Dr. Ray Perryman: “Too Low?”

https://www.perrymangroup.com

Too Low?

In nine states, unemployment rates have fallen to their lowest levels since the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began keeping such data. In 20 states (including Texas), unemployment levels have fallen below 4%, and in 10 of them, the level is below 3%. While high unemployment is obviously undesirable, overly low unemployment presents its own difficulties.

It is generally accepted that the economy functions relatively efficiently at about 4% unemployment. Imperfect information, the time needed to find a job when entering the labor force, mobility limitations, and other temporary timing issues and lags lead to some “frictional” unemployment. It is also inevitable that the mix of skills among those seeking jobs won’t perfectly match local needs. In short, it is neither possible nor desirable to attain zero unemployment.

The lower unemployment reaches, the harder it is for companies to locate workers. Economic growth can be constrained if there aren’t people to fill jobs. In Texas, some communities in areas near major oil production and technology centers are facing such obstacles. Although the population in these areas is expanding rapidly, as individuals and families are lured by the strong job market, labor demand is emerging even more rapidly. Worker shortages are the unavoidable result, although they tend to work themselves out as people continue to flow to areas promising high wages. Such is the nature of markets.

In other cases of too-low unemployment, however, the problem is more severe. Some states are experiencing low unemployment due largely to a shrinking labor force, including Vermont and North Dakota, where unemployment is 2.3%. Demographic trends such as the aging of the baby boomers and a shortage of young people are setting the stage for long-term sustainability issues. Vermont actually engaged in recruiting workers, though such efforts are problematic and expensive.

Texas unemployment is currently at 3.8%. Over the year ended in March, the Lone Star State gained more jobs than any other state (271,000), while the labor force grew by 222,255. Texas is attracting new residents to take advantage of benefits ranging from lower taxes to more affordable housing. The state’s population is also younger, and thus the problem here is somewhat less acute.

Workforce training to better match skills to job requirements is part of the solution to too-low unemployment. Innovative approaches to retain individuals in the workforce or attract those on the sidelines can also help. With a generally healthy economy and historically low natural population growth, sound immigration policy will almost certainly be needed to reach a lasting solution. It is certainly better for unemployment to be too low than too high, but it brings its own challenges that must be systematically addressed through a multi-faceted strategy.

 

https://www.perrymangroup.com

 

Accounting & Finance Associate Director – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Do you enjoy being part of an entrepreneurial environment and impacting the bottom line? Our client is growing and adding an Accounting & Finance Associate Director to their team. This company has been in the distribution business for over 50 years!

Responsibilities:

  • Directs work related to general accounting, financial planning, costs, financial forecast and budgets
  • Advises and collaborates with management in developing processes, policies, and procedures
  • Provides insight into sales and margin analysis, customer and operational profitability, and labor utilization
  • Performs financial modeling for improvement with risk versus reward evaluation
  • Develops, trains and manages all supporting commercial, integrated supply chain, and global financial planning team members
  • Researches and plans for a commercial transaction, acquisitions, and integration

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; MBA highly preferred
  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a corporate finance role;
  • Distribution industry experience preferred
  • Demonstrated success in a leadership role
  • Advanced Excel
  • Merger and acquisition experience.
  • Excellent communication skills and a proven leader.

Senior Accountant – Tomball – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Overview: 

Responsible for most complex activities associated with general ledger, financial/operating reports, and/or budget analysis.

Responsibilities:
• Prepare financial reports, and review and verify accuracy.
• Consolidates and conducts complex analysis of accounting and financial information.
• Prepares balance sheet and profit and loss statements, consolidated financial statements, and other accounting schedules and reports.
• Conducts research and analysis and prepares strategic recommendations to management based on the analysis.
• Identifies control weaknesses, communications to management to tighten and enhance controls and mitigate risk.
• Makes appropriate journal entries to the general ledger.
• Leads monthly and annual reconciliations and close activities for assigned accounts.
• Works with the company’s SOX auditors; tracks audit findings;

Requirements:
• 5 plus years of experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
Cost Accounting experience a plus.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• Expert level experience with QuickBooks
• Self-Driven work ethic.

