Industry News and Updates

Happy New Year!

There have been a lot of changes at CFS and the local market this year. First things first: CFS has changed its legal structure and is now an ESOP, as such please update my new email address to dlemaire@cfstaffing.com.

Now, let’s get into the crazy drop in oil price and my personal opinion on what may happen this year. I still think Houston is going to experience steady growth. I just don’t think it will be at the rate it was in 2014. There are certain industries that will benefit from the price of oil. The flipside to that is that there are also industries that will not do so well and will experience some layoffs. At this point though, I think everyone is enjoying the cheap gas prices. The reduction in cost gives the consumer more money to spend on goods. If it were a perfect world, oil would settle around 60 dollars a barrel in my mind. That would make the Oil & Gas companies happy (not ecstatic) and the consumers would be satisfied as well.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the US production continuing to increase over the years to come. Will 50 dollars a barrel be the new norm? Either way, business always finds a way to make money. Some will be able to make a profit at the current price and some simply will not. I think the bottom line is that there will be an impact on Houston, but we are in a much better place economically to take the hit.

I love this quote from Patrick Jankowski Senior VP of Research at the GHP: “When oil prices are low, Houston’s economy grows and When oil prices are high, Houston’s economy booms!”

Until next time..

Local Statistics:

• National / Houston Unemployment rate: 5.8/4.6
• Price of Oil: $51(last year $97)
• Oil Rig Count: 1882 (last year 1756)
• Industries hiring: Manufacturing, Construction, Consumer Products related companies,Real Estate & Homebuilding
• Positions in demand:  Tax, Staff And Senior Accountants, Accounting Assistants, Cost Accountants (job, project, POC)

Local Searches

• AP Clerk: NW, O&G, 40-50k
• AP Associate: East, Bilingual (French), 40k
• AP Specialist: Galleria, Manuf, 40-50k
• AP Manager: Westchase, Oracle Implementation, 70-80k
• AR Associate: Downtown, 50-55k
• Accounting Associate: NW, Construction, 40k
• Payroll Analyst: Galleria, O&G Services, 75k
• Payroll Manager: Bellaire, 70-75k
• Staff Accountant: Medical Center, Healthcare, 50-55k
• Staff Accountant: NW, Insurance, 55-65k
• Staff Accountant: Galleria, O&G Services, 65k
• Senior Accountant: NW, O&G Services, 90k
• Senior Accountant: NW, Insurance, 60-75k
• Senior Accountant: West, Consumer Goods, 60k
• Inventory Accountant: West, Consumer Goods, 65k
• Inventory Manager: West, Consumer Goods, 80k
• Cost Accountant: West, O&G Services, 65-70k
• Senior Cost Accountant: SW, Consumer Goods, 65-75k
• Project Cost Analyst: North, Construction, 80-90k
• Senior Financial Analyst: West, O&G, 75-100k
• Senior SEC Analyst: North, Construction, 75-85k
• Senior Financial Reporting Analyst: Galleria, 65-70k
• Internal Auditor: GWP, Hospitality, 75-85k
• Senior Auditor: Galleria, 70-80k
• Sales & Use Tax Accountant: Galleria, 60-65k
• Senior Tax Accountant: Westchase, Consumer Goods, 70-90k
• Accounting Lead: NW, Construction, 50-70k
• Accounting Manager: East, Construction, 60-80k
• Accounting Manager: North, Construction, 60-90k
• Family Office Accounting Manager: DT, Investments, 80-100k
• Assistant Controller: North, Construction, 80-85k
• Controller: Central, Manuf, 80-90k
• International Controller: GWP, Manuf, Bilingual (Mandarin), 90-100k
• Controller: North, Manuf, 110-120k
• Controller & Principal Accounting Officer: West, Energy, 120-130k
• Controller: Westchase, Consumer Goods, 140-170k

News and Resources

• 13 Things Successful People Do In The Last 10 Minutes Of The Workday – By Jacquelyn Smith: http://wp.me/puDjI-Mt
• Here is a great article about Houston’s economy too: http://wp.me/puDjI-Ok

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Senior Managing Director, Executive Search & Branch Manager | Creative Financial Staffing (CFS)

5718 Westheimer Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77057

T: 713.490.6003| C: 713.594.4486 | dlemaire@cfstaffing.com | www.cfstaffing.com |

Houston has landed the No. 1 spot on Forbes’ latest annual list of America’s Fastest-Growing Cities.

