Tag: General Resources

Within this General section, you’ll find a curated collection of posts that seamlessly combine the latest in employment trends with invaluable advice, giving you a well-rounded perspective on the ever-evolving world of accounting and finance.

5 Ways to Overcome Stress at Work

It’s time to take back control of your workday. Stress can easily curb your productivity — but only if you let it. Here are 5 steps to help overcome stress at work, so you can make the most of your nine to five.

1. Prioritize

You don’t have to be a list person to understand the importance of prioritizing. Life is messy and this is true in our professional lives, too. Learn to deconstruct the chaos. What needs to get done first? What can wait?  Breaking down the project or problem into itemized tasks of importance can help make the impossible seem doable.

2. Learn to Say No

Setting boundaries is key to maintaining your mental and emotional health. People-pleasers and overachievers, take note — it’s OK to say no sometimes. Know your limits and work to delegate or manage the workload realistically. This can also apply to after-office engagements or social plans. Any time you can put toward self-care or completing items on your to-do list can lessen the stress in all areas of your life.

3. Get Up and Move

There’s a lot of scientific data out there that illustrates the negative impact sitting behind a computer screen all day has on your well-being. That’s not as important here. We’re talking about the immediate, stress-reducing effects you can feel by breaking up your sedentary situation throughout the day. Take a brief walk around your building; spend time outside if the weather permits. Even standing up and performing a quick stretch by your work station can help loosen up the body, increase blood flow and release mood-boosting endorphins.

4. Find a Friend

Generally speaking, human beings are social creatures. Leaning on your peers for support, insight or even a friendly break can give your mind a much needed pause — allowing you to take a moment, reflect and approach the stressor with a clear head.

5. Listen to Music

Music therapy is an actual thing. Jamming out to your favorite tunes can boost your mood, lower cortisol levels and functions as an effective stress-reliever. Set a soothing workday backdrop to make tedious or taxing tasks more enjoyable — your mindset (and ears) will thank you.

 

Century Group Sponsors 12th Annual OCBJ CFO of the Year Awards

On Jan. 31, more than 700 professionals attended this year’s Orange County Business Journal CFO of the Year Awards held at Hotel Irvine. The well-attended event is a highlight for the Orange County business community, which recognizes senior financial executives who’ve demonstrated excellence in their roles as corporate stewards.

Century Group sponsored the OC CFO of the Year Awards for the 7th year — viewing the reception as an opportunity to mingle with the community its serves and helps set the tone for the rest of the year.

“It’s a great platform to share insights from different industries, market trends, geo-political influence on our respective businesses and building new relationships,” says Barnaby Wang, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County office. “Our guests seem to enjoy the opportunity to step away from their busy schedule to rub elbows with their colleagues.”

Fourty-seven of OC’s finest made up 2019’s class of nominees, and exhibited the ethical behavior and guiding principles necessary to drive the success of their companies. But five stood out among their peers:

  • Outstanding CFO of a Public Company – Mike Henry, Tilly’s
  • Outstanding CFO of a Private Company – Allan Dicks, Montrose Environmental Group, Inc.
  • Outstanding CFO of a Not-for-Profit Organization – Guita Sharifi, Radiant Health Centers
  • Corporate Controller of the Year – Phil Carter, Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
  • Rising Star – David Sunderland, Emerald Expositions

Century Group congratulates all of this year’s winners and nominees, and is proud to be apart of an event that celebrates Orange County’s leading financial talent. “The tone at the top really sets the tone for a company’s success, culture and employee morale,” Wang says. “Meeting these finance leaders helps us deliver better matches.”

Q1 Accounting and Finance Employment Report

It’s 2019. And despite last month’s spiraling stock market and talks predicting a recession on the horizon, the labor market remains steady — much like the competition for skilled talent.

With the national unemployment rate at 3.9%, the demand for professionals continues to drive the current hiring environment. Candidates are at the wheel. And employers must find new ways to meet their needs with higher pay, a strong company culture and better benefits.

EMPLOYMENT BY THE NUMBERS

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added 312,000 positions in December — easily surpassing expectations and December 2017’s 148,000. Professional and business services added 43,000 jobs last month, bringing its total to 583,000 jobs for the year — the highest among all sectors reported by BLS.

Last year’s big corporate tax cut only spurred an already strong economy, with the creation of 2.6 million new jobs in 2018.