#tomball #accountant

Update 5/6/2019 List of Accounting & Finance – Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

  • IT Internal Controls Specialist -DT *5/7
  • Internal Auditor – 30% travel – DT
  • AP Specialist – *5/6
  • Revenue Accounting Analyst
  • Treasury Director – East of Downtown
  • Treasury Manager – East of Downtown
  • Accounting Analyst
  • Admin Asst – DT or Galleria
  • AR Supervisor – NW Houston
  • Senior Staff Accountant – NW Houston
  • Financial Analyst – Galleria
  • Director of Finance & Accounting, East Houston *5/1
  • Payroll Systems Accounting Manager – West *5/1
  • Senior Accountant – DT  *5/1
  • Tax Manager with Partnership experience looking to be a Controller within 5 years!!!! *5/1
  • Senior Accounting Analyst – Downtown
  • Senior Accountant with the succession plan to AC – West moving to IAH
  • Internal Auditor – Galleria
  • Accounting Revenue Analyst – Downtown
  • JIB Accountant – NW Houston
  • Staff Accountant – Channelview
  • Staff Auditor – Clearlake
  • Entry Level SEC Accountant – Jersey Village
  • Senior Internal Auditor – Woodlands
  • Payroll / HR Senior – NW Houston
  • Senior IT Auditor – DT Houston
  • AP Specialist – Nonprofit – Memorial
  • Senior Accountant – Mfg – Tomball
  • CFO – Amarillo, Texas
  • Senior Accountant – DT
  • Sage 100 / Mas90 Implementation Specialist – Work Remote!
  • Financial Reporting / Analyst – DT
  • Finance Manager / Controller – Tomball
  • Controller (300M division) – NW Houston
  • Division Controller (70M) – NW Houston
  • Assistant Controller (new MLP) – Galleria
  • Senior SEC Accountant – Downtown
  • Senior Auditor – Clearlake
  • Senior GL Accountant (small company) NW Houston
  • Accountant – Conroe
  • IT Auditor – Galleria
  • HR / Payroll Manager – Nonprofit – Galleria
  • AP Director – NW Houston
  • Staff Accountant – NW Houston
  • Senior Accountant – NW Houston
  • Senior Accountant (SAP) – I-10/Beltway
  • Senior Accountant (SAP) – Downtown
  • Staff Auditor – 20% Travel – Galleria
  • Senior Auditor – 20% Travel – Galleria
  • Third Party Mgt Accountant – West Houston
  • Internal Controls Manager – Downtown
  • Senior Audit Manager – Public Accounting
  • R&D Tax Manager – Public Accounting
  • Pricing Analyst – Downtown
  • Grant Accounting Manager – Greenway Plaza
  • Bookkeeper – Public Accounting – NW Houston
  • Senior Accounting Analyst (big 4) – Sugar Land

 

 

Crude Oil and Commodity Prices

April, Monday 29 2019 – 09:16:03

WTI Crude Oil
$63.30 ▼-1.91 -3.02%
2019.04.28 end-of-day
Brent Crude Oil
$72.15 ▼-2.20 -3.05%
2019.04.28 end-of-day
Commodities
Crude Oil 63.30 -3.02%
Natural Gas 2.57 +2.03%
Gasoline 2.10 -1.50%
Heating Oil 2.05 -2.29%
Gold 1284.90 +0.71%
Silver 15.00 +0.94%
Copper 2.97 +3.11%
2019.04.28 end-of-day » Add to your site
Free oil price dashboard on your site.Learn How »

Short-Term Outlook for the Texas Economy by Dr. Ray Perryman

https://www.perrymangroup.com

Short-Term Outlook for the Texas Economy

The Texas economy is coming off a very strong 2018, and the state is attracting more major corporate locations and expansions than any other by a wide margin. At the same time, Texas’ most significant export industry, oil and gas, is growing at a phenomenal pace, and the entire state economy is benefiting.

Texas has the potential to continue to win in the highly competitive market for quality industrial growth, with a favorable combination of resources and a business-friendly mindset. It is imperative to keep pressing forward, however, as past success is not necessarily predictive. Investing in infrastructure and education to ensure future competitiveness is essential.

With multipliers among the highest in the economy, when the energy sector is surging as it is now, it generates a high level of other business activity for companies across the spectrum. Oil and gas jobs generally pay well and royalties are substantial, resulting in high consumer-oriented impacts. Moreover, petroleum products are top export categories. The combination of technological change, rising global energy demand, major new discoveries in the Permian Basin region, continued development of other fields across the state, dramatic cost reductions, and expectations of a favorable market environment and infrastructure development has created a new paradigm in which sustained drilling and extraction programs are beginning to replace the “boom and bust” pattern that has persisted for at least the past century.

The Perryman Group’s most recent short-term forecast indicates growth in Texas real gross product at a 3.82% annual pace over the next five years, resulting in an increase of approximately $364.1 billion (from $1.7 trillion in 2018 to $2.1 trillion in 2023). An estimated 1.4 million net new jobs are expected to be generated over the period, a 2.02% annual rate of increase projected to push total employment from 13.0 million to 14.4 million. Both of these rates of growth are significantly higher than the national rates of 2.61% per year for US real gross product and 1.51% per year for US employment.

