New Opportunity - Litigation Staff Accountant

CPAs: NO MORE BUSY SEASONS!

Family Law Litigation accounting for San Fernando Valley CPA Firm 

Generalist accountant needed with a current background of experience from a traditional CPA firm to work for a well-respected and growing family law litigation accounting firm. 

This is a great opportunity to work in a challenging and rewarding specialty area of accounting.  

NO PRIOR LITIGATION EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!  

WILL TRAIN IN FAMILY LAW! 

Reasonable working hours and NO TAX SEASON!  

Excellent work-life balance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Handle tracing, forensic accounting, litigation support, valuation, and tax accounting aspects of high net worth clients

 REQUIREMENTS

• 2 plus years of recent tax experience in a local or national CPA firm
• CPA license preferred 
• Excellent and responsive oral and written communication skills
• Stability in work history (a must)
•  Strong computer skills

Salary based on previous experience with range from 48,000 – 56,000 plus overtime.


If you have a background that includes public accounting but do not feel this position is an exact fit, please email us your resume, as our firm can assist you in placement with other prestigious CPA and Business Management firms.

Please email resume to 

Allan Fisher

allan@pfssearch.com

Six Ways You Can Make the Recession Good for Your Career in Accounting

A great article on the 6 ways you can make the recession great for your career in Accounting.

1.  Have a great attitude
2.  Take responsibility
3.  Manage your time
4.  Talk positively about your clients
5.  Leverage your knowledge
6.  Help us get the word out    

A great article by Steve Erickson.

Hewitt Sites Employee Unrest

One of the blogs I follow focuses on issues related specifically to the world of public accounting.
Recently Rick Telberg shared a story about employee unrest.  I thought it was worth sharing.
Do you feel disengaged at work?  We are experts at matching candidates with the right opportunities.  Call or email so that we can discuss your search and finding the right fit for you.

Standing Out From The Crowd

When I was younger and my family went skiing, I never had to worry about getting lost on the slopes because my uncle wore this ridiculously bright and outdated ski suit.  It unfortunately consisted of neon blue skin-tight bell bottoms, a matching neon blue beanie and a neon coral puffy ski jacket.  Although he was a couple decades out of place, he ALWAYS stood out.

With the current state of the economy, recruiters are flooded with resumes every day.  And they don’t like to play “Where’s Waldo?” when sorting through them.  They’re only looking for the resumes that catch their eye, the ones that pop off the page.  So strip off that red and white striped shirt that allows you to blend in with the crowd, and instead don something more like my uncle’s neon ski suit.  Here’s some tips on how to stand out when sending your resume to recruiters.

Premier Financial Search - Opening of Temporary Staffing Division

Over the years many of my clients have asked about hiring on a temp or temp to hire basis.
We are now fully set up for this.

Premier Financial Search can find the candidates, have the candidates on our payroll and be the employer of record.

Our area of expertise is

•    Administrative (executive assistants, tax assembly, etc)
•    Assistant Bookkeepers
•    Bookkeepers
•    Staff and Senior Accountants
•    Tax Preparers and Reviewers
•    Accounting Clerks – Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll
•    Staff and Senior Accountants
•    Financial Analysts
•    Accounting Managers
•    Controllers
•    Interim CFO’s





If you are a candidate interested in discussing possible temporary work, please email us at:
allan@pfssearch.com

Great Expectations

Although I’m not a lonely old woman locked away in her spider-web adorned mansion wearing her wedding dress, I can be the key to your future success and fortune-your benefactor of sorts. However, Pip had to uphold to the high standards of elite London society before he could come into his fortune, just as candidates have expectations they must fulfill when working with recruiters. Likewise, recruiters have standards they need to maintain with their candidates.

New Opportunity - Administrative Assistant - West LA CPA Firm

Administrative Assistant for Premier CPA Firm: West Los Angeles

Premier CPA Firm in Santa Monica has an immediate opening for an energetic Administrative Assistant!  You will support a partner as well as provide general office backup in this "front office" position.

New Opportunity - Tax Senior - West LA CPA Firm

Prestigious West Los Angeles CPA Firm is looking for a Tax Senior for its growing practice.  If you have been thinking about making a career move, this is an ideal time, and THIS is the ideal firm!    

Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

•Performing technical reviews of all types of tax returns

•Assuming full responsibility of tax accounts assigned. This includes being responsible for personnel scheduling, compliance with due dates and monitoring time budgets 

•Beginning and completing tax research projects, including the ability to present findings in a clear, concise, understandable written form

•Acting as a resource for tax preparers/specialists and audit staff on specific tax issues and/or questions

•Assuming tax preparation responsibility for the more complex returns

•Assuming client service responsibility for clients

•Managing time effectively. This includes the ability to manage multiple engagements and people at one time and meet deadlines

•Assisting in the development and motivation of junior staff

•Maintaining knowledge of general economic and political trends of possible tax or other legislation that could affect the business climate

•Possessing strong computer skills, including the ability to work with Lacerte Tax

Qualified candidates will have:

• At least 5 years prior public accounting experience

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in Accounting; CPA license required

• Advanced research and writing skills

• Excellent project management skills

• Strong client interaction skills

• Strong organization and computer skills

• Dedication to teamwork and leadership

• Integrity within a professional environment


Salary $60,000 - $80,000 based on experience.
This firm offers an excellent benefits package, career growth and a great quality of life.


Qualified candidates, please email your Word resume for immediate consideration.


Allan Fisher
Premier Financial Search

allan@pfssearch.com

www.pfssearch.com

www.pfssearch.blogspot.com

The Counter Offer: Blessing or Curse?

It’s like the moment right before the fight begins when the two contestants are circling around each other, staring into their opponents eyes, trying to psyche each other out. You and your boss feel the tension, but have been skirting around each other for months now, avoiding the problem. But then you make the first move… you throw a left swing at your boss by telling him you’ve received another job offer. You take momentary pleasure from seeing your boss scramble back onto his feet after the blow. A time out is called and the air is still, but the suspense is palpable. Thoughts of manipulation and mind games run through both your heads. Then your boss fakes a move, leading you to think that his stomach is wide open for your next swing. This is the counter offer. But then right as you start your swing, his knee comes up nailing you (in a very sensitive area) and knocking the wind out of you. You’re down, and unable to get back on your feet. This is the result of falling for the counter offer. While counter offers should be approached as simple business deals, it is often hard to avoid the emotional manipulation they present. They have a certain lure to them and come rife with guilt, greed, fear and hurt pride. In a world where money has become the primary motivation behind so many undertakings, can you truly afford the counter offer?

The First Impression

“Don’t judge a book by its cover!” -Yeah right! In today’s highly competitive and cut-throat business world, every detail of the book’s cover is not only analyzed but scrutinized for clues to its contents.  The first impression is crucial to landing a job offer or even just a second interview.  Everything is important in a first meeting, from timeliness to a firm handshake. And every action can somehow lead to an assumption on your value as a candidate. However, now that you are probably getting that nervous shaky feeling in your stomach and contemplating the thought of throwing up your Taco Bell, relax.  There are many reliable ways to cover all your bases on that highly-anticipated first meeting with a future employer.

New Opportunity - Internal Audit - 1 month Consulting Project in Oxnard

Very successful company in Oxnard has a need for an internal auditor for 3-5 weeks.
The ideal candidate will be a CPA with heavy experience in audit and internal audit.
Emphasis on controls, policies and procedures.
This project will be reviewing documentation for internal control procedures.

45-55 an hour

Please email resume to
Allan Fisher
allan@pfssearch.com

Where's My Raise?

With busy season over many firms now begin the process of annual performance and salary reviews.  For employees this time of the year is filled with anticipation, expectation and even frustration.

Gone are the boom times of 2003-2008 when employees received annual increases of 7-10% year over year.  For most, there were no salary increases at all in 2009 - in fact some firms had across the board pay cuts.  Last year was a year to focus on firm survival.   It seems those reductions have paid off as Profit Per Partner was up 16% in the last year.   That has many employees wondering, "Where's my raise?".

New Opportunity - Tax Manager - Encino Business Management (CPA) Firm

 Local Encino Business Management firm with excellent reputation and great and growing client base has an unbelievable career opportunity.

Definite opportunity for equity in next 3-5 years

Firm is located in Encino. 

Clients are mainly in TV / Film including very prominent actors, writers, producers and directors.

