The First 90 Days in Your New Accounting Role

The First 90 Days in Your New Accounting Role

Mar 16, 2023 | Job Seeker Resources

Congratulations on your new accounting job! The first 90 days in a new role are critical and can determine your outcome of success. Whether you just received a promotion or are starting a new job, your friends at Accountants One want to make sure you are set up to thrive.

Here are some tips to help you succeed in your new role:

30 Days in Your New Accounting Role

The first 30 days in a new accounting role are crucial for establishing yourself and making a positive impression. Use this time to get your feet wet and put your best foot forward. Unless you’ve been hired on as a ‘hit the ground running’ contractor, a traditional direct hire / permanent position will use the first month as an introduction. You’ll get introduced to systems, processes, and people.

Here are a few best practices for the first 30 days in a new role:

1. Setting expectations: During the first 30 days, you will be setting expectations for your role and what you can contribute to the company. This is a critical time to communicate your goals, strengths, and areas of expertise.

2. Building relationships: Build relationships with your team, other departments, and external stakeholders. Creating a positive impression and building trust during this time will help you establish strong ties in your new workplace. Building positive rapport will not only set you up for long-term success but will help to boost your personal brand. Remember the quote “Branding is what other people say about you when you are not in the room” by Jeff Bezos at Amazon. How can you position yourself positively in other people’s minds?

3. Learning the company culture: Every company has its unique culture, and the first 30 days are a great time to learn about it. This includes the company’s values, communication style, and decision-making processes. Understanding the company culture will help you navigate your role more effectively.

Read and immerse yourself in training materials – Taking full advantage of the training program at your new employer is so important in setting yourself up for success. Watch training videos, read the training manual, and most importantly ask questions. Ask as many questions as your heart allows to other teams, your manager, your HR department, etc.

4. Learning the accounting processes: As an accountant, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the accounting processes and systems in place. During the first 30 days, you will have the opportunity to learn how the company’s accounting processes work and how your role fits into the bigger picture. While a role in Public Accounting may be a little more straightforward, a role in Industry accounting, may not be so learn, learn, learn!

Learn the software – You were likely hired on because of a combination of your soft skills and technical skills. You may be totally familiar with the software and technical skills needed of you to perform your job successfully or you may need training here. Take the first 30 days to ensure that you are up to speed on the software requirements and use cases.

Other Helpful Hints for the First 30 Days

Research industry topics – Find a trade publication related to your industry and read through it to keep yourself apprised of all that is going on in the industry and expand your knowledge base. Some great trade publications for Public Accounting include the Journal of Accountancy and Accounting Today.

Shadow a peer – So you’ve been doing training, learning software, performing research, and figuring out meeting styles, the next best thing to do is to shadow a peer to get a real-world example of how they work with the team, other departments, and clients.

Stay organized – Use tools such as calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to help you stay on top of your tasks and deadlines.

60 Days in Your New Accounting Role

The first 60 days in your new accounting role provide an opportunity to establish yourself as a valuable member of the team. This is the time when you’ve got the basics of the role down and are ready to expand your knowledge and grow.

Feel free to explore new avenues of your role and figure out how you can adapt your workspace to suit your specific needs.

Here are some helpful hints for the first 60 days in your role:

1. Demonstrating your value: Now that you’ve learned about communication styles, company policy, processes, and culture, the next 30 days is an ideal time to show your true value. By taking the initiative, being proactive, and contributing to the team, you can demonstrate your skills and capabilities. Don’t wait for tasks to be assigned to you. Instead, look for opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and make suggestions for improvements to processes.

2. Asking your teammates for helpful advice: Your best resource is your team. Now that you’ve developed a rapport with your team and created trust, go to your team with questions that you may have about managing through situations or a particular person on the team. There may be a similar situation that a team member has already experienced. They may be able to give you feedback about how they handled a situation at work and how it turned out for them.

3. Understanding what makes your company different: Learn more about what sets you apart from your competition. Is it CSR? Is it a special proprietary process? Is it excellent customer service? Is it your success rate in the industry? Regardless of if you are in a client-facing role or not, it is important to understand the unique branding proposition of your company. Again, clarification and understanding go back to being proactive. You will stick out as a candidate for an internal promotion once the opportunity arises.

