Recruiting

Don't burn bridges. Don't take any nonsense. Those were some of the curt, but significant nuggets of advice from a keynote by Nichola Holt, a partner within Global Employer Services at Deloitte Tax LLP, during the Association for Accounting Marketing New York Metropolitan Chapter's March meeting. At the session, titled, "Women's Initiatives: The Revolution to Bridge the Gender Divide," Holt shared her experiences of coming to New York City from London and her road to making partner -- first at Arthur Andersen in 1999 and then later at Deloitte --and how she lassoed opportunities, opening up doors for others in the process. "You've got to really ask and articulate the value when the opportunity comes up," she said, "Sometimes you have to focus on what's important rather than what's urgent on your desk." Holt, who has been part of her firms' committees choosing candidates for partnership, said she admitted to being a little embarrassed at times by what some of the women offered up as client presentations. She said men were more prepared than their female counterparts, who lacked punch and enthusiasm. "Their personality wasn't coming out," she recalled, adding that women need to know and then articulate to their firms how to win business and then present themselves in a polished and succinct manner. For personal and professional development, Holt suggested "paying it forward," finding role models, understanding how gender differences impact success, articulating your value, enhancing your personal brand and maintaining self-clarity. She said career planning should be focused and include asking for help, as well as seeking feedback. When considering someone for partner, Holt said that she wants to know how the person will build the business, how they will bring value to their business and how much revenue they are currently managing. While Deloitte has formal programs to enhance women's leadership, work/life balance and diversity issues, she said the firm also encourages informal interactions to keep people connected and inspired. "Dr Pepper breaks" or brief 15-minute meetings in places such as the break room or by the water cooler with mentors or others in the firm can keep people engaged without the commitment of a lunch or dinner meeting to catch up. During tax season, Holt said she offers food-centric breaks such as ice cream in the afternoon or pizza at dinnertime if people are still in the office. She said Deloitte would be relaunching their mentoring program once tax season is over. Holt added that younger women in the firm are asking for male mentors, especially if it's a senior member of the firm to find out their career experiences. Deloitte also introduced a "Junior Win" program with a specific focus on those at the manager level or lower. She said younger staff members are often interested in work life balance and "green" environmental issues, as well as, community-oriented volunteerism. "It's a journey and you have to focus or you won't get there," she said.

Professor Frank K. Ross retired in December 2003 from KPMG after over 38 years of service. He now runs the Howard University School of Business' Center for Accounting Education, and serves as a visiting professor of accounting at the university.

Despite the downturn in the economy, salaries for internal auditors are rising an average of 5 percent, according to a salary guide from Robert Half International.The report also identified internal auditing as one of five jobs positioned for growth in 2008.

The American Institute of CPAs has ramped up its mobility efforts to allow CPAs to practice in other states, with mobility bills enacted now in 12 states and legislation pending in 22 other states.

Entry-level job Web site CollegeGrad.com named KPMG as the top-ranked employer among the Big Four accounting firms in a poll of the site's users.

The Institute of Internal Auditors has donated a collection of nearly 200 books on auditing to the University of Texas Dallas School of Management.

There is growing diversity within CPA firms, and it is taking many forms. For example, the male domination is beginning to wane. This is especially seen at the entry level and is working its way up. There are four distinct generations in the profession, with sharply different views of work and possessing unique skill sets. Then there is the greater influence of marketers, firm administrators, and technologists in firm operations. And don’t forget the more traditional diversity with regard to different cultures and races.

Camico Mutual Insurance, a CPA-owned professional liability insurer, has begun offering an employment practices liability insurance program to provide CPA firms with defense and indemnity coverage against allegations such as harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

PricewaterhouseCoopers plans to lay off part of the consulting staff in its advisory services business.

Becker Professional Review has introduced a scholarship program that will award Becker CPA Review scholarships valued at $2,690 each to 50 students who need financial assistance to prepare for the CPA Exam.

The many Boomers partners of firms who are planning to retire or slow down is being viewed as generating firm succession and staffing issues. Similarly, another expressed concern is the declining number of Ph.Ds. in accounting, which hurts the pipeline of incoming accounting graduates to the profession. A partner in a national firm also commented that he was alarmed by the many college professors teaching accounting who don’t have a familiarity with U.S. businesses.

Strategy and the Fat Smoker: Doing What’s Obvious But Not Easy by David Maister was given to me at the recent Winning Is Everything Conference, where he was a keynote speaker. This is the same David Maister who wrote the critically acclaimed Managing the Professional Firm (1993). I read that book twice and have heard him speak a number of times, and was always impressed by what he said, but always thought it was a bit theoretical.

KPMG is holding a five-week competition among auditing students from more than 27 colleges and universities around the country.

Benefits such as health insurance are nearly as popular as salary in convincing accounting professionals to join a company, according to a new survey.

The Foundation for Financial Planning has awarded nine new grants totaling $565,272. The grants went to:

Intuit has introduced an online resource for small business owners, “The Guide to Hiring and Paying Employees.”

Staffing service provider AccountAbilities has introduced AccountingEmployees.com, an online job board.

CFOs remain concerned about their companies' ability to recruit skilled professionals, according to a new survey.

Private employment added some 130,000 jobs from December 2007 to January of 2008, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report. Employment within the service sector grew 141,000, while employment in the goods-producing sector declined 11,000, the 14th consecutive monthly decline in that area. Small and midsized businesses, defined as those employing fewer than 500 workers, added 122,000 jobs, while employment among larger companies with 500 workers or more added 8,000. Manufacturing employment in January was flat, thereby halting 18 consecutive months of declines. In January, construction employment fell 13,000, the 14th consecutive monthly decline. The February ADP report will be available March 5.

Billy Beane, vice president and general manager of the Oakland A’s, the keynote speaker at the recent Winning Is Everything Conference, explained how mathematics is transforming America’s pastime. Yes, I said mathematics.