Big 4, National Firm and local firm candidates are encouraged to apply.

New Opportunity - Bookkeeper / Century City CPA Firm 50,000 - 65,000

Full Charge Bookkeeper Small but very successful local CPA firm in Century City seeks a full charge bookkeeper. Firm has one partner and a total of 12 staff.  This position will have a great degree of external client interaction as well as technical bookkeeping. Amazing opportunity for growth.

Ideal candidate will have a background that included high level bookkeeping for clients in the following areas: High Net worth Individuals, Professional Service Corps, Real Estate, Manufacturing and Distribution.

Firm offers very competitive salary as well as benefit package and opportunity to grow in an excellent work environment.

Succession Planning for CPA Firms

Today I had the opportunity to attend the Cal CPA Torrance Area Discussion Group.
The topic was "Succession Planning: A Balanced Approach" with Jonathan Karp, Esq., CPA (inactive) of Reish & Reicher and Mark Fowler, CPA (inactive), CMC of Stowe Management as the speakers.


I have had the privilege of hearing Jonathan Karp speak on this topic at previous meetings of the Cal Society of CPA's and each time the information was outstanding.  This was however the first time I have been able to hear Mark Fowler speak on the topic.  


This topic is especially important as we emerge from this recession and firms resume succession plans that had been put on hold in 2009.  From 2003-2008  succession planning had consistently ranked in one of the top 2 issues facing CPA firms (According to the PCPS Survey).  - staffing was the other issue ranking in the top 2 each year.

You got the offer.....now what?

Your resume stood out from the crowd.  You were invited in for an interview.  You aced the interview and of course followed up by sending thank you notes.  The second interview went even better than the first.  The call comes in, you've been offered the job.  Now what?

There are plenty of great books out on how to compose a resume.  Almost as many books and countless articles on how to master the interview.  Yet no books on what to do once you get the offer.

With an offer in hand, there are 3 options on how to proceed.

You can accept, reject or counter.  Regardless of which of these 3 options you choose, you should do it in a timely manner.  Once you have an offer, it is courtesy to respond in a reasonable amount of time.  What is a reasonable amount of time?  I suggest answering the offer in 2-3 business days.  There will be exceptions at times if you are expecting or entertaining multiple offers, but it is generally not reasonable or realistic to ask for more than 5 business days to make a decision.

Tax Accountants back in high demand

Though the market for auditors has slowed dramatically since its 2007 peak, the market for tax accountants has picked up dramatically.

According to this article in WebCPA, the demand for tax talent in 2010 could be as high as ever.

View our current tax openings or send your resume.

New Opportunity - Bookkeeper / Account Manager - Beverly Hills Firm 50-65k http://ping.fm/Q5wik

New Opportunity - Senior Tax Accountant / Top 20 CPA Firm in West L.A. Salary 62,000 - 80,000 + OT http://ping.fm/EC1EP

New Position - Manager - Family Office

TAX MANAGER:

For a Westside Wealthy Family Office / GREAT POSITION for Talented Tax person in prestigious family office

Description:

• Prepare and review taxes - Individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships, LLC's, and corporations.
• Oversee tax department and maintain calendar for wealthy office.
• Research tax issues and report to tax director and family members.
• Accounting and journal entries for complex transactions.
• Challenging work and professional environment.
• Supervise 2 staff
• Prepare workpapers

Requirements

• CPA preferred / Big 4 or large business management firm or large corporation with experience in all areas of taxation.
• MBT preferred 

Salary - 90,000 - 120,000

Email resume in Word Format to - Allan Fisher

What is a "Family Office"?? -Click here

Your resume

You only get one chance to make a first impression.  Gone are the glory days of 2004-2008 when all you had to do was show up for an interview and you got hired. 

In 2009, there were on average 9 applicants for each open position in Accounting and Finance.  In the administrative world, there were 19 applicants for each open position.

In any given week, I will receive 400-500 resumes.  I have about 3 seconds to look at a resume and decide if I will spend more time working with that candidate.  Most hiring managers have about the same amount of time to spend per resume.  You MUST make your resume stand out in that first 3 seconds.

The goal of a resume should be to get the reader's interest peaked.  Get them want to meet with you in person.  It does not need to be a life story, in fact, a well written one page resume is much more powerful than a tell all novel about your work history.