“Thanks in large part to the boom in horizontal drilling and fracking, which has helped the Houston metro area add a whopping 667,800 new jobs since 2005, the energy city is an economic powerhouse: Its 4.5 percent year-over-year job growth rate is the nation’s fastest,” the Forbes report notes. “Jobs at major corporations like ConocoPhillips and Halliburton help boost the median annual pay for college-educated workers to $71,900, fourth among America’s 100 largest metro areas. Add to that an economy that grew at a 3.52-percent clip last year alone.”

The Houston metro area is expected to create 63,000 jobs in 2015, Forbes reports from stats offered by the Greater Houston Partnership. As well, some 1,500 corporate relocations or expansions have come to Houston since 2009, leased 20,000 or more square feet of office space or invested $1 million or more in capital improvements.

“When oil prices are low, Houston’s economy grows. When oil prices are high, Houston’s economy booms.”

“In the past four years, greater Houston grew by half a million people — half from moves, half from births,” the Forbes study notes. “Population growth means housing demand, and realtors sold more than 425,000 homes in the last five years, amounting to a home-closing rate of one every six minutes, according to the Greater Houston Partnership.

“What’s more, jobs boost construction, which is why last year Houston topped our list of “Building Boom Towns”: Metro areas with the most new construction.”

Forbes attributes exports as the driving force, beside oil, behind the boom, noting between 2009 and 2013 the value of Houston’s exports grew 74.5 percent, making the metro area the nation’s top exporter. Even though the falling price of oil is expected to slow Houston’s growth, the city’s economy should “chug along” with the rest of the country, the report says.

“When oil prices are low, Houston’s economy grows,” Patrick Jankowski, senior vice president of research at the Greater Houston Partnership, tells Forbes. “When oil prices are high, Houston’s economy booms.”

Houston is joined by four other Texas cities to give the Lone Star State half the moving-and-shaking cities in the Top 10.

Austin is ranked No. 2 on the list, followed by Dallas at No. 3, Fort Worth at No. 8 and San Antonio at No. 10. Strong population growth and unemployment levels under 5 percent are propelling the cities’ expansions, the report notes.

After Texas, the Golden State has the next greatest number of metro areas on the list with three: San Francisco at No. 7, San Diego at No. 16 and San Jose, No. 17.

The methodology behind the study began with taking the country’s 100 most populous cities and their surrounding suburbs and ranking the areas on six metrics. Estimated population growth for 2014 and 2015, year-over-year job growth for 2014, 2014 gross economic growth rate, federal unemployment data and median annual pay for college-educated workers determined the final results for the 20 fasting-growing metro areas in terms of population and economy.

Forbes’ 20 fastest-growing cities in the 2015 report are as follows:

1. Houston

2. Austin

3. Dallas

4. Raleigh, N.C.

5. Seattle

6. Denver

7. San Francisco

8. Fort Worth

9. Charlotte

10. San Antonio

11. Phoenix

12. Salt Lake City

13. Orlando

14. Cambridge, Mass.

15. Oklahoma City

16. San Diego

17. San Jose, Calif.

18. Las Vegas

19. West Palm Beach, Fla.

20. Nashville

• What the Senior Cost Accountant  will do…
  • Perform annual cost standard updating process for all inventoried items.  Gather and organize new information, contracts, and pricing.  Compile and analyze historical cost data.
  • Assist in financial period/year-end closing activities and external audit review.
  • Provide guidance to the operations group through financial & cost analysis and data that impacts decision-making.
  • Cost new variations of current product lines as needed by the sales department for presentation to prospective buyers.
  • Prepare cost estimates for new products

   What the company needs in a Senior Cost Accountant: 

  • BS or BA degree required with a concentration in Accounting or Finance is required.
  • Must have 5 years of applicable work experience; prior experience in Consumer Packaged Goods is highly desirable.
  • Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office tools as well as ERP systems.

