Accounting and finance careers are
hot — but what career paths look
particularly promising for 2007?
Robert Half International, the world’s first
and largest staffing services firm specializing in accounting and finance, recently pinpointed five specialties positioned for the
biggest jump in growth based on research
from the company’s 2007 Salary Guide,
actual candidate placements and discussions with hiring managers throughout the
United States.
“Business expansion and ongoing compliance requirements will drive the
demand for skilled accounting and finance
professionals and intensify recruitment
challenges,” says Alan Reisinger, Cleveland
branch manager of Robert Half International. “So salaries for many specialties
are on the rise, with a national average
increase in base compensation of 3.8 percent projected for 2007.”
Smart Business spoke with Reisinger
about the opportunities available for experienced accounting and finance professionals in today’s marketplace.
How would you describe the current hiring
environment?
The hiring of skilled accounting and
finance professionals remains steady mainly because business expansion, rising
workloads and ongoing compliance initiatives continue to drive hiring.
Many firms are having difficulty finding
skilled accounting and finance professionals. As a result, the competition for top talent has intensified. For the right candidates, employers are willing to expedite
the hiring process and offer premium compensation to avoid losing these individuals
to other offers.
What are the top five accounting and finance
positions for this year?
Research shows that compliance professionals, internal and external auditors,
financial analysts and public accountants
are among those expected to see the greatest gains in base pay. Chief compliance officers at large companies (more than $250 million in sales) are expected to see
increases in base pay of 14.4 percent.
Internal auditors could see gains as high as
5.8 percent, while starting salaries for financial analysts are expected to increase up to
5.9 percent. Salaries in public accounting
are projected to rise as much as 8.1 percent.
What are the reasons these positions are in
high demand?
Compliance executives with U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission
reporting experience are needed to help
companies meet ongoing corporate governance requirements. Internal auditors, particularly those who possess the certified
internal auditor (CIA) certification, are
being hired to help improve internal controls and meet the compliance mandates of
such regulations as Sarbanes-Oxley.
Firms are also hiring financial analysts to
assist with budgeting and forecasting activities and to identify how their organizations
can become more profitable.
Accountants who are CPAs and have at
least three years of experience, including
in public accounting, are needed for projects ranging from maintaining general
ledger accounts and preparing financial
statements to developing budgets.
What skills are in demand for accounting and
finance professionals?
Employers are looking for accounting
and finance professionals with a broad
range of abilities, including strong strategic
decision-making, communication and technology skills.
Professionals can distinguish themselves
by earning industry-recognized designations, such as certified public accountant
(CPA) and certified internal auditor (CIA).
These accreditations can have financial
rewards as well. According to the 2007
Salary Guide, professionals with industry-recognized certifications can earn starting
salaries up to 10 percent above the market
average.
What advice do you have for job seekers?
Understand which skill sets are in
demand and highlight your strengths in
these areas in your résumé and during job
interviews. Also take steps — such as pursuing additional coursework and relevant
certifications — to enhance your expertise
in these areas.
Candidates should target firms where
they’d like to work rather than waiting for
want ads to appear. Many companies may
be filling positions they haven’t yet advertised.
And vary your search. If you’re spending
the bulk of your job-search time online, try
to attend some industry events and schedule informational interviews in an effort to
expand your network. During an interview
and on your résumé, it’s important to show
you know the value of a dollar. Hiring managers like to see concrete examples of how
you have saved time and money and
enhanced productivity in previous positions.
ALAN REISINGER is the Cleveland branch manager for Robert
Half International (www.rhi.com). Reach Reisinger at (216) 781-8367 or [email protected].