90 Days in Your New Accounting Role

In the first 90 days of your role, you should be fully integrated into the team and have a clear schedule for your work week. Use this time to plan for your future and continue to learn as much as you can about the industry, you’re working in. Focus on your opportunities to learn and grow.

Here are some tips and tricks for the first 90 days in your role:

1. Seeking feedback: Ask for feedback from your supervisor and colleagues to understand how you can improve and continue to develop your skills. This will help you figure out what areas you should hone in your focus on. When meeting with your manager, it is important to focus on skills-based coaching. It is important to remember to be open to constructive criticism. This will help improve your performance.

2. Staying up-to-date: Keep up-to-date with accounting standards, regulations, and industry trends. Attend training courses, read relevant publications and blogs to enhance your knowledge and skills. Take advantage of any training opportunities or professional development programs available to you either inside or outside of work.

3. Joining a networking group: We’ve all heard the saying before ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know.’ Networking is powerful and there are many local networking groups in Atlanta that you can take full advantage of. Joining the GSCPA, 40 Under 40, AICPA, AFWA, and SHRM is a great way to meet individuals who may be able to help you expand your network and advance your opportunities.

4. Forecasting your future: Taking time for self-reflection and personal inventory is crucial to close out the first 90 days in your new role. Take time to journal or think through a series of questions:

  1. What do I like most about my role?
  2. What are my strengths?
  3. What are my weaknesses?
  4. What are resources/tools I can use for improvement?
  5. Is this a company I want to grow my career with?

These types of questions will help you determine your satisfaction with the role and will set you up for long-term career goals.

Remember that success takes time and effort. With dedication, hard work, and a positive attitude, you can thrive in your new accounting job. We hope the first 90 days in your new accounting role go well. Good luck!

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How To Evaluate a Job Offer

How To Evaluate a Job Offer

Nov 14, 2022 | Job Seeker Resources

When you’re in the often unenviable role of “job seeker”, you’re so eager to prove you’re everything a potential employer could want, it’s easy to neglect what YOU want.

Of course, before we can seek what we truly want in a job, we first must define it for ourselves.  So, how can you best evaluate a job offer to ensure it will lead to long-term career satisfaction?

While it may be tempting to jump at an offer that feels like it meets your financial needs, there’s a lot more to a rewarding role than the size of a paycheck.  In fact, today candidates are asking for a lot more from the companies interested in them.

Let’s look at how to best approach a new opportunity to ensure that you’ll land somewhere that fulfills what matters to you most:

1) Do Your Research

First, research the prospective company with the same deep dive they’re likely taking in learning about you.  Explore their website and their social media pages so you can understand their vision, their mission, and their culture.  Do their values align with yours?  In what ways do they speak of valuing their employees?  If you could describe the company’s “personality” in one sentence, what would that be? 

You’ll also want to consider how well-established the business is, and what kind of influence you will have on the company itself.  It’s worth exploring questions about your specific role:  Will you be doing a variety of tasks or taking more of a deep dive into a particular skill set?  Is it a culture that encourages learning and development of your skills?

These are questions that may not be answered by a simple Google search, so the next step in ensuring your job satisfaction involves action that is a bit more tactical.

2) Perform a Company Reference Call

Just as a business will reach out to your references to get a sense of who you are and how well you fulfill their needs, you can do the same with the company.  Performing a company reference call is an effective step in understanding what an organization is really like.

Visit LinkedIn and seek out former employees who might be willing to briefly share their insights with you about their time there.  Ask questions, such as:

  • What is the potential for upward growth?
  • Is the organization flat or hierarchal?
  • How many layers are there between you and your ideal role?
  • What is the turnover like?
  • Do people like working there?
  • What is the culture like: do employees hang out with each other, or do they just do their jobs and go home?
  • How do they celebrate holidays/special occasions in the workplace?

Questions such as these tell a lot about the work environment which you’re considering entering and can help you make a more well-informed decision about where you’re planning to spend 40+ hours each week for the foreseeable future.