  Perks of the Senior Internal Auditor role:

  • Onsite Gym with free membership
  • Strong medical benefit package
  • PE Backed with EXPLOSIVE growth

Senior Accounting Analyst for Investment Co. 

Company:  Investments include holdings in private equity, hedge funds and real estate.

Description: Highly motivated individual to take over the day to day accounting of owner’s personal, partnerships and trusts.  Individual should be an independent and fast learner.

Responsibilities: 

• Maintaining and monitoring the investor reporting schedules
• Creating monthly financials, including balance sheet, income statement and sources and uses, for the family members, trusts, and foundations
• General Ledger maintenance
• Tracking Capital calls and distributions
• Maintaining family loan schedules and calculating interest
• Cash Management
• Monthly and Bank reconciliations
• Bill Pay for various accounts
• Any Special one-time projects that often occur
• Assisting in implementation of the electronic filing system
• Assistance with accumulation of tax data/documentation
• Financial analysis

MANUFACTURING CONTROLLER for Small Company

Cost Accounting Experience Required

Are you an Accounting Manager ready for the next step? Don’t stop now….keep reading!

Why take a Controller role with this company?

· Exposure to acquisitions

· Key part of finance/compliance team

· Opportunity to work take on other divisions

· Ability to work with Private Equity

What the Controller will do…

· Day to day duties will include cross training with A/R and A/P functions, as well as inventory adjustments

· Preparing monthly sales tax returns

· Month-end closing procedures, including production of monthly financial statements

· Account reconciliations

· Monthly and quarterly bank reporting procedures

· Assisting the CFO with various projects as needed

· Assisting with IT issues including troubleshooting and managing third party IT support

What the company needs in a Controller:

· Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field; CPA/CIA is a plus

· 3+ years of cost accounting experience

· 2+ years of management experience

Perks of the Controller role:

· Annual bonus of 15%

· Strong medical benefit package

· 401-K with match

· Exposure to all areas of the company’s finance infrastructure

Why take a Controller role with this company?

• Exposure to multiple business units and international Joint Ventures
• Key part of Accounting team
• Opportunity to work domestically and internationally
• Ability to help take the company to the next level (work on potential acquisitions)

What the Controller will do…

• Manage monthly, quarterly & annual close process and the timely and accurate completion of financial statements
• Ensure the timeliness and accuracy of all SEC and other statutory filings
• Provide oversight and direction for all accounting department functions
• Establish and maintain a robust internal control environment
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, sales and other taxes and serve as primary interface with external tax advisors
• Oversee independent audit and serve as primary interface with independent auditors
• Interface with the audit committee of the Board of Directors as necessary
• Provide manufacturing accounting support and analysis
• Oversee risk management function
• Special projects as assigned by CFO

What the company needs in a Controller:

• Certified Public Accountant
• 10+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Well versed in U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements
• Hands on experience in the preparation and filing forms 10-Q, 10-K, and Proxy Statements
• Hands on experience in multi-divisional and international business reporting
• Strong communication and leadership skills

Perks of the Controller role:

• Bachelor degree in accounting, advanced degree preferred
• Annual bonus
• Strong medical benefit package
• 401-K with match
• Exposure to all areas of the company’s finance infrastructure and operations

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/drilling-down/2015/01/five-things-you-need-to-know-in-texasenergy-this.html?ana=e_hstn_nrg&u=glKEt+uVA4SWk8BOTgN7pE+OY41&t=1422286402

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/01/houstons-economy-among-top-performing-in-the-world.html?ana=e_hstn_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2015-01-26&u=glKEt+uVA4SWk8BOTgN7pE+OY41&t=1422285833

Click to access Economy_at_a_Glance.pdf

The Human Resources Administrator will provide daily oversight and management of   all company benefits and human resource activities within the  (Company) with the primary objectives of on boarding new employees, administering all employee benefit programs and ensuring compliance with all Federal, state and local laws.

