Being a manager isn’t easy. The technical skills a person relies on early in their career don’t always translate into the core skills needed to lead others. If they did, anyone could be promoted and adored by their employees. Of course, we know that’s not the case; toxic managers walk among us. Usually, a workspace stress is the direct result of having an ineffective leader. Take a look at these four types of toxic bosses you may encounter in your career. We’ve also provided some strategies for dealing with each. The Micromanager The sign of micromanager is that they closely monitor every elem ..read more

We’ve all been there – the anticipated job interview. You landed the interview and now it’s time to talk about your accomplishments, right? Half true. While interviewers want to know why you’re the best candidate for the position, they also want to understand how your behavioural patterns and personality will impact company culture and objectives. There is no way to know exactly what questions you’ll be asked, although there are a handful that are likely to pop up. Impress your interviewer by learning how to answer the 5 good interview questions with confidence: why are you leaving your curren ..read more

Technical Accounting – What is it? The term “technical accounting” refers to the execution, analysis, and oversight of accounting systems within specific corporate contexts. While any accountant should be well-versed in general accounting theory, a technical accountant is required to demonstrate additional competence in the execution of booking transactions within accounting systems, understanding how those transactions will affect the accounting system, and properly assessing whether a transaction is properly entered and generating accurate output. A technical accountant should be able to rev ..read more

In the age of COVID-19, the notion of working virtually has become so commonplace it is almost clichéd to even discuss it as somehow novel or noteworthy, but in the world of the CPA, the move to working beyond the office is neither new nor easy. CPAs face significant issues when taking their efforts outside their corporate walls. Rise of the Virtual CPA The idea of the virtual CPA is hardly new. Many CPA firms had remote capabilities dating as far back as the 1970s, with modems dialing directly into office networks. Those relied on centralized systems housed in LAN rooms at CPA firm offices wi ..read more

Figuring out what to wear to a job interview can be one of the most stressful decisions you make during your career search. Lucky for you, we’re here to help. Our Dress for Success infographic details the Do’s and Don’t of the much anticipated interview outfit. Give yourself a leg up (or a foot in); check it out. What to Wear to an Interview Why should you Dress for Success? Because a job interview is an audition! When you’re interviewing for an accounting or finance position, it’s important that you’re dressed for the part. What to Wear to an Interview: Women Of course what you wear ..read more

Accounting Skills – Which are the Most Important? The job market for accounting professionals is hot. But if you want to land the best jobs, you need to demonstrate the in-demand accounting skills that make you the perfect fit. It’s not all about technical accounting skills. Accounting managers can teach good people the basics of Excel, bank reconciliations, and software, but accounting soft skills may be more elusive. To ensure you’ve always got options, these are the top accounting skills you need to master: Information Technology Digital Competency Communication Decision Making Conscientiou ..read more

Every tax season is unique. It seems as though every year has a few new tax rules or technologies to navigate, but 2020 will likely go down in the record books due to its changing tax deadlines, new rules, loans, and stimulus payments. And if those challenges weren’t enough, companies were navigating all of it with a record number of employees working from home. What should we expect as we approach this new tax season? Here are some trends we’re seeing. Tax changes will make for an interesting filing season A few years ago, tax reform made sweeping changes to the U.S. income tax code ..read more

Tax season is synonymous for most accounting professionals with long hours and stressful days. For the willing, it’s time to change that reality! Here are’s five ways to see the light of day, and at the end of the tunnel, during Tax Season 2021. Here are five ways for work balance during tax season 1.Technology will keep your brain sane If you think data entry, manual address updates, or jumping in and out of databases is the bane of your tax season existence, then you’re probably right. That might sound daunting to some, but the  good news is that should be a thing of the past.  Not ..read more

Ask Yourself, “Am I a Workaholic?” We often wear workaholism as a badge of honor in our culture. People who put in long hours, including evenings and weekends, are often seen as smart, ambitious and entrepreneurial. But a workaholic lifestyle has its downsides. Workaholics tend to take on more work than they can effectively handle and are more disorganized than people who can disconnect from work. Being committed to your job is a good quality, but there is a difference between having a strong work ethic and being a workaholic. Here’s how to tell if you’ve crossed that line with these ..read more

This edition of Accounting Illustrated provides the top ten tips for becoming a better finance or accounting manger. To get these tips, we polled entry and mid-level candidates to find out what they look for in an efficient, effective and successful manager. Watch the video below to learn how to become a more effective manager. How to Be a Good Finance Manager: 10 Tips Be sure to follow these ten tips to become a better financial manager. Improve communication skills and be transparent. To be the most effective manager that you can be, it is vital to have open lines of communication with your ..read more