The Houston Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a short-term leading indicator for regional production, registered 54.8 in January, a slight uptick from 54.5 in December. Readings above 50 signal economic expansion in Houston over the next three to four months. Readings below 50 signal contraction. The region’s PMI slipped below 50 in the three months immediately following Hurricane Harvey, but climbed above 50 in November. January’s 54.8 reading is the highest since October ’14 when the PMI registered 58.5. To access the full report, click here. PMI Report

Click to access Purchasing_Managers_Index.pdf

 

 

1.The day before

Yes, I know it is a hassle, but take the time to drive by the location the day before your interview.  It will make you feel much more relaxed when navigating to the location. The last thing you need the day of the interview is to get lost and arrive stressed out. This does not set a good tone for the day!

2. Timing

Arrive at the building 20 to 30 minutes early to review your notes, but do not go in until 5 to 10 minutes before the interview (depending on building security). You do not want to throw the interviewer off. They have a schedule too and they may be taking that time to prepare for you

3. Pre-Interview Jitters?

Before you even walk into the lobby, wash your hands with cold water if you tend to have sweaty palms! Also, give yourself a little pep talk and walk in with confidence

4. Cell Phone

I can’t believe I even have to say this but do not play on your cell phone! It does not make a good impression to be playing candy crush on your phone when the manager walks out to come greet you.  Another option is just to leave your phone in your car. This way you can’t be distracted by it.

5. Receptionist

Greet the receptionist and please be nice. Believe it or not, this person could hinder your ability to get the job! They will be the first person to speak up if you are rude.

6. Posture

Sit up tall and with confidence. Look up and around. Smile at the people walking by. You will be making a great first impression with several people without formally meeting them!

7. Double check

One more time! Yes, please make sure your phone is off. Yes, completely off. I know you didn’t leave it in the car. You do not want to risk the phone ringing or even vibrating in the interview. The world will not come to an end if you cannot be reached for an hour.

8. Portfolio

Have your portfolio with your resume, notes and prepared questions organized and ready to go. Please make sure the portfolio is appropriate for a professional interview!

So, you landed the interview. Here are some things to think about before you head out the door!

1. Paperwork! Take a few copies of your resume. A one on one interview can quickly turn into a panel interview! Also, it’s possible that you will be introduced to others who were not on the schedule (which is usually a very good sign)! Don’t forget a list of references, any examples of work (that do not have confidential information), and those letters of recommendation.
2. List of great questions! Get creative with this. Do your research! Think of questions that not only highlight that you did your homework but also ask questions that help you showcase your skills!
3. A nice portfolio! Please do not take a manila folder. Yes, this has happened. Go out and buy yourself a decent portfolio. And make sure you have a pen to take notes! Yes, it’s ok to write something down during the interview or remind yourself of a question you want to ask at the end.
4. Your suit and a smile! Yes, you should be wearing a suit! I can’t even believe I still have to say that out loud. You only have one chance at a first impression. It’s always better to overdress, even on Fridays. Remember: You are interviewing for the job you want, not the one you have! Also, don’t forget that smile. Positive energy is contagious!!!!
5. Stories! When you are working your way through the job description think of examples that apply. Try to make a short story out of it. The purpose of this is to create a picture in the interviewers’ mind of you doing the job. Stories make a much bigger impact than canned answers.

Good luck with your next interview and don’t forget to check out these tips before you step foot in the lobby: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-things-remember-before-after-you-step-foot-lobby-delgado-lemaire/

Our client is a privately-held, family business which has been operating for over 80 years. This organization is involved in utility protection and damage-prevention as well as being a leading survey and gas leak detection company who manufacturers and engineers most of its’ products. Their primary clients are upstream, midstream and downstream oil & gas companies across the nation.

Currently, the company is experiencing growth and looking to bring its’ payroll operations internal (currently outsourcing to a PEO). They are looking for a strong Payroll Manager that has led software implementations in the past and can lead and set processes in place as they see fit.

Payroll Manager Salary plus 10% bonus | Hobby area

Requirements:
• Experience with multi-state payroll
• Prior Payroll Management experience
• Accounting or Finance degree preferred (not required)
• Large company experience (~1500 employees)
• Experience with weekly payroll/hourly employees
Additional Details:
Small company environment/Family atmosphere (After-work gatherings, pizza parties, etc..)
• Opportunity to choose software/set processes for revamped Payroll system
• Growing company with long-term stability
• Full Benefits (401K match, PTO, medical/vision/dental)

 

 

Why take an Internal Audit position with this company?

