Senior Cost Accountant – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Opportunity offers competitive pay, benefits, flexible hours, and an opportunity to work with a great group of people.

Responsibilities: 
• Perform Monthly Inventory Reconciliation and reserves calculation process
• Preparation of monthly Overhead allocation, Conversion Cost Spending Variances and Idle Capacity Expense
• Preparation of monthly yield loss variance analysis
• Preparation of monthly and quarterly Inventory Adjustments reporting
• Provide guidance to operations, procurement and finance personnel in the correction or proper treatment of inventory transactions to assure accurate accounting and reporting of inventory
• Prepare monthly product line analysis
• Prepare monthly budgets for manufacturing variances and outbound freight
• Prepare monthly Inventory Balance Sheet account reconciliations
• Prepare monthly and quarterly inventory volumes & cost reports
• Maintain work order-level volumes, costing and yield variance analysis models for use in refining standard productivity & yields
• Maintain fixed/variable conversion cost reporting and operating variance analysis models for use in refining standard conversion cost charging rates

Requirements:

  • 5 to 8 years of STANDARD cost accounting experience
  • Accounting or Finance Degree
  • CPA a plus

Financial Reporting Supervisor – DT – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Responsibilities

  • Manage external financial reporting functions, including SEC reporting and other regulatory reporting as required
  • Lead preparation of financial statements and footnote disclosures for use in SEC filings
  • Review for accuracy and compliance with GAAP and SEC reporting requirements, all quarterly and annual financial information prepared by financial reporting staff for external reporting
  • Assist Legal with the preparation of the Annual Meeting materials and proxy statement
  • Assist the director with coordination of the following: issuance of the Annual report; the preparation of debt/equity transactions, including the requisite registrations; the Disclosure Committee, Legal and other departmental meetings for the purposes of identifying requisite disclosures
  • Assist with the drafting and review of the Company’s quarterly earnings release
  • Assist with research and documentation of accounting and financial reporting requirements using all available tools, recommending accounting treatment for complex transactions based on such research
  • Assist with communications with external auditors on external financial statements and accounting issues to ensure auditor alignment
  • Assist in the coordination and support of the annual audit and quarterly review activity with external auditors Assist with implementation and maintenance of Sarbanes-Oxley internal control certification requirements

Minimum Requirements

  • A minimum of 4-8 years of experience in an experienced senior/supervisor role at the corporate level of a mid to large sized publicly held company
  • Extensive knowledge of SEC Reporting, GAAP and SOX Compliance.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and ability in researching and documenting new accounting guidance and the accounting treatment of complex issues such as revenue recognition, stock compensation, fair value, etc
  • Strategic thinking and leadership experience with an emphasis on relationship management and communication at all levels within an organization
  • Facilitate and coordinate multiple deadlines, create cohesive teams, and respond quickly to management requests
  • Demonstrated leadership ability, team management, employee development and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills, and organization skills
  • Experience with HFM a

Education Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or similar field is required.
  • MBA is preferred
  • CPA Certification is Required

Excellent Benefits :

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, Matching 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Financial Analyst (Big 4 background) – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Financial Analyst with 2 to 3 years of Big 4 or large regional public accounting firm experience needed. CPA preferred. 

Responsibilities:
• Prepares financial and statistical reports and monitors trends and variances
• Assists in preparation of financial models
• Assists in the preparation of the operating budget
• Performs special projects as required by supervisor

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree with a major in Finance or Accounting, or related business field
• A minimum of one (1) year financial or accounting experience
• Basic knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), knowledge of budgeting processes and principles, and knowledge of financial analysis and reporting principles
• Ability to use Microsoft applications including Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing is essential

 

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

 

10 Ways Not to Blow a Job Interview Written by Alan Carniol

Interview Tips

Going on job interviews can be exhausting. Since the economy doesn’t seem to be getting much better, however, acing that interview is essential to getting ahead in your career.

 With so much on the line, job seekers must arrive with their best foot forward when it’s time to meet the prospective employer. Still, job seekers often neglect to follow the essential interview rules, resulting in wasted opportunities.

You may find it hard to deal with job interviews, but there are simple things you can do to avoid disaster. Mastering the process requires preparation, effort and common sense. So, consider the following ideas before your next interview.

