tax authorities. The Tax Director functions as tax expert through research, interpretation and implementation of federal and state tax laws. This role will also handle special projects from time to time working directly with the CFO and other key stakeholders.

Tax Accounting
Oversees tax compliance through proper handling of all tax matters.
Coordinate US federal, state and local income and non-income tax function, including preparation and/or review of tax work papers, tax returns, and other tax reporting obligations.
Recommends tax strategies by researching federal, state, and local taxation issues.
Maintains legislative materials by reviewing, interpreting, and implementing new or revised laws.
Maintains compliance with regulations by forwarding required information to federal, state, and local authorities.
Revises procedures by developing and streamlining procedures and worksheets for calculation of tax provisions.
Identifies profitability of potential mergers and acquisitions by analyzing tax information and identifying areas of tax savings or tax liabilities.
Work closely and in conjunction with the core accounting team to prepare the consolidated inter-period and annual tax projection, including the preparation of supporting documentation including all required disclosures for annual and quarterly reports.
Implement key controls, checklists and practices necessary for the Company to remain in compliance with internal controls.
Support strategic tax initiatives and M&A activity, including evaluation of the tax implications of activities, structures and transactions; identify, evaluate and recommend any alternatives to such initiatives
Remain current in knowledge of legislative and tax policy initiatives that have significant impact to the Company. Continually monitor & communicate to Management the tax impact of proposed tax legislation, and implement changes as required.

Administrative Leadership
Manages interactions with third party accounting firms as required to ensure compliance with accounting and reporting procedures for audits and tax filings for Company and its clients. 
Required Skills
Proven ability to align with strategic direction.
Ability to work independently; self-starter.
Excellent attention-to-detail.
Ability to convey a professional and positive image and attitude, and demonstrates commitment to continued professional growth and development.
Intermediate ability with Microsoft Office Suite, Internet Software and E-mail. Advanced ability with Microsoft Excel.
Must be able to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to coordinate with Company executives, stakeholders, and external consultants.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and executive presence.
Strong technical, analytical and problem solving skills, and attention to detail.
Strong knowledge of tax accounting principles.
Required Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent.
CPA required.
Minimum of 7+ years’ experience of tax accounting.
“Big 4” Public Accounting as well as industry experience desired.
Significant experience with U.S. taxation of flow-through entity structures.
Exceptional knowledge of U.S GAAP accounting and ASC 740 disclosures

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of revenue experience
Severance Tax reporting
Operated and non operated experience
Revenue redistribution
Handling owner calls

OGSYS huge plus 

http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/quickview/Economy_at_a_Glance.pdf

http://wthomsonjr.com/november-2013/what-you-need-to-know-when-starting-a-career-in-recruiting/

List of some of our current openings:

• Senior Tax Accountant – Mulitple Positions – Public Accounting
• Senior Auditor – Multiple Positions – Public Accounting
• Staff Auditor – The Woodlands – Public Accounting
• Staff Auditor – Greenspoint – Internal Audit
• SAP Financial Analyst – Greenspoint
• Controller – 20M – West Houston
• Controller – 70M – West Houston – Manufacturing
• Assistant Controller – 500M – The Woodlands
• Accounting Manager – Stafford – CPA a must
• Construction Accountant – DT –
• Senior Revenue Accountant – Galleria –
• Financial Reporting Analyst – Spring
• Treasury Analyst – Galleria – Big 4 background
• Staff Accountant – Southwest Houston
• Assistant Controller – Southeast Houston
• Accounting Manager – Katy (lease)
• Severance Tax Accountant – DT
• JIB Accountant – DT
• Bookkeepers – Public Accounting Firm
• AP Specialist – E&P – NW Houston

Interested in joining CFS’ top Executive Search team in the country ??

Creative Financial Staffing (CFS) offers an entrepreneurial culture that is unique to the staffing industry. Check out CFS’ approval rating on http://www.glassdoor.com. CFS is a stable, profitable, growing, privately-held company that truly recognizes and rewards top performers. We are the only national staffing firm to function as a fully integrated partner with a CPA firm.

In Houston, CFS is partnered with Fitts Roberts, a leading local public accounting firm. CFS and our CPA firm partner benefit from the unique opportunity to leverage business relationships. No other Accounting & Finance staffing firm has this kind of local and national CPA firm network – our clients, candidates and employees profit from this collaborative partnership.

CFS offers its employees excellent training programs, corporate-run marketing programs, sales incentive trips, competitive comp plans and career advancement.

CFS looks for individuals who are:

-Self-disciplined and self-motivated
-Ability to think outside of the box
-Smart, fun, competitive
-Excellent decision making skills
-Team players

Overview of the Executive Recruiter role

•The Executive Recruiter will recruit accounting and finance professionals for specific positions through networking, direct sourcing calls, and internet recruiting.•Interview accounting and finance professionals to determine skill sets and career goals.•Work closely with your candidates to provide career guidance & match with appropriate job opportunities at client companies.•Obtain new clients through direct marketing efforts.•Work closely with hiring managers at client companies to assess job opening(s), represent appropriate candidates, and manage the interview/offer process.•Manage the interview process between your candidate and client, including relaying feedback between parties & salary negotiations.

Experience

Bachelors degree
Sales, public accounting or recruiting experience