80 to 85K 

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Responsibilities:

• Compile and analyzing financial information to prepare and post entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts and documenting business transactions.
• Review and approve general ledger entries to assist with monthly activity and closings.
• Review and approve monthly reconciliation of balance sheet accounts to general ledger.
• May review daily bank account activity analysis and monthly bank statement reconciliations for various accounts.
• Provide guidance to assigned employees with the detection, research and resolution of reconciliation items.
• Prepare or review and approve various reports required for internal and external reporting according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Statutory Accounting Principles, Sarbanes Oxley and other relevant accounting regulations.
• Assist in and complete the preparation and approval of quarterly and annual filings.
• Analyze revenue and expenditure trends and recommend appropriate budget levels, and ensure expenditure control.
• Manage direct reports, including yearly performance evaluations and goals

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or the equivalent education and/or experience 
• CPA highly preferred
• Minimum of six years of
• Minimum of two years of leadership
• Advanced proficiency and experience using Microsoft Office Package (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word) 

This is not career or interview related, but I think it is worth sharing! 

5 big money mistakes to avoid in your 20s

http://www.aol.com/article/2015/10/07/5-big-money-mistakes-to-avoid-in-your-20s/21246080/

For many people, their 20s is a decade spent learning the ropes of adult life during the final years of college and the first years of a career. Looking back, it’s a time of growth and wonderful opportunity, but it’s also a time when you can potentially make enormous mistakes for which the consequences last the rest of your life.

Many of those mistakes are financial in nature. Most of them have to do with digging a financial hole, one that at the time you thought would be easily fixable by your high-earning future self, but later you discover wasn’t quite as easy as you thought.

Here are five big financial mistakes that people in their 20s often make, and you should avoid.

Mistake No. 1 – You added extra debt to your student loans. Many students end up making big changes to their college plans in the middle of their studies, migrating from one major to another and often adding another semester or a year to their schooling. Other students simply choose to take out the largest student loans that they can in order to enjoy a large apartment or a MacBook Pro.

Such choices are mistakes that will cost you for many years after college. Those kinds of choices will increase your student loan payments every single month for as many as 20 years after college. Those kinds of choices will handcuff you to jobs based solely on salary and will limit the career choices – and thus the personal choices – available to you.

A better route is to find ways to minimize your college expenses. Live as inexpensively as you can with multiple roommates, and get a smaller loan. Take on as many credits as possible each semester, and buckle down when it comes to studying. Look into work-study programs and other opportunities to reduce your tuition.

Mistake No. 2 – You didn’t sign up immediately for the 401(k) plan at your first “real” job.One of the things that will be offered the first time you take a job with good benefits is a 401(k) plan or some variation thereof. Often, a good employer will offer matching funds for that 401(k) plan, which basically means free money. Still, people often don’t sign up for those plans. Why? They’re afraid of receiving a slightly smaller paycheck.

The truth is there will never be another time in your life as effective as right now in terms of signing up for a 401(k). The more years between right now and retirement, the better, because that means more years for compound interest to work in your favor. Sign up for a 401(k) plan as soon as possible to start building a secure retirement.

Mistake No. 3 – You spent to bring happiness into your life. It’s often tempting during those post-college years to open up the wallet and start spending on things you didn’t have when you were in college or to continue an inflated parent-funded lifestyle. A big television. A brand new cellphone. A brand new computer. Video games. Clothing. Expensive meals. It goes on and on.

The catch is that buying stuff doesn’t bring any lasting happiness into your life. The joy that comes from purchases is a fleeting burst of pleasure, one that fades quickly and is often forgotten, leaving you back where you started. Not only that, you’re in a worse position than before because you don’t have as much money, and you feel the need to have another burst of happiness.

Just avoid it entirely. Live cheaply and upgrade from there based on things you actually use or actually need. Keep your spending within your means, and seek out non-monetary ways to find lasting happiness. It’s a lifelong journey, but it’s a journey that will have far more rewards than just spending money.

Mistake No. 4 – You didn’t have an emergency fund. Many people overlook the basic step of having an emergency fund for life’s little crises. They’ll tell themselves that their credit card will handle it or convince themselves that an emergency won’t happen to them.

Then, you lose that credit card or have it cancelled. Then, the car breaks down. Then, the company fires you. Then, you find yourself with an unexpected dependent. Then, you get very ill and can’t earn any money for a while.