3) Ask Your Recruiter

Next, you can talk to your recruiter, asking them to share what they know about the company’s culture and what the day-to-day work environment is like.  Recruiters often have a rich awareness of the businesses they are supporting and want nothing more than to create an ideal match.  So, a conversation with your recruiter may just give you the insights you need to make a final decision.  Again, ask questions that get to the heart of what matters most to you, such as:

  • What have employees said about working there?
  • What kind of employee tends to be most successful?
  • What do I need to look out for?
  • What is the dynamic between management and employees?
  • How would you describe the company culture?
  • How would you describe management’s leadership style?

Of course, you may have other questions as well, including what the company values, what perks they offer their employees, and what feedback the recruiters have heard from others who they’ve helped onboard at the organization.

4) Ask Your Interviewer Qualifying Questions

Finally, when it’s time for the big interview, think of it as a two-way street.  Your interviewer will be asking you a healthy list of questions about yourself, and you should be prepared to do the same with them.  In fact, they’d be disappointed if you didn’t come in with some qualifying questions.  After all, they want someone who is curious, ambitious, and eager to find a good fit for themselves.  Here are some potential questions for your interviewer or the hiring manager:

  • What would an average work week look like?
  • What about a busy one?
  • What kind of people are successful here?
  • What do you personally like about working here?
  • What’s something you hope will change about the business in the near future?
  • What advice would you give someone who is interested in working here?

Final Words

As you can see, there are a lot of steps involved to truly evaluate a job offer on a cultural and technical level.  One more step – perhaps, in fact, the first one to take – is to talk to Accountants One about your aspirations.

We’re a business made up of talented recruiters who truly care about your career journey.  We’re good listeners who are invested in helping you discover what matters most to you and then matching you with a role that helps bring those goals to fruition.  Think of us as trusted career partners who value people and their passions.  In fact, that’s OUR passion:  connecting you with a role that will allow you to thrive.  We’re here to help you find AND qualify for job opportunities so you can curate the career you desire.

#1 Trusted Resource for Accounting & Finance Talent

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Contract Employment: What’s the difference between W-2 and 1099

Contract Employment: What’s the difference between W-2 and 1099

Jul 5, 2022 | Job Seeker Resources

What is the difference between W-2 and 1099 contracting?

Great question! While most of our contractors are under the W-2 umbrella, some contractors do opt to work as 1099 workers instead. Here is a quick breakdown of the two options if you are considering contracting through Accountants One.

W-2 Employee

W-2 is the tax form used to report an employee’s annual income. As a W-2 employee, you have payroll taxes automatically deducted from your paycheck and your employer pays the government directly. W-2 employees are eligible for healthcare benefits and even 401k programs after an initial new hire wait period.

Benefits of Being a W-2 Employee

  • Healthcare benefits, once eligible
  • Company 401k program, once eligible
  • No additional tax-related paperwork

1099 Independent Contractor

1099 is the tax form issued to an independent contractor to show how much you were paid for the year. 1099 contractors are responsible for calculating their own payroll taxes and submitting the sum to the government on a quarterly basis. Most 1099 contractors need to pay for their own healthcare benefits and retirement planning.  If you don’t have time to do your own taxes, we recommend consulting with a CPA who can help you stay on track financially.

Benefits of Being a 1099 Independent Contractor

  • Ability to deduct expenses on tax returns
  • Able to manage and control tax deductions
  • Higher earning potential

Are you ready to learn more about open contract positions?

Whether you want to be a 1099 contractor or a W2 contractor, Accountants One has resources to help!

At Accountants One, we understand the value of contracting, both for our clients and our candidates.  Whether your passion is working as a true contractor or more of a temp-for-hire, we’re here to help. We put the same care and passion into placing contract workers as we do direct hire roles.

We’ll support your journey with a track record that offers you peace of mind. Our placement contract success rate has never dropped below 80% and is consistently at least 20% higher than the industry average.

So, if contracting is something you’ve been considering, or you’ve already committed to the notion, let’s chat!  We’d love to hear learn more about your aspirations. Reach out to an Accountants One Recruiter directly or check out our open positions.

“I’ve worked with Accountants One as a W-2 employee, and I’ve worked with them as a 1099 employee. In both cases, I found them helpful and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!”

