Andrews & Cole, LLC
accounting and finance search and consulting
 Greetings!
For some of us, as the summer begins, our thoughts shift from year end and busy season to vacation and time with our families and friends. For others though, July means second quarter close and related filings or possibly even year end. Whether you're a hiring manager or a potential job seeker, resist the temptation to take the summer off from your search - the summer months may actually be an ideal time to move forward, especially if you have a partner doing the leg work for you!
Welcome to Volume I of A&C Search, the monthly e-newsletter from Andrews & Cole, LLC. At one time or another, we are all either "candidates" actively looking to make a job change or passively interested in knowing what's going on in the market, as well as "hiring managers", looking to fill an open position in our department or strategically add bench strength for future growth. A&C Search will provide valuable information to you, regardless of what hat you're wearing on a given day. The accounting and finance employment market has experienced rapid growth and continues to change on a monthly basis. Our information and knowledge is up-to-the-minute and is based on our constant contact with hiring managers and candidates, from CFO's to Senior Accountants. Let us know what you're looking for or what you don't have ready access to on your own. If we don't know it, we'll find it!
Search of the Month 
Looking for challenging work in a more relaxed setting? Want to work in an established, yet dynamic and growing international company with sharp people?
Our client is a Reston-Herndon based services company looking for a Manager of Financial Reporting. Applicant will oversee the world-wide consolidation, all internal management and external financial reporting, and assist with acquisitions. 4-8 years public accounting or corporate SEC reporting experience and CPA or parts. Compensation includes base, incentive bonus, and excellent benefits. Great Toll Road location!
Email us now to find out more and scan below to see additional searches.
Candidate's Corner
Don't Take a Vacation From Opportunity
 The summer can be an excellent time to find a new opportunity. Companies continue to hire, knowing that, even though things may marginally slow down in June, July and August, the Fall will bring new challenges and high expectations for the following year. Your competition may be somewhat lighter, as well. Some key myths explored:
1. I have a vacation coming up and couldn't start a new job, then take time off. Most hiring managers understand that, at this point, you already have your vacation planned and can work around your schedule if it's discussed in advance.
2. I want to wait for my raise/bonus/promotion. Some of these issues need to be explored on a case-by-case basis, but oftentimes, we can take into account your upcoming raise and bonus in the compensation package you receive from a new employer. With regards to the promotion, it may depend on your long term goals whether it's worth staying for. If you can get the title now, it may be worth the move.
3. I want to take it easy over the summer and look in the Fall. Great idea in theory, but difficult in practice. If you're very selective and choosy about what you're looking for, there's no guarantee that type of opportunity will be available in September or October, and, if you're in public accounting you run the risk of it running into busy season-who has time to look then?
CANDIDATE QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Dear A&C:I don't know if accounting is still for me. How can I make a career change?
A&C: If you are considering getting out of accounting, you may have several options, but be prepared-they may not pay as well for several reasons: 1) The accounting employment market, especially for CPA's, is very strong and is paying higher than many other professions. 2) You are worth more to a company when you have experience in a specific area. Making a career change may mean having to take an entry level position (along with an entry level salary). To switch careers, you may actually need to go back to school, for a clean break. And, even if you are willing to accept a lower salary, a company may not consider a senior level person for an entry level job.
NETWORK!!! The best way to make a career change is to work your network: former co-workers, colleagues, and bosses, even friends and family, may be your best shot. People who know you personally are generally more willing to take a leap of faith in your potential to succeed at something new.
LOOKING FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP? CONSIDER SALES. You can apply the work ethic, organizational skills, and detailed approach you've developed, to get into a field that's more people-oriented and that compensates you more in line with the effort you put forth. It's not for everyone, but may be something to consider. Many successful CPA's have gone on to become financial planners and executive recruiters.
BEFORE YOU JUMP SHIP: Remember that there are positives and negatives to every job. Try to avoid romanticizing other careers (like owning a coffee shop or being a personal trainer). It may be a better fit than what you're doing now and if it's your dream, you should consider pursuing it. However think long and hard before you get off the track you've established for yourself. I always think of the movie "Any Given Sunday," where Matthew Modine is the team doctor for an NFL franchise. It sounds like an awesome job (especially if you love sports!), until you see the ethical dilemmas he faces every day.
Yes, it's fiction, but it's a good lesson to keep in mind:there are pros and cons to every job. It may instead be more effective to find an opportunity with a strong corporate culture and work-life balance, which provides for more free time to spend time with your family, pursue hobbies or volunteer.
Hiring Manager's Corner
Q&A with A&C
 Dear A&C: I've called 5 search firms, but can't don't get any good candidates. Why?
A&C: It's counter-intuitive, but you may actually be hurting yourself and your chances of finding a top candidate by reaching out to so many firms:
1. If you are working on a contingency basis, the firms think or know that their chances of filling the position are lower than if you are using them exclusively, so they consciously or subconsciously focus on searches that they feel they have a better shot of filling.