These things happen, and that’s why having a cash emergency fund is so important. Tell your bank to start automatically moving a small amount from your checking to your savings every week, and don’t ever look at the savings balance until you need it in a true emergency. You will be so glad that the cash is waiting for you.

Mistake No. 5 – You maintained credit card debt. Credit card debt, carried over from month to month, is the bane of financial progress. It represents the power of compound interest working against you, except the interest rate is ludicrously high so it feels like a steamroller.

Credit cards make purchasing so easy that people often forget the connection between using the card and the resulting bills and then find themselves crushed under the weight of the debt.

Avoid it entirely. Never get into credit card debt. That means learning how to live within your means, which can be a challenging lesson, but it creates a brighter future with every smart choice you make to leave your credit card in your pocket. If you do have credit card debt, pay it down as fast as humanly possible.

These steps, taken together, will get you going in a great financial direction in your 20s and set the right tone for the rest of your life.

BY Trent Hamm

This is a great article to read – BUT don’t forget the employer is watching you too! 

5 Critical Observations to Make Before the Interview

Written by Ammiel Garrido

http://interviewsuccessformula.com/job-search-advice/5-critical-observations-to-make-before-the-interview.php?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite

10 Reasons Why People Quit Their Jobs

http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/why-people-quit/

Not everyone will be happy in their job – some will be living out their dream position, and be enjoying every moment, but others may want to take a break or leave completely.

If an employee leaves, sometimes it can be inevitable, but if you’re constantly losing your best players and turnover is turning dirty, then you have a real problem. It’s also time to take a look at the ten reasons listed below (by redii.com) and see how you are treating your employees.

1) They aren’t valued:

Do you feel dissatisfied with your job? 58% of employees who are not happy with the way they’re treated plan to change jobs within a year – but what are the main reasons for this unhappiness?

66% of employees state that salary is a real problem, with the same number explaining that they don’t feel valued – so make sure your employees are appreciated for everything they do, and respected for their values and commitments outside of the workplace too.

2) Bad managers:

A highly skilled, intelligent and productive employee doesn’t always make a good manager. You need to invest time, money and resources in training your leaders and emphasising the crucial role they play.

37% of workers reportedly have a poor opinion on their boss – so communicate the goals to each employee clearly, and get to know them properly.

3) Poor communication:

In a survey of 210,000 employees, less than half were satisfied with the information they received from management. Communication is a two-way process, so assess the channels through which people can give and receive this information.

4) Their efforts don’t get recognised:

Just over half of Australians feel they get recognised enough at work – and 93.3% who are regularly recognised feel satisfied in their current job. Effective recognition is SMART:

• Specific: Link it to a company value or behaviour you want to see repeated.
• Measurable: Track who is giving and receiving recognition within the company.
• Authentic: Never lie – always mean what you say and say what you mean.
• Regular: 8 times a year for recognition has the most impact.
• Timely: Recognise immediately, and amplify the good feeling of that very moment.

5) They didn’t get the promotion:

36% of employees feel they have been overlooked for a promotion, and although you should never ask for one – so don’t just depend on giving them more money. Support and train them to ensure they move up with the right skills too.

6) Lack of training:

This point follows on from the last – a lack of training leads to stagnation. If you cut your training budgets, you will see a company which is less productive and less efficient.

7) There’s no way up:

People like to achieve through a journey – they don’t want to go straight to the top, or stay in the position they’re in. 45% of workers have stated that they’re dissatisfied with advancement opportunities, and 22% who can’t see opportunities will look at other companies.

8) Too much work:

With 39% of employees dissatisfied with their work/life balance, and 80% wanting to work fewer hours, it’s not surprising to see that work commitments outside of hours is an important reason for some people to leave – as it can cause burn out.

Always make sure you check in with your workers, to help them manage their goals and keep their to-do lists to a minimum.

9) Lack of trust or autonomy:

The most valued attributes at work include trust, honesty and fairness, according to 90% of employees. 80% say that a lack of trust is enough to make them leave.

10) They didn’t know or connect to your purpose:

Do you have a purpose for your country? 68% of employees believe that business aren’t doing enough to create a sense of purpose – there should be something bigger, to which everyone is making a contribution.