Accountants One W-2 and 1099 Contractor

Are you ready to learn more about open contract positions?

Whether you want to be a 1099 contractor or a W2 contractor, Accountants One has resources to help!

At Accountants One, we understand the value of contracting, both for our clients and our candidates.  Whether your passion is working as a true contractor or more of a temp-for-hire, we’re here to help. We put the same care and passion into placing contract workers as we do direct hire roles.

We’ll support your journey with a track record that offers you peace of mind. Our placement contract success rate has never dropped below 80% and is consistently at least 20% higher than the industry average.

So, if contracting is something you’ve been considering, or you’ve already committed to the notion, let’s chat!  We’d love to hear learn more about your aspirations. Reach out to an Accountants One Recruiter directly or check out our open positions.

The Case For Contracting: Flexibility? Autonomy? What’s Not To Love?

At Accountants One, we understand the value of contracting, both for our clients and our candidates.  Whether your passion is working as a true contractor or more of a temp-for-hire, we’re here to help.

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The Case For Contracting: Flexibility? Autonomy? What’s Not To Love?

The Case For Contracting: Flexibility? Autonomy? What’s Not To Love?

Mar 8, 2022 | Job Seeker Resources

March 7, 2022

Many of us grew up watching parents whose ambition was to set their career course with a single company.  Get the job, the benefits, and eventually, the gold watch for retiring after decades of service to one organization.

But in the 21st century, where the gig economy has overtaken the gold watch mentality, many job candidates have a different view of what a thriving career looks like.  They value opportunities to set their own schedule, be their own boss, and chart their own course. 

Contracting work provides a viable and varied path for those whose entrepreneurial spirit calls them to balance income with independence.

If the notion of making yourself available as a contractor has you curious, here are some things to consider in weighing whether it is the right path for you: 

Flexible Schedule

Long before Dolly Parton sang about the rigors of working 9-to-5, it was considered the default expectation of most office workers.  Today, however, many companies recognize the value in giving workers flex-time schedules, and contractors are often greeted with the maxim of, “as long as you get the work done on schedule, you can set your own hours to get it done.”

This means you can spend quality time with family, take a half-day hike, or sleep in a bit and still hit your deadlines without anyone grousing about your ‘out of office’ status for a couple of hours mid-afternoon.  This means healthy work/life boundaries.  This means greater productivity while you are on the clock.   If these things matter to you, consider contracting a winning proposition.

Working Remotely

Remote work was already rising in popularity pre-2020, but the past two years of pandemic life have helped companies discover the vast possibilities and benefits of having a work-from-home option.  Contractors are already at the forefront of this movement, as many contracting roles are not designed to involve a lot of onsite engagement.  This means hours saved each week battling traffic (and dollars saved on gas!).  It means working from the comfort of your own home.  Heck, it means working barefoot if you want!  So, if you’ve got the discipline to get your work done in the comfy surroundings of home, this is another check in the win column for contracting.

Broaden Your Horizons

Of course, contracting isn’t just about freedom and flexibility.  It’s also an opportunity to broaden your horizons by engaging with a variety of companies on an array of projects.  You’ll gain fresh insights, make new connections, and get to sample industries and environments that might help you determine your next career move.   You’ll actually strengthen your resume and enhance your skills while exploring the possibilities available to you.

For some job candidates, contracting is a temporary step toward a greater plan; it’s the Whitman’s Sampler Box of work scenarios, as you complete one assignment and decide whether you want to move on to the next, or dig in where you are. 

Staying In The Mix

If you’re between full-time opportunities, contracting is a great way to keep cash flowing in and good karma flowing all around.  Employers are often impressed by the enterprising spirit of a candidate who has proactively sought contracting work to stay fresh and busy between full-time engagements.  Of course, often the best job resource is the very company you’re contracting with, who may be so impressed with your work that they offer you the opportunity to apply for a more permanent role with them, should it be available.

Needless to say, for your own benefit, the assurance of a paycheck coming in is a weight off your own shoulders.  So, if you feel you can actively seek your next full-time role while balancing a contracting opportunity, you might find the effort more than worth it.