Responsibilities: 

1. Employee Customer Service – Unparalleled customer service to each employee of the company is the HR Administrator’s number one priority. 
2. Hiring Process
3. Performance Management
4. Benefits Administration
5. General HR Administration

Qualifications:

• 2 to 4 years’ progressive experience and or leadership as a Human Resources professional.
• General knowledge of the federal and state employment law sufficient to identify issues.
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources management.
• Familiarity with HR support for multiple locations desired.
• 4-year college degree is preferred desired;

• Special Projects Accountant – NW Houston
• Senior Corporate Accountant – NW Houston
• AP Manager – Greenspoint
• Staff Accountant – Greenspoint
• Payroll Accountant – Galleria
• Revenue Accounting Manager
• HR Manager – Woodlands
• Controller – Woodlands
• International Controller – Mandarin – Greenway
• Inventory Accounting Manager – West Houston
• JIB Accountant – NW Houston
• Small company Accountant – NW Houston
• Accounting Assistant – NW Houston
• Financial Analyst – North Houston
• SEC Analyst – Woodlands
• Auditor – Woodlands
• Controller -SEC – SW Houston

Wishing everyone a great rest of the year!!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!

– HR Manager – The Woodlands
– Financial Analyst – Greenspoint (POC)
– Bookkeeper – Magnolia / Tomball area
– Special Projects Senior Accountant – NW – Need some public accounting
– Accounting Supervisor – West Houston
– Senior Cost Accountant – Katy
– Senior Cost Accountant – Memorial City Mall area
– Internal Auditor Entry Level – The Woodlands
– Payroll Analyst – Galleria
– International Payroll Analyst – Galleria
– SAP Senior Accountant – Galleria
– Controller – Mfg – The Woodlands
– Mandarin Speaking Controller – Greenway
– Staff Tax Accountant – NW Houston
– Senior Internal Reporting Accountant – NW
– Fixed Asset Accountant – Galleria
– SEC Controller – Galleria

email: dcd@fittsroberts.com

Do you live on the north side of Houston? Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you a go-getter? Would you like to help shape an HR department? Then email me immediately! dcd@fittsroberts.com

Human Resources Manager Job Responsibilities:

Recruitment:
• Maintains the work structure by updating job requirements and job descriptions for all positions.
• Maintains human resource staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees.
• Maintains organization staff by establishing a recruiting, testing, and interviewing program; counseling managers on candidate selection; conducting and analyzing exit interviews; recommending changes.

Benefits Administration:
• Maintains employee benefits programs and informs employees of benefits by studying and assessing benefit needs and trends; recommending benefit programs to management; directing the processing of benefit claims; obtaining and evaluating benefit contract bids; awarding benefit contracts; designing and conducting educational programs on benefit programs.

Legal Compliance:
• Ensures legal compliance by monitoring and implementing applicable human resource federal and state requirements; conducting investigations; maintaining records; representing the organization at hearings.
• Maintains management guidelines by preparing, updating, and recommending human resource policies and procedures.
• Maintains historical human resource records by designing a filing and retrieval system; keeping past and current records.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

Payroll:
• Manages in house payroll for employees

http://m.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2014/12/12/see-where-houston-job-growth-is-expected-in-2015.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-12-12&u=glKEt+uVA4SWk8BOTgN7pE+OY41&t=1418419169&r=full

After several years of extraordinary growth, Houston’s economy will grow at a slower pace in 2015, the Greater Houston Partnership estimates.