A number of factors are contributing to expansion in the Texas economy. A diverse set of industries are growing, including manufacturing, technology, health care, professional services, and others with the potential to generate notable future jobs and opportunities. Oil and natural gas exploration, production, exports, and related activity are expected to remain major sources of stimulus. In short, the state economy is among the most dynamic in the nation.

Although there are challenges which could dampen the pace (such as national economic conditions, workforce shortages, trade wars, or escalating tensions around the globe), The Perryman Group’s most recent short-term Texas forecast is decidedly positive.

Senior Internal Auditor – Woodlands – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Why Work Here?

  • An excellent opportunity to help build up a team
  • An opportunity to learn A LOT
  • Excellent Company location! Live and work in The Woodlands

Position Summary

  • This position is responsible for planning and performing internal audits designed to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, determine compliance with policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with the company’s SOX compliance program. 
  • Audit team consists of 7.

Requirements

  • Must have experience in the Engineering & Construction industry- whether within internal audit, engineering, project controls, or operations.
  • Degree: Flexible; Accounting OR engineering or Construction Management;
  • In-depth knowledge of SOX compliance
  • Must be able to work alongside and communicate effectively with management; Looking for a problem solver, not someone with a “gotcha” mentality.
  • Travel 25-30% domestic; About 1-2 weeks of travel to projects per quarter.

CFO, Amarillo, Texas – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

CFO

Amarillo, Texas

Our client is in the commodities trading business, and they are searching for a CFO to join their team. This person will be a true business partner to the CEO, Sales & Operations. This position will be located in Amarillo, Texas.

Overview:

The purpose of this role is to be the financial support and partner to the CEO, growing to become a part of the Senior Executive Team to work together to build shareholder value, and provide strategic, operational, and programmatic support to the organization:

  • Support the CEO’s strategic and tactical plan development and implementation
  • Responsible for leading all aspects of the day to day accounting, financial, regulatory and taxes functions.
  • Develop a special relationship with the Board of Directors through the Audit Committee Chairmanship.

Responsibilities:

Lead the company’s programs and efforts in the areas of accounting, financial planning and analysis, and financial aspects of corporate strategy and strategic negotiations.

  • Oversee the timely production of monthly, quarterly and annual reports, financial statement and cash flow projections.
  • Work with other team members to understand revenue and cost drivers and define appropriate reports for tracking.
  • Issue regular status and ad hoc report to senior management.
  • Set controls, measures and reports for all purchasing and sales activities to ensure best practices and procedures.
  • Create strong partnerships across the organization to drive sound financial decisions in support of capital investments, product valuations, supply chain execution/cost of goods sold and sales performance/profitability.
  • Create financial and valuation business models to assist the organization in making strategic decisions around products, partnerships, and investments based on deep and insightful financial analyses.
  • Oversee and monitor the banking activities of the organization.
  • Oversee the development of the annual operating and capital budgets.
  • Ensure adequate cash management to meet the organization’s needs
  • Build and develop the account and finance teams as the company grows
  • Ensure accounting systems are proficient and able to scale with the growth of the business
  • Perform competitive analysis on industry peers and report trends and results to the leadership team.
  • The direct connection between business development and finance. Partnering together on planning, modeling, and analysis of future business projects.

Qualifications:

  • 15 plus years of accounting experience
  • Bachelors Degree in Accounting. MBA / CPA preferred
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
  • Ability achieves goals successfully in a fast-paced environment and fluctuating priorities and deadlines.
  • Experience with commodity IT systems preferred.
  • Leadership experience in organizing, planning and executing projects from conceptualization through implementation and execution across multiple internal and external reporting and organization lines.chief-financial-officer-responsibilities-1068x713

Other:

Base, short term and long term bonus potential

Relocation

Entry Level Staff Accountant – CHANNELVIEW, TX

Entry Level Staff Accountant – CHANNELVIEW, TX

  • Staff Accountant will do Reconciliations
  • Assist with General Ledger Maintenance
  • Staff Accountant will Perform Month-End Close Procedures
  • Staff Accountant will do Budget Preparation
  • Perform Variance Analysis

Requirements:

  • Accounting or Finance Degree
  • Preferred to have Excel experience – Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP’s, Import/Export
  • 1-2 Years of Manufacturing Industry Experience Is A Plus

#hiring #channelview #houston #accountant #staff #entrylevel

UPDATED List of Accounting & Finance Openings – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

