Paul McDonald is senior executive director at Robert Half, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. He writes and speaks frequently on hiring, workplace and career-management topics. Over the course of more than 30 years in the recruiting field, McDonald has advised thousands of company leaders and job seekers on how to hire and get hired.
September 18, 2017
Ideally, a CPA firm’s management team concentrates most of its time on ensuring clients receive the best possible service and strategizing ways to cultivate new customers. That’s the ideal scenario.
August 21, 2017
Your accounting team works hard, and everyone stays in sync most of the time. But every once in a while you wonder why certain tasks aren’t done well or why an employee seems disgruntled. The problem could be you.
July 6, 2017
To look at the costs of bad hiring decisions, a recent Robert Half study surveyed managers at small to midsize firms. Respondents said they waste an average of 45 hours to hire and onboard an employee who later doesn’t work out.
June 7, 2017
Employee communication is a vital component of your staff management plan, so it’s worth your while to step up efforts in providing staff members with the knowledge they desire. Doing so benefits you as well, as a morale booster and engagement ...
May 22, 2017
Baseball fans get excited when spring rolls around. It’s the first step of a new season — the moment when everyone sees what your team is made of. Although there are no leagues or playoffs in public accounting, managers still needs to gear up all ...
April 11, 2017
Happiness at work is more important than many managers realize. Content employees tend to be more passionate about company goals, which means stronger performance, a higher retention rate, and fewer resources spent on hiring and training.
March 22, 2017
Above-average salaries are often the key to attracting and retaining top performers. But that’s not all. A robust package also includes the top perks many accountants have come to expect — and perhaps even some they haven’t thought of yet.
February 17, 2017
It’s no secret that a robust professional development program is beneficial for accounting professionals, but managers also reap rewards when they invest in employees. Your workers become more knowledgeable, which means they’re able to contribute ...
December 13, 2016
If you’re having trouble landing highly skilled candidates, you may need to make your hiring process faster and more efficient. Here’s how:
October 19, 2016
While all generations share some characteristics and goals, millennials self-report specific values, ambitions, experiences and motivators. If you want to develop your millennial staff into finance leaders — or even to recruit and retain the best and ...
August 19, 2016
In today’s business environment, public accounting firms must be prepared to pivot with speed and agility at a moment’s notice. Changing standards and regulations, emerging technologies, and business risks are just a few of the dynamics managers must ...
July 15, 2016
Bringing back former employees can shorten the time it takes to vet candidates, as you already know much of their work history and fit with your corporate culture. As a “known quantity,” you reduce the chances of making a bad hire.