Plan. Give some serious thought to where your career is headed. It’s not enough just to say that you’re looking to make money. An employer will know if you don’t have a career plan. Besides, the last thing you need is to get the job, only to discover that it’s not the career you’re looking for.

Research. Do some research on the company and the scope of the job to help you decide if you can handle the responsibilities that go with it. Many employers will ask you what you know about their company and the position you’re applying for. To avoid having butterflies in your stomach, get to know the company, including its vision, mission, and values. Doing this helps you to provide more convincing answers.

Prepare. The most common mistake in job interviews is to overlook preparation. Being bright and having job experience is not enough to impress your employer. Take time to practice conveying your responses in a concise and engaging manner. Not preparing will greatly increase the chances that you’ll blow the interview. Do not take this lightly, especially if your future is on the line.

Dress smart. Always treat every job interview as if you’re going to an important meeting. Dressing informally is generally considered an insult to an employer. Men should wear a suit jacket and tie, and women can wear a formal blazer or pantsuit. Don’t mind it if the employer is wearing a casual shirt and comments about what you’re wearing. Dressing up for an interview will give them the idea that your action was a gesture of respect. Try it—you’ll be surprised how much it helps in an interview.

Be punctual. Never show up late for an interview. Being late will only start the interview off on the wrong foot. Who would want to hire someone who’s “fashionably late” on the first day? Put yourself in the employer’s shoes and imagine if you would want to hire people who aren’t showing up on time. Even if you’re confident that you are qualified, being late can ruin your chances.

These are just some of the tips to help you avoid failure in your next job interview. Work on these points and your success rate should increase in short order. So keep at it, and don’t give up until they say yes.

Read 3647 timesLast modified on Wednesday, 09 March 2016 14:26

Alan Carniol

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 40,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curve ball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.

How to stand out in your job search VIA http://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/

As you blankly stare at your computer screen, you cant help but ask yourself, “Am I really doing this again? Am I really applying for another job?” Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Despite countless applications, the only thing you have to show for your efforts is automatic email responses and endless frustration. How can you get past this phase and into the interview room? How can you stand out from your competition?
Use the right vocabulary
Competition in the job market is fierce, and you need a winning resume. Hiring managers spend less than 10 seconds looking at a resume and its your job to ensure that yours doesn’t land in the “rejects pile”. In order to do so, you must choose the right vocabulary. When you skim the job posting, pull out key words and sprinkle them throughout your application. Not only will this catch a recruiterseye, but it will ensure that you make it through applicant tracking systems as well.
Key words are only step one; your entire resume needs to feature strong vocabulary. Consider the following bullet point: “Answered phones and took messages for the main office.” Now when you make a few edits it looks like this, “Maintained open lines of communication between clients and the main office.” The latter is a much stronger description.
Gain relevant experience
Whether you intern or volunteer, experience is essential. After all, many entry-level jobs tend to ask for 1-2 years of experience. What better way to do so than through internships? They will provide you with a foundation to build off of and teach you the necessary skills you’ll need throughout your career. Nowadays, there are many paid internships or ones that can be used for school credit; it’s a win-win.
Volunteer work is another great way to gain experience. It shows hiring managers that you are passionate about certain causes, and that you’re willing to further develop your skillsets. In addition, volunteering offers you a way to take on leadership positions, which hiring managers look for when they review applications.
Stay current on industry trends
In order to stand out in an interview, you need to wow the recruiter with your knowledge. Not only do you need to know terminology, but you need to stay on top of industry trends as well. Your interviewer could test your knowledge and you want to be ready to impress!
Stay informed by following industry-related blogs. There are thousands of blogs you can subscribe to. Doing so will give you topics to discuss in your interview, put you ahead of your competition, and expand your knowledge exponentially. Another great way to stay current is through social media. Many companies and news sources utilize Facebook/Twitter as a primary information source these days, and it shouldn’t be overlooked.
Have questions about your job search? We want to hear them! Comment below or contact one of our expert recruiters today! Find the closest CFS location to you here.