Experts aren’t worried about the slight uptick in unemployment as the labor participation rate also increased to a year-high of 63.1%, signaling more people are rejoining the workforce. Unfortunately, the economy continues to create jobs at a rate that outpaces the number of available candidates.

The Big Picture:

Source: BLS

    • Total unemployment: 3.9%
    • Unemployment for workers with some college or associate degree: 3.3%
    • Unemployment for workers with college degree and higher: 2.1%

For Accounting and Finance Professionals:

The breakdown of roles below illustrates the unemployment rate for finance and accounting professionals is below the national average, according to BLS. Financial professions are projected to see an increase in demand as responsibilities have expanded to permeate all areas of business.

  • Financial analysts: 1.2%
  • Accountants and auditors: 1.6%
  • Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks: 2.1%
  • Financial managers: 2.6%
  • A/P and A/R specialists: 3.8%

TRENDS AT A GLANCE

So, what does this all mean?

For employers, tapping into the mindset of today’s job seeker is key. Competitive compensation continues to top the list of reasons for choosing a new position, but that’s not enough to sway talent with multiple offers on the table. Other factors, such as presenting opportunities in terms of growth and development, robust benefits packages and establishing an attractive corporate culture are all integral to hiring — and retaining — top talent.

For candidates, the time to act is now. Businesses are preparing for projects with a new, 2019 budget and are looking to hire. Still, it’s important job seekers retain an edge during their search. Tips like tailoring your resume to fit the specific role to putting your personal network to use to find an “in” with a company are small, significant ways to separate yourself from other candidates.

Temporary Staffing on the Rise

Temporary or contract work is also an increasingly popular option for consultants seeking flexibility in their careers. Employers are turning to temporary workers to meet the staffing demands of a tight labor market, with BLS reporting a record 2.06% of December jobs as temporary help. In fact, HR Dive predicts, “independent contract workers will comprise 60% of the workforce within the next 10 years.”

CENTURY GROUP FORECAST

While we don’t know the long-term effects of the partial government shutdown, expect growth to slow in the overall economy. Still, hyper-low unemployment and the shortage of accounting and finance professionals will require employers to rethink how they attract and retain top talent. Companies may need to be more flexible with their hiring criteria. Or, if they want to secure experienced, credentialed and skilled professionals, come to terms with pay increases.

Staffing and recruiting firms are equipped to help both employers and candidates navigate today’s competitive hiring environment. Century Group works with leading companies — giving them access to a curated talent network of financial professionals with CPAs, MBAs and public and private accounting backgrounds.

We understand what type of offer will get a candidate to consider a career opportunity, and can connect job seekers with exclusive jobs unavailable anywhere else. To learn more about our direct hire and temporary staffing services, contact our recruiters today.

Century Group Sponsors 11th Annual Orange County CFO Awards

The Event

For the sixth year, Century Group proudly sponsored the Orange County Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Awards — an annual reception that recognizes area Chief Financial Officers who demonstrated superior leadership and corporate stewardship in the preceding fiscal year.

More than 500 financial professionals and guests gathered at Hotel Irvine on Thursday, Feb. 15, representing the local financial talent making notable strides within the software, technology manufacturing, genetic testing, medical device distribution and non-profit industries. Thirty-six nominees were presented to the awards committee to receive one of the evening’s five coveted accolades: Outstanding CFO of a Public Company, Outstanding CFO of a Private Company, Outstanding CFO of a Not-for-Profit Organization, Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement. The applicants were judged on their ability to drive the success of their respective organizations, and overall contribution to the industry’s advancement.

The Awardees

This year’s honorees included Alteryx Inc.’s Kevin Rubin (Outstanding CFO of a Public Company), Debby Morris with Apria Healthcare (Outstanding CFO of a Private Company), John Luker of Orangewood Foundation & Samueli Academy (Outstanding CFO of a Not-for-Profit Organization), Michael Martinson with Ambry Genetics (Rising Star) and Todd Schull of TTM Technologies (Lifetime Achievement). Schull’s Lifetime Achievement award was the capstone of the night’s honors, where he was acknowledged for the foresight and innovative work he’s performed throughout his esteemed career.

“It’s certainly an honor to be selected for this award, but this award is more than just about me. It’s about the people you work with, the teams we are a part of and the organizations you are a member of,” he explained during his acceptance speech. “And I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Barnaby Wang from Century Group for nominating me for this year’s award.”

