In the face of today’s dynamic business landscape, organizations need to adapt and thrive. Benchmark Search is here to empower your company with actionable insights to navigate this challenging environment.
This month, we explore strategies to develop effective leaders, unlock the potential of your employer brand, and harness the power of employee engagement for increased productivity. Learn how to leverage surveys to understand your company culture and build a collaborative, adaptable workforce. Let’s turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Teaching Leaders to Navigate Complexity
In today’s volatile business environment, complexity offers both challenges and opportunities. Developing leaders who can confidently navigate this landscape is essential for achieving sustainable success. To cultivate effective leadership, it is important to identify and address potential blind spots. Benchmark Search’s Hiring Scorecard can be a powerful tool in this process, pinpointing areas for improvement within your leadership team and ensuring a comprehensive approach to growth.
Agile leadership development through targeted training and coaching is crucial. This approach enhances adaptability and resilience, enabling leaders to respond effectively to changing circumstances. Equally important is fostering a culture of collaboration within your organization. By creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and leveraged, you can drive innovative solutions and build a more cohesive team.
Focusing on these strategies allows you to build a leadership team that not only survives but thrives amid complexity. Empower your leaders to transform challenges into opportunities and guide your organization toward long-term success. Investing in the right tools and approaches today will ensure that your team is prepared for the uncertainties of tomorrow.
July Jobs Report Highlights
The latest U.S. jobs report signals a shift in the labor market. While still showing positive growth, the pace has moderated.
Key takeaways:
- While job growth slowed compared to previous months, it’s still positive at 114K new jobs.
- The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3%, its highest since October 2021.
- Hiring surges were led by Healthcare (+55,000), Construction (+25,000), and Transportation & Warehousing ( +14,000).
What does this mean for you? For job seekers, highlight your skills in high-demand sectors and craft a compelling narrative around your achievements. For employers, a competitive market means doubling down on attractive compensation and a strong company culture.
At Benchmark Search, we’re here to help you navigate these changing tides. Whether you’re seeking top talent or your next career move, let’s connect!
Candidate Spotlight
Controller
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and active CPA
- Excellent tenure (17 years) and professional growth with her current company
- Experienced with budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, tax compliance, team management, acquisition integrations, and leading financial audits
- Software: NetSuite, QuickBooks, Peachtree, Excel
Tax Director/Tax Senior Manager
- CPA, public accounting combo with almost 20 years of experience
- Tax Provision and Compliance experience on a global scale
- Industry experience includes oil & gas, construction, manufacturing
Senior Tax Manager
- Active CPA; MS and BBA in Accounting from SMU
- Experience includes: public tax services for clients in financial services and oil & gas, domestic and international tax compliance, budgeting, resource planning, process automation, and team/project management
- Bilingual – Spanish and English
- Software: advanced Excel user, OneSource/GoSystem, and Adobe Acrobat
Senior Tax Manager
- Master’s in Accounting from University of Texas – Austin
- Big 4 Combo, CPA
- 10+ years of experience
- Strong tax provision, compliance, M&A, and process implementation experience
Senior Manager SEC Reporting
- Active CPA with Bacheor of Commerce in Accounting
- Public Accounting (“Big 4”) / CPA / SEC Reporting (10-Ks, 10-Qs, S-4s, 8-Ks) and Investor Relations
- Experienced public company Manager responsible for month-end close of the Accounting Department, Sarbanes-Oxley controls, staff development and the relationship with external auditors
- Debt Covenant Requirements and Testing, Interest Rate Risk Management (derivatives), and Cash management (working capital)
- Technical accounting / GAAP research
Property Accounting Manager
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from UTA
- 8+ years in property accounting
- Experienced with full-cycle accounting for 8-10 properties, reclassifications, GL accounting, preparing financial packages, intercompany payments, and project accounting
- Proficient with Yardi, JDE, OneSite, Excel
Accounting Manager
- BBA in Accounting from the University of Houston
- 10+ years of experience
- Full cycle G/L experience
- Currently calculating Physicians pay-reviewing P&L’s for select Physicians
Accounting Manager/SEC Reporting
- MBA with Accounting Emphasis from Texas Woman’s University with a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting
- 7+ years of experience
- Big 4 Public combo with EY
- Currently working on CPA- passed two parts
Senior Accountant
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from UNT
- 6+ years of inventory accounting experience with metals manufacturer and supplier
- Background also includes financial reporting and budgeting
- Software: JDE, Great Plains, Peachtree, Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables)
Senior Accountant
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Major in MIS- also holds an advanced Accounting Certificate
- 10+ years of experience
- Full cycle G/L experience
Experienced Tax Associate
- Accounting Degree, CPA eligible and pursuing
- 2.5 years of experience with FORVIS Mazars
- Main focus is partnerships, pass through entities and their shareholders, individual, trust, gift tax, estate
Elevate Your Workforce With Employee Engagement Strategies
In 2024, true employee engagement goes beyond traditional perks. It’s about fostering an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and connected to the company’s mission. This translates to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a flourishing company culture.
Here’s how you can elevate employee engagement:
Building A Strong Employer Brand
Your employer brand is your reputation as an employer. It’s what attracts top talent and keeps them engaged. A strong brand creates a workplace where people feel valued and want to contribute.
Start by cultivating a company culture that reflects your core values. Make inclusivity a priority, provide opportunities for growth and recognize employee achievements. This turns your workforce into brand ambassadors who share their positive experiences with others.
In the digital age, your online presence is your storefront. Showcase your culture and values on social media, your website, and professional networks like LinkedIn. Highlight success stories and employee testimonials to attract candidates who align with your mission.
Engage your existing employees through surveys and feedback mechanisms. Use this valuable data to implement changes that improve their experience and show them you care about their well-being. Offer competitive benefits, flexible work options, and wellness programs to boost morale and retention.
Remember, a strong employer brand can reduce turnover rates by up to 28%. By investing in your employer brand, you’re investing in the future of your company.
Retaining Top Accounting Talent
Company culture isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the heart of your organization. A positive culture attracts top talent, boosts morale, and drives business results. Surveys are a powerful tool to unlock the full potential of your culture.
Why invest in understanding your company culture?
Attract and Retain Top Talent: A strong culture acts as a magnet for high performers who seek a positive and fulfilling work environment.
Enhance Employee Engagement: Engaged employees are more productive, innovative, and loyal, leading to improved performance and reduced turnover.
Drive Better Business Outcomes: A positive culture fosters collaboration, communication, and a shared sense of purpose, resulting in superior results.
By utilizing surveys to assess and refine your company culture, you gain valuable insights to create a more dynamic and successful workplace where employees thrive and your business excels.