Fix Your Facebook Profile for Job Searching Written by Alan Carniol

Fix Your Facebook Profile for Job Searching

Job searching takes more than just sending in your resume to the right company. In the age of digital, you also have to make an effort to clean up your social media accounts. Most companies today will look into a candidate’s online presence to learn more about the applicant and look for any warning signs.

Here are some tips to help improve your Facebook profile:

Use the “Intro” section to your advantage. Use this section wisely.It’s a chance to sell your personal brand. Be thoughtful as you revise this section.Consider what potential employers would want to know about you and what you have to offer.

Use the “About” section well. This will serve like a summary on LinkedIn or your resume. Highlight your skills, experiences and the unique characteristics that can help you stand out among the rest (from a professional standpoint, of course).

Update your work history and education. Facebook has recently made changes to users’ employment and education history profile sections, which now allow you to list jobsright under your intro. (Don’t allow this informationto be set to Public if your privacy is important to you.)

Check your privacy settings. You can always adjust your audience if you don’t want people searching for you using your email or phone number. You can also keep your profile from showing up on search engines. After making any adjustments,remember to preview your Facebook profile so you know how others see it.

Be professional at all times. Keep in mind that a potential employer could be checking your profile at any time. Therefore, avoid posting any profanity, inappropriate photos, or personal diatribes on any topic (particularly comments about your previous employers). Filter what you share, post or comment. Approach your social media with the mindset that anyone (including hackers) could access your info at any time.

Join Facebook Groups for jobs. Though Facebook isn’t a job board, you can use the Groups feature to find job postings in your field and location. Use the search function within Facebook to find what you’re looking for.

Find company insiders. You can also search for people working inside a company by using Facebook. Start by typing “people who work at XXXX company.” Look at the search results and see if you have mutual friends connected to employees there. From that point, an email introduction is the best way to get acquainted with any new people, rather than messaging them on Facebook.

 

Written by  Alan Carniol

New Accounting Openings this week! dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Senior Auditor – 30% travel – North Houston

Corporate Accounting Manager – Downtown (combo of public and industry)

Senior Auditor – 40% travel – Northwest Houston

Tax Manager – public accounting – 30 to 40 hour work week!

Non Profit Accounting Manager – Greeway Plaza area

IT Auditor – Greenway Plaza

AP Supervisor – West Houston

35 habits that make employees extremely valuable

Article originally published on Inc.

An employee doesn’t have to be a top salesperson to bring exponential value to a company. Amazing employees stand out from the crowd in many other ways. Simply put, their contribution far outweighs their cost, regardless of their expense.

Many employers today are willing to pay top dollar for the right people, but often they wouldn’t recognize those “A” players, because they aren’t looking for the right traits or they are too self-absorbed to know a good thing when they have it. Well, here is a list of traits that can easily be observed for solid company ROI.

If you are an employee, strive to make each of these a habit. If you are an employer, appreciate and reward the behavior.

1. They don’t wait to be asked.

Many employers are accustomed to just telling people what to do. Employees create value when they anticipate what is needed and get it done without any prompting.

2. They attack the disease, not the symptoms.

So much company time goes to firefighting on a reactive basis. Employees create value when they assess the root cause of the problems and make systemic change that eliminates the problems completely.

3. They are the pressure release, not the pressure builder.

Stress is natural in the workplace, and uptight people can feed off each other. Employees create value when they help people decompress so they can improve productivity.

4. They plan the work and work the plan.

Haphazard thinking and action usually delivers mediocre results. Employees create value when they add effective structure and drive the team forward with efficiency.

5. They do their homework.

Idea generation is useful, but not every suggestion is beneficial or appropriate. The wrong proposal can cause distraction or even derail the team. Employees create value when they research ideas before implementation so that little effort is wasted on the unachievable.

6. They look to be smarter than the boss.

People are never infallible, and even leaders need to learn. Employees create value when they bring knowledge to the table that fills the boss’s blind spots.

7. They view the path five steps ahead.

Many workers can barely see the tasks right in front of their face. Employees create value when they are looking out beyond step one and two. Often they will solve issues before they even come close to occurring.

8. They act with the big picture in mind.

People who only work in their own isolation often cause challenges for those in other parts of the company. Employees create value when they work to comprehend how their efforts impact the whole so they can adjust accordingly.

