ACCOUNTING & FINANCE TEMPORARY & CONTRACT SPECIALISTS AVAILABLE

Accounts Payable Specialist # 167775

Areas of expertise:  Processed 150 invoices daily, ACH payments, and handled monthly closings processes.

Noteworthy:   SAP & Excel guru

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire Roles

Senior Property Accountant #142277

Areas of expertise:  Periodic close activities for commercial, retail, and residential properties, establishing policies and process improvements.

Noteworthy:   Managed accounting department operations on last contract assignment.

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire Roles

Cost Accountant #3539

Areas of expertise: Month-end close, budget preparation, fixed assets, financial reporting

Noteworthy: 8+ years of cost accounting experience and 6+ years of manufacturing experience

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire Roles

Payroll Manager #164999

Areas of expertise:  Full cycle multi-state payroll for 5000 employees weekly, bi-weekly and semi-monthly Noteworthy:   ADP Workforce Now, Vantage, Excel skills of pivot tables and vlookups

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire and Direct Hire Roles

Senior Accountant  #114220

Areas of expertise:  General Accounting & Cost Accounting, supervisory experience

Noteworthy:  Strong MFG background and great work history

Available for Contract-to-Hire and Direct Hire

Accounts Payable Specialist  #167705

Areas of expertise:  Full-cycle A/P, 3-way match experience

Noteworthy:  Great work history – open to Part-Time or Full-Time situations

Available for Contract and Contract-to-Hire

Hot Candidates – November 2019

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE TEMPORARY & CONTRACT SPECIALISTS AVAILABLE:

Accounts Payable Specialist # 167775

Areas of expertise:  Processed 150 invoices daily, ACH payments, and handled monthly closings processes.

Noteworthy:   SAP & Excel guru

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire Roles

Senior Property Accountant #142277

Areas of expertise:  Periodic close activities for commercial, retail, and residential properties, establishing policies and process improvements.

Noteworthy:   Managed accounting department operations on last contract assignment.

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire Roles

Cost Accountant #3539

Areas of expertise: Month-end close, budget preparation, fixed assets, financial reporting

Noteworthy: 8+ years of cost accounting experience and 6+ years of manufacturing experience

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire Roles

Payroll Manager #164999

Areas of expertise:  Full cycle multi-state payroll for 5000 employees weekly, bi-weekly and semi-monthly Noteworthy:   ADP Workforce Now, Vantage, Excel skills of pivot tables and vlookups

Available for Contract and Contract to Hire and Direct Hire Roles

Senior Accountant  #114220

Areas of expertise:  General Accounting & Cost Accounting, supervisory experience

Noteworthy:  Strong MFG background and great work history

Available for Contract-to-Hire and Direct Hire

Accounts Payable Specialist  #167705

Areas of expertise:  Full-cycle A/P, 3-way match experience

Noteworthy:  Great work history – open to Part-Time or Full-Time situations

Available for Contract and Contract-to-Hire

 

DIRECT HIRE ACCOUNTING & FINANCE EXPERTS AVAILABLE:

Accounting Manager # 167794

Areas of expertise: Financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, developing financial analytics, standardizing reports and processes.

Noteworthy: 10 years working with one company and has plant MFG industry experience

Available for Direct Hire roles

Bookkeeper  #167731

Areas of expertise:   High-volume A/P, A/R, and payroll. Major ERP & Payroll systems including; ADP, Great Plains, and QuickBooks.

Noteworthy:   Took office from being manual to completely computerized.

Available for Direct Hire

Accounts Receivable Specialist #167693

Areas of expertise: Accounts receivable, accounts payable, collections, cash posting, SAP

Noteworthy: 3+ years of accounts receivable experience in the logistics industry

Available for Direct Hire Roles

Grant Accounting and Contract Accounting Specialist #167778

Areas of expertise:  Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Spending Projections, Contract and Grant Administration

Noteworthy:   Financial Edge, ABM, Atlas Financial Management System

Available for Direct Hire Roles

Project Accountant  #128206

Areas of expertise:  G702, G703 from start to finish, Sworn Statements and Liens of Waiver

Noteworthy:   Processed Payroll for 600 Unions and Certified Payrolls, Excel skills include pivot tables, vlookups and macros

Available for Direct Hire Roles

Senior Cost Accountant #147082

Areas of expertise:    Inventory, Cost Accounting & Analysis, SAP

Noteworthy:  CPA with excellent communication skills, someone with advancement potential

Available for Direct Hire only

 

 

Your Ultimate Guide to Year-End Reviews

A year-end review assesses an employee’s performance over time, recognizes achievements and goes over areas for development and improvement. When properly set up and approached as an ongoing conversation, year-end appraisals become part of the continuous performance management system throughout your organization. Your employees and you can reflect on their self-evaluation and your assessment and plan for future development. Here’s your ultimate guide to year-end reviews.