GHP’s annual Houston Employment Forecast, released Dec. 11, estimates the metropolitan area will add 62,900 jobs in 2015, and the year should finish with more than 3 million total nonfarm payroll jobs.

That figure seems significantly less than the current pace of growth, in which Houston added 120,000 jobs between October 2013 and October 2014, but GHP calls the current pace unsustainable.

For comparison, Houston created an average of 48,600 jobs per year from 1994 to 2013. Even removing the three best years and three worst years, the average is 58,400 jobs per year.

GHP attributes much of the recent economic momentum to the boom in energy and exports, as well as Houston’s population growth. Over the past four years, the city added 500,000 residents, half of which were births and the other half relocations.

Falling oil prices and slower global growth will have a negative impact on Houston’s energy and export sectors next year, but the city will still add another 125,000 residents.

Construction on ethane crackers, chemical plants and liquefied natural gas terminals planned for the region; the opening of William P. Hobby Airport’s new international terminal; and U.S. gross domestic product growth in general will also help Houston’s economy next year.

Here’s where jobs will be added or lost in Houston in 2015:

•Energy: GHP anticipates a significant drop in oil field services (7,900 jobs) and a minor drop in oil and gas exploration (1,300 jobs).
•Construction: Growth expected to slow marginally, with the sector adding 8,200 jobs.
•Manufacturing: Expected to lose 3,300 jobs, as the decline in oilfield equipment and fabricated metals manufacturing will outweigh the increase in demand for chemicals, plastics and other nondurables.
•Wholesale trade: Expected to add 3,500 jobs, though some sectors will struggle
•Retail: Expected to add 6,600 jobs, a slight dip from recent hiring.
•Transportation, warehousing and utilities: Expected to add 2,600 jobs, though the wide variety of subsectors will be affected differently.
•Information: This sector, which includes news media, movies, software and other subsectors, is expected to create only 100 jobs.
•Financial: Expected to slow somewhat, adding 1,900 jobs.
•Professional, scientific and technical services: Growth will slow, with 9,300 jobs added.
•Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services: Expected to add 8,400 jobs, though outsourcing is expected to continue.
•Educational services: Expected to add 1,200 jobs.
•Health care: Expected to add 9,200 jobs.
•Arts, entertainment and recreation: Expected to add 700 jobs.
•Accommodation: Expected to add 1,000 jobs.
•Food services: Expected to add 8,300 jobs, though growth will be tempered compared to recent years.
•Other services: Slower growth expected, with slightly more than 2,200 jobs added.
•Government: Expected to add 1,200 jobs.
Even during periods of prolonged low oil prices, Houston added jobs, GHP’s report concludes. During the 1990s, oil prices averaged about $20, and Houston still added 500,000 jobs, though no individual sector dominated.

“For the third time in three decades, Houston is about to enter an era of relatively low oil prices,” GHP’s report states. “Yet by all measures, Houston is better off now than it was in the ’80s, ’90s or even the past decade. In the short term, growth may slow, but it always rebounds.”

1. Assist Controller with month end close, including reconciliation of various general ledger accounts and preparation of various monthly journal entries.
2. Review GL for posting errors and make corrections as needed.
3. Reconcile inventory accounts at month end and review manufacturing variances.
4. Review journal entries prepared by other members of the accounting team.
5. Track fixed assets by project number and review for accuracy. Enter assets in FAS and reconcile to GL. Calculate depreciation and book in GL.
6. Variance analysis of general ledger accounts
7. Assist Controller with audit schedule preparation.
8. Prepare various spreadsheets for management.
9. Keep track of all corporate assets and enter them in system and reconcile with general ledger.
10. Review balance sheet reconciliations prepared by other members of the accounting team.
11. Assist Controller with maintaining budgets.
12. Perform any needed tasks requested by Controller and CFO.

