"ABACUS has been consistently responsive to my requests and
is always able to provide a variety of qualified candidates for each
of my searches. Consistency in these areas is the primary reason I
have and will continue to use them for my placement needs."
"It's was great to work with a Company that was so knowledgeable
about the industry and had all the right connections in the area to
get the position filled quickly. Tamara was extremely pleasant to
work with during the entire process and she was always attentive to
my needs for the position. I have been a returning client and would
recommend any company to them for their recruiting needs."
"I have worked with ABACUS for many years. My open positions are often
challenging to fill and require a high level of service and dedication which ABACUS delivers. This
includes close attention to finding qualified candidates and appropriately matching candidate and
company. It is the consistently high level of service, integrity and focus on long term client
relationships over the years that has and continues to place ABACUS at the top of my list for
recruiting and placement services."
MARKET OUTLOOK FOR ACCOUNTING EXECUTIVES
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. Executive level job growth continues to be driven by changing financial laws and regulations, and increased scrutiny of company finances.
With a continuing strong economy, the number of business establishments will increase. This will lead to the volume and complexity of information developed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, and taxes to increase as well. An increased need for accountants and auditors will arise from changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers, and other financial events. The growth of international business also has led to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules, as well as to international mergers and acquisitions. These trends should create more jobs for accountants and auditors.
As a result of accounting scandals at several large corporate companies, Congress passed legislation in an effort to curb corporate accounting fraud. This legislation requires public companies to maintain well-functioning internal controls to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their financial reporting. It also holds the company's chief executive personally responsible for falsely reporting financial information.
These changes should lead to increased scrutiny of company finances and accounting procedures and should create opportunities for accountants and auditors, particularly CPAs, to audit financial records more thoroughly. In order to ensure that finances comply with the law before public accountants conduct audits, management accountants and internal auditors increasingly will be needed to discover and eliminate fraud. Also, in an effort to make government agencies more efficient and accountable, demand for government accountants should increase.
Overall, job opportunities for accountants and auditors should be favorable. Accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition through certification or licensure should have the best job prospects. Applicants with a master's degree in accounting, or a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, also will have an advantage. In the aftermath of the accounting scandals, professional certification is even more important in order to ensure that an accountant's credentials and ethics are sound.
Proficiency in accounting and auditing computer software, or expertise in specialized areas such as: international business, specific industries, or current legislation may be helpful in landing certain accounting and auditing jobs. In addition, employers increasingly are seeking applicants with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Because many accountants work on teams with others from different backgrounds, they must be able to communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely. Regardless of one's qualifications, however, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs in major accounting firms and corporations.