Topics

Talk about a variety of topics in year-end reviews. For instance, discuss how each employee displays company values in their approach to work. Focus on subjects that matter most to your team. Bring up role-related questions that evaluate job-specific competencies relevant for each employee’s level in the company. Discuss company goals to see what was planned and achieved and what went off course. Focus on whether the goals were too easy or difficult, which coaching is needed to improve development and whether the context of the goals is clear and relevant for the business.

Self-Assessment

Provide each employee with a self-assessment well before year-end reviews. Share the information on the self-assessment so employees have time to prepare. They need to know which topics will be addressed so they can add to the discussion.

Collaboration

Encourage an open conversation with each employee. They should have completed a self-assessment that considered peer feedback and recognition received over the last period to provide a balanced picture of performance. Promoting discussion about an employee’s self-assessment encourages autonomy and responsibility going into the talk. You provide coaching and suggestions from your experience to help the employee develop.

Honesty

Allow each employee to acknowledge what they improved without fearing punishment. You’ll promote trust in both you and the company. Point out what’s been going well and specific ways the employee can improve. Celebrate employee wins to show support.

Action Plan

Determine what action each employee should take to improve performance. For instance, share company goals and how they apply to individual staff. Outline steps to achieve them. Offer training and support. Provide clear measurements for success.

Outcomes

Establish what will happen with each employee’s information after year-end reviews. Include who will see the review and what each employee is expected to do. Being transparent about the process and following up on the actions you agreed to take promote trust and respect.

Hire Through a Leading Chicago Employment Agency

Hire top accounting and finance workers through a leading Chicago employment agency. Casey Accounting & Finance Resources has an in-depth understanding of accounting and finance functions and competencies to accurately assess candidates’ backgrounds, ensuring that only highly qualified candidates are presented for review. Reach out to us to get started today!

When’s the Right Time to Discuss Salary, Flexible Work Arrangements and Other Benefits During an Interview?

Career coaches typically say to put an employer’s needs ahead of your own during an interview. As important as that advice is, you also need to determine whether the employer can fit your personal needs and interests with salary, flexibility and other benefits. The trick is how to gain the information you need without coming across as overly demanding or not focused on the company’s needs. With a proper strategy, you can determine when the right time is to discuss salary, flexible work arrangements and other benefits during an interview. Here are some suggestions.

When the Interviewer Shows Interest in Hiring You

A good time to discuss salary, flexible work arrangements and other benefits is after the interviewer expresses interest in hiring you. For instance, they may ask when you can start or whether you can provide references. Doing so shows you have their attention and are a good fit for the role. Because you showed the value you can add to the business, you have the leverage to ask for information about salary, flexibility and benefits.

After Being Offered a Job

Discuss salary, flexible work arrangements and other benefits after you receive a job offer. Be sure you thoroughly researched everything you want well before your first interview. For instance, review the company website and job description for salary information. Use sites such as Glassdoor and Comparably to figure out the organization’s salary range and benefit structures. Connect with employees through LinkedIn to ask about company culture. You can state your case and provide evidence for why you should receive it. After negotiating your salary, bring up benefits. Be sure you clearly understand what the company is offering and whether it fits your needs. For instance, find out whether you’ll receive health insurance, a retirement plan and PTO. Depending on your lifestyle and interests, you want to ask about reimbursement for ongoing education, daycare, a gym membership or other benefits. After negotiating your benefits, bring up flexible work arrangements. For instance, ask how the teams are structured and which work arrangements best serve the company’s mission. Ask about the number of hours employees work each week. If there is flexibility, share whether you’re looking for a variable start and end time at the office, a four-day workweek, the ability to work remotely one or more days per week or some other option. Be ready to compromise on what you request.

Interview with a Leading Chicago Employment Agency

As a leading Chicago employment agency, Casey Accounting & Finance Resources offers complimentary use of our Career Tools Portal to help with your job search. You gain access to top job search tools, an article and video library, professional resume review, career assessment programs and more. When you’re done, you can set up an interview with one of our seasoned recruiters. Contact us today to get started!

Is Offboarding Just as Important as Onboarding? Yes.

