Answering Questions – The Rule of 3 – Interview Expert Academy

I’ve interviewed a lot of candidates over the last 20 years. Candidates experience has varied from straight out of college or university to experienced individuals.

And no matter what level of experience they have, there is a common theme that appears. Answers to interview questions lack depth.

Purpose of an Interview

The purpose of interview is for one individual (the interviewer) to get to know another (the candidate) better.

They want to find out if the candidate sat across the table is right for the role and their organization. Do they have what it takes to contribute and add value for that organization?

You have to remember that an interviewer has a problem.  They have a vacancy to fill. They hope that you as the candidate will be the solution.

The most popular way to find out if a candidate is right for a role, is to ask questions. To:

• Gather information
• Understand their experience
• Understand their skills and knowledge
• To get to the real person

Most interviewers use the same or similar types of questions (21 Most Common Interview Questions). So it shouldn’t be too difficult for a candidate to come prepared with answers. Unfortunately, most don’t and often the answers provided lack depth.

These answers are far too generic. There is no substance to them. There is a lack of information given to back up the answer.

This relies on the interviewer digging deeper.  They will

• Question again
• Rephrase the question, or
• Ask something different

in the hope that they’ll get the answer that they are seeking. If that happens to you, you’ve not answered their question.

Don’t be one of them. Create depth to your answers.

Rule of 3

How can you do that?

You can apply the ‘Rule of 3’. You can use and apply it for each of the questions (21 Most Common Interview Questions).

For each of the questions, think of a least of 3 examples. Most interviewers will not want more than 3 examples. They’ll then move onto the next question.

The Rule of 3 is a minimum. More than 3 is great too. It’s always worth having more examples to back up your answers. Here’s how to apply the Rule of 3:

Question: What are your strengths?

• List at least 3 of strengths
• List 3 examples, for each of the 3 strengths, to back it up

Question: What are your weaknesses?

• List at least 3 of weaknesses
• List 3 examples, for each of the 3 weaknesses, to back it up
• What 3 things are you doing to manage those weaknesses?

Question: What motivates you?

• What are 3 of your motivators?
• List 3 reasons why, for each motivator, to back it

Question: Tell me about a time when things didn’t go well

• List 3 examples
• List 3 reasons why they didn’t got so well
• List 3 that you’d do it differently next time

You can apply the Rule of 3 to all the common interview questions.

Having depth to your answers will help you come across as a much more rounded individual.

You will show that you know yourself and have come prepared.

Staff Accountant – Westchase – Houston

Primary responsibilities:

• Provide management with divisional financial information as needed
• Prepare and post weekly cash transactions
• Prepare and post weekly closing transactions
• Performance of bank reconciliation timely and accurately
• Performance of monthly cash account reconciliations timely and accurately
• Provide financial reporting assistance to all functional areas as needed
• Serve as an integral member of the divisional Finance staff

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in accounting or finance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent computers, including intermediate-to-advanced skills in MS Excel.
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve day-to-day activities.
• Minimum 1 years and maximum of 3 years of experience

Other information:

• Normal hours except during close – only 4 days

• They are a publicly traded company with multiple divisions in Houston and the US. Can transfer over to another group if you want to.
• Constantly trying to cross train and improve teams skill set.
• Very flexible and family focused.

https://careercenter.bauer.uh.edu/blog/2017/03/16/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/

March 16, 2017

While many jobs no longer require cover letters (especially most jobs on WayUp), when a job does require one, your cover letter could be a big part of whether or not you get to the next round. If you haven’t written a cover letter before (or even if you have), you may be wondering whether writing one is really necessary. The answer is yes, if you do it effectively. Think of your cover letter as your edge. If you write it well, it will give potential employers an insight into your personality, something that’s hard to discover by just skimming your resume.

Here’s our simple formula to writing an amazing cover letter.

Don’t restate everything in your resume. Instead, tell your story.

Think of your resume and your cover letter as a package — they complement each other, but they’re not the same thing. While your resume covers your educational background and work experience, your cover letter tells a story about who you are and what you’d like to do with your career. Since recruiters look through hundreds (sometimes thousands) of resumes every day, a memorable cover letter is more likely to stand out. Give them something to remember by highlighting some of your unique qualities.

Keep it short and to the point.