Every time someone new joins, ensure you communicate to them clearly what your company stands for and the role they play in getting to the team goal.

Do you live in north Houston? Do you hate commuting downtown?  Do you have 4 to 8 years of Accounting experience? Would you be interested in hearing more? Then email me: dlemaire@cfstaffing.com!!!!!

• Month End, Quarter End and Year End Close
• Assist with Financial Statement preparation
• Assist with Budgeting process
• Enhance Profitability & Cost Analysis
  • Continue efforts to further improve cost standards for services performed and utilized equipment leveraging key metrics
  • Develop pricing analysis to better identify price versus volume impact
  • Conduct project proposal and project performance reviews implementing process where necessary
  • Improve product line financial results through analysis, monitoring variances, identifying trends and recommending actions in partnership with the operating leaders
  • Identify, develop and implement processes and system solutions to achieve the prior
• Perform Capital Expenditures analysis, budgeting and monitor variances to actual
• Conduct acquisition evaluation analysis and integration where successful
• Act as the financial focal point for the completion fluids business

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Senior Managing Director, Executive Search & Branch Manager | Creative Financial Staffing (CFS)| dlemaire@cfstaffing.com | www.cfstaffing.com | LinkedIn

#jobs

#dianedelgadolemaire

#cparecruiterhou

Bilingual Credit & Collections Manager – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Spanish Speaker

Responsibilities:

• Manage and follow a number of customer accounts, resolve customer disputes, send collection letters, and interact with internal/external customers, providing assistance with invoices and statements, and requesting money from customers.
• Evaluate customer credit risk.
• Enforce Company credit and collections policies and procedures.
• Manage the product insurance/bond arrangements/LC’s/bank guarantees
• Provide status update reports on outstanding customer accounts to management.
• Review terms of credit contracts with customers and negotiate payment plans for customers with financial difficulties.
• Determine need for legal action for nonpayment of accounts.
• Obtain and review credit applications and financial data.
• Call credit bureaus, banks and references to check credit. Approve and establish credit limits.
• Review letters of credit and present proper documentation to the banks for payment.
• File liens with proper authorities to protect Company assets.
• Track and recommend allowance requirements for outstanding A/R.
• Create A/R and Analytical related reports.
• Work with other functions to build an effective team environment to effectively pursue collections.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Management.
• Five (5) years’ experience in credit and collections, manufacturing environment or construction industry, preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish – English, required.
• Experience in lien filing and letters-of-credit negotiation.
• Knowledge of bond and lien filing notice requirements, including at least one year working experience in this area.
• Proficiency in preparing and/or reviewing A/R and A/R Allowance balance sheet reconciliations.

#jobs

#dianedelgadolemaire

He is what is hot this week!!!!!!

• FP&A Supervisor / Manager – Northeast Houston
• Financial Analyst – Staff – Southwest Houston
• Spanish Speaking Auditor – Central
• Tax Supervisor- Galleria (federal, state & international)
• Sales & Use Tax Analyst – West
• Senior IT Auditor – Galleria
• Staff Accountant – Healthcare – Med Center
• Senior Auditor – Woodlands
• International Tax Senior – Greenspoint
• Senior Tax Accountant – Galleria
• Audit – Staff or Senior – Galleria
• Property Accountant – Sugar Land
• Senior Real Estate Accountant – Downtown
• Internal Audit Manager – SOX, CPA
• Audit Supervisor – Compliance and Internal Controls
• Senior Accountant – Must speak Chinese
• Senior Accountant – Heavy GL – West
• SEC Reporting Senior Manager – DT
• IT Auditor – Public Accounting
• Financial Analyst – West Houston – looking for Auditors interested in Analysis

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

https://www.facebook.com/CPARecruiterHouCFS/

Purpose

The Senior Financial Analyst/Manager (FP&A) will have an active role in supporting the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis with managing the internal management reporting and analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and ad hoc analytical projects.