As an HR professional, you know the importance of onboarding to help new hires acclimate to their workplace and job responsibilities. What you may not realize is that offboarding is just as important. Putting the same care and concern into the experience for departing employees provides significant benefits for your company. Here are six reasons why offboarding is as important as onboarding.  

Communication 

When an employee leaves, offboarding lets other department members know about the change. Rumors have less of an impact when the truth is told. Remaining employees are less distracted when they know what’s really going on. Telling staff when a colleague is leaving encourages them to facilitate a smooth transition into a new relationship with a different employee.  

Exit Interview  

Upon an employee departure, offboarding lets you set up an exit interview to gain insight into their decision. Collect honest feedback that reflects their true experience working for you. Find out whether they’re leaving their team or manager or simply for another opportunity. Perhaps there are personal reasons such as starting a family or relocating for a spouse’s career. Thank the employee for their service. Leave the door open for rehiring if you’d like to see them in the future. 

Maintaining Contact 

After an employee leaves, offboarding makes it possible to keep in touch. Find out which company they are going to and how you can contact them. Send occasional emails asking how they’re doing. If you see the former employee at industry events, go talk with them. If you visit their city, ask them to lunch. Show that the former employee is still a valued member of your extended community. 

Brand Ambassadors  

Because former employees may act as brand ambassadors, they need to be adequately offboarded. People who used to work for you are likely to share stories about their experiences. Leaving them with an affirming last impression means they’re more likely to share positive memories than negative ones. 

Referral Source 

Since departing employees may serve as a source for referrals, appropriate offboarding is necessary. Leaving on a positive note encourages them to tell other top professionals about their experience working for you. You’re likely to gain more qualified job candidates who understand the business and blend with company culture. Plus, you may gain customers and contacts through former employees. 

Boomerang Effect 

Because employees who leave may want to return someday, they need to be properly offboarded. They may miss working for you and bring with them new skills they acquired. This is especially important if the employee had a significant tenure with you. They already fit with company culture, understand the department and have experience with your business operations.   

Find Accounting or Finance Professionals  

Find the professionals you need with Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. As a leading Schaumberg employment agency, we reduce your time spent on recruiting, evaluating, screening and interviewing candidates to find the best match for your organization. Connect with our leading staffing specialists today!  

6 Tips to Help Improve Your Networking Skills

It’s true that your network is your net worth. When you network out of genuine curiosity in all environments, you learn things you otherwise may not have known. If you have a typical routine and see many of the same people each day, take the time to get to know them. You never know what opportunities you may uncover. Here are six tips to help improve your networking skills.   

 1. Introduce Yourself 

A great way to meet people is by introducing yourself. Wherever you are, walk up to someone, put out your hand and tell them your name. Talk about who you are and what you do. Ask the person to do the same. Put yourself out there and show who you truly are so you attract whom you need. 

 2. Make Friends   

Because friends do business with friends, focus on starting relationships. Discuss your goals, dreams, challenges and personal interests. Find commonality to bond over. If someone especially impresses you, ask them to coffee or lunch to continue your conversation. When you need an in at a company and you have an established relationship with an employee there, you’re more likely to find the value you’re looking for than if you simply picked up that person’s business card.    

 3. Listen 

Be unlike most people and attentively listen. Show you are truly interested in what they have to say. Given the opportunity to truly connect enhances that person’s view of you as a friend. People trust you and feel safe sharing who they are. You gain much more knowledge when you give someone your undivided attention. What you learn could lead to career opportunities down the road.    

4. Give Before Asking 

Always give before asking for something in return. When you meet someone, think about how you can help them reach a goal, make a connection or overcome an obstacle. Show your willingness to invest in them, add value to their life and build trust. If nothing comes from the relationship, be happy that you helped someone.   

5. Request an Introduction 

If you want to meet a person, ask the people you know if they know anyone who knows the person. When you find someone who does, ask them to introduce you. Because a warm lead is better than a cold one, you’re more likely to get in the door as a referral than a cold email or phone call. Be sure to reciprocate when possible.   

6. Keep your word 

Follow through on everything you say you’ll do. Your word and reputation are your biggest assets. If you promise to follow up, then follow up. If you say you’ll close a deal, uphold the deal to the highest standard. People make referrals to someone who’s reliable and always there. 

Network with a Chicago Employment Agency 

Find your next role by networking with Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. Our extensive networking and recruitment programs help us place all levels of accounting and finance candidates. Contact our leading finance recruiters today! 

