A new survey presents mixed views on the progress women have made in the past 10 years in their ability to advance in the finance field. More than half (53%) of CFOs say there has been no change in women’s ability to advance in careers in the finance field in
Professional development
Five key objectives for in-demand internal auditors
The perception of internal audit as a function that can add value in addition to enforcing compliance is placing importance on several objectives for internal auditors. “I think the expectation from the executive suite has increased,” PwC’s Walter Smiechewicz, CPA, said in a telephone interview. “And they are looking for
How to network and find new clients across borders
Companies increasingly are investing across borders. That includes foreign companies establishing operations in the United States or Canada. The North American investments require accounting and tax services, making foreign companies potential new clients for North American accounting firms. But what is the best way to network across borders and attract
Women’s initiatives: A strategic advantage
The recent AICPA supply and demand survey found that women constituted 44% of accounting employees at CPA firms but only 19% of the partners. The partnership percentage was a step back for women in public accounting. The percentage of female leaders in firms had risen from 1% (partners and principals)
Supply and demand for accounting talent at record levels
A new study examining supply and demand trends in accounting found that the profession is thriving—with college enrollments, degrees awarded, and demand for new accounting graduates all reaching all-time highs. CPA firms hired 40,350 new accounting graduates last year, including 23,793 graduates with bachelor’s degrees and 16,557 with master’s degrees,
Can you succeed in finance without international experience?
As commerce increasingly transcends borders, international experience is becoming a valuable asset for accounting and finance professionals. Almost seven in 10 (69%) of more than 2,100 CFOs in large U.S. metropolitan areas said international experience will be at least somewhat necessary for accounting and finance staff five years from now,
Demand for accounting grads reaches all-time high
A new study examining supply and demand trends in accounting found that the profession is thriving—with college enrollments, degrees awarded, and demand for new accounting graduates all reaching all-time highs. CPA firms hired 40,350 new accounting graduates last year, including 23,793 graduates with bachelor’s degrees and 16,557 with master’s degrees,
The leadership cycle: How to enable collective leadership
James Quigley, CPA, was CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd. from 2007 to 2011. He retired from Deloitte LLP in June 2012, after 38 years with Deloitte. He serves as a trustee of the IFRS Foundation and is co-author of the 2011 book As One: Individual Action, Collective Power, which
The leadership cycle: The 10 C’s of great leaders
Allan Koltin, CPA, is CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, a Chicago-based consultancy that works with financial and professional services firms in the areas of practice management, mergers and acquisitions, executive search, and practice growth. Recognized as among the most influential thought leaders in the accounting profession, Koltin frequently is quoted
Cultivating leadership
Most CPAs promoted to leadership positions get there because of their technical skills and professional prowess. In many cases, however, the same CPAs have not been prepared to act as leaders. The following steps show what employers can do to cultivate leadership skills. Emphasize business acumen, curiosity, and strategic sensibility
The leadership cycle: How to effectively lead and develop talent
Richard Oliver, CPA, CGMA, is the president of familyowned THORLO Inc. in Statesville, N.C. He got his start in accounting with a fiber-optics company in Hickory, N.C., then went to work as an auditor for Deloitte. He returned to the fiber-optics field after three years, before he was recruited to
The leadership cycle: The parallel paths of career and firm success
Jennifer Wilson is a partner and cofounder of ConvergenceCoaching LLC, a nationally recognized leadership and marketing firm that provides coaching and consulting services to leaders. She is an experienced change agent who has worked in both the public accounting and business sectors and is a frequent speaker, writer, and blogger
AICPA Council votes to offer specialized credentials globally
Members of certain qualified accounting bodies outside the United States will be eligible to earn AICPA specialized credentials as a result of a resolution approved by the AICPA governing Council on Monday in Washington. As a result of the vote at the annual spring Council meeting, the AICPA will be
CFOs most crave these 2 nonaccounting skills
General business knowledge and IT expertise are the nonaccounting skills CFOs in the United States are seeking most from finance and accounting job candidates, according to a new survey. One-third of 2,100 CFOs surveyed by specialized staffing service Accountemps said general business knowledge is the attribute or area of expertise
Shannon Stith, CPA, CGMA
I wake up early and try to make the most of my day. I’m usually at work before 7. I don’t take a traditional lunch break. I make sure to get to the gym, then I pick up my son and spend a good, quality three hours with him. I
Private-investigator licensing emerges as potential threat to CPAs
The AICPA has made available to members an online guide detailing which states and cities require CPAs practicing forensic accounting to be licensed as a private investigator. More than 40 states have enacted laws requiring private investigators to buy a license to operate in their state. Most of those regulations
From CGMA Magazine: Boards are hungry for CFO talent
The appetite for CFOs to participate on corporate boards is increasing—a demand that, if met, could help not only companies, but also the financial professionals who end up in board roles. They stand to gain a new perspective on running an organization, plus general management experience and exposure to other
The talent drain: Good news for skilled workers, bad news for CFOs
CFOs are still concerned about talent, and that’s potentially good news for workers with specialized skills. Nearly 60% of U.S. CFOs consider it a challenge to find skilled financial professionals, according to a Robert Half International survey. Fifty-four percent said it was “somewhat challenging” to find skilled workers in finance,
From CGMA Magazine: Softer skills for a broader role
Internal auditors were once thought of solely as the go-to people for all issues relating to financial controls and governance. But in the wake of the global financial crisis, internal auditors have become increasingly relied upon to identify operational risks and provide strategic insight on everything from mergers and acquisitions
More North American companies rewarding internal auditors with pay raises, perks
Internal auditors—whose roles have increased in importance in recent years due to increased regulatory demands—were more likely to receive pay raises in 2012, and those with specialized skills and certifications received larger pay increases, according to new research. The analysis, conducted by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), also revealed
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How to find the right CAS clients
The key to success with CAS is selecting the best clients. Tools like ideal client profiles (ICPs), buyer personas, and even artificial intelligence can help identify the businesses that best fit each CAS practice.