Speaking of Paychecks…

While there’s no hard, fast rule here, contractors at many companies often make a good deal more than the organization’s full-time employees.  That’s because they can modulate your scope of work, so they know what they are getting for what they are paying out.  But it’s also because they aren’t paying for your healthcare benefits, sick leave, or vacation time.  If that sounds appealing to you, contracting work may just “pay off” for you.

The Boss of Me

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there’s a mindset that comes with contracting work.  You are, ultimately, your own boss.   Yes, once you go under contract for a project or a timeframe with a company, you need to abide by your agreement, but unlike most full-time employment situations, you can say “no” to projects that don’t fit your needs.  That ‘need’ maybe around your schedule or your desired career path, but either way, you can simply say, “no thank you, but please keep me in mind next time.”    Most people who contract feel a greater sense of agency, autonomy, and independence.  That often translates into being more invested in getting the job done right for the client.  You’re happier because of your work conditions, and you’re compelled to ensure the client is equally happy with your performance.  There’s that karma again. 

Wanna Contract?  We’ve Got Your Back

At Accountants One, we understand the value of contracting, both for our clients and our candidates.  Whether your passion is working as a true contractor or more of a temp-for-hire, we’re here to help. We put the same care and passion in placing contract workers as we do full-time roles. 

We’ll support your journey with a track record that offers you peace of mind. Our placement contract success rate has never dropped below 80% and is consistently at least 20% higher than the industry average.

So, if contracting is something you’ve been considering, or you’ve already committed to the notion, let’s talk.  We’d love to hear learn more about your aspirations.

#1 Trusted Resource for Accounting & Finance Talent

​

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The Power of Purpose in Your Work

The Power of Purpose in Your Work

Nov 18, 2021 | Job Seeker Resources

 

November 18, 2021

“What am I even doing here?”

“Am I just on auto-pilot?”

“Why do I feel so…stuck?”

If one or more of these questions have bounced around your brain at work recently, you’re not alone.  More and more, employees are expressing a sense of malaise.  A recent New York Times article refers to this feeling of aimlessness as “languishing”, a limbo state that keeps us hovering in the discomforting ether, somewhere between thriving and depression.

Chalk it up to pandemic exhaustion, threats to our individual and collective mental well-being, or just good old-fashioned dissatisfaction, more and more people are feeling stagnant, both in their personal and professional lives.

What’s missing?  In our recent interviews with accounting and finance professionals – at every level – we are hearing the same thing: a sense of purpose.

We work, and we may do exceptional work, but when we log out for the day, many of us are not feeling like we’ve contributed to the greater good.  What that looks like varies from person to person. We needn’t be personally responsible for some grand, global initiative to feel like we’re making a difference. Most of us simply want to know what we do matters, more than a paycheck, more than a glowing midyear review, even more than “customer satisfaction”.  We want to leave the world a slightly better place for having been here, and we want to let what that feels like resonate inside us.

This quest for purpose is showing up in how employees evaluate their career choices, workplace, and strategic employment moves.  Accountants One recently polled over 100 Accounting and Finance individuals on LinkedIn and found that 45%, the majority of our respondents, agreed that culture and mission are what make an organization stand out, versus 31% who said compensation and benefits were the defining.

Additionally, many employees have traversed the pandemic only to discover that they were missing a quality of life that is more valuable to them than other benefits.   Work from home options and flexibility around hours have become a perk that has grown into an expectation for job seekers and existing employees alike.  For so many, the pandemic served as an existential reckoning, a time to evaluate what matters most.  We woke up to the notion that we wanted more from life than our work, and we wanted our work to feed our lives.  We were – and are – hungry for purpose.

While some may go to great lengths, such as a complete career change, to connect with that sense of purpose, it may be as simple as recalibrating your work in your existing field.   One way many of us quantify our work is by defining the value we bring to an organization.  But what about qualifying the values you bring instead?  When we explore the principles that define us and the ones we aspire to, we create more space for what matters in our work.  It stops being a job and becomes the calling we (hopefully) once felt it was.

  • How are you helping others?
  • How are you enriching your tiny corner of the world?
  • How is the company you work for showing up for its employees, customers, and communities?

Questions like these will help you forge a path toward greater purpose with your work.

