According to US Department of Labor statistics, employment opportunities for accountants and auditors are expected to increase by 18 percent between the years 2006 and 2016. This trend is faster than the average for any other occupation. It’s a great time to be in the industry, and an even better time to keep your skills sharp.

If you don’t have the time to fit a real-time class into your busy schedule, here are some websites that offer career training, advancement within your current job, or skill acquisition. Some even offer CEU credit.

• ExpertRating.com: ExpertRating’s online accounting course offers a unique opportunity to achieve certification from one of the leaders in online skill testing and certification.
• CPA-Resource.com: CPA Resource is a training and development website for CPA professionals. They provide unique up-to-date CPA training opportunities through audio conferences, seminars, webinars and articles.
• AICPALearning.org: As the national, professional association for CPAs, the AICPA offers on-site, off-site or online training programs.
• CPEOnline.com: The Center for Professional Education Inc. is America’s leader in providing the up-to-the-minute, highly specialized continuing education programs that CPAs and financial professionals need to earn CPE Credits and become more successful in today’s rapidly changing world.
• DWMBeancounter.com: As the cartoons may indicate, while this site is all business, it’s a little less serious and a lot more fun. Bean Counter is primarily an educational and information site that offers free accounting and bookkeeping tutorials/courses, tests, and quizzes.

Ready to take the next step?

Here at The A&F Group, we help talented accounting and finance professionals find challenging career opportunities with top businesses across the country. When you’re trained and ready to take the next step in your career, search our available accounting and finance jobs!

The start of a new year can bring along with it a lot of change.  As your competitors begin to roll out their strategic initiatives for the New Year, you may find that your top employees are being propositioned with new and exciting job opportunities.

So, what can you do to keep your competitors from poaching your top accounting and finance talent?  Here are a few tips:

• Identify your top talent.
  This might sound like common sense, but most companies neglect this simple step.  If you can identify a core group of individuals that are top performers, you can then work on a plan to keep them.
• Learn what’s important.
  Once you’ve identified your top performers, take the time to find out what they value.  We tend to assume all employees value money the most, but that may not be the case.  Many people value growth opportunity, training, schedule flexibility, etc. more than money.  Use one-to-one reviews or surveys to discover what’s really important to your employees.
• Value your team.
  If your team feels undervalued, they will leave.  Show your team that you care, reward hard work, celebrate achievements, and make sure your teams understands they are a valuable part of the company and essential to continued success.
• Understand there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
  One of the most important things to consider is that there is no magic bullet when it comes to employee retention.  Different employees will value different things.  What’s important is that you take the time to determine what your team does value, and create an environment in which they can thrive.

Are you currently battling issues with turnover?

Whether you’re losing veteran staff to competitors, or new hires simply aren’t working out, The A&F Group can help.  We offer a variety of testing and assessment tools to ensure new hires are a great skill and personality fit.  And, we can provide temporary support to ensure your full-time staff isn’t stressed and over worked during busy times.  Contact us today!

The job market for accounting and finance professionals in 2012 looks encouraging.  While there are a wealth of opportunities available, there is still a lot of competition. Monster.com recently released their 2012 outlook for accounting and finance professionals.  Here is a summary of what they found:

Hottest Jobs in 2012:

• Financial Analysts
  Financial analysts study company financial statements and analyze commodity prices, sales, costs, expenses, and tax rates to determine a company’s value by projecting its future earnings. They often meet with company officials to gain a better insight into the firms’ prospects and management.  For 2012, Financial analysts who combine strategic vision with cost-monitoring and presentation skills will have the best job outlook.
• Business Analysts
  Business analysts investigate business systems, identify options for improving systems and bridging the needs of the business with the use of IT.  Analysts with experience with ERP and financial accounting systems have the brightest job outlook in 2012.
• Compliance Professionals
  Compliance professionals help ensure the company meets its legal, regulatory and financial obligations.  Those who have worked under the Basel credit standards and are familiar with the Dodd-Frank banking legislation are expected to be in the highest demand in 2012.
• Senior Public Accountant
  Public accounting is set to make a rebound in 2012, specifically in the areas of forensic accounting, financial planning and taxes, as well as accountants with advanced degrees.
• Legal Professionals
  In the wake of the financial crisis, legal professionals that can assist banks and other financial institutions in lawsuits filed by consumers and regulators will be in high demand.

Searching for a new opportunity in one of these fields or somewhere else?

At The A&F Group, we help professionals find outstanding accounting and finance jobs throughout the country.  Whether you’re looking for a position in one of these high-growth areas or your expertise is in another field, we can help.  Search our available accounting and finance jobs now.

Talent is the key to any competitive advantage.  Well-trained employees, that are motivated and continue to grow, are what drives industry leaders.