9. They build bridges, not bombs.

There are plenty of people looking to sabotage others while trying to get ahead. Employees create value when they encourage camaraderie and an environment where a rising tide lifts all boats.

10. They cross-train themselves and others.

A company with specified individualists is in constant danger of losing expertise or capability. Employees create value when they increase redundancy of process and talent.

11. They create a circle of influence.

A growing company needs leaders. Employees create value when they can inspire others to make things happen both internally and externally.

12. They work ahead of the curve.

The future is always moving closer, and signs of what’s to come are always present. Employees create value when they are future curious and consider what’s to come in their actions and thinking.

13. They proactively and effectively communicate.

Being ambiguous or leaving people hanging contributes to a frustrating work environment. Employees create value when they instigate consistent and complete communication that keeps everyone informed.

14. They know when to lead and how to follow.

A leader can’t lead all the time if others are going to grow. Employees create value when they encourage others to step up and support them as the enthusiastic second in command.

15. They fight for what’s right and commit to the achievable.

People who push without basis can eat time and cause consternation. Employees create value when they stand up for their beliefs and take a pragmatic view before going all in.

16. They make the office a great place to work.

People who are negative bring down morale and demotivate. Employees create value when they help create a positive environment that others can’t wait to join.

17. They integrate time for learning and working on the company.

There is more to growth than just the daily grind. Employees create value when they grow themselves in ways that can help advance the company toward lofty objectives.

18. They motivate their co-workers and superiors.

People need encouragement, no matter their position. Employees create value when they make everyone feel good about what they do and why they do it.

19. They instigate admiration for the company.

One bad representative of the company reflects on the whole crew. Employees create value when they provide a positive image that reflects well on everyone else.

20. They make others look amazing.

A showoff can alienate the whole team, creating frustration and rancor. Employees create value when they share credit with others on the team, elevating everyone’s happiness and confidence.

21. They create pleasant surprises everyday.

Any work environment can become dull and unimaginative. Employees create value when they stimulate energy and creativity in the workplace.

22. They are problem solvers, not whiners.

Constant complaining runs rampant in the business world. Employees create value when they brush aside the complaints and help people focus on the resolution.

23. They clean up messes.

Even the most productive people can sometimes move so fast the details are left undone. Employees create value when they make sure the company is safe, compliant, and protected from carelessness.

24. They maintain a happy home, at home.

Home life can easily intrude on the workplace, making others uncomfortable and creating distraction. Employees create value when they establish boundaries and set an example of work-life balance so others can learn from their best practices.

25. They turn troublemakers into rainmakers.

There will always be problem people in business. Employees create value when they can turn cynics into advocates and fear mongers into champions.

26. They resolve unhealthy conflict.

The workplace is stressful, and often people channel that stress onto others. Employees create value when they can diffuse tense situations and help people return to civility.

27. They engage in healthy conflict.

A company without strong debate is bound to head over a cliff or be passed by eventually. Employees create value when they bring important issues to the table, even when against the popular view.

28. They make most things seem easy, especially when they are not.

Work today is more involved then ever before. Employees create value when they manage tasks seamlessly, inspiring others to raise their performance as well.

29. They don’t just do, they teach.

Companies need people who can help others grow. Employees create value when they improve the work force and delegate, giving others the opportunity to gain proficiency and confidence.

30. They manage obstacles as if they were opportunities.

Bumps in the road are bound to happen. Employees create value when they take on those issues with positivity and excitement.

31. They expand everyone’s network of influence.

A company doesn’t grow by accident, and the CEO can’t be the only one to get the good word out. Employees create value when they promote the company as evangelists, generating opportunities at every turn.

32. They influence often, and manipulate when necessary.

Sitting in a corner and grinding out tasks is the minimum work for pay. Employees create value when they encourage people to reach their potential and help them overcome their internal demons.

33. They leave a trail of manageable process behind.

Often companies move so fast they are constantly reinventing the wheel. Employees create value when they document what works and encourage replication.

34. They attract other valuable employees.

Valuable employees are hard to find, but they tend to know each other. Employees create value when they act as a beacon for others looking to be exemplary.

35. They embody the company’s core values.

A company misaligned is a company adrift and unlikely to succeed long term. Employees create value when they demonstrate to others the behavior and attitudes that will lead everyone to success.