Principal Accountabilities

Execute the company’s financial/strategic planning function with an emphasis on performance improvement, providing quality management information, and furthering the development of systems, processes, and metrics. This includes:

o Manage the coordination of the annual strategic planning and budget process

o Manage/Update the Budget and Forecast model

o Monitor expense trends against the set budget and recommend improvements

Assist in performing the company’s financial analysis function with an emphasis on performance improvement and providing relevant and timely analysis. This includes:

o Identify franchisee trends to optimize resource allocation.

o Assist with data collection and perform research and analysis for all departments to include: exceptions reporting, expense analysis, financial modeling, risk exposure simulation & modeling, regression analysis, time series analysis and forecasting, vendor spend forecasting

o Performing economic and industry analyses to identify and recommend response strategies to trends impacting the business.

o Become a SQL Services Analysis, PowerPivot, and BI power user

o Provide support to Director of FP&A for adhoc analysis requests

Execute the company’s financial reporting function to effectively monitor and evaluate the company’s overall performance with respect to finances, value creation and progress in meeting strategic objectives. This includes:

o Manage the preparation of the Company’s monthly financial reporting package for Senior Management; Be able to research and explain significant variances

o Manage the preparation of monthly Senior Leadership presentations

Provide support to other key initiatives such as:

o Assisting the Director of FP&A in analyzing new business initiatives, new business models, etc.

Reporting Relationship

The Senior Financial Analyst/Manager FP&A position reports directly to the Director of FP&A. This is a strategic independent contributor, hands-on role with significant interaction with the various businesses in the Company

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to analyze and summarize complex financial analysis, operational, and KPI data into concise presentations and decision framework, on a regular basis.

• Excellent professional written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong analytical skills, with extreme attention to detail, accuracy and accountability balanced with sound business judgment.

• Advanced MS Office Suite skills; Excel & PowerPoint power user.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics

• Big 4 (or equivalent) Advisory/Transactions Svcs and F500 FP&A experience preferred

• 4 – 6 years of work experience preferred

• CPA preferred

http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/6-ways-to-write-irresistibly-effective-emails.html?cid=sf01001

Mastering the art of making great first impressions over email requires a deep understanding of how people interact with their inboxes and what will make them read (and respond) to you. And to make things more challenging, you have a limited amount of time to make that stand-out first impression. On average, it takes a person around 100 milliseconds to form an initial impression of someone.

Email recipients take a similar amount of time to process whether your message is worth reading. If your email even remotely looks like spam, or comes off disingenuous, expect it to remain unread forever.

Here are my six steps to writing cold emails that make an incredible first impression:

1. Use a Professional Email Address.

You want to be taken seriously, right? Use your best judgement in selecting a professional and appropriately named email address, depending upon the type of industry you’re in. If you use an email address like, “sk8rdude2003@hotmail.com,” I can all but guarantee your email will go unread.

Not only will your messages be more likely to filter into the spam or promotions folders, but even if someone does open your message, they’ll very quickly form an opinion of you based on your memorable (for the wrong reasons) email alias.

I highly recommend using Gmail or your own domain-branded email address, and be sure you’ve set up your name and a professional headshot within your settings. Setting a professional signature with your name, phone number, email address, andoptimized portfolio site URL is also highly encouraged — that way your potential client can easily browse your works and decide if you’ll be a good fit for the job.

2. Use Creative and Relevant Subject Lines.

I can’t stress the importance of this rule enough. Aside from looking at the sender’s name and email address, your subject line serves as the largest determining factor to whether or not your email will be opened.

Great subject lines are both enticing and genuine, while poor ones may be misconstrued as spam. When I’m reaching out to a new potential client I have a few different subject line templates I use, but my most successful one tends to be very straightforward: “(Company Name’s) Content Marketing Game Plan.” This gives the recipient instant relevance as to what my email is regarding, and it establishes that I’ve already put together a plan for them.

Remember, most inboxes receive a high volume of unwanted daily emails, so if your subject line doesn’t appeal to your recipient at first glance, then it’ll likely be ignored.

If you want some more subject line inspiration, here’s a list of 171 creative email subject lines on CreativeLive.

3. Make it Personal.

Before reaching out to a potential client take the time to really do your homework. Can you learn anything about their personal interests or advantageous details about their business from browsing through their websites and social media accounts?

One of my best long-term client relationships started with the subject line, “A Mutual Love for Animals and Content Marketing.” Because I took the time to research that client, and discovered that they post tons of dog pictures on Instagram (which I loved), I was able to reach out with a much more personal touch. I also highly recommend using first names in your emails, as calling someone Mr. or Mrs. So-and-So instantly places a professional barrier between the two of you.