Numerous studies show that the most successful and productive employees are those that have received extensive training.  Yet, most companies don’t have formal training programs—instead they expect employees to jump right in and produce great results with little or no training.

While making the right hires can drastically reduce learning curves, training of both new and veteran staff is essential to continued growth.

Here are a few tips to help you strengthen your company’s growth and training programs:

1. Training isn’t an expense, it’s an investment.
   Many companies see training as an expense—and when budgets are tight, it’s one of the first things to go.  However, companies that look at training as an investment reap long-term rewards.
2. Set priorities.
   In a perfect world, there would be no cost limit on training.  We all know that’s not the case.  So when setting your training “investment budget,” decide where you’ll get the biggest returns.  Ask the question, “How will this training impact the profitability of our team, department, company, etc.?”
3. Promote a culture of lifetime learners.
   If your team is continuing to learn new skills and improve themselves, your company will prosper.  Encourage employees to join industry associations, attend networking events, read journals, etc.  Make sure you provide the resources they need to grow.
4. Start small and test.
   Before rolling out a huge new training program, test it on a pilot group.  Choose a few individuals that are a good representation of the larger group and test your training regimen.  Evaluate what works and what doesn’t and then adjust your plans.
   
5. Don’t stop.
   Training isn’t a one-time event.  The best training programs are ongoing and never stop.  The day you stop trying to improve yourself is the day your competition gains a step.

At The A&F Group, we work with some of the most respected and influential accounting and finance companies in the world.  Please give us a call today and we will be happy to share some of the best training programs and strategies we’ve seen over the years.

Setting Your Personal Growth Plan for 2012

The start of a new year is always an exciting time.  It’s out with the old, in with the new.  It’s a time for setting new goals and resolutions.

Here’s the thing though—most people drop their New Year’s resolutions by Valentine’s Day!  Want proof?  Just look at your local gym.  The first week of January is packed, you can’t find an empty treadmill.  As the month progresses, there are less and less people there.  Come March, you have the pick of any machine in the place without a wait.

So how can you be sure you don’t fall into the same trap?

Here are a few tips for setting personal goals, and following through:

1. Work towards something you are passionate about.
   If you’re not passionate about your goal, you are bound to give up.  When setting goals, pick something that is of deep interest to you—not something that just kind of sounds good.
2. Write down your goal(s).
   You’ll have a better chance of sticking to your goal if it’s written and documented somewhere (not just in your head).  Write it down and post it on your refrigerator or somewhere else that you’ll see each and every day.

3. Write your goals in a positive light.
   Look at what you want to achieve, not what you want to leave behind.  Instead of “giving up junk food,” a more positive goal would be “eat healthier and consume more veggies.”
4. Set reasonable goals.
   You may want to become the Vice President of Finance by March.  But is that realistic?  If it is, then go for it!  But if it’s not, set more reasonable and achievable goals.  You can even break down your goals into smaller milestones that lead you in the right direction to the VP’s corner suite!
5. Self evaluate and adjust your actions.
   Every month take some time to reflect on your actions.  Ask yourself if you’re doing the things you really need to do in order to meet your goals.  If you are, continue what you’re doing.  If you’re not, set a plan and adjust your actions so that you are working towards your goals.

We hope you find these tips helpful!  And, if finding a new job is one of your goals for 2012, we can help!  As one of the leading accounting and finance employment and recruiting firms, The A&F Group offers outstanding job opportunities.

As we prepare to bid farewell to 2011 and ring in 2012, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Did you make any resolutions for 2011?

How’d they turn out?
Let’s face it. Each year many people make resolutions with the best of intentions, but sometimes life just gets in the way. Don’t let your New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside. Whether you’re looking to be more organized, lose weight or find a new job, here are five tips to help you stick to your goals:

1. Don’t go overboard. Choose one or two resolutions, but don’t go crazy trying to overhaul your life. If you overwhelm yourself with a list of resolutions, you are far less likely to stick to them. Instead, identify the one or two changes that will both have the greatest impact, and also be the most achievable.

2. Be specific. Earlier in this post, we cited common examples of resolutions: lose weight, be more organized, find a new job. Those are common resolutions, but they’re not necessarily the best or most successful. How do you gauge whether you’ve achieved a goal like “lose weight?” Instead, set a clearly defined goal, and add an end date if it helps you to pinpoint even more accurately.

3. Make small changes. Sometimes a full-blown overhaul can seem like a good idea, but it is much more difficult to adhere to once the holiday haze wears off. Make small changes instead, and you’ll find them easier to acclimate into your daily grind.

4. Set milestones. Once you’ve started with those small changes, set milestones to help you reach the big goals, the “way out there” resolutions that inspired you to proclaim them in the first place. Once you’ve set milestones, those small changes can quickly snowball into major changes in your life.