Cover letters should be short, sweet and to the point. Keep in mind that the recruiter is likely reading dozens or hundreds of them, so make yours pop in a succinct way, and definitely don’t make it longer than one page.

Opening paragraph

In two-three sentences, explain who you are and what position or program you’re applying for.

Second paragraph

Then, in one-two sentences explain why you want the job. Be sure to mention your knowledge of the industry and your interest in the company. This is where research will come in handy.

Third paragraph

In three sentences, explain why you’re qualified for the job. Include relevant work experience (paid and unpaid internships or other jobs you’ve had) and mention classes you’ve taken that have guided you towards this field.

Closing sentence

Your final sentence is all about finishing strong. Tell the employer that you look forward to hearing from them and include your contact information (email and phone number).

Ask a Career Counselor to look it over.

Once you’ve finished writing your cover letter, make a few edits to ensure that there are no typos. Then ask a Career Counselor to look it over, focusing on whether there are any additional areas you can highlight or any unique skills you can mention. Make sure to incorporate their feedback before doing a final edit and pressing send.

Although writing a cover letter isn’t always necessary when applying for a job, if done effectively it can be a valuable add-on to your job application. By following the steps outlined here, you can write a great cover letter and land the internship or entry-level job you’ve been dreaming of.

The post How to Write a Cover Letter appeared first on Career Advice & Interview Tips | WayUp Guide.

Our client truly wants to hire someone who wants to be part of the leadership team and work with operations. This is a “impact the bottom line” controller role. They are centrally located and definitely have a “small business” feel to them even though they are owned by a large global company!
The Controller will be accountable for the reliability and accuracy of financial reporting, tax returns, and payroll for both entities and report directly to the General Manager. They will be managing a team of 3.

Responsibilities:
• Day to day duties will include managing A/R and A/P functions, performing inventory adjustments and account reconciliations
• Month-end closing procedures, including production of Group monthly reporting package
• Year-end financial statements and audit
• Lead Budget process
• Support business with information and analysis and performing admin tasks
• Preparing monthly sales tax returns and provide information for income tax return
• Prepare payroll and manage benefits
• Monthly and quarterly bank reporting procedures
• Cash management, collection and forecast
• Interface with the Vice-President Administration and Finance with various projects as needed
• Assisting with IT issues including troubleshooting and managing third party IT support
• Liaise with third parties : banks, insurance brokers, auditors, advisers

Qualifications:
• B.S. in Accounting or related degree, CPA a plus
• Minimum 8 years of related experience, including experience in manufacturing
• General ledger experience

Other Desired Skills:
• Team player
• Works well independently
• Geared towards results
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Professional demeanor with the ability to interact with executive management
• Versatile employee with the ability to wear many “hats” within the organization

Salary: 80 to 100K

Our client, based in the Austin, TX, a fast growing insurance organization with a unique platform seeks an Accounting Manager for their growing team.  If you are working in a Houston area insurance organization looking to relocate – Austin is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country.  About 50 people per day relocate to Austin and it was ranked by US News as the # 1 Best places to live.

The Accounting Manager will assist Senior Management with various financial activities including the preparation of monthly financial statements, supporting schedules for two entities in accordance with GAAP, monthly budget versus actual analyses and other analyses and work product as required.

Responsibilities of the Accounting Manager include but are not limited to the following:

• Management of the Accounting Department personnel overseeing day to day processes
• Assist in preparation of budgets.
• Assist in providing data and schedules for the Company’s financial audits with external accounting firms.
• Coordinate the month-end and year-end closing process.
• Review company financial statements for accuracy.
• Perform budget versus actual analysis on a monthly basis.
• Monitors delinquent A/R.
• Adhere to controls set forth for all SOX compliance.
• Assist in ensuring corporate income tax compliance to assure the accurate and timely completion of all corporate income tax returns taking full advantage of all favorable tax codes.
• Oversee the activities of the Accounting Department to ensure the accurate and timely in such things as interviewing, hiring and training accounting employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications  of the Accounting Manager:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration and 5-7 years’ experience
• Experience in the insurance industry highly preferred.
• Strong management experience, leadership and directing skills.
• Strong understanding of GAAP

Salary: 

80 to 90K plus bonus

Title:  CFO

Reports To:  President and to PE group

Location:  Fort Wayne, Indiana

Company Details: Founded in 1945, company is a food manufacturer that offers a wide range of wire cut and rotary molded products with multiple packaging capabilities.  This company is private equity-backed as of 2016, and has experienced a 99% customer retention rate.