  • CFO – Amarillo, Texas
  • Finance Manager / Controller – Tomball
  • Controller (300M division) – NW Houston
  • Corporate Controller (1B/Public) SW Houston
  • Division Controller (70M) – NW Houston
  • Senior Fixed Asset Accountant – Real Estate – West
  • Assistant Controller (new MLP) – Galleria
  • Senior Gas Revenue Accountant – Galleria
  • Senior SEC Accountant – Downtown
  • AP Specialist – Nonprofit – Memorial
  • Staff Auditor – Clearlake
  • Senior Auditor – Clearlake
  • Senior GL Accountant (small company) NW Houston
  • Senior Accountant with succession plan to AC – West moving to IAH
  • Accountant – Conroe
  • Senior Accountant (job costing) – Conroe
  • IT Auditor – Galleria
  • Senior IT Auditor – Downtown
  • HR / Payroll Manager – Nonprofit – Galleria
  • Payroll / HR Senior – NW Houston
  • AP Director – NW Houston
  • Staff Accountant – NW Houston
  • Senior Accountant – NW Houston
  • Sage 100 / Mas90 Implementation Specialist – Work Remote!
  • Senior Accountant (SAP) – I-10/Beltway
  • Senior Accountant (SAP) – Downtown
  • Staff Auditor – 20% Travel – Galleria
  • Senior Auditor – 20% Travel – Galleria
  • Third Party Mgt Accountant – West Houston
  • Internal Controls Manager – Downtown
  • Senior Audit Manager – Public Accounting
  • R&D Tax Manager – Public Accounting
  • Pricing Analyst – Downtown
  • SEC Accountant – Jersey Village
  • Cost Accountant – Stafford
  • Grant Accounting Manager – Greenway Plaza
  • Bookkeeper – Public Accounting – NW Houston
  • Senior Accounting Analyst (big 4) – Sugar Land
  • Senior Accountant – Nonprofit – Montrose

 

 

Houston Population Update via GHP

Link to Article

Metro Houston added 91,689 residents in ’18, a 1.3 percent increase, to reach a total population of 6,997,384 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Houston had the third largest gain of any U.S. metro area. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro led the nation in population growth adding 131,767 residents, a 1.8 percent increase from the year before. Metro Phoenix came in second, adding 96,268 residents, a 2.0 percent increase from ’18.

Houston maintained its position as the fifth largest U.S. metro area.

The metro area grew from the combined effects of the net natural increase (i.e., more births than deaths) and net in-migration (i.e., more people moving in than out).[1] Last year, Houston added 229 new residents every day as a result of:

  • 56,119 residents from net natural increase (99,013 births and 42,894 deaths)
  • 35,397 residents from net in-migration (44,535 from around the world and a loss of 9,138 from across the U.S.)

Every Houston-area county experienced population growth in ’18. The majority of the growth occurred in suburban counties such as Liberty, Montgomery, Waller and Fort Bend. Harris County ranked third in the nation in overall growth adding 34,460 residents to total 4,698,619 or 67.1 percent of the metro population.

Staff & Senior Auditor – Clearlake, Texas – 10 to 30% Travel – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Staff Auditor Opportunity !!!

CFS has teamed up with a company who specializes in the construction of telephone, cable, cell phone, satellite, and power utility companies and government entities throughout the US.

The Internal Auditor will assist in conducting operational, financial and compliance audits and will perform independent testing of internal controls to meet Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements.

Responsibilities are to:

  • Participate in conducting interviews and process walk-throughs, document interview and process walk-through notes;
  • Prepare process diagrams using MS Visio, document key controls in processes, document gaps in controls, and write process narratives.
  • Update control matrices and perform analyses using MS Excel and MS Word.
  • Perform and document tests of controls
  • Develop written findings and recommendations for improvement in operations, financial control or compliance.
  • Participate in meetings and group discussions of results and action plans.

Qualifications:

  • BS in Business or Accounting
  • CPA eligible
  • Familiar with US GAAP, COSO, International Standards
  • Travel up to 33%

 

Senior Internal Auditor Opportunity

CFS has teamed up with a company who specializes in the construction of telephone, cable, cell phone, satellite, and power utility companies and government entities throughout the US.

Responsibilities:

  • Participate in conducting interviews and process walk-throughs, document interview and process walk-through notes;
  • Manage audit engagement staff and production of deliverables.
  • Prepare process diagrams using MS Visio, document key controls in processes, document gaps in controls, and write process narratives.
  • Update control matrices and perform analyses using MS Excel and MS Word.
  • Perform and document tests of controls.
  • Develop written findings and recommendations for improvement in operations, financial control or compliance.
  • Prepare analyses showing business impacts from improvements in controls, including risk avoidance, indirect financial benefits, and direct financial benefits.
  • Participate in meetings and group discussions of results and action plans.