Have questions about your job search? We want to hear them! Comment below or contact one of our expert recruiters today! Find the closes CFS location to you here.

Read the original article published on Inc.

 

September 2016 Newsletter for Accounting Professionals from Diane Delgado LeMaire @ CFS

Industry News and Updates

Houston has come a long way since January! I think everyone in this city held their breath when oil dropped below 26 dollars a barrel. I have to admit I was pretty nervous the first 6 months of 2016. Houston is much more diversified today than it was in the 80’s, but let’s face it Oil & Gas still dominates this city. This year has been a tougher year for our business, but it does not even begin to compare to the downturn in 2008/2009 or even 2001/2002. I have been recruiting in Houston for 14 years and am very hopeful that we have seen the bottom of this downturn and are on our way back up again. Personally, I have been pretty busy for the past 6 weeks! Most job seekers tend to give up searching around this time year. However, the third and fourth quarter of the year tend to be the busiest months for our office. I can feel the market improving slowly. There are more jobs being advertised and more clients calling us finally ready to make that hire they have been putting off or to replace someone who has moved on to another company. While this is not a boom time for hiring, there are plenty of jobs to be found out there. It just takes a little more time and a little more effort on the job seekers behalf. So I will end this update letting you know that I believe the worst is behind us and I have a positive outlook for the end of 2016 and even more so for 2017!

See you again in November!

Local Statistics:

  • National Unemployment Rate: 5.1 (last year 5.6)
  • Houston Unemployment Rate:  5.8 (last year 5.0)
  • Labor Participation Rate: 62.8% (last year 62.60%) – All time high January 2000: 67.30%
  • Manufacturing Index: 46.1 (last year 47.3) – from what I have read 50 is the magic number!
  • Oil Rig Count: 481 (last year 833)  – all time high around 1900 in 2012!
  • Price of Oil: 44.65 (last year around 50.90)
  • Industries hiring: Retail, Manufacturing, Non Profit, Public Accounting Firms!!!!
  • Positions in demand: Staff &  Senior Accountants, Tax, Audit, small company Controller

Interesting Articles:

Current list of openings:

  • Plant Controller – Spring Branch
  • Senior Accounting Analyst – Special Projects – 3 to 4 years of public accounting – Southwest
  • Treasury Staff Accountant – Downtown
  • Reduced work week hours: Tax Manager or Supervisor or Senior – small public accounting firm
  • Consultant with professional services firm – Big 4 Auditors – Downtown
  • Non Profit Senior Auditor – Greenway Plaza
  • SEC Accountant – Woodlands
  • Real Estate Financial Analyst – Galleria
  • Senior Internal Auditor – Northwest
  • Tax Manager – Clearlake
  • International Tax Senior – Galleria
  • Audit Coordinator Banking – Greenway Plaza
  • Portfolio Manager Banking – Greenway Plaza
  • Financial Reporting Accountant – Downtown
  • Non Profit Accounting Manager– Greenway Plaza
  • Staff Internal Auditor – Galleria
  • Tax Staff Accountant – Galleria
  • Tax Senior Accountant – High Net Wealth
  • JIB Accounting – Northwest
  • Revenue / Severance Tax Accountant – Northwest
  • Corporate Accounting Manager – SAP/CPA – Galleria
  • Non Profit CFO – Southwest
  • Staff Auditor – Public Accounting
  • Senior Auditor – Public Accounting
  • Senior Accountant – NW Houston
  • Senior Insurance Accountant – NW Houston
  • Staff Accountant – NW Houston
  • Accounting Manager – Real Estate – Woodlands
  • Payroll Administrator, CPP – Woodlands
  • Controller, CPA – Hobby Airport
  • Property Accountant ]
  • Audit Senior – 60% travel
  • Staff Job Cost Accountant
  • Associate Manager / Manager – Professional Services Firm – Consulting on high profile projects – full time role – need at least 2.5 year of public accounting and maybe a splash of industry to qualify

 

Diane Delgado LeMaire

Senior Managing Director, Executive Search & Branch Manager

www.linkedin.com/in/dianedelgadolemaire/

https://dianedelgadolemaire.wordpress.com/

www.facebook.com/CPARecruiterHouCFS

 

Real Estate Senior Financial Analyst – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Primary Responsibilities

The Real Estate Financial Analyst will be responsible for providing in-depth research and valuation analysis pertaining to residential and commercial real estate projects in various stages of development. 