Brief Overview of the Role: Company is currently seeking a dynamic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide strategic financial leadership and support on the overall operation and effectiveness of the organization. The CFO will have primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial related activities of the company.  This will include direct responsibilities for accounting, finance, budgeting, strategic planning, costing, legal, property management and deal analysis and negotiations. As a key member of the Executive Management team, the CFO will report to the President and take on a strategic role in overall management of the company. This integral role will demand technical skills paired with strong leadership to help foster the growth of the company.

Compensation: 175-250K plus bonus/equity

Qualifications:

Must have CFO experience with Private Equity portfolio company and food manufacturing experience!

7 years + in progressively responsible leadership roles, preferably in a project-oriented industrial business

• Experience with multi-facility, international, and high volume accounting
• Extensive knowledge / experience in financial and cash management including investments, short-and long-range cash forecasting, and capital allocation decisions
• Capable of sound and timely financial analysis and financial planning with the ability to effectively utilize budgeting skills in the development of strategic goals
• Experience in developing and implementing activity-based costing systems
• Must be able to demonstrate history of strong supervisory skills
• Bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university; MBA and / or CPA highly desirable

www.livingfortwayne.com

Overview: 

Responsible for organizing and leading cross-functional, multi-organization initiatives. The two most important initiatives are: (i.) maintaining and monitoring the system that detects conflicts with segregated duties in the system; testing controls in SAP and understanding job processes to check for mitigating controls that could exist outside of the SAP system; and (ii.) managing changes to the company’s financial reporting internal control framework to ensure the reliability of financial reporting;  monitoring the system that detects weaknesses in control of processes throughout the company, creating solutions, and monitoring the system.

Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate degree in Accounting
• Current CPA license or CPA eligible preferred
• National or major regional public accounting firm experience at the staff or senior level and internal control implementation and testing is highly preferred;

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and monitor the system that detects conflicts with Systems of Delegation (SOD) within the company’s SAP system. Facilitate remediation activities or detect mitigating controls that eliminate the conflicts.
• Manage change financial reporting internal control framework. Develop systems and tools using the COSO framework.
• Review, recommend solutions, and monitor the implementation of changes required by internal audits.
• Actively participate in the Quarterly Review meetings where key closing processes are reviewed. Use tools to reduce the number of post-closing accounting entries and to identify and remediate all significant work process gaps

Summary:

Leads implementation of the requirements of COSO 2013 and manages change of the Company’s existing financial reporting internal control framework; (examines existing system and business processes and identifies opportunities to increase efficiencies while maintaining internal control effectiveness;  review, recommend solutions and monitor the implementation of changes required by annual process walk-throughs and internal control testing; and (e.) coordinates and deliver training for control owners on their responsibilities and control tester expectations.

Required:

• degree in accounting
• CPA license required;
• national or major regional public accounting firm experience at the senior or manager level which is required, and internal control implementation and testing is highly preferred;
• exceptional written & oral communication skills required;

Responsibilities: 

1. DESIGN & DIRECT installation of controls which mitigate or prevent material loss or reduce to an economically reasonable level the frequency of occurrence of lesser loss. Specifically, IMPLEMENT COSO 2013 standards. Coordinates control initiatives with the System Security Manager, especially where integral automated processes are a subset of subject business processes.

2. STREAMLINE processes which cut across the scope of responsibility of more than one SAP Process Owner. LEAD process change which involves multiple SAP Process Owners. DIRECT installation of key internal controls in related business processes.

3. DEVELOP, ISSUE, MAINTAIN & INTERPRET Corporate business policies and procedures integral to key internal controls. ADMINISTER publication of Corporate business policies and procedures developed by others.

4. MANAGE closure of open control and finance-related issues on the agenda of the Audit Committee of the  Board of Directors.

5. COORDINATE and DELIVER training for control owners on their responsibilities and control tester expectations.

6. SUPERVISE & ADMINISTER employees and/or contractors involved in control and process design related to duties number 1 through 3, above.

Overview: 

This position is responsible for completing complex and technical financial analysis and interpretation and documentation of financials. This includes handling most accounting problems with minimum assistance. Obtains information from and coordinates the flow of information with other departments to resolve complex accounting problems. Technical input is used in developing accounting policies and practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

College Degree (Bachelor’s Level) in Accounting, Finance, Economics.

