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.
June 14, 2016
When chief financial officers (CFOs) in a Robert Half Management Resources survey were asked to rate the level of difficulty their jobs pose now compared to five years ago, 66 percent of respondents said their roles are more challenging today, and 30 ...
May 2, 2016
Another tax season is over, and now you can catch your breath. As a manager for a public accounting firm, you may want to take off for a well-deserved vacation. But before you go, be sure to show your hardworking staff some recognition.
April 13, 2016
The home stretch of tax season means heavy workloads and long hours for accountants. This time of year, nerves are frayed and tensions are high. It’s no walk in the park for managers either. In addition to your client load, you’ve got to keep your ...
March 14, 2016
Four years from now, Generation Z will represent more than 20 percent of the workforce. Undoubtedly, this cohort of employees — born in the 1990s — will affect your approach to staff management.
March 4, 2016
With public accounting firms facing increased competition for skilled staff, it’s more important than ever that companies take a strategic approach to recruiting and hiring. Above-average compensation packages can go a long way in helping your ...
February 8, 2016
Have you ever thanked someone for a job well done by saying, “I don’t know what we’d do without you”? Well, in a well-run public accounting firm, managers do know what they’d do if an employee left the team. They have succession plans in place. Creating contingencies for the replacement of staff members — be...…
December 2, 2015
There’s no shortage of challenges in the realm of accounting. But according to a recent Robert Half Management Resources survey, what really keeps accounting and finance professionals awake at night is staying current with changing technology.
November 3, 2015
With tax season looming, now is the time for accounting firms to ramp up their staffing strategy. Determining your needed mix of full-time and temporary professionals — before holiday time-off — will set you on a course for success come 2016.
November 2, 2015
If you can’t remember the last time you reviewed your employees’ compensation, it’s been too long. Your staff members know what they’re worth and what the local job market is paying, and so should you. At least once a year, benchmark your firm’s ...
October 19, 2015
Growth indicators for the second half of 2015 are providing a glimpse into the hiring environment for 2016, and it appears the race to attract and retain top accounting talent is only heating up.
September 10, 2015
While the benefits of greater staff autonomy typically outweigh the potential disadvantages, managers need to adjust their strategies to make things work when team members are offsite. Here are some do’s and don’ts of managing remote workers.
August 1, 2015
Accounting and finance professionals with in-demand skills are finding they have many options when it comes to job offers. This is great news for candidates. However, as a manager, you recognize a rosier hiring environment means you have to work harder...