Skills and Experience:

Accounting or Finance Degree
3-5 years of experience in industry or public accounting
Experience with accounting software
Computer literate including Microsoft Excel and Word
Multi-tasker, self-starter
Supervision Experience
Team Player

Interviewing next week!!!!

Operations Accountant

• Timely and accurate settlement/invoicing of sales, purchases, transportation, storages, and various ad hoc costs
• Inventory storage rolling for matrices (products)
• Issue resolution with mid and front office on various day to day activities
• Budget and cost review, and reconciliation for all open items
• Assist in tracking, application of payments, and reconciliation of open items
• Aid and assist the accounting close process
• Assist with year-end audit documentation gathering
• Other special projects

• 6 months -3 years of previous experience
• Ability to manage priorities while meeting deadlines with limited oversight
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and medium
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Degree in Accounting or similar field a plus
• Industry/Big 4 experience is a plus

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/news/2014/12/houston_driving_rules_and_etiquette_for_newbies.php?page=2

Houston’s Unofficial Driving Rules and Road Etiquette for Newbies

By Angelica Leicht Wed., Dec. 10 2014 at 7:00 AM

Hey there, all you newbies! We’d like to welcome you to Houston.

It’s easy to see why you’re all making the move to the Bayou City. Where else will you find such a rad job market or affordable cost of living? And you certainly can’t match our city’s restaurant or arts scene; those things are in tip-top shape. So we get it. We like this city too.

You may be new to the ins and outs of our fine city, but chances are, it won’t be long before you’re considering yourselves actual Houstonians, saying things like “y’all” or “what it do” as you try to explain that “City of Sizzurp” moniker to outsiders.

But before we can sign off on you stamping that “True Houstonian” tag across your forehead, there’s something we need to work on: your driving.

That’s right, your driving. While we’re happy to roll out that purple (drank) carpet for you, we need you to work on this commuter business in return. With so many of us on the road, the rules of driving in a city this size need to be followed.

And here they are, the ten unofficial rules of driving in Screwston. Take heed, y’all.

Rule #10: Please do not stop at yield signs.
This is not San Antonio. We do not do that here. Should you do that here, say on a freeway entrance ramp from downtown Houston, you are going to cause a pileup of epic proportions, and everyone in this relatively relaxed city will side-eye you. Just cross your fingers and merge, son! It ain’t that hard.

Rule #9: Drive Faster.
Just do it. Just. Drive. Faster. People are behind you, and if you are able to accelerate, that means traffic is actually moving — an inexplicable phenomenon that happens rarely in this town — so pedal to the metal and go. You’ll regret that dilly-dallying in about a mile or so, when everything comes to a halt and you are stuck twiddling your thumbs for hours between exits.

On that note, the left lane is for people going fast. You like to go fast, Ricky Bobby? Good. The left lane is for you. If you’re slow as molasses, stay in the right lane, but never, ever ever ever, go under the speed limit. Just trust us on that one.

Rule #8: Don’t hesitate at green lights.
We know you’re new here, but that’s no excuse for sitting at a green light. It’s just not. Green means go in literally every place everywhere. It’s a universal sign for go, for Christ’s sake, and for some reason, y’all newbies tend to sit there like you’ve never seen a green light flash before.

Should you continue to sit there on Candy Crush, you are going to feel the wrath of every angry horn-honker sitting behind you, and it’s definitely not going to be worth it. And no, it doesn’t matter that the traffic is backed up and you can’t move forward. Just go somewhere, son.

Rule #7: Pay Attention to other cars, not other drivers.
We know it’s tempting, but driving in traffic in Midtown does not mean it’s time to howl at every hottie you see out on the patio at a bar. Or every hottie you see in another car, for that matter.

Now is not time to flag down the chick who is anxiously trying to get away from you in gridlocked traffic, man. It’s not the time to flip off the dude who cut you off, either. That’s how accidents, and more traffic, happen.