Each awardee also expressed their appreciation for their individual teams and families, and shared thoughtful takeaways from their unique professional journeys — highlighting the range and impact financial professionals have in our region.

“This year’s event was entertaining as always with an impressive group of nominees that show the strength, diversity and promise of Orange County’s business community,” says Tim Calley, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County office.

“Century Group would like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees, and show our appreciation to the financial executives that took the time out of their busy schedules to join us as our guests for the event. Your presence and conversation help make the event one of the most anticipated nights of the year.”

Photo credit: Orange County Business Journal

OC CFO Awards 2018 OC CFO Awards 2018
OC CFO Awards 2018  11th annual Orange County Business Journal's CFO of the Year Awards

Century Group Promotes Phil Bruno to Executive Director

Century Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Phil Bruno to Executive Director. He served as Managing Director of the firm’s Glendale and Westlake Village locations — bringing more than 20 years of staffing industry experience to help drive Century Group’s success in the region since 2015.

“Phil has been instrumental in expanding our presence in northern metropolitan Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley and Ventura County by launching two key locations in a short time span,” says Ron Proul, CEO.  “His success has earned him the recognition of this role.”

Bruno’s unique background in management consulting, accounting and finance and staffing industries has enabled him to develop a group of talented recruiters who follow in the firm’s founding core beliefs. As Executive Director, he will continue to oversee the company’s growth in these regions and will provide guidance on key corporate policy and initiatives, explains President and COO, Ron Blair.

“It’s a pleasure to work with this group of top performers as they achieve new career highs through our Group Concept,” Bruno says. “I’m excited to continue leading the San Fernando Valley teams while contributing on a broader and more strategic corporate level.”

Century Group Continues Expansion with Opening of New Bay Area Office

Just several months after the opening of its Denver office, Century Group continues to broaden its reach with the launch of its sixth location in San Francisco Bay Area’s Walnut Creek community.

The Bay Area job market hit record-high levels earlier this year — a trend that continues to surge as a thriving economy propels the region’s demand for skilled professionals. With Century Group’s specialized focus and expertise in accounting and finance, the staffing and recruiting firm is happy and equipped to meet that need.

“We are pleased to announce Carolyn Sweeney as the Walnut Creek office’s Managing Director, where she will drive Century Group’s investment in the area and share our unique approach with the robust business community,” says CEO Ron Proul.

Century Group has completed more than 30,000 placements since 1989, providing financial executive search, professional recruitment and project and temporary professional services for middle market, Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies.

Its founding philosophy, known as The Group Concept, encourages collaboration amongst team members and ensures that Century Group delivers the best, most effective service to the firm’s network of top-tier clients, consultants and candidates.

“As part of our commitment to serving clients with interests in both Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, our physical presence enhances our ability to continue to service both corporations and professionals seeking growth and opportunities,” Proul says.

Century Group Sponsors the 2018 San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s CFO & HR Professionals of the Year Awards

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal honored the area’s preeminent financial and human resources talent on Wednesday, June 13 at its CFO & HR Professionals of the Year Awards held at Hilton Woodland Hills. A total of 32 industry professionals were recognized at the luncheon, with nine finalists receiving awards for their outstanding work in the community.

Century Group proudly sponsors this annual celebration — happy to bring their financial insight and expertise to the afternoon’s collection of local industry professionals.

“Century Group is pleased to be involved in the SFVBJ’s annual recognition of CFOs, and now, HR professionals,” says Century Group Managing Director Phil Bruno. “It stands out as a unique opportunity to celebrate those who drive business specifically in the San Fernando Valley, and it compliments our goal of connecting top-tier finance and accounting professionals with the San Fernando Valley companies that need them.”

Labor Department: Hurricane Sandy Should Not Disrupt Release of New Employment Data

On Monday, Carl Fillichio – a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Labor – put out a press release, in which he asserted that the organization intends to release its Employment Situation report for the month of October, as planned, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, November 2.

On Monday, Carl Fillichio – a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Labor – put out a press release, in which he asserted that the organization intends to release its Employment Situation report for the month of October, as planned, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, November 2.

There is some speculation coming from media outlets regarding the prospect of a delay in the report’s release. As The Washington Post points out, the federal government was essentially shut down on Monday and the final tabulation of the net change in job numbers could be slowed down if the Department of Labor is unable to resume operations quickly enough.