Of course, sometimes perspective isn’t enough.  Sometimes we must change the way we work.  This might mean delegating certain tasks to make room for more meaningful aspects of your job.  It might mean taking a different approach with clients to explore how you can create mutual fulfillment.   You may also find that taking the lead on a company initiative – a fundraiser for a charity, the sponsoring of an event – might help you better align with your values at work.

At times, a more substantial change is needed.  Perhaps your work environment isn’t inspiring you to embrace your truest values and you are ready for a new opportunity.  Or maybe you’re already looking for that next job and want to be certain you align your profession with your purpose.  We get it.  Accountants One recognizes that, for many people, job satisfaction doesn’t come from a bump in pay.  We’re here to help you with that search, and more.  Accountants One exists to help career counsel and collaborate as a trusted career partner.  We want to help you feel good about the work you do each day, and we’ll help you explore the market to find the career that aligns with your highest priorities.  That’s our purpose.  We’re excited to learn more about yours.

Ready to meet with a trusted career partner?

If you’d like to speak with a team member about finding purpose in your work, please get in touch.

 

Email clientservices@accountantsone.com to get started with Accountants One today.

Going for That Awesome Job in Finance? Here’s How to Nail the Interview

Going for That Awesome Job in Finance? Here’s How to Nail the Interview

Aug 10, 2021 | Job Seeker Resources

August 10, 2021

Landing the finance job of your dreams can be tough — it’s a competitive career field. While job experience, professional and academic accomplishments, and your additional skills will get you in the door, it’s the interview that will help you stand apart from other qualified candidates. Accountants One offers the following guidance on how to impress in this crucial phase of the hiring process.

Make sure you look great on paper first

While this technically isn’t an interview tip, you don’t want to put yourself behind the eight ball before you even sit down in front of a hiring manager. You must do everything you can to put yourself in a situation where a good interview seals the deal for you.

One tip is to start work on your chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation or to achieve your bachelor’s in accounting to become a CPA. This is important for a career in finance, and a CFA or BSACC will help you stand out.

Equally as important is putting time and energy into constructing a great resume and cover letter. Those two elements show not just your work or internship experience, but also serve to highlight your accomplishments and goals.

How you dress and present yourself matters

Presentation, image, and dress (especially in the field of accounting and finance) are very important to employers. Often, financial professionals have to speak with stakeholders and make presentations to upper-level management. Dress sharp and be confident during your interview.

Indeed.com lists some very helpful tips on planning your wardrobe for the interview. Your choice of outfit also helps you stand out from other candidates. To help with this, Forbes suggests adding a subtle flair to your interview outfit. This could be something that represents your culture, or who you are as a person, including a piece of jewelry, a lapel pin, or a unique necktie. It’s also a good conversation starter.

Don’t go in empty-handed

Want to be more prepared than other applicants interviewing for the same position? Don’t come empty-handed (if you have an in-person interview). Bring at least five copies of your resume and cover letter, as you never know how many people will be sitting in on your interview. You should also have a detailed list of references ready to hand out. You’ll get extra points for anticipating the interviewers’ needs — even if they haven’t asked yet!

Prepare and then prepare some more

Lack of preparation is evident in a lot of interviews. To avoid this costly mistake and make sure your interview goes smoothly, we recommend preparing and practicing. Do a good bit of research on the company to show your interest, prepare questions for your interviewer, and recite your answers out loud. 

With that in mind, your first step is to study common interview questions and prepare succinct answers in advance. Be sure to ask questions regarding company culture, values, how you’ll fit in, your day-to-day responsibilities, and if there are opportunities for advancement. These questions will show that you have thought about a career, and not just a job, with the company you are interviewing for.

The interview is perhaps the most important part of the hiring process. It allows the hiring manager to get a feel for who you are and how you articulate work stories. Show your ability to creatively problem-solve. Tell the interviewer about a time you overcame a challenge with your team. Explain your motivators, your work style.

Nail the interview and you have a good chance of landing that dream job in finance.

Are you looking for your dream job in accounting or finance? Then get started with Accountants One today. You’ll get up-to-date information on all the latest job listings, helping to narrow your search for the perfect role.