Rule #6: Yes, the line is long to get on 45 South from I-10, but that doesn’t mean you get to cut.
Okay. So you may not have ever seen a line like the one born from the devil’s loins in the depths of hell and then placed on the 45 S/I-10 interchange, but that’s not our problem, and native Houstonians aren’t going to just let you in. Pay attention to the road, fool, and you won’t have to cut off people at the very, very end of that awful line.

New to Houston or not, that freeway exit has the old playground rules of no cuts, and you’re breaking them. You’re also causing some dangerous road conditions for the lanes that aren’t merging onto the Gulf Freeway, too. There’s a reason why officers frequently stake out that little area, and that reason is people like you who are total cutters.

Rule #5: Watch out for bike riders and motorcyclists, for the love of God.
Our city is not set up to keep cyclists safe, which is precisely why you see all those “ghost bikes” that are placed around town. They’re monuments to people who have lost their lives to cars vs. bikes, and that shit ain’t cool.

So watch out for people on bikes, please. And motorcycles, for that matter, because Houston freeways are scary enough from inside four doors. Imagine what it’s like for the folks who are dodging your lost ass as you try to decide whether you needed 610 West or 610 North without a steel cage to protect them.

Rule #4: Mentally prepare yourself for undue aggression.
Driving in rush hour traffic? Oh good. Join the other billion of us that are already on the road, and prepare yourself to be on both ends of the aggression scale, depending on the minute.

Someone cut you off? Yep, it’s going to piss you off, and you’ll probably, definitely react. You cut someone off? It’s going to piss them off, and you should prepare yourself for it. Trust us; ain’t nothing like sitting next to an angry driver as they’re mouthing a stream of choice insults your way on 610 hell. And no, using your blinker doesn’t help. It just gives them time to come up with better insults.

Rule #3: If you’re in the righthand lane on a street, you better be turning right.
Seriously. Please don’t be the person who holds the entire row of cars up because you’re hell-bent on going straight from a righthand turning lane. Turn right and u-turn if you must, but do not make the miles of cars behind you even more late because you’re oblivious to our “right on red” rule.

Rule #2: Fender-bender on the freeway? Move. Seriously.
And we aren’t just saying this because of the stream of fender benders that block lanes in morning traffic; we’re saying this because sitting on the damn freeway when your car is moveable is dangerous, and you should move it to avoid being roadkill.

Rule #1: Driving downtown requires reading comprehension and rule-following, for real.
So your new job is downtown, eh? Well, be prepared to test out your mental acuities early in the morning, because downtown is a maze of Metro bus stops, train stops, and people stops, and you better stop for all of them or you’re going to end up sorry.

Those flashing train lights are happening for a reason. Don’t test them; you will end up losing. And for the love of all that is holy, please do not just turn on a dime without checking to see what way the street runs. It’s terrifying to see a wayward car coming at you, and such errors could be avoided should you newbies pay attention.

So there you go folks. Houston traffic rules in a nutshell. Follow them, and we’ll all be better off.

http://advice.careerbuilder.com/post/questions-to-ask-and-avoid-when-interviewing-for-a-job?adbid=542662545346015232&adbpl=tw&adbpr=15676118&adbsc=SM_BC_GJ_20141210_37029737

Questions to ask (and avoid) when interviewing for a job

Be memorable in an interview – for the right reasons.

The success or failure of a job interview doesn’t rest solely with the answers you give the hiring manager. The questions you ask can also speak volumes.

In a recent Robert Half survey, human-resources managers recounted the most unusual or surprising question they’ve received from a job seeker during an interview. Some of the highly questionable queries included:

•”Do I have to be at work every day?”
•”Would you consider going on a date with me?”
•”Can I have three weeks off every three months to pursue my music career?”
•”Can my husband finish this test for me?”
•”Is the boss single?”
•”Do you want to take a ride in my new car?”
•”Can you help me search for an apartment?”
•”What job is this for?”