“The employees at the Bureau of Labor Statistics are working hard to ensure the timely release of employment data on Friday, Nov. 2,” said Fillichio. “It is our intention that Friday will be business as usual regarding the October Employment Situation report.”

This month’s numbers are highly anticipated by many analysts and observers, in light of the splash created by the unexpectedly positive figures contained in the September jobs report.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg produced a median forecast in which there will be a net increase of 125,000 jobs reported, while the official unemployment rate is expected to increase slightly from 7.8 percent to 7.9 percent.

This prediction points to slow growth, but ongoing job creation would still give business leaders a reason to remain at least somewhat optimistic.

However, with uncertainty still clouding the economic recovery, it is critical for companies to ensure they are prepared for all possible outcomes. Recruitment firms can help businesses bolster their executive teams through a targeted financial professional search.

Century Group Co-Hosts Annual Orange County CFO Forum

Costa Mesa, CA – The Orange County CFO Forum convened a panel of CFO’s from leading Orange County companies at its mid-year forum meeting on Tuesday, June 20 at the Water Grill. The Forum was co-hosted by Century Group, Workday and Mercer to explore and learn how the role of the modern CFO has evolved over the years into a multi-faceted role involving many different focuses. The forum attracted nearly 50 CFO’s from a cross section of Orange County organizations to participate in a conversation about the role of the modern CFO and how it is changing and how it is likely to continue evolving in the coming years.

The panel was moderated by Orange County native Steve Beuerlein, Vice President of Marsh and McLennan Companies, current NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback. The CFO panelists included:

  • Kurt Binder, CFO – Vizio
  • Colin Severn, CFO – William Lyon Homes
  • Bob Vreeland, CFO – Clean Energy Fuels

Tim Calley, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County practice offices commented on the unique energy and experience that occurs when you bring together great leaders.

“There’s a real interest and thirst for this type of peer-to-peer leadership development and networking for CFOs in Orange County. Once again we had an overflow crowd of finance executives from many of the premier Orange County based companies. The panel did a fantastic job “Profiling the Modern CFO” and our moderator Steve Beuerlein made sure there were no lulls in the action. As we normally do – we wrapped up the night with a gourmet dinner and lively conversation about the evening’s panel and topic for the night. We’re all looking forward to the next meeting.”

PROFILING THE MODERN CFO

The moderator, CFO panelists and CFO guests’ discussion focused on four key themes:

1. Key Relationships at all Levels – The Board, The CEO, Peers & Colleagues, Your Team

Kurt Binder, CFO of Vizio focused on the importance of key relationships in your CFO career noting that “relationships get built over time and they’re cultivated through continuous interaction, says Kurt Binder, “and when you do that in a healthy way, that over time will pay dividends, so when you’re in those difficult situations, you get that lifeline.” He continued – “My perspective has always been that if you’re not out and about meeting and cultivating relationships, gaining information and insight into what’s going on in the industry, in accounting or in a business group, you can’t be an effective leader. It all comes through your availability to develop those relationships and to be able to communicate it effectively with that particular individual or that particular group – you need that information to make good decisions.”

2. Key Challenges – Cost Discipline and Hiring Great People

Colin Severn of William Lyon Homes shared some of his foundational challenges around cost – labor restraints and having predictable costs, “We invest a lot of resources into predictability and making sure we’re being disciplined.” Bob Vreeland of Clean Energy Fuels articulated the “priority of hiring good people, and wanting to have an environment that people love to work in and part of that becomes the tools they’re using.”

3. Data Analytics

All three panelists emphasized how data analytics has become a large part of what they do as a CFO, and that wasn’t the case 10 years ago. They highlighted that hiring highly analytical people and purchasing the best tools possible is critical to making financial decisions today and will only become more important as time goes on.

4. Professional Development

The final section of the evening’s conversation centered on professional development for CFO’s which Tim Calley pointed out is the primary reason for the existence of the Orange County CFO Forum. Colin Severn agreed and lamented the fact that “We’re in a time where there isn’t a true place or training to learn how to be a CFO.” He continued, “Local networking events like this are important, industry breakfast and lunch meetings, and serving on boards.”

 

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY CFO FORUM

Orange County CFO Forum is a unique resource network for Chief Financial Officers and top finance executives of leading area mid-market companies. This forum offers: Informative, thought-provoking meetings and networking opportunities for gaining fresh perspectives on how CFOs are defining and executing the CFO role in their companies; sharing insights, perspectives and experience with other CFOs in a stimulating environment; building and maintaining friendships with like-minded peers and sharpening your understanding of emerging trends; discovering new opportunities and contributing to Southern California’s economic growth and development.

