Need a Job? Maybe We Can Help

By Bill Pape

The long-running economic expansion of the 90s is over and more challenging economic times are upon us. The New York State Society of CPAs has a number of services that can assist members who may be in transition. A primary advantage of many of the services is that each is aimed at a very specific audience—primarily public accounting firms in New York state. These services may make Society membership your most valuable professional investment.

The best job engine that the Society can offer probably is the networking opportunity facilitated through our committees at the state and chapter level. As associate director of member relations, I have witnessed firsthand members who were looking to fill vacancies discuss job opportunities with other members who were searching for employment. Networking is a time-consuming but effective job tool. By visiting our website at www.nysscpa.org you can find out when statewide committees and chapters are meeting. It is recommended that you contact the chair before attending a meeting.

The next Society resource for you to check out is the monthly classified section of The Trusted Professional. A typical month includes a listing for professional opportunities, positions available and situations wanted. These listings represent the best niche advertising available, as the readership of the newspaper is confined primarily to NYSSCPA members and a segment of nonmembers. The newspaper is considered a professional resource for practitioners working in New York state and the New York City metropolitan area.

The Society’s Career Opportunities Handbook is another niche product that members can look through for job openings. This handbook is located only at the NYSSCPA website at www.nysscpa.org/prof_library/coh/coh_start.html. The book enables member CPA firms to list their employment and internship needs. The site also provides important information about the firms’ business specialties.

Another employment resource is available online at www.brassring.com or by calling (614) 529-7540 or (800) 837-1804. This is a national service of the American Institute of CPAs and many state CPA societies. Members may list their resumes at no charge.

A final note: If you are unemployed, this is NOT the time to drop out of the state Society but rather the time to become more involved. Members who are unemployed and are having trouble paying their dues need not resign. The Society has special assistance programs. All you need to do is contact the Member Services Department at (800) 633-6320.