Peculiar or presumptuous inquiries such as these can quickly undermine an otherwise solid interview performance. On the other hand, posing intelligent and informed questions shows the interviewer you’re a serious candidate while also helping you to determine if the role is right for you.

Here are some smart questions worth asking:

While researching your company, I learned that [fill in the blank]. Can you tell me more about that? Impress interviewers by making it clear you’ve done your homework. Learn as much as you can about the organization before your meeting.

Closely review the company’s website, marketing materials and recent financial reports. Tap your professional network for anecdotal insights and follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

Weaving some beyond-the-basics information you uncovered into your questions showcases both your interest and resourcefulness.

What types of training and development programs do you offer? Generally speaking, it is unwise to ask an employer what the company plans to do for you once hired; at least until the interviewer has sent signals that a job offer is likely. But bringing up training and development opportunities in an initial interview isn’t the same as jumping the gun about salary, benefits or vacation time.

Companies seek candidates who are committed to continually expanding their skills. If applicable, mention several pertinent proficiencies you’ve gained through professional development programs in the past.

What are some potential career paths within your company for a person starting in this position? This question shows you’re goal-oriented and career-minded. It also emphasizes your desire to grow with a company. Considering the significant amount of time, money and resources that companies invest in hiring and training new staff, it’s beneficial to indicate that you’re looking to stay onboard long term.

Why is this job open? Some questions are less about strategically pitching yourself and more about eliciting details that shed greater light on the job and the company.

For example, it’s a good sign if the previous person got promoted or the position was newly created because the company is growing. If, however, there’s been high turnover or your would-be predecessor is “no longer with the company,” consider these warning signs that warrant another question or two.

What do you enjoy most about working here? Job seekers don’t always think of it this way, but an employment interview is a two-way street, and the efforts to impress should go both ways. Good interviewers will play up the advantages of working at the company, because they want to win you over. Asking this more personal question and getting the individual to explain why she is with the company can provide invaluable insights.

Pay attention to how the interviewer responds to this question. Was the answer delivered quickly, with detail and enthusiasm? Or was there an awkward pause followed by a vague, tepid endorsement? Remember: Happy, satisfied employees won’t have any difficulty describing what they like about their job and the overall organization.

Service Delivery Managers have primary responsibility for monitoring and supporting an external service provider’s performance of transnational accounting services. The Service Delivery Managers also perform the responsibilities of process ownership for services managed.

Responsibilities
• Review compliance with all revenue service levels and contractual commitments, controls, root cause analysis and corrective actions, as well as business continuity plans.
• Communicate key business issues to sourcing supplier and decide how the financial accounting for those issues will be handled by supplier. Handle problem escalation relating to services performed by the supplier, which includes holding monthly operations meetings with both the supplier and Marathon organizations.
• Assist in development and maintenance of revenue accounting policies and procedures. Ensure adherence to those policies with sourcing provider; review desk and process documentation of supplier to ensure they properly reflect the Company’s policies.
• Serve as expert for revenue processes including the identification and coordination of process improvements. Participate in technology projects as well as coordinate the participation by the sourcing provider.
• Serve as application owner fo the revenue accounting systems which includes ensuring the security and change management processes for those applications are followed. Serve as the SAP security expert for the PRA module which includes responsibility of role owner, risk owner, access approver and privileged access approver in the Company’s SAP security framework.
• Ensure appropriate financial, operational and regulatory controls as defined in the COSO framework are designed and functioning in the revenue processes.
• Assist the supplier to forecast resource requirements and monitor baselines associated with revenue services.
• Develop training for revenue processes for Company accounting personnel.

• Degree: Bachelors
• Major: Accounting
• Certifications: CPA highly desirable
• Work Experience : 15 to 20 years experience in revenue accounting experience, operational accounting experience, financial outsourcing governance, transactional accounting shared services, audit or controls required.