6 Ways to Harness the Power of Social Media to Attract Candidates

The majority of job candidates use social media to find better employment opportunities. Along with searching for job openings, candidates use social media to learn about potential employers, company culture and what a day at the office is like. For this reason, you want to maximize your use of social media to promote your company and open roles. Here are six ways you can use social media to attract qualified finance and accounting candidates.  

Build a Strong Brand 

Because candidates typically read six or more reviews before forming an opinion of a company, use social media to build a strong brand. Be sure you have an active Facebook page, Twitter account and LinkedIn page. Make sure your content is current and you have a strategy to keep it updated.   

Communicate Company Culture 

Show what your company mission, vision and values are and what a day at the office is like. You will attract more qualified candidates who have the required skills and experience and fit with company culture. Be sure to add photos and videos to your posts. Show interesting projects and events held in the office so candidates have an idea of what to expect. 

Target Your Audience  

Tailor your social media campaigns to reach your target audience. Identify who your ideal candidates are, then create tailored ads and messages designed for them. Notify your social community that you are hiring by updating your LinkedIn profile with a message about open opportunities or adding a recruitment banner to your Facebook and Twitter pages that links to your job listings.   

Continuously Build Relationships  

Connecting with substantial numbers of people increases your network of potential candidates. Even if your connections are not qualified or a good fit for open roles, they may know someone who is. Keep your posts consistent and valuable so you engage in two-way conversations with your audience. 

Attract Passive Job Candidates 

Although most candidates are not actively sending out resumes, they still are on the lookout for new opportunities. Posting available positions gains the attention of passive candidates who probably would not have known about the opening otherwise. You may gain their attention by using hashtags or purchasing paid social media advertising to target who sees your ads based on demographic and geographic ad criteria.   

Request Help  

Ask your existing social network to help you find qualified job candidates. When a position opens up, request that your fans, followers and connections share your posts. Include your employees in the sharing process. Because they know and love your company, they can better communicate what a great place it is to work. Plus, candidates who receive a personal invitation to apply from someone they know, and trust are more likely to respond.   

Find Qualified Finance and Accounting Candidates 

Find qualified finance and accounting candidates through Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. As a leading Chicago employment agency, we review resumes, complete prescreening and in-person interviews, handle background checks and negotiations and more. Get in touch with us today! 

 

Are You Staying Ahead of the Game? 5 Best Accounting Trends to Get Ready for in 2020

The accounting industry continues to evolve along with clients’ changing needs. Improvements in technology mean automating many accounting tasks and altering job duties. As a leader in the accounting field, you need to stay informed about developments affecting your industry in the coming year. Here are five accounting trends to prepare for in 2020. 

Machine Learning Will Increase Automation  

With the rise of machine learning, accounting tasks increasingly will become automated. For instance, vendor bill data entry, general ledger coding and expense reporting are being done by machine learning. Some corporate accounting firms use a machine learning platform to review sales documents, leasing and derivatives contracts, invoices and financial statements for key accounting information. Corporate accounting firms also may use machine learning to maintain compliance with accounting standards.   

Digital Content Consumption Will Be Constant  

Because of growing access to video, social, meme and other formats, people’s consumption of online content continues to increase. To compete for people’s attention, corporate accounting firms need a dynamic online presence. In addition to a website, corporate accounting firms need extras such as a library of how-to videos and frequently asked questions that address common issues. Articles and posts that are easy to read and share are valuable as well.  

Most Clients Will Be Mobile-First 

The majority of accounting clients will be mobile-first, if not mobile-only. To provide the best user experience, corporate accounting firms’ websites must include quick load times, thumb-friendly buttons, and easy–to-read text. Branded mobile apps make it easy to send individual messages tailored to each client’s needs. Information from smartphone cameras can be integrated and processed within a native app and used to record copies of receipts and invoices to send to an accountant.   

Increase in Millennials as Clients and Employees  

An increasing number of Millennials will be corporate accounting firms’ clients and employees. To attract Millennials, corporate accounting firms need to increase flexibility, convenience and brand image. They also need to offer meaningful work opportunities, foster connections, and show how each role impacts the company and society. Plus, corporate accounting firms should provide opportunities for development in the form of special projects, exposure to other departments, or classes and trainings outside the office. 

Breakthroughs in Blockchain 

Blockchain will be used for significantly more accounting functions. The single-ledger technology is a delivery method allowing users from multiple sources access to the same information in near-real–time. When one user makes a change, everyone with access can see it once it is validated. Transactions take minutes or seconds and include greater security and transparency. Auditing, compliance and reconciliation are faster and more accurate.  