2. A feeding frenzy mentality develops where a contingency firm wants to be the first firm of record for a given candidate and doesn't bother screening and/or clearing candidates on your positions. Other, more thorough firms know their competition works this way, and don't want to get involved in having to be "first" and doing a poor job of it.
3. Candidates get multiple calls from various firms and wonder why a company is so desperate to fill the position
4. Examine your hiring process. Is it "recruiter-friendly?" What is the role of your internal HR or recruiting department? Do you provide feedback on candidates you're not interested in? Do you respond in a timely manner? If a recruiter does not receive feedback, it's hard for him to want to discuss your opportunity with other potential candidates or to motivate his team to recruit and match for your position above all others
5. Examine your job description. Does it provide enough detail? Too much detail and company-specific terminology? Is there any information about the department and the company? Is there information on why someone would want this job?
What can you do? For either positions that require the most highly sought after skill sets or are very specific (industry, credentials, specific areas within accounting, finance, and tax), many of our clients have moved to paying a retainer or partial retainer, even for senior accountants and managers. By paying a retainer, you receive several benefits: 1) Development of position description and qualifications. 2)Guaranteed results. 3)Exclusivity of presented candidates. 4)Ownership of the recruitment list for the position. 5)Possibly, better terms: a lower fee, better guarantee period, and/or payment terms. Call us to discuss your specific situation and what can be done to fill your toughest searches.
July Polls
Email us and tell us which is most important to you
CANDIDATE POLL QUESTION: WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT 
WHEN MAKING A JOB CHANGE?
- Compensation
- Work life balance
- Challenging work
- Growth Potential of the company
- Stability of the company
- Professional growth for yourself
- Proximity to home
- Corporate culture
- Benefits package
- Strong Mentor
Email us your response
HIRING MANAGER POLL QUESTION: WHICH TRAIT IS MOST IMPORTANT WHEN HIRING A MANAGER LEVEL CANDIDATE?
- Technical Accounting Skills
- Management Skills
- Operational accounting skills
- Public accounting experience
- GPA
- Specific industry experience
- Communication skills
- System skills
- Process improvement experience
- Presentation/Image
Email us your response
Results will be posted in our next issue of A&C Search.
A Selection of Current Searches 
 FEATURED CLIENT #1 $1 billion financial services company located inside the beltway in Virginia; publicly held; growing/dynamic environment. 1) CONTROLLER (DIVISIONAL) - Great career opportunity Oversee accounting and analysis for all fixed income trading activities, specializing in mortgage-related instruments. Tremendous opportunity with a growing company that compensates based on performance · Qualifications: CPA (R); 7-12 years experience in accounting for financial/investment instruments. 2) SENIOR TAX ACCOUNTANT Growing department! Gain exposure to both planning and compliance issues, and see the entire tax process from start to finish. · Qualifications: 3-6 years experience in public or corporate tax; CPA or parts.
FEATURED CLIENT #2 Company is a $50 million media company; privately held. Very professional, positive corporate culture. Owner has a history of building strong companies. 1) CONTROLLER Oversee all accounting, finance, reporting, budgeting, some taxes. Reports to a Director of Finance (top finance person). Great operational exposure. · Qualifications: 5-12 years experience public and/or corporate accounting; CPA required. 2) SENIOR ACCOUNTANT & STAFF ACCOUNTANT OPENINGS, TOO
FEATURED CLIENT # 3 DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - Good hours; great benefits! · $5 million services company based in downtown DC. Company is growing. Environment is professional, yet casual. Report to COO. Oversee one staff; 50% of position is overseeing all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting. 50% is handling HR, IT, facilities, insurance. Great exposure, with a track to CFO, but also very hands on. · Qualifications: 4-8 years straight Big 4 or combo; CPA or parts required.
FEATURED CLIENT #4 DC; $300m division of a Fortune 100 company in the media/entertainment industry. 1) ASSISTANT CONTROLLER Great career opportunity. Oversee all process accounting and financial reporting; interact w/ parent company for reporting and audit purposes. · Qualifications: 8-15 years experience; public/corporate combo; CPA required. 2) Manager, Accounting Controls and Compliance: Assist Controller with special projects including Sarbanes Oxley compliance, implementation of accounting policy, and process improvement/reengineering. · Qualifications: 4-8 years public accounting experience, CPA.
FEATURED CLIENT #5 $4 billion publicly held company based in Northern VA; compounded growth of 100% over past 5 years; great balance sheet; great corp culture; good work life balance. 1) FINANCIAL ANALYST/SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST · Position: Operational financial analysis. Act as CFO for several profit centers, work with business unit heads to provide financial support and ultimately assist with decision making. · Qualifications: 5+ years Big 4 and CPA; or MBA and strong corporate FP&A experience. 2) SENIOR IT AUDITOR: Client will consider financial auditor looking to move to IT audit.
OTHER SEARCHES: Senior Manager, Financial Reporting, Rockville; Senior Accountants, Bethesda, DC, Nothern VA.
LOOKING TO RELOCATE? We have local contacts in New York, Boston, Charlotte, Raleigh, Tampa, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Houston, Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco.
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