  • Prepare comprehensive financial models which evaluate a property’s value, cashflowing ability, internal rates of return and returns on investment for new and ongoing real estate development projects, based on an in-depth research and due diligence process.
  • Present financial findings to general managers and ownership on a quarterly or as needed basis.
  • Analyze acquired assets on an ongoing basis to assist the asset management team with project management.
  • Track expenses and revenues vs. budget and reforecast and analyze fluctuations and prepare annual project budgets. Prepare quarterly operating reports.
  • Provide guidance to other departments and assist with special projects related to commercial real estate.
  • Review third-party appraisal/due-diligence reports for assets as necessary.

 

Education 

 Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Economics or Finance.

Master’s Degree preferred.

Experience

  • 3-5 years of experience in a fast paced environment analyzing and evaluating complex commercial real estate transactions. Audit experience preferred.

 

Treasury Staff Accountant – Downtown Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

 

–       Daily treasury function for multiple companies including wires, positive pay, ACH, deposits, etc. and assist with cash management.

–       Weekly cash reporting as well as quarterly cash reports for Board meetings.

–       Assist with management of banking relationships.

–       Assist with preparation of annual budgets.

–       Assist with annual audits.

–       Special projects as directed or determined on own initiative.

–       Potential to expand into other areas such as oil & gas and investment accounting

 

Qualifications:

–       Degreed accountant with accounting experience – In public accounting or industry

–       2 – 3 years’ total experience

–       CPA or CPA candidate a huge plus

 

Reason Why You Shouldn’t be too Nervous about the Interview Written by Alan Carniol

Interview Nerves

Anyone can feel interview jitters before an interview, so why wouldn’t you? The opportunity is finally here for you to turn things around after a long period of being unemployed or to get away from a bad boss.

If you have an upcoming interview or know someone who will, here are the reasons why you shouldn’t be too nervous about the interview.

Remember that you’re already qualified – One of the things most job applicants forget is that they already meet the qualifications. There is no reason for an employer to invite you in for an interview if he doesn’t think that you can do the job. The reason employers invite people in for an interview is to look for the person that not only can do the job but can also fit in with the company.

There is no perfect candidate – All employers want to have a perfect employee, but keep in mind too that there is no perfect person. What you need to do is show that you are better than the others, not the perfect employee. There is no need for you to convince yourself that you need to be perfect to get the job.

You have a role to play, too – When you talk about interviews, what might come to mind first is the interviewer asking you questions, but don’t neglect the part where you get to ask the questions. The interview is a two-way street; they evaluate your fitness in the company, and you evaluate if the company fits what you’re looking for.

If those reasons aren’t enough to get you to calm down, here are two tips for you:

Think about the worst-case scenario and prepare for it – We all have scenarios that we fear: having to explain an employment gap in your resume, being asked why you were fired on your last job, or some other question that you don’t want to be asked. There are no assurances that you can avoid these scenarios, so the only thing left to do is to prepare for them – well!

Use self-awareness to your advantage – If you’re still worrying about being unqualified, use it. Go through the interview using that self-awareness to your advantage by looking for signs or indicators of whether you can do the job or not. Ask questions that can help you decide on your future with the company.

When you get invited to an interview, you’re going to feel both excited and nervous. However, don’t let those emotions get the best of you. Always keep in mind that they invited you for an interview because you’re already qualified, but they just need to know whether you’re a good fit.

IT Auditor – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com Houston

 

Responsibilities

  • Demonstrate an understanding of COBIT, COSO and related frameworks.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of general business operations and the supporting role of information systems.
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of applications and IT general controls including security administration, program change management, program development, and computer operations.
  • Develop a thorough understanding of professional standards and their relation to IT Advisory Services.
  • Execute engagement planning for basic or recurring engagements.
  • Execute the engagement plan in more complex IT areas.
  • Research issues and best practices and make recommendations thereon.
  • Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments of varying sizes and complexity within given timeframe and budget.
  • Exhibit initiative, sense of responsibility, and independence by following through on open items and issues to obtain completion.
  • Develop and assist in the training of other staff; create an environment that fosters learning.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform, and deliver work independently with limited supervision on smaller engagements.
  • Supervise staff members on multiple concurrent engagements.
  • Monitor and supervise progress of Associates and Interns, where applicable, and provide performance feedback as needed.
  • Assist in the review of work papers prepared by engagement staff.