Prepare for Your Accounting Future 

Prepare for your accounting future with Casey Finance & Accounting Resources. In addition to one-on-one assistance with finding accounting jobs in Chicago, IL, our Career Tools Portal provides free access to top job search tools, an article and video library, professional resume review, career assessment programs and more. Reach out to us today!  

 

Find a Great Career Mentor in Your Own Office with These 3 Tips!

Providing mentors for employees is a key part of helping them move forward in their careers. Mentors provide insight into getting promotions, solving problems, learning from mistakes and more. Because finding the right mentor and knowing how to ask for guidance can be challenging, it is in your best interest to determine which seasoned employees are up for the task and let employees know whom they may ask for help. Here are three tips for finding great career mentors in your office.  

Determine the Qualities of a Great Mentor 

The best mentors make a significant difference in mentees’ careers. They offer support and motivation for all types of circumstances and answer questions about career transitions and challenging situations. Top mentors listen more than they talk and help mentees navigate toward solutions and next steps. They help mentees learn from their own mistakes and hardships as well as successes. True mentors provide honest feedback and constructive criticism to help mentees improve performance and reach high expectations. They influence mentees to become strong, confident, thoughtful leaders by leaving their comfort zone and reaching their full potential. The best mentors establish relationships based on mutual respect, trust and support, cultivate acceptance and open communication. Top mentors enjoy learning from mentees with different backgrounds and watching them grow in their careers.     

Remember That a Mentor May Work in a Different Department 

As long as the mentor takes an interest in a mentee’s career goals, their activities outside the office, and how the mentor can assist with career development, they should be a good fit. The mentor’s main focus should be the mentee’s long-term success and development, not just their job responsibilities. Relationships need to develop organically for the best odds of being successful.  

Ask Seasoned Employees to Become Mentors 

Find out which seasoned employees want to mentor less experienced co–workers. Be sure that employees seeking a mentor can demonstrate why mentorship will benefit their career development and what they want to gain from mentoring. Examples may include supporting career goals and offering sound career path advice, or taking with someone who has subject matter expertise to help navigate a specific problem. Also, teach employees to properly reach out to potential mentors. They may start by mentioning they admire the coworker’s work or career trajectory and ask whether they can request advice on their own career. If the potential mentor agrees, they can sit down for a discussion. If things go well, they may set up a recurring meeting for a set amount of time every few months or so.   

Find Top Accounting and Finance Professionals 

As a top Schaumberg employment agency, we provide innovative and creative solutions to help achieve your talent management goals and objectives. Connect with our accounting and finance recruiters today! 

Staying Curious Could Lead You to the Finance Career of Your Dreams

One soft skill that is beneficial to your finance career is curiosity. Continually asking questions to gain information opens you up to new opportunities. You may discover skills and interests you did not know you had, find an especially intriguing line of work or move to a position you did not see yourself having. Find out how staying curious can lead you to the finance career of your dreams. 

Networking 

Being curious about what finance professionals do encourages you to network. Asking questions about finance workers’ responsibilities, what they like best about their jobs, and how they became interested in their line of work may lead to your own career advancement or change. If the projects that finance professionals handle each day sound interesting to you, dig deeper for additional information to determine whether you may want to pursue that line of work. If so, build a relationship with your connection before asking about job openings or an introduction to the hiring manager. Even if no positions are available, you can get to know the manager and express interest if anything opens up.  

Job Change Anxiety 

Curiosity can help you with anxiety about starting a new finance job. For instance, you can use the company website and social media to research the organization, view pictures and posts about the office and culture, and see what it is like working there. You can get to know a little about potential colleagues and gain insight into job responsibilities, requirements and expectations. During the interview, you can ask questions about the company’s goals, finance department’s projects and team–building activities.    

Professional Development 

Being open to increasing your financial skills, knowledge and experience means you continually learn new things in your field. Staying current on industry news, trends and best practices keeps you on top in your field. Connecting something you are learning about with something you already know increases your understanding and retention of the information. Ongoing professional development shows you are willing to adapt to new circumstances and helps position you as an expert in your field. 

Career Fulfillment 

Continuing to satisfy your curiosity about different finance functions means you are taking risks and learning new things on an ongoing basis. The more you gain new experiences, skills and information, the faster you advance professionally. Receiving bonuses, raises and awards also increases your personal fulfillment, leading to additional career growth. Embracing the unknown and being OK with feeling uncomfortable helps you take on new challenges in your career.  

Find the Finance Career of Your Dreams 

As a leading Chicago employment agency, we specialize in securing employment for accounting and finance professionals in direct placement, temporary services and consulting roles. Get in touch with us today!