Monday, December 3, 2007

Phoenix, AZ Jobs Update

This, just in from Area Manager, Michelle Marrs and Branch Manager, Daria Frye on the state of the Phoenix marketplace.

The Phoenix Contract Market is busy as it always is this time of year.

With the year end in site Phoenix businesses are scrambling for contract help on all levels. Pay rates are becoming more reasonable for a market that is no longer on the C-level due to our cost of living. Specifically, the end of year overloads are bringing lots of temporary needs for accounting personnel and the tourist season is opening up the need for additional staff in both the administrative and accounting arena. We have not only the Super Bowl in early 2008 but also the TPC – Phoenix Open Golf tournament.

Phoenix is striding purposefully to a year-end high for contract employees

Seattle, Wa Jobs Update

This, just in from Executive Search Director, John Herd, on the state of the Seattle marketplace.

Seattle continues to see a strong hiring market fueled my our diverse economy. We are fortunate that if one area slows down such as timber and financial institutions our high-tech wireless, aerospace and retail are able to pickup and flex. Specifically we are seeing more senior level financial roles coming available along with the usual demand for staff and senior accountants. More and more companies continue to put an emphasis on having a CPA and few of our clients have even gone as far to require all degreed accountants to be a licensed CPA.

This demand has been great for salaries across the board. It should be a great time to be an accountant…

Silicon Valley Jobs Update

This, just in from our Silicon Valley manager, Staci Birkendahl, on the state of things in Silicon Valley.

Regardless of what’s going on in the California real estate market or the stock market it sure is a good time to be looking for a job in Accounting or Finance in Silicon Valley. Hiring has been a-plenty this year. We have seen a sharp increase in job opportunities across the board—contract and direct hire. The candidate pool is tight, unemployment is low, so those interviewing are experiencing hiring managers moving very rapidly, they are seeing multiple offers, and sign on bonuses are very much a part of the ‘deal’ now-a-days. Our contract division has been very busy; they have specifically seen a high demand for more of the specialized positions, meaning those that were eliminated in a weaker employment market. Specifically, Software Revenue and Cost Accounting are skills that are highly sought after. These positions are once again being carved off the Sr. Accountants desk and companies are adding headcount for these specialties. Of course the demand is overwhelming for any level of SEC and SOX/Audit in this ever-changing “Sarbanes-Oxley/control ridden” environment!! Overall, we are seeing that salaries are on the rise, especially if you are a Big 4 CPA!!