ABOUT CENTURY GROUP

Century Group is a premier recruiting and interim services firm focused exclusively on professional, mid-management and executive level roles in Accounting and Finance. Our four offices in Southern California deliver leading talent through leveraging our unique methodology that ensures: Selection, Speed, and Security. We utilize the tools of executive search to select the most qualified candidates in the timeliest manner while reducing the risk associated with hiring through other methods. With over 85% of our business from returning, satisfied clients, and 80% of clients making their final candidate selection within 30 days, our methodology speaks for itself.

Five Orange County CFOs Honored at Annual Awards

Financial professionals and guests gathered at the Orange County Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Awards on Wednesday, February 4 in Irvine to honor this year’s nominees and recipients. Century Group proudly sponsors the event each year to honor area financial professionals who have shown the highest level of talent and commitment as corporate stewards for their respective companies in the preceding fiscal year.

The awards went to Sunstone Hotel Investors’ Bryan Giglia, Outstanding CFO of a Public Company; Vizio’s Kurt Binder, Outstanding CFO of a Private Company; Discovery Cube’s Mike McGee, Outstanding CFO of a Not-for-Profit Organization; Razor USA’s Larry Rosolowski, Lifetime Achievement Award; Incipio Technologies’ Ann Fong, Rising Star. The awards committee selected this year’s winners from 42 finalists, all nominated for the award by colleagues in the profession. Each of the nominees were said to have certain attributes, including the ability to successfully promote and support excellence as a CFO; establish procedures; set an example of ethical behavior; act as a team-builder, mentor and innovator; and contribute to the advancement of the industry and community.

 Orange County CFO of the Year Awards 2014 - Photo by Laurel Hungerford PhotographyWinners Bryan Giglia, Mike McGee, Ann Fong, Larry Rosolowski and Christine Binder, who accepted the award for her husband (Photo by Laurel Hungerford Photography)

Each winner’s speech, while different, had a common theme – they shared their awards with their teams and expressed gratitude to those behind them for their support. In addition to honoring his “incredible team at Vizio,” honoree Kurt Binder – who was traveling for business and delivered his acceptance speech remotely – gave a special shout out to the individual who nominated him for this honor: Tim Calley, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County Office.

“It was an honor to nominate Kurt Binder for the award,” Calley said. “I’ve known Kurt since he was a partner with Ernst & Young, focusing on pre-IPO and publicly-traded companies in the technology and medical device space, and he has really flourished in his role with VIZIO. He has led their accounting and finance team through a period of tremendous growth, as well as cost-effectively managing some of the world’s largest suppliers and retailers, all the while maintaining or increasing margins throughout the process. VIZIO is fortunate to have Kurt Binder as their CFO, and Orange County is proud to have Kurt as a CFO in our market.”

Calley described the awards as one of the premier events in the Orange County business community. “Century Group’s professionals, guests, business partners and clients look forward to this evening every year – and this year’s event didn’t disappoint. As we celebrated five new winners, we had the opportunity to spend time with the financial leaders from many of the nation’s ‘A-List’ companies. We are looking forward to participating again next year.”

More details and photos from the event can be found online. You can also read a profile on each honoree in the February 16 issue of the Orange County Business Journal.

Orange County CFO of the Year Awards 2014 - Photo by Laurel Hungerford Photography
Century Group’s Ron Blair, COO; Tim Calley, Managing Director of the Orange County Office; and Ron Proul, CEO (Photo by Laurel Hungerford Photography)

Orange County CFO of the Year Awards 2014 - Photo by Laurel Hungerford Photography
(Photo by Laurel Hungerford Photography)

Orange County CFO of the Year Awards 2014
Tim Calley, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County Office with nominee Brian Scharkey, CFO of Olive Crest, and his wife Cindy

Orange County CFO of the Year Awards 2014
Century Group’s Marcus Gardner with nominee Nicole Carrillo, CFO of Opus Bank

Orange County CFO of the Year Awards 2014
Ron Blair, Century Group’s COO, with nominee Kurt Altergott, CFO of MIG Capital

Orange County CFO of the Year Awards 2014
Century Group’s Kevin Udink and Barnaby Wang with nominee Chris Lawrence, CFO of American First CU and Century Group guests