Nothing shows relevance as much as a personal connection.

4. Deliver on Expectations.

Having a potential client open your email is one thing, but sustaining their interestand actually delivering on your clever subject line is something entirely different. Be sure that the first sentences and paragraph of your email contain enough relevant details to keep them reading.

A quick mention of how you discovered them, reiteration that you’ve already put together a plan/strategy for them, and statistics or an example of a relevant project you’ve done in the past (include a link), are all imperative to building on your momentum.

5. Keep it Short and Sweet.

I never exceed three short paragraphs in my cold reach-out emails. This goes back to having an understanding of how we all use email. Most of us have very short attention spans, and clients often want to skip straight to the point when it comes to hiring on much needed help.

Keeping your emails short and impactful will help you avoid overwhelming a potential client with content. Structure your email for ease of readability using paragraphs no longer than 3-4 lines, clear sections, and bullet points. Avoid long sentences as much as possible, trimming your draft to the minimum number of words without losing quality and impact.

6. Establish Trust and Credibility.

First impressions generally stick. If you can establish trust early on then you’re off to a great start. Your email needs to clearly demonstrate that you’re a subject matter expert or thought leader in the topic or subject area. Do that without being verbose or trying too hard to look authoritative; let your previous work (that you already linked to in your email) speak for itself.

At the end of your reach out emails, always include a call-to-action. What comes next? I always close out my cold emails with something along the lines of, “Please let me know when you have a moment to chat this week,” which shows that I’m ready to get started right away.

(For my detailed personal system of establishing meaningful client relationships and generating new business, check out my course on Writing a Winning Freelance Proposal.)

A little Monday motivation!!!!

http://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/9-ways-to-make-any-monday-amazing.html

We all know Mondays can be a downer. Even if you love what you do, it can be difficult to come off a relaxing weekend and get into the swing of things. It’s not your fault. Mondays were set up to be the cultural bummer day long before you joined the working world. In fact, it’s probably been that way since before you were born.

You don’t have to let Mondays get in your way of an awesome week. Here are some simple suggestions that will take an ordinary blah Monday and make it extraordinaryenough to boost your morale for the entire week. Try one every Monday and in a couple of months you may find it’s the day you look forward to the most.

1. Get organized Sunday night.

Part of the reason Mondays seem difficult is the challenge of getting into the groove. Dedicate 30 minutes on Sunday night to organizing your Monday. Plan your clothes, tasks, and schedule. That way you’ll sleep better and avoid a Monday-morning scramble.

2. Have breakfast or lunch with a good friend.

A great meal is a super pick-me-up, but great company makes it an absolute joy. I love starting my Mondays with an interesting encounter. I usually pick someone with lots of energy, or even better, someone who motivates me. It sets me up well for the whole week.

3. Read an inspiring article or two.

Of course, as a columnist I believe in the value of a great read. Whether it’s a chapter from a classic motivator like Think and Grow Rich, or a compelling column, reading useful material kick-starts your brain and attitude better than caffeine.

4. Start with a workout.

If you have been saving your exercise for the end of the day, you may be missing out on the big endorphin rush that can make Monday happier. Plan your cardio for early Monday and watch your morale pick up the pace.

5. Say some powerful affirmations.

After a long, tiring weekend, you may forget why you have the position you have and what you can do with it. You didn’t get in a great position totally by accident. You are worthy. Remind yourself to be that person and you’ll feel solid to begin the week.

6. Start an exciting project.

The best part about Monday is that it represents a beginning. Use that notion to your advantage by teeing off that program you’ve been thinking about. You have the whole week to make progress.

7. Crank up the music.

If your mood isn’t quite up to the task of being energetic, use music that makes you want to move. Once your body is shaking to the beat, even if only in the car, your brain and heart will start to get in the groove as well.

8. Say a little prayer.

I understand that not everyone finds peace and happiness from the spiritual beyond, but there are plenty of us who do. Why take on all the weight yourself of creating a good life. If you are a believer of any denomination, summon the energy around you to raise your spirits, and serve happily for the whole week.

9. Plan a great weekend.

If the fun and accomplishment of your Monday through Friday aren’t enough to motivate and inspire you Monday morning, than try using next weekend as the impetus to boost your morale. Plan for an amazing upcoming weekend as a reward for making this week your happiest and most productive.