5. Use your support system. Share your resolution with as many people as you can: family, friends and coworkers especially. They can be your cheerleaders (or your babysitters, depending on how you look at it!), helping you stay focused and on the path toward achieving your goals.

Reach your goals in 2012 with The A&F Group!
The entire A&F Group team wishes you a happy and healthy new year. And if you’re looking to reach new career heights in the upcoming year, contact us today. Together, we can help you achieve your goals.

During the holidays, many choose to celebrate with their family and friends. We’d like to take this opportunity to share with our valued clients, colleagues and candidates the warmest of holiday greetings.

If you’re looking for ways to leverage your accounting and finance talent, or if you’re searching for your next great career opportunity, contact The A&F Group. We’re proud to help you reach your goals.

From all of us and ours, season’s greetings to you and yours.

As 2011 comes to a close, one of your New Year’s resolutions may involve your accounting and finance career. Considering changing employers? Seeking fresh career challenges?

Now may be the right time for you to advance your career.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reviews many occupations and hiring trends to determine their hiring outlook. In their most recent study, they made some of the following observations:

• The BLS included the accounting profession in its top 10 largest job growth categories (with an increase of nearly 22% within their defined period).
• Job growth in the accounting sector will be seen due to an increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and corporate governance regulations, and increased accountability for protecting an organization’s stakeholders.
• An increased need for accountants and auditors will be driven by a greater emphasis on accountability, transparency and controls in financial reporting.

But how can you stand out?
The BLS identified some key differentiators for those candidates who are most likely to find new employment opportunities:

• The best job opportunities will likely be available to accountants and auditors who have professional certification, especially CPAs.
• Applicants with a master’s degree in accounting or business administration, with a concentration in accounting, also may have an advantage.

Jump start your career – now.
Take advantage of job growth and get a head start on your career search in 2012 with these three tips:

1. Leverage social media. If your LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook profiles aren’t completed, get online and update your details. Then, be sure you’re engaging peers and potential employers in LinkedIn Groups, through tweets, and otherwise communicating on the sites.

2. Spruce up your resume. Take the opportunity to do an annual revision on your resume. Are there any notable accomplishments from 2011 that you’d like to include? Can you see any opportunity to tighten up the language, or make any improvements?

3. Partner with an employment firm. When you enlist the services of an employment firm, you’ll gain an experienced ally who knows how to market your specific skills and experience to potential employers. They can help you find the right opportunities to propel your career forward.

Get a jump on 2012.
Search our available accounting and finance jobs to take the next step with The A&F Group.

Two thousand twelve is just around the corner. To help your business reach its potential in the new year, now is a great time to being outlining your annual strategic plan.  Many organizations have the best intentions when formulating a strategic plan. But when it comes to implementation or follow-through, some organizations drop the ball.

Strategic planning should be an integral part of your year-end process.

Get the most out of your strategic planning for 2012, and outline a plan for your continued success, by following these five tips:

1. Choose the right team. Strategic planning affects the entire organization; however, it shouldn’t necessarily include everyone. Choose those employees you have identified as solid contributors who can provide insight and depth to the conversation. Also be sure to include key team members who will be responsible for–and excited about–the actual implementation of your plan.

2. Strategic planning is more than a meeting. Whether you spend an entire day, or even a week, on your strategic planning, keep in the back of your mind that your thoughts and ideas should be actionable and realistic. The real “work” of strategic planning comes in the implementation stage.

3. Come prepared. Prior to your initial planning meeting (s), identify core areas to be addressed, and encourage team members to brainstorm ideas. Be sure team members are prepared to talk about those areas in detail when they join the meeting. This will help you maximize your meeting time by having pre-identified targeted areas for discussion and planning.

4. Share the insight. While you shouldn’t necessarily include everyone in your planning, you should absolutely include everyone in the plan. Once your team has clearly defined a strategic plan for the year, share that strategy with your full team. After all, they will be largely responsible for its implementation!

5. Keep it going. You spent a great deal of time and effort developing an actionable strategic plan – now it’s time to start the action. Involve your employees in developing the actual steps necessary to implement the plan, then follow up and check in regularly to ensure each step is being followed. Quarterly meetings (more or less depending on your schedule and needs) can also help keep your team focused and enthusiastic about your short- and long-term goals.

Want to maximize your accounting and finance talent in 2012?
At The A&F Group, our network is comprised of experienced, talented accounting and finance professionals who are ready to make an impact. Contact us today to learn more about how our strategic staffing solutions can make an impact on your business.

Each year, many of us gather to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends – a reminder to be thankful for each day.

It is in the spirit of the holiday that the entire A&F Group team wishes to thank you for your continued support. We rely on the talent and dedication of an amazing team of professionals, and we are constantly impressed by how our team continues to succeed.

We would like to wish you the warmest of happy Thanksgiving wishes, and we hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!
The A&F Group