Human Capital


  • Finance information for non-finance staff

    One of the great challenges for all Finance members is explaining financial results to non-finance staff. Often a well-drawn graphic or chart allows the communication of fair amount of detail without overwhelming the audience or forcing them to understand finance. The tough part is coming up wi…

  • So Microsoft is going to pay $26.2B for LinkedIn

    Did you read Jeffrey Weiner's reason for selling? https://www.yahoo.com/news/linkedin-ceo-why-sold-company-134255968.html Did you read some of the comments? What do you think?

  • Flow of communication

    My friend joined as a CFO , a newly created position, in a sole proprietory establishment. The existing Accounts and Finance Manager does not give the report to CFO, but gives directly to the Owner. Since the Owner directly interacts with the existing Manager, CFO does not know exactly what is happ…

  • For an existing CPA what part of the CMA certificate / training did you most benefit from?

    I've heard the statement that the CMA is more relevant to a CPA in private industry. I'd like to get your feedback on what part of the CMA test prep or content did you most helpful to you job. I'm paraphrasing the phrase I've heard in these forums that the "CMA helped you to do your job, as opposed…

  • How To Keep Your CFO Job

    I recently read an interesting article on which CFO's are more valued. It made the point about rampant age discrimination against late-40's and 50 year olds, but to the type of CFO which is disposable. A company hires these experienced CFO's, they fix the major problems in 18 months or so, and then…

  • How much do Controllers make? How much do Accountants make?

    When it comes time to hire for a position, where do you get your pay range from? I use the trusted source of Robert Half's salary guide, which I've found to be helpful in getting ranges. I'm helping with a project to determine salary ranges for positions being hired for. There seems to be an issue …

  • Getting a CMA after a CPA ?

    I'm at a professional crossroads. I am a Sr. Accountant whose served in various accounting / IT consultant roles throughout my career. I don't have extension experience in a particular industry. I'm more of a generalist who has adapted to solve client's pain points. I'm in my late 30s with small ki…

  • Should I disclose to recruiters going concern risk at current employer?

    My company is experiencing going concerns and I think it may only be time before it goes under. I am not yet actively looking but have updated my resume. I get contacted here and there from recruiters and they ask about my situation. When they ask me why I am considering leaving, is it okay for me …

  • Is the CMA better than nothing?

    Hi All, I worked in public accounting for almost 4 years and tested for the CPA. However, 2 review courses and 3 "74's" on REG was enough for me to call it quits. I'm currently the senior accountant in a tech company, and I know I will most likely never go back into public, unless it's for a consul…

  • Basic Skill Set for a CFO

    I am the Office Manager to a small but growing engineering consultant firm. When I was hired 2 years ago our staff included just the Owner, another engineer, a CAD technician and me. Now we are up to 8 and the Owner has told me he'd like to put me on the track to become CFO. I am excited by the cha…

  • Anyone had time to digest the new OT rules yet?

    I haven't had time to research yet; so I'm hoping for the benefit of combined resources through Proformative. I have a client in a highly seasonal industry. During the winter months, their total staff is about 40 people, but during the spring, summer and fall, their employee numbers grow to about 1…

  • Marijuana Legalization Implications Spreading for Companies

    An article on the FEI details some of the problems inherent in the murky contradictions between Federal and State laws. http://daily.financialexecutives.org/marijuana-legalization-implications-spreading-companies/ I was approached to be the CFO of one ancillary service company to the industry. Afte…

  • Who do you cover on your Health Plan?

    We're a small software company that is growing, and we're in hiring mode. We want to be competitive in our job offers, and were wondering what everyone else is doing. Right now, we cover the employee only, and he/she is out of pocket for family coverage. What are you doing in your business, and do …

  • What are the most pressing problems Office of the CFO need fixed?

    My firm is trying to help accountants and finance professionals transform themselves to finance and analytics superstars (you can google finance2020) to help lead business forward in the information economy. What we are passionate about is fixing and automating their problems to free up time to foc…

  • What is sick pay? How do you manage your sick pay policy

    I’m trying to get a handle on private sector practices regarding sick pay compared to what is offered in school districts. Do you have any info you can share on what most companies (mid-sized-say 250 to 1000 employees) do regarding: 1. Tracking paid sick (not FMLA) days-part of annual PTO or separa…

  • What would be the best way to convert biweekly employees with a two week lag to semi monthly

    Presently, my company has been purchased by another company. Currently our employees are paid biweekly since most are paid on a fee basis type of payment schedule meaning they have several different rates. Additionally they are paid on a two week lag. We only have 4 people on salary. Now the new co…

  • Pay in Lieu of Notice.

    Just curious what various companies do. If an employee of yours resigns and gives notice but management is fine with an earlier final date, do you pay them through their last day per notice or their last day worked? Does it differ for hourly employees vs. salaried employees?

  • New Manager First 90 Days

    I've been asked this question a few times at interviews.  I know that a good answer depends on the job but I was curious what others might say.  Assume position is a VP/CFO position at a small/medium size private company.

  • What Are Some Good Controller Interview Questions?

    What are some good interview questions to ask when interviewing candidates for an accounting controller position? And what answers do you look for?

  • Pay For Consultant Travel Time?

    We are looking at a consultant to help with a large project that could run many years. They: - Live about an hours plane flight away. - Usually flies in and out the same day. - Could stay overnight sometimes depending on times of meetings ending. - Paying them by the hour. - work for a company that…

  • How to write a poor performance review?

    There are, from time to time, employees who need a wake-up call of sorts that will hopefully turn around their poor performance. How do you write a performance review for a poorly performing employee? Other than approaching them with grace and empathy, what are some tips you have? Apart from writin…

  • W9 triggered by reimbursement for out of pocket expenses to job interview candidate?

    Does the US Internal Revenue Service consider reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses to job interview candidates to be compensation for services provided by a vendor?

  • Can a company 'pay' a former employee to rollover their 401k balance?

    We are right on the cusp of having 100 participants in our 401k Plan. We already have policy that requires rollovers of accounts less then $5,000. However, there are a few accounts over the amount. I was wondering if the company could incent those ex-employees with a $50 or $100 Amazon gift card to…

  • C.F.O. hired without benefits

    I recently left my most recent role after only 3 months of employment as CFO. My question is I worked there for 3 months as a full-time employee and my boss didn't offer me benefits, but did to all other full-time employees. Additionally, he still hasn't sent me my final check i.e. (my last day was…