If you’re looking to hire any internal auditors, compliance executives, financial
analysts, staff accountants or external auditors anytime soon, be prepared to fight
against some stiff competition. According
to Robert Half International, these five
positions are the most highly sought after
in the accounting and finance field.
Terry Phillips, vice president of Robert
Half International in Akron, Ohio, says
employers in particular are looking for
accounting and finance professionals with
a broad range of abilities, including strong
strategic decision-making, communication
and technology skills.
Smart Business spoke with Phillips
about why these five positions are hot right
now and what sort of skills companies
should be seeking in the prospects geared
to fill those positions.
What are the top growth positions in the
accounting and finance positions for 2007?
The top growth positions are internal
auditor, compliance executive, financial
analyst, staff accountant and external auditor. Internal auditors, particularly those
who possess the CIA, are being hired to
help improve internal controls and meet
the compliance mandates of such regulations as Sarbanes-Oxley. Compliance executives with U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission reporting experience are
needed to help companies meet ongoing
corporate governance requirements. Firms
are 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. And rising client demand for audit
services has fueled the demand for external auditors among public accounting
firms. CPAs who possess three to seven
years of experience are particularly valued.
What sorts of skills are employers seeking in
these 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 the certified
public accountant (CPA) and certified
internal auditor (CIA). These accreditations can have financial rewards as well.
According to our company’s 2007 Salary
Guide, professionals with industry-recognized certifications can earn starting
salaries up to 10 percent above the market
average.
Is the great demand for the internal auditor
and compliance executive positions a direct
result of the heavier corporate governance?
As I stated before, compliance executives
with U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission reporting experience are
needed to help companies meet ongoing
corporate governance requirements, while
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.
What advice do you have for job seekers?
Understand which skill sets are in
demand and highlight your strengths in
these areas in your resume 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. Also, 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.
Show you know the value of a dollar – hiring managers like to see concrete examples of how people have saved time and
money and enhanced productivity in previous positions.
TERRY PHILLIPS is vice president of Robert Half International
in Akron. Robert Half is a specialized staffing firm headquartered
in Menlo Park, California. Reach Phillips at (330) 253-8367.