Workers in finance and accounting feel secure in their jobs, but more than half say the economy has hurt their careers and nearly half plan to explore other positions when the job market opens up, according to a new survey. Finance and accounting employees are among the least likely professionals
Advertisement
TOPICS / MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
HR & talent management
Hire a hero, enjoy the benefits
Most provisions of the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC) expired on Jan. 1, 2012, but the program was modified and partially extended by the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, P.L. 112-56, to cover military veteran hires. Under Sec. 51, as amended, employers may be eligible for a credit
Finance executives’ outlook on U.S. economy improving, survey shows
CPA financial executives displayed a more positive but still wary view of the U.S. economy in the most recent quarterly Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey, released Thursday by the AICPA. Those indicating optimism for the U.S. economy increased from 19% in the previous quarter to 43%. Optimists outnumbered pessimists
Accounting and finance hiring expected to be flat in Q2
Hiring in accounting and finance is likely to be flat in the second quarter of 2012 in the United States even though CFOs are confident in their business prospects for that period, a Robert Half survey shows. Ninety-one percent of CFOs said they don’t expect to change their accounting and
January job cuts, led by retail, rise from year-ago low
Job cuts announced by U.S. employers increased in January, a month that traditionally sees significant post-holiday retail layoffs, according to a report released Thursday. The 53,486 job cuts announced last month was the highest monthly total since 115,730 layoffs were announced in September, global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas
CEOs seeking value in human dimension of business
The human dimensions of business – areas such as talent development, intellectual property and relationships with suppliers and customers – will be the primary focus of top executives during the next 18 to 24 months. And one of their first challenges will be determining the value of these factors to unlock
Survey of CPAs Shows Economic Pessimism Still Prevalent, But Shrinking
Pessimism about the U.S. economy among CPA decision makers has shrunk slightly, but remains high, according to the AICPA Economic Outlook Survey for the fourth quarter of 2011. Forty percent of the 916 qualified respondents in the survey said they were somewhat or very pessimistic about the economy. That was
Survey: CFOs Anticipate Hiring in Accounting and Finance
CFOs expected to hire more accountants and other finance professionals early next year. But many were having a hard time finding skilled professionals to fill the positions, according to a survey by staffing services firm Robert Half International. Twenty percent of 1,408 CFOs at U.S. companies said they expected to
The Lowdown on High Potentials
CPA firms trying to attract and retain top talent should emphasize career growth opportunities, salary and paid time off while maintaining an open-door policy that makes management accessible. That summarizes the key findings of the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) 2011 Top Talent Survey, which aims to help PCPS
High-Potential CPAs, the BIG Picture
Editor’s note: Also read “The Lowdown on High Potentials” in the December 2011 issue of the JofA. With the 2011 edition of its Top Talent Survey, the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section took a look for the first time at high-potential CPAs working in the business, industry and government (BIG)
Planned Job Cuts Dip Slightly in November, Challenger Says
The pace of U.S. job-cut announcements slowed slightly in November, but the 11-month total for 2011 exceeds the 12-month total from 2010, global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas announced Wednesday. Planned job cuts unveiled by U.S.-based employers in November decreased 13% from the same month in 2010, when employers
Economic Optimism Slumps, Execs Anticipate Double-Dip Recession
Economic optimism dropped to a two-and-a-half year low as more than 60% of CPA financial executives thought it was likely the U.S. would experience a double-dip recession, according to results released Wednesday from the AICPA Business & Industry Economic Outlook Survey Q3 2011. Optimism for the U.S. economy significantly dropped
Polish What’s Dull, and Wax What Shines
For managers, the one activity more dreaded than receiving a performance review is writing one. So it’s no wonder many reviews fall short of their real intention: to provide a springboard for further growth and accomplishment. How can the performance review guide a productive discussion about an employee’s potential or
Finance Exec Compensation Increase Likely in 2011
Following a decline in total compensation between 2008 and 2010, CPA financial executives expect to see compensation increases this year, according to an AICPA-sponsored report released June 2. The report, authored by Professor Michal Matějka of Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, examined financial executive compensation and incentive
Firm Survey Shows Profitability Preserved Amid Flat Revenues
Despite flat revenues, CPA firms managed to maintain profitability during the past two years, according to the 2010 PCPS/TSCPA National Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey, a biennial survey conducted by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section and the Texas Society of CPAs. The survey results provide a comprehensive benchmarking
Make Your Accounting Department More Efficient
In today’s world, accounting departments run lean. Asked to do more with less, accountants are being pushed to the max. Since adding staff is usually not an option, here are seven ways to lighten accounting’s workload. Challenge every step, every piece of paper, every input and every output. Chances are
Corporate Finance Staffing Survey
Accounting is well suited to weather economic downturns. After all, bad economy or good economy, tax returns need to be prepared and audits completed. But what about CPAs in industry? The JofA partnered with the AICPA/UNC Kenan-Flagler Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey Q2 2010 to learn more about how
The Coming 1099 Revolution: Are You and Your Clients Ready?
Revenue-raising provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PL 111-148, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, PL 111-152, like their health care provisions, have far-reaching implications. One could even fundamentally change the way we do business and keep records in the United States—by dramatically
CFO 101: Five Prerequisites
To climb the ladder in most finance organizations, CPAs hone their skills in making accounting judgments, closing the books, accurately preparing financial statements and other reports and filing them on time. But current CFOs agree that to reach the top—the CFO position—another skill set is required. Unfortunately, these additional skills
Defined Contribution Plans for Nonprofit Organizations
When it comes to qualified retirement plans, the 403(b) has long been the default alternative for nonprofit organizations. The lack of nondiscrimination testing for elective deferrals and no plan audit requirement as well as the ability to avoid Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulations have traditionally been the biggest
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Building a better CPA firm: Stepping up service offerings
A key step in business model modernization is determining how to implement services that satisfy clients and employees.
From The Tax Adviser
August 30, 2025
2025 tax software survey
July 31, 2025