• Prioritize work when given multiple projects.
• Current CPA license required.

Responsibilities: 

1. Assist representatives leading discussions and/or participating in deal structuring early and upfront to assure correct awareness and application of GAAP effects including effects on architecture of ownership structure and effective operational control.

2. Manages closure of principles-related issues as originated by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, the Corporate Controller, and internal and independent auditors.

3. Monitor industry reference sources of breaking compliance and restatement risk issues.

4. Directs, controls, and administers formal Corporate accounting policy and procedure intranet.

5. Leads staff training and development with regard to the most challenging technical accounting topics and current issues, including development of a formal recap of current developments specifically pertinent to company.

The Accountant will serve under the Controller and CFO. This is a broad role with broad responsibilities which include month-end, bank recs, AR, cash recording, audit scheduling, etc. The organization is located in downtown Houston and features many benefits, including the ability to serve the Houston area.

Why work here?

• Great benefits including an 8% retirement account contribution (entirely free to the employee!)
• A tight-knit group where plenty of laughs will be had
• Your own office!
• Extensive holidays & vacations
• Free Downtown parking
• Roughly a 7.5 hour work day
• Stable organization with nearly 100 years of existence

This organization is seeking 2-4 year candidates with an accounting degree and a passion for their work.

The salary range is from 45-55K and interviews begin over the next two weeks.

Let me know if you know of anyone who would be interested!”

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Treasury will be responsible for managing the cash flow, investments, real estate, capital projects, debt, and risk of the company and its related entities.  Responsible for leadership in capital planning and financing. Develops innovative approaches, processes and growth strategies. Performs data analysis to inform management decision making.

Essential functions and responsibilities 

Cash Reporting and Forecasting • Develops processes and systems to determine daily cash position including tracking and managing intercompany funding.  Manages treasury operations. • Monitors cash balances. Oversees cash management to maintain liquidity.  Reviews and approves all outgoing ACH’s and wire transfers.  • Prepares short and long term cash forecasts.

External Institutions and Relationships

• Manages key relationships with financial institutions, banks, lenders, investment managers, attorneys, and title companies.  • Assists and advises churches with real estate, debt and cash flow matters. • Monitors changing economic environments.

Investment Management

• Reviews proposals and selects investment managers.  • Manages investment advisors and portfolios including participating funds. • Explores and analyzes new investment vehicles, particularly alternative investments, to maximize liquidity and preserve capital. • Assists with programs to manage oil and gas, lignite, commodities, and alternative investments.

Capital Budgeting, Development, and Strategic Planning

• Manages capital requirements and budgeting processes.  Prepares models, pro-formas and forecasts to support growth.  Identifies tactical initiatives.  • Assists in developing strategic business plans. Prepares and monitors performance measures to support strategic direction.   • Examines real estate and building proposals.  Develops metrics to weigh alternatives.  • Performs analysis of potential capital projects, remodeling and development of new sites. • Assists in integration efforts of mission outreach, controller, legal and foundation functions to achieve capital objectives.

Debt Financing

• Obtains lines of credit and other debt instruments to minimize interest expense and debt costs.  • Assists in arranging debt financing and offerings such as REITS to Finance site acquisitions and other ventures.   • Determines corporate guarantees debt of affiliates. • With Legal, executes transactions including financial analysis and board materials.

Risk Management

• Coordinates with central insurance shared services organization to develop a risk tolerance profile.  Maximizes coverage and minimizes cost. Considers weaknesses and mitigates risk.  • Maintains appropriate insurance coverage.  • Monitors open insurance claims.

Internal Control and Stewardship

• Considers the impact of regulatory changes on recording and reporting of assets and debt including required disclosures.  • Reviews new investment funds and types of securities with Controller’s group to ensure appropriate GAAP accounting and statutory reporting. • Establishes and maintains strong internal controls within Treasury to ensure asset protection and data integrity.

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration

Qualifications required

• 10 years of progressive responsibilities within finance. • Excel skills and experience with other Microsoft Office products;  • Detail oriented with strong organization and management skills;  • Ability to prioritize, be flexible, and respond to change;  • Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills

Qualifications desired

• MBA or CPA preferred.

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 | LinkedIn