• Work-Life Balance!
  • Early release on Fridays
  • Flex Schedule options
  • Family oriented
  • Work from home options
• Jeans every day!
• Great Manager that desires to grow & mentor staff into management or other areas within the organization
  • Over the last ~10 years, the individuals in the position have grown out of IA into Controller, Treasury, or Financial Reporting Positions within the company
• Opportunity for international travel (only if desired)
• Operational Audits- opportunity to identify process improvements & ways to make the company more efficient.
• High Visibility: Opportunity to report to Board of Directors
• Many tenured employees
• Diversified company with several different business units
• Competetive compensation plans & benefits

What the Internal Auditor will do…

• 50% Sox Control Test Work
• Planning and execution of audits
  • Financial, operational, IT applications (possibility of IT infrastructure within next 1-2 years)

What the company needs in an Internal Auditor:

• Team Player with Strong Communication skills
• Ambitious
• Easy going & gets along well with teammates
• Independent self-starter who is able to work with minimal supervision

Education & Experience of the Internal Auditor:

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting
  • Masters degree in progress or completed
• 2-5+ years of experience in Public Audit or Public Industry Mix
• O&G Industry experience preferred

Required Qualifications of the Internal Auditor:

• CPA or CPA eligible
  • The candidate has to have serious interest in pursuing CPA if not already obtained.
• Public Audit experience

Industry News and Updates

Happy New Year! This year started off with a BANG for our Houston office. I don’t think I have had a busier start in January in all my years of recruiting. The Greater Houston Partnership forecast for 2018 actually calls for our region to create over 45,000 jobs. According to the Partnership, a lot of that is driven by the ties to the US& Global economy.

Here as some specific examples, they gave with regards to the US economy:

• Detroit produced more than 18 million light-duty automobiles and trucks in ’16. A typical family car contains 150 pounds of rubber, 200 pounds of fluids, and 250 pounds of plastics. These components likely come from the plastics and chemical plants along the Houston Ship Channel.
• The value of U.S. manufacturing output exceeded $6.1 trillion in ’14, and more than 6.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas was consumed in the process. Much of that gas is found, produced and delivered by companies based in Houston.
• Americans drove more than 3.2 trillion miles in ’16. One-fourth of the nation’s refining capacity is located on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Here are some additional examples the Partnership provided with regards to our global ties:

• Metro Houston ranks second only to New York in value of exports.
• Nearly 5,000 Houston-area companies are engaged in global commerce.
• Global trade supports nearly 450,000 jobs in the region.
• The Port of Houston ranks first in the U.S. in foreign tonnage.
• Many of Houston’s public companies derive a significant portion of their revenues from their overseas operations. The average is 30 percent, but companies such as Halliburton and Oceaneering receive more than half their revenues from international sales and operations.

I am very optimistic about 2018 for Houston. I *think* the worst is finally behind us! I know this is the time of the year bonuses are paid, so let me know if you are ready to explore the job market. We don’t have to start a very active search, but certainly let me know about that “dream job” you would love to hear about.

CFS News:

Salary Guide: Link to 2018 Salary Guide

The guide features both local Houston salary data and national salary statistics.

Local Statistics:

• National Unemployment Rate: 3.9 (last year 4.4)
• Houston Unemployment Rate: 4.3 (last year 5.2)
• Labor Participation Rate: 62.7% (last year 62.9%) – January 2007 66.4% – I am not sure what is happening here, but it seems like less people are looking?
• Manufacturing Index: 52.8 (last year 50.2) Anything above 50 is AWESOME!
• Oil Rig Count: 930 (last year 634)
• Price of Oil: $65.51 (last year $50.5)

Interesting Articles:

• How to Write the Perfect Post-Interview Thank You Note: http://wp.me/puDjI-22K
• List of Certifications for Accounting & Finance Professionals: https://dianedelgadolemaire.com/certification-list/

Job Openings (Temp & Perm):

Staff Accountant:

• Real Estate, Galleria, at least 1-year real estate accounting required
• O&G Services, NW Houston, public or 2+ years corporate accounting required
• O&G Services, West Houston, standard cost accounting required
• Manufacturing, The Woodlands, public or 2+ years corporate accounting required
• Temporary Commercial Property Accountant, Central Houston, Property Management Services
• Temp to Hire, Staff Accountant, Opportunity to Work Remotely, Non-Profit

Senior/Lead Accountants:

• Real Estate, Galleria, at least 3 years property accounting and degree required
• O&G Services, NW Houston, POC and CapEx experience required
• Engineering & Construction, Galleria, SEC Reporting, Big 4 required
• Engineering & Construction, Galleria, Consolidations & Internal Reporting, Spanish required
• Manufacturing, The Woodlands, public or 5+ years corporate accounting required
• Forensic Accounting, Galleria, public accounting required
• Temp to Hire, Accountant III, Central Houston, Family Services

