Max Messmer Quotations

Many of the companies that are hiring are doing so to accommodate business expansion activities during 2006. Firms also are adding full-time staff and working with consulting professionals for corporate governance-related compliance and remediation initiatives.

Many companies may be hesitant to increase employee compensation because of other expenses impacting the business, such as rising health-care and energy costs. But an overly cautious approach can be detrimental, particularly as the competition for top candidates intensifies.

Growing corporate expenses, including rising health care and energy costs, may be contributing to a more cautious hiring environment. However, skilled accountants are always in demand, particularly in the current market. Companies that proactively seek top professionals will be best prepared to take advantage of new business opportunities.

Job seekers should take a moment to compose their thoughts before they speak and focus their comments on the specific knowledge and experience they can bring to the position. Interviews provide an opportunity for employers to become more acquainted with applicants. Hiring managers are looking for candor, professionalism and a glimpse into the candidate's personality.

It can cause undue stress and leave you and your staff unprepared for a true emergency.

It is difficult to foresee and proactively address potential crises when you are caught up in day-to-day demands,

The ability to build upon one's knowledge base is critical for next generation accountants. They must dedicate themselves to continuing education, including the pursuit of additional certifications, in order to move forward in their careers.

Whether communicating in writing or over the telephone, job seekers should demonstrate their knowledge of the company while reinforcing their qualifications and sincere interest in the position. This extra step can give professionals a significant advantage over less-proactive candidates.

Turnover is costly for employers, so they seek candidates with a history of job stability.

Thoughtful post-resume communication underscores the traits that companies are looking for. Being able to convey what they could bring to the position can give certain job seekers a significant advantage over less-proactive candidates.

While no one should stay in a job where his or her efforts are consistently undervalued or unrewarded, changing jobs too often can affect your long-term career prospects,

As the hiring environment has become increasingly competitive, demand for recent graduates has also risen.

Corporate governance mandates, new business practices and recently created regulatory agencies have made this a dynamic time for accounting and finance professionals at all levels, and have led to new opportunities and challenges. To succeed in this environment, accountants must go beyond their traditional roles of simply delivering financial data. Rather, they will need to discuss the implications of this data in the broad context of compliance and how it impacts other areas of the business.

The start of a new year provides an opportunity to take stock of one's career and outline steps for advancing to the next level. Managers and employees must continually develop their professional skills and abilities in order to reach their full potential and remain engaged at work.

Companies in the Pacific region, especially those in the real estate and construction industries, are adding staff to support growth initiatives. As the competition for candidates intensifies, many firms are experiencing a shortage of skilled accounting professionals and, as a result, find they must offer higher salaries and better benefits to secure the best people.

Companies in the Mountain region are hiring experienced accountants to assist with growth initiatives. There are skills shortages within some in-demand specialties. To ensure they secure commitments from top financial professionals, many employers are accelerating the recruiting process and offering more competitive salary and benefits packages.

Education doesn't end with graduation. The first position out of college should provide learning opportunities that will serve as building blocks for future career success.

Is the situation really a crisis? Do not treat every bump in the road as a disaster,

Not knowing enough about the company or position, displaying a bad attitude or inquiring about compensation prematurely can all leave a negative impression with hiring managers. For job seekers, the interview represents a time to shine. Thorough preparation -- including researching the employer, rehearsing responses to common questions and understanding appropriate topics to discuss -- is the key to avoiding potential pitfalls.

Skilled accountants are always in demand, and companies that proactively seek top candidates will be best prepared to take advantage of new business opportunities. A shrinking labor pool, created by low enrollment in accounting programs during the late 1990s and the expected exodus of millions of baby boomers from the workforce in the coming years, has intensified the competition for these professionals, mandating that recruiting be an ongoing process for companies of all sizes.

Interviews provide an opportunity for employers to become more acquainted with applicants. Hiring managers are looking for candor, professionalism and a glimpse into the candidate's personality.

Before resigning from a position, consider whether or not you can improve the situation. ...In many instances, employers are made aware of an employee's dissatisfaction only after that individual resigns.

Colleges and universities are responding to a changing accounting landscape. More courses are being offered in areas such as internal audit, enterprise risk management, forensic accounting, information technology and business ethics.

A good manager identifies ways to mitigate routine problems and respond quickly to unexpected ones, freeing up more time for bigger-picture issues.