My 6 point list of the most important resume elements.
1.  Start with a blank Word document, do not use the canned Word Resume Template
2.  The resume should be 1 page in length and have uniform margins and a font size that is 10, 11 or 12 point font.
3.  Use bullet points to highlight specific duties for each position, make sure tenses are consistent, if you are no longer at a position, use past tense
4.  List months and years for each position, having gaps of time on a resume is ok, just be prepared to explain any gaps during an in person resume
5.  Include a one line description of each company you have worked for
6.  Do not lie on a resume!  Assume that everything that you put on a resume can and will be verified.


We have put together a resume template which lists the basics for an effective one page resume.
Click here to download our customized resume template for FREE.

New Position - Senior Tax Accountant - West LA 55-75k http://ping.fm/iRXG9

New Position - Bookkeeper / Account Manager Beverly Hills Business Management Firm Beverly Hills salary 55-65

To read the full description of this position, click here.

To email me for more info or submit your resume, click here.

New Position - Tax Manager - Encino salary 100-140 + bonus

Click here for the full job description or email me for more information.

Top 7 Growth Area's For CPA's

According to a report by Maryland CPA Association CEO Tom Hood, the following are the Top 7 Growth Area's For CPA's in 2010 and beyond.

1. Valuation
2. Forensics and fraud
3. Governmental
4. International (IFRS and tax)
5. Health care
6. Green / sustainability
7. XBRL

To view the full article via CPA Success click HERE

At Premier Financial Search, we specialize in placing accountants into positions in these niche areas.
To learn more, email me or visit our website.

CPA Net Income Per Partner Up 16%

CPA Net Income Per Partner Up 16%
(What recession?)

	2010	2009
Leverage	6.6	6.8
Utilization	1,164	1,108
Billing Rate	$135	$132
Realization	91.3%	92.1%
Profit Margin	36.5%	34.8%
Net Income Per Partner	$330,723	$283,364

• Leverage = Total personnel ÷ total number of equity owners.
• Utilization = Chargeable hours of the firm ÷ total personnel.
• Billing Rate = Standard fees ÷ firm chargeable hours.
• Realization = Net fees ÷ standard fees.
• Profit Margin = Net income ÷ net fees.
• Net Income Per Partner (NIPP) = Leverage x utilization x billing rate x realization x profit margin.

Source: Accounting Office Management & Administration Report, February 2010. Subscribe here: subserve@ioma.com.

Salaries - Entry Level

One of the most common questions I am asked is "What are starting salaries". This question implies - What are salaries for Staff Accountants with a degree in Accounting and 0-1 year of work experience.

According to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers,
the average offer to finance majors rose by 1.6 percent to $50,546, and the average offer to accounting majors inched up by 0.4 percent to $48,575.

On the other hand, business administration/management grads saw their average offer fall 8 percent to $42,094. Marketing graduates’ average salary offer also fell, but not as far, to $42,710, down 2.1 percent from last year.

This is a change in the right direction from the tone set by PWC in March of 2009 when they indicated their belief that starting salaries for the coming year would be down 10-12%. A link to the PWC letter follows:  
www.pwc.com/en_US/us/faculty-resource/assets/0309_continuing.pdf

At the Big 4 level, I am hearing that salaries for 2010 are flat with 2008 and 2009 at $50,000 inclusive of overtime.  At the local firm level in Los Angeles, salaries in 2010 have been in the $43,000 to $45,000 a year level with overtime paid.  This represents a small yet positive change.

For more information about salary trends, check back often.
Write to: Allan Fisher

The Market Today

With tax season 2010 now behind us, its time for an update on where the employment market is and where it is headed.

2009 saw very little hiring at the local, regional and National Firm levels. Firms hunkered down and made the most possible with the barest of human resources. Early indications are that firm wide revenues for 2009 were flat relative to 2008. For many firms, 2008 was a record year for revenues. Still, employees worked more hours of overtime in 2009 than in years past. They did so with no increase in salary of bonus.

With firm revenues continuing to rise for the first 3 months of 2010, somethings got to give.

2010 should be a year of firms adding to staff as well as employees finally feeling comfortable enough to make the leap to new firms. This combination should make 2010 a year with lots of activity.

www.pfssearch.com