Accountants Round Up

"Got Talent? Are They Prepared for the Future?"

By Rita Keller: There is no time like the present for firm leaders to take a very hard look at their current team—from  entry-level to senior manager and even at newer partners and ask: Are they adequately equipped to market, sell and provide the kind of relationship-building environment to acquire and keep new clients (and new staff)?

Read complete post Got Talent? Are They Prepared for the Future?
Source: Accounting Tomorrow, 27 January 2009. © 2007 WebCPA and SourceMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

"Inside the Minds of Young CPAs - Part Two"

By Rita Keller: Be sure to read yesterday's post first - just page down. I am referencing an article in the Ohio Society publication, Catalyst. It is an interview with seven young CPAs. All worked in public (at least interned) but only three are still working in public accounting.

Here is a comment I wish all young accountants could read in relation to number of hours worked:
"I've seen more of a difference between public accounting and industry. Being at the office for 10 or 12 hours a day seemed more important in industry. In public accounting it was more about getting my work done. Working from home or on the weekends was fine as long as I got everything done."

Read complete post Inside the Minds of Young CPAs - Part Two
Source:  Possibilities for CPA Firm Leaders, 16 January 2009.

"Inside the Minds of Young CPAs - Part One"

By Rita Keller: As promised yesterday, today I want to share some opinions of some Millennials who are CPAs working in public and in private industry. They were featured in an article in Catalyst, a publication of the Ohio Society. Be sure to read yesterday's post about the 2018 article in Catalyst.

Seven young CPAs were interviewed as a panel by Pete Margaritis, CPA, of the accounting faculty of Ohio Dominican University. Some of their responses validated a lot of what I continually talk about with CPAs across the country, so I was intrigued by their answers. All had worked in public (at least as interns) but only three are still working in public (very sad to me...).

Read complete post Inside the Minds of Young CPAs - Part One
Source: Possibilities For CPS Firm Leaders, 15 January 2009.

"Recruiting Wars"

By Allissa Kline: Chris Ware works about 40 hours a week. He prepares corporate and partnership tax returns and considers himself to be fairly compensated. And he really enjoys half-day Fridays in the summer.

When he passed his certified public accounting exam last year, the 27-year-old could have traded his public accounting career for private sector work.

Read complete article Recruiting Wars
Source: Buffalo Business First, 28 November 2008. © 2008 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.

By Allissa Kline: Chris Ware works about 40 hours a week. He prepares corporate and partnership tax returns and considers himself to be fairly compensated. And he really enjoys half-day Fridays in the summer.

When he passed his certified public accounting exam last year, the 27-year-old could have traded his public accounting career for private sector work.

Read complete article Recruiting Wars
Source: Buffalo Business First, 28 November 2008. © 2008 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved.

"Engaging Generation Next"

By Maria Krowicki: I was scrolling through some articles online, when the words “wet noodle” caught my eye. My initial thought was…noodle??? Ronzoni noodle? Udon noodle? Did I subconsciously log onto Food Network? I hit the back arrow until I found the article and realized what kind of “noodle” was being discussed.

The title of the article, Shifting your firm’s culture: Wet Noodle or Deliberate Destiny, was a very interesting and thought provoking read.

Read complete post  Engaging Generation Next
Source: AccountingWEB, 6 November 2008. Copyright © 2008 AccountingWEB, Inc. All rights reserved.

"The 90/10 Rule of Marketing a Job"

By Seth Godin: Most hiring managers don't understand organizations that go to extraordinary lengths to find and retain amazing people. And from their point of view, they're completely correct. Pay market wage, run a classified, process the resumes. Done.

It only takes 10% as much effort to hire someone in the bottom 90% of the class.

Read complete post The 90/10 Rule of Marketing a Job
Source: Seth's Blog, 6 November 2008.  

"30 Tips for Getting Along with Others"

By Marelisa: 1. Follow Dale Carnegie’s advice: “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Pay attention when someone tells you their name, remember it, and use it often when talking to them.

2. Take a genuine interest in other people. Find out what’s important to them, what their aspirations are, and what makes them tick.

Read complete post 30 Tips for Getting Along with Others
Source: Abundance Blog, 10 September 2008. Copyright © 2008 "Marelisa-Online." All Worldwide Rights Reserved.

"KPMG’s World Job Fair on September 24th – Attend Right from Your PC!"

By Big Four Alumni: We were browsing KPMG’s website and came across the upcoming KPMG World Job Fair, virtually available on the internet from 24 to 26 September 2008, and an interesting event for all Big4 alumni who wish to learn more about KPMG people and career options.

This offers an exciting and unique look into the fairly private world of Big4 firms and recruiting processes. KPMG will run this global fair for a straight 48 hours and offers a variety of way to interact:

Read complete post KPMG's World Job Fair on September 24th - Attend Right from Your PC!
Source: Big Four Alumni Blog, 3 September 2008.

"Whatever Happened to Thank You? Thoughts on Gratitude."

By Diana Levin: Several months ago, a former student of mine, about to sit for the bar, asked me to write for him the letter of recommendation his application package required. Although at that time my schedule was hectic, I was happy to do so and accommodated his request, completing the letter and mailing it off to him well in advance of the bar deadline. I emailed him to let him know it was on its way.

Several weeks passed, and I heard nothing at all from my former student — not an email or phone call to let me know he’d received my letter.

Read complete post Whatever Happened to Thank You? Thoughts on Gratitude.
Source: Mediation Channel, 24 July 2008. © Copyright 2005-2008 Diane J. Levin. All rights reserved.

"Don't Just Recruit Cool, BE Cool"

By Michelle Golden: Rita Keller brings up being "cool" if a firm is going to remain competitive. I agree and expand the point to emphasize it's a two-parter!

The first step is attracting great people. The second and more important part (and much more difficult one) is inspiring them to want to STAY so your firm has the talent AND attitude to continue to do great things for clients.   

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Source: Golden Practices, 29 July 2008.