Qualifications

  • B.S. or M.A. in Business, Accounting or Internal Audit
  • CPA in progress, CPA
  • Professional communication skills
  • 2-4 years of public accounting
  • Travel approximately 25-33% (US & Canada)

PMI for Houston is 64.0!!!!

April 11, 2019
The Houston Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a short-term leading indicator for regional production, registered 64.0 in March, its highest reading in six years and a strong gain from 56.1 in February. Readings above 45 signal overall economic expansion in Houston over the next three to four months. Readings above 50 signal expansion in the manufacturing sector. The region’s PMI has signaled expansion in overall
economic activity for 32 consecutive months and manufacturing activity for 19 consecutive months. The Houston PMI last reached this level in February ’13 with a reading of 64.2

The Houston PMI is derived from monthly surveys of local purchasing managers representing various industries. In March, oil and gas, manufacturing, mid-stream operations, professional services, and wholesale trade reported strong expansion, while health care was neutral.

Prepared by the Greater Houston Partnership Research Department.
Patrick Jankowski, CERP
Senior Vice President, Research
713-844-3616
pjankowski@houston.org

Josh Pherigo
Manager, Research
713-844-3617
jpherigo@houston.org

AP SUPERVISOR OPPORTUNITY!

Location: The Woodlands

Why work for this company???

  • Midsize O&G company with a family oriented work culture
  • Opportunity to grow within the company
  • On-Site Workout Facility & Trainer
  • Lucrative Compensation Package

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for the monthly AP close process ensuring all deadlines are met.
  • Review invoices and expense reports for accuracy and eligibility for payment.
  • Ensure timely payment of vendor invoices and expense vouchers.
  • Contribute to the development of processes and procedures.
  • Maintain AP systems, procedures, internal controls and policies to ensure corporate compliance and mitigation of risks.
  • Ensure timely reconciliation of department accounts and review for quick resolution of all reconciling items.
  • Work with the accounting and finance teams to identify and resolve issues.
  • Supervise and provide guidance to staff.
  • Assist with audits and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
  • 5-7 years of Accounting experience
  • Minimum 3 years prior supervisory experience.
  • Experience with Bolo and DocVue is a plus
  • Prior O&G experience is required

Senior Accountant – Beltway / I-10 – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

The Senior Accountant will be joining a large and growing accounting department within this multinational, Fortune-500 company. Our client has been operating for over 100 years and focuses on supporting manufacturers nationwide. Our client is both steady and growing due to organic growth and acquisitions, growth opportunities and exposure are plentiful here.

Duties:

  • Support Month-End close
  • Lead Balance Sheet/Bank Account Reconciliations
  • Assist with forecasting and analysis reports
  • Help provide complete and accurate financial information to management/owners
  • Assist with Ad-Hoc reports as requested

Why work here:

  • Multiple Supervisor positions to move into once ready
  • A stable, low-turnover environment with strong mentorship
  • Rotations/promotions possible outside of the department

Requirements:

  • 1+ years of SAP experience
  • Blackline or Oracle HFM experience is a plus
  • Bachelors in Accounting or Finance
  • Publicly-traded company experience preferred
  • 4+ years of accounting experience

Divsion Controller / Finance Manager (Tomball & Woodlands) – dlemaire@cfstafing.com

Our client is looking for a Division Controller / Finance Manager to lead a division with locations in Tomball, Woodlands & Midland. These two business units combined annual sales are just shy of 50M and just underwent a systems conversion.

Overview:

  • Responsible for the closing and reporting of financials
  • Analyze and communicate financial variances across periods and forecast.
  • Manage the preparation of annual operating budgets and financial reports; bringing strategic insights to the leadership team based on analysis of budgets and financial reports.
  • Analyze the organization’s revenues, liabilities, credit conditions, and other financial indicators to forecast its short, medium, and long-term cash flow position.
  • Maintain accounting and internal control systems for both financial and management reporting
  • Responsible for the financial planning and analysis (FP&A) of the division
  • Serve as a business partner to the business.
  • Provide technical financial advice and knowledge to others in the finance function.
  • Coach and mentor one or two levels of direct reports; assigns work according to availability, skills, and developmental needs; assess performance and provides feedback to direct reports.

Requirements: 

  • Bachelor in Accounting
  • CPA preferred, but not required
  • Previous Controller experience required
  • 10 plus year of experience
  • Oracle and advanced excel skill preferred

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com