 

Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Accounting, Finance, or other relevant field.
  • 2- 3 + years or more equivalent experience (public accounting / external audit, internal audit, information technology and/or staff accountant responsibilities).
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills.
  • Team orientation and strong interpersonal skills.
  • Basic familiarity with GAAP, GAAS and IIA standards.
  • Proficient at Microsoft Office product suite.
  • Knowledge of IT controls and how they affect the control environment. COBIT, COSO, and related standards preferred.

6 mistakes stopping you from landing the job via http://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/

Article originally published on The Muse

Some people make the job search process harder than it needs to be. Obviously it’s not their intention to make an already difficult journey any longer. But sometimes job seekers (unwittingly) do things that work against them.

So, if your search has dragged on longer than you’d like, see if one of these reasons might be the culprit. Just know that before you start reading that all of these behaviors are totally fixable once you identify them.

1. You Keep Your Search Between You and Your Laptop

Getting a job is a team sport, and savvy people build teams of advisors who work to help them succeed through support and advice. For example, some people are best at helping you identify strengths and weaknesses. They can review your resume, make introductions, and provide honest feedback.

Others will encourage you when you’re ready to throw in the towel. So, don’t let your computer be your only confidant. Reach out to your network for help and support.

2. You Only Apply Through Traditional Means

Whether you’re targeting smaller firms or big brands, don’t forget that many companies pay a referral fee to employees who find the next hire—meaning there’s something in it for everyone when you get referred. And, it’s thebest way to get hired.

So, don’t be afraid to ask friends, relatives, and contacts to refer you to open positions where they work. So long as you’ve done your due diligence beforehand and you’re considerate about it, they’ll likely help you out if they can.

3. You’re Only Going After Big Companies

If you cannot name five up-and-coming organizations in the industry you’re targeting, you don’t really know the sector as well as you think you might.

Lesser-known companies may not be as sought after as the Google’s and Microsoft’s of the world, but they may just have a culture where you’ll thrive and the opportunity you’re looking for. If you’re pursuing big-name firms because they’re all you know, you need to expand your search.

4. You (Always) Communicate Assertively

Many people strive to project a sense of control and competency. That makes sense because in order for others to have confidence in you, you need to have confidence in yourself.

However, if you overdo it, you can turn people off. Allowing yourself to be honest—when networking, for example—can help others connect with you more easily.

Nobody wants to be sold anything, and most people are not impressed by bravado. Remember that being vulnerable from time to time may be one of the best things you can do for yourself as a job seeker.

5. You Doubt Yourself

Some people spend precious emotional energy assuring themselves that the hunt is taking as long as it is because they simply aren’t good enough. And when you stop believing in yourself, you’re in trouble.

Don’t rush into a decision like taking a position you feel uneasy about or heading back to school simply out of fear. Instead remind yourself of all the reasons you might not be getting a call back that have nothing to do with you (like if you’ve been applying to roles you truly aren’t qualified for).

6. You Don’t Play to Your Strengths

The other day I worked with a student who had an unbelievable talent for numbers, yet the roles she had applied for only marginally allowed her to use her unique talent. So, while she had a skill that differentiated her from others, she wasn’t targeting jobs that allowed her to demonstrate what she did best.

Ask yourself what it is that you excel at, and don’t be scared to use these attributes as a starting point. Target roles that would maximize your talents: You’re more likely to get a call back—and achieve greater job satisfaction and career success after you’re hired.

Are you a status quo job seeker—someone who’s afraid to be bold? The time may have come for you to create a plan that fits you. Be creative. Generate big breaks for yourself by going against the norm and trying what has not been done before. And above all, sidestep these common mistakes, which are only getting in your way.
Read the original article published on The Muse.