Managers/Assistant Controllers:

• Assistant Controller: Non-Profit, Downtown, multi-location experience required, non-profit and public preferred
• Assistant Controller: Real Estate, 5+ years residential or commercial property accounting, supervisory experience required
• Plant Accounting Manager: O&G Services, Pearland, SOX and strong standard cost required

Directors/VP/CFO:

• VP, Controller/ CAO: Manufacturing, The Woodlands, IPO, SEC reporting, CPA and manufacturing required, CFO track
• Director, Tax: O&G Services, The Woodlands, experience building or growing tax dept, JD preferred
• Director, SEC Reporting: O&G Services, The Woodlands, public & heavy SEC reporting required
• CFO: Manufacturing, Phoenix, AZ, private-equity, and manufacturing required

FP&A/Business Analysis:

• E&P, NW Houston, public accounting required
• E&P, Downtown, public accounting + heavy SQL required

Tax:

• O&G Services, NW Houston, corporate compliance experience required
• Holding company, Downtown, high net-worth and/or partnership tax compliance required

Audit:

• Staff: O&G Services, NW Houston, public or 6+ months straight industry required
• Senior: O&G Services, NW Houston, public or 5+ years straight industry required, 50% domestic & international travel
• Senior: O&G Services, Galleria, Big 4 or large regional firm required, rotational program, 30% domestic & international travel

IT Audit:

• Senior: O&G Services, NW Houston, Public accounting or 3+ years straight industry required

Valuation:

• Investment Firm, Galleria, rotational program, Big 4 or large regional firm required

Treasury:

• Senior: Trading, Galleria, Big 4 or borrowing base/bilateral agreement experience required, bilingual strongly preferred
• Global Cash Manager: O&G Services, The Woodlands, large company treasury experience required
• Temp to Hire, Treasury Analyst, Central Houston, Gas, and Power Firm

IT:

• Hyperion Administrator: Engineering & Construction, Galleria, heavy Hyperion Suite required
• Dynamics Administrator: Chemical Manufacturing, Pearland, heavy Dynamics required
• Systems Accounting Manager: O&G Services, the Woodlands, ERP implantation experience, Accounting background required
• Temp to Hire, SQL Database Admin, Central Houston, Oilfield Services

AP, AR, Payroll, & Other:

• AP Manager: Construction, The Woodlands, mid-volume, degree preferred
• AR Clerk: Financial Services, Westchase, 1-3 years AR experience
• Temporary Accounts Receivable Accountant, Central Houston, Gas and Power Firm
• Temporary, Accounts Receivable Clerk, West Houston, Oil and Gas
• Temp to Hire, Accounts Receivable/Billing Specialist, Central Houston, Oil and Gas
• Temporary Accounts Payable Clerk, North Houston, Oil and Gas
• Temp to Hire, Accounts Payable Specialist I, Central Houston, Non-Profit
• Temp to Hire, Accounts Payable Supervisor, Central Houston, Non-Profit
• Temp to Hire, Accounts Payable Specialist, North Houston, Oil and Gas
• Temp to Hire, Senior Accounts Payable Specialist, Central Houston, Oil and Gas
• Temp, Accounts Payable/Admin Assistant, Central Houston, Homebuilding
• Long-term Temp, 3 Customer Service Agents, Central Houston, Non-Profit
• Temporary Payroll Clerk, Central Houston, Growing Energy Company
• Temp (1-2 days/month), Benefits Accountant, Central Houston, Non-Profit
• Temp to Hire, Cash Applications Specialist, West Houston, Industrial Services

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

| dlemaire@cfstaffing.com | www.cfstaffing.com |

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain standard inventory cost system
• Assist with month-end close
• Perform journal entries and account reconciliations
• Perform analytical review of financial statement fluctuations
• SOX testing
• Work with Director of Accounting on special projects
• Other duties as assigned

 

Requirements

• Five to seven years’ total accounting experience
• Three years’ experience in a manufacturing
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

 

Responsibilities: 

• Prepare journal entries and supporting details
• Responsible for monthly reconciliation of assigned accounts
• Fixed assets accounting
• Assist with month-end close
• Prepare, process and maintain customer credit application packets
• Process customer invoices
• Post customer payments
• Daily treasury management and bank reconciliations
• SOX testing
• Perform analytical review of financial statement fluctuations

 

Required Experience: 

• Three years full-cycle accounting
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel