Accounting & Finance

Key Considerations for your Accounting Career!

Jess Cossari Associate Director, Finance & Accounting

Mike McGhee Associate Director, Accounting & Finance

Tom Miles Associate Director, Accounting & Finance

Once the pandemic is over, or at least things go back to a new “normal”, it's likely that companies will get busy recruiting; filling all those roles that were put on hold, kicking off those stalled projects and possibly instigating new ones. As an employer you may be inclined to think that there will be an abundance of great talent available in the market, ready to cherry-pick on demand due to retrenchments or stand-downs. Yes there will certainly be candidates who are waiting patiently to make a move once the job market springs back to normal however, do not take for granted that these candidates will not be in great demand or have a number of opportunities in the pipeline. It is also highly likely that candidates have had time to review their career goals and motivators allowing them to be a little more selective about making a decision to find the 'right role' next. With this in mind, it's important that the recruitment process, including your interview with them, leaves them coming away engaged and excited about the prospect of working for your organisation. Whilst as Recruiters, we can tell them about the great culture, the perks, the latest tech and the work/life balance but as their potential employer, you need to go above and beyond to provide a fantastic candidate experience enabling the candidate to walk away feeling inspired to join your team. So what can you do as an interviewer to make sure that you give the candidate a great experience? If you answer that thinking “who cares about the candidate, they should be grateful to get a chance at working here”, then you're already way behind. In this age of customer experience, you also need to be thinking about how you want your candidate to feel long after they have walked away from the interview. So just a few quick tips. Friendly & Engaging – It may sound obvious, but it's important when greeting the candidate to keep in mind that they may be nervous and that they have specifically taken time out of their day, perhaps time away from work, to meet with you. Therefore, you should smile and be prepared to make small talk, to help put them at ease. This is also a great way to get to know them. Within the interview, remember to give the candidate time to ask questions. Whilst you might first give an overview of the role and organisation, rather than just selling the benefits of the organisation, you could tell them your story. How you came to work there and/or the opportunities and challenges the company has given you, as well as any other things you love about working there. This makes you more approachable and genuine and gives an insight into the company. When asking the candidate questions, really listen to what the candidate says, using this as a time to assess their cultural fit for your organisation, as well as unearthing any red flags that may pop up which you can then investigate further. Take time and Plan – This refers to ensuring that you have had a look at the candidate's resume beforehand so that you are aware of their overall work history, skills & experience. This way you will have already thought about some questions and will show the candidate you are genuinely interested in them and have done some research. Think about it, do you expect for the candidate to have done their research on your organisation before the interview? I'm guessing you would, so it's best to give them the same courtesy. Don't rush - Whilst we are all busy, there is nothing worse than when an interviewer is distracted, keeps looking at their watch or even worse, their mobile phone! Don't think candidates don't pick up on this type of behaviour, because they do and it's very off-putting. Pre-plan how long you expect the interview to take and outline this at the beginning, allowing time for your key questions and some time for any questions the candidate may have. Remote/virtual interviews – with non face-to-face meetings, you still need to be mindful of the other things I've mentioned. However, there is the extra potential for things to go wrong from a technical perspective, so ensure you have the candidates number and they have yours, so that you can get in contact should things go wrong. Make sure you have a back-up plan – i.e. using Skype, try Zoom and don't cut the pleasantries because it's virtual, it's still worth breaking the ice with some small talk to begin with, just to get the candidate at ease. Lastly, thank the candidate for their time – Genuinely let them know that you appreciate them taking time to come in and show them that you are enthusiastic about them (if that's the case). If a candidate is looking at multiple opportunities, it's going to be important that they feel that you really value them and what they can bring to the role. Also let them know when you are likely to get back to them (or the recruiter) with feedback and feel free to ask them what other roles they are interviewing for, so that you can get an insight into your competition and the timelines that may be in place. Customer Experience is key, and representing your organisation in the best possible way means that your candidates will walk away with a positive feeling and will be keen to join. So, perhaps before your next candidate interview, rethink the 'poker face', as this isn't the way to get the best out of candidates in the interview and to ensure they are excited and want the role. Happy interviewing. Get in touch with Leonie here to chat about all things consulting and recruitment.

With current recruitment trends and practices , top candidates can be inundated with messages on LinkedIn not to mention phone calls, from Recruiters looking to talk to them about the next opportunity. There's a lot of importance placed on finding and attracting the right talent, but what about what happens during the recruitment process? As a Senior Recruitment Consultant with a past career in IT and has been on the other side of the fence, I know first hand it can be a daunting experience changing roles. Firstly you need to make time for personal calls during work hours to speak to a recruiter, and then you need to take time to attend interviews and if you're really active in the market, this could be for multiple roles at once. It's certainly time-consuming and stressful, almost like the job search itself is a full-time job. As a candidate, you put yourself out there and are assessed and compared , which can take you on a rollercoaster emotionally. When you finally get to the stage of securing a client interview, it's both exciting and nerve-wracking. But your work isn't done yet! Now you have to spend time researching the company for the looming interview. You'll practice your interview questions and make sure you have all the right answers ready to go. You'll take extra care getting your attire right for the big day and maybe even get a little grooming done – Hairdo? Beard? Maybe both? When the interview day is finally here, you have to go through the inevitable pre-interview nerves. Phew! It's exhausting. So, tell me…with all that work and preparation that you've put in, what would your expectation be in regards to feedback? Would you be happy to get feedback a week later? Or would you be ok with 3 days after the interview? And how much feedback would you like? What if you didn't get any feedback? Or just a generic email response saying “We regret to inform you… yaddah, yaddah, yarh…” In my professional opinion, it's only fair the candidate receives initial feedback within 24 hours, 48 hours at most. Why should the candidate have to wait when they have done all that work? Let's jump in the candidate's shoes again - you've come out of the interview buzzing with enthusiasm after finally meeting the people from the organisation that you are potentially going to work within the future ; you are fuelled with excitement and momentum. This is the exciting stage when you KNOW you either WANT the role or due to having more information, don't think its right for you after all. This is the moment when you have that 'gut feeling' and your intuition is telling you whether the role is right. Imagine yourself in that moment just post interview and you get a call from your Recruiter. If it's positive feedback you now have a chance to consider whether you would take the role, and hence if an offer or a next interview is offered, you are striking while the iron is hot! I get that we Hiring Managers & HR Professionals are busy, but so are the very candidates that we are looking to hire. The risks of providing delayed feedback or a poor experience for the candidate means they might draw conclusions that the hiring company itself is disorganised, or that they don't value their staff. And to make matters worse, the candidate can also communicate this sentiment to other colleagues, family & friends. Not great for the brand image! The other outcome of not providing feedback in a timely matter is that the candidate disengages and assumes they haven't been successful. They might even progress with other opportunities. Or if they are still in the market when you finally give them feedback, they might need to be reminded of what they liked about the role and the company and require “selling to”, to get them back on board again. The recruitment process can take weeks or longer, and hence the way that you engage with your recruitment consultant and the candidates is vitally important. Don't forget that often good candidates get many opportunities presented to them. Don't make them wait and don't leave them hanging. If you are working towards the next steps in the recruitment process, have the candidate in mind and communicate. Engagement is key! If you are thinking about your next career move and would like to discuss opportunities, here's 3 things you can do: Submit your resume and register on our website to receive tailored job alerts ; Follow us on LinkedIn ; Contact me on 03 8606 0300 or ljennings@morganconsulting.com.au

Everyone appreciates a little recognition for their hard work. Taking the initiative to acknowledge your employee's efforts and reward them for a job well done not only improves company culture but makes employees feel valued and more satisfied in their roles. Not to mention, when people feel appreciated and engaged at work, their motivation and productivity levels also increase. Here we've highlighted a few ways you and your team can celebrate together over the coming months. June - International Yoga Day Start off the Winter with a relaxing and rejuvenating yoga or meditation practice on June 21st for International Yoga Day. While this day not only provides an opportunity for you to promote healthier lifestyles, it's also a great way to show how much you value your team and care about their mental and physical well-being. Desk Yoga Sitting at a desk for hours a day can cause pain and strain on employees' backs, necks and hips. Organise a yoga instructor to come in and demonstrate the various moves employees can do right from their desk to properly stretch and alleviate tension built up throughout the workday. Meditation program Mindfulness in the workplace can contribute to more engaged, happier and healthier employees. Following the lead of major brands like Nike and Google who offer meditation programs in their offices, consider starting one up in your own organisation. Gather all those interested and find a quiet, private space to meet for guided meditation. Apps like Headspace can be helpful in guiding your practice. July - National Workaholics Day National Workaholics Day falls on the 5th of July. Despite the name, this day is great for showing appreciation for your employees who constantly put work first. Personalized thank you A short, hand-written thank you note is a thoughtful and cost-effective way to acknowledge your employees and remind them that you're aware of the great work they're producing. Company happy hour Organise a day to treat your employees to an opportunity to let loose and enjoy a drink. Organising an early dismissal and complimentary happy hour event at a local pub/restaurant is a fun way to thank your employees and encourage interoffice friendships. August - National Relaxation Day Stress causes numerous issues, including reduced productivity. Offering your employees a chance to relax and unwind on August 15 can help improve individuals health and your office environment. Massage breaks Sitting at a desk all day can be taxing on employees backs. Outsourcing an in-office chair massage therapists for your team to enjoy on their lunch break can be just the recharge they need. Nutrient Boost Give your employees a day off from packing their lunch and actually enjoy their break by offering a complimentary, energy-boosting spread. Nutrient-packed salads, lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables can provide your team with the fuel they need to finish the day strong. September - World Gratitude Day What better way to show appreciation for your employees than celebrating a day of gratitude? World Gratitude Day is September 21st. Encouraging employees to reflect on all they have to be grateful for and come together to give back is both rewarding and important for your company culture. Food drive Organising a food drive within your office to donate to your local food bank is a great way to give back to your community. You can make it a little more fun and streamlined by assigning specific food categories to each office department. For example: Accounting - Breakfast Marketing - Lunch Human resources - Dinner Talent share Have a special skill your team excels at? Consider sharing your talents at a local youth centre. Whether it be a typing course, accounting basics or coding, organizing a workshop can be rewarding for both recipients and your team. October - International coffee day Coffee in the office is a no-brainer. Offer your employees a special take on their favourite coffee on the first of October for International Coffee Day. Coffee & doughnut break Invite employees to take a mid-morning break for provided coffee, doughnuts and conversation. Guest barista Depending on the size of the organisation, look at bringing in a barista for the morning to whip up more specialized coffee drinks for your team. November - National Recycle Day On November 15th encourage your office to make the effort to recycle and reduce waste for Recycling day. Celebrating this holiday with your employees is a great opportunity for raising awareness and reinforcing environmentally responsible practices within your organisation. Reduce & reuse Reduce waste in your office by surprising employees with branded coffee mugs, water bottles and lunch bag. By providing your team with a replacement for their disposable dishware you can help reduce their plastic use in and out of the office. Office recycling program Organising a company-wide recycling day can help prevent employees from throwing away items that could be recycled. Send out a reminder a few days leading up to November 15th in case employees have any electronics or items from home they'd like to recycle properly. You can find local e-waste hauliers by Googling “e-waste haulier {your city}.” Items to look out for in your office recycling initiative include: E-waste - cell phones, computers, cables, CDs, etc. Light bulbs Batteries Ink cartridges Cardboard Aluminium Creating a pleasant company culture can dramatically improve your employee satisfaction in their jobs as well as overall production. Whether you choose to celebrate each of these holidays or just a couple, we're certain your team will thank you for it!

If you've spent any amount of time working in a traditional office setting, you know how difficult it can be to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many things about the office environment and work life can detract from your health: prolonged sitting, bright lights disrupting sleep, and poor eating and exercise habits on account of working long hours, to name a few. Despite these obstacles, though, there are many small – yet meaningful – steps you can take to maintain a healthier lifestyle even in an office setting. Pack a lunch When your day is full, it can be hard to make smart decisions about food. This might result in taking your lunch break at a fast food restaurant. “Eating right” is a goal many people have that always seems daunting – but it can start with something as simple as packing a lunch. This doesn't have to mean jumping right into meal prep – a sandwich and an apple will do just fine. But your own lunch will be much better for you than grabbing a Big Mac or a couple of candy bars. Stay hydrated It's amazing what basic needs one can forget about while wading through piles of paperwork in the office. Drinking more water provides numerous benefits, especially if you're becoming dehydrated during the workday and not realizing it. Are you getting headaches in the middle of the afternoon? You might be mildly dehydrated. Staying hydrated can also improve wakefulness, helping you turn down that extra cup of coffee. Remembering to take a trip to the kitchen to fill up a glass of water occasionally, this is such a simple way to be healthier work. Stock up on healthy snacks If you're like most people, just eating lunch probably doesn't cut it for you over the course of a usual eight-hour workday. This can be another opportunity to improve your eating habits at work, as rather than grabbing crisps at the vending machine, you could bring along a pack of granola, dried fruit, or mixed nuts. Besides making your snacking healthier, this can help you save money, as an added bonus. Be mindful of ergonomics Sitting for extended periods can become painful, taking steps to improve your office ergonomics can do wonders for your back, neck, eyes, hands, and many other joints. Your chair should be one that supports your back, and your computer monitor should be adjusted such that you aren't craning your neck for many hours a day. It also helps to have ergonomic devices such as a keyboard and mouse. There's a lot that goes into office ergonomics, but every little bit helps maintain your health in the office. Get on your feet No matter how you slice it, sitting for many consecutive hours during the day takes a toll on your body. In general, it's a good idea to take breaks and walk around every hour at least, whether that's standing and stretching, a quick trip to the kitchen (helping you stay hydrated!), or a five-minute walk around the office. Standing desks can be very helpful for this, but it's important to remember that standing in one place can still take a toll on your joints. However you manage it, just remember to move – and your body will thank you for it. Avert your eyes It's probably the easiest tip to implement, but remembering to stare off into space every so often is actually beneficial to your health at work. Focusing on a nearby computer screen for extended periods of time can harm your vision, so it's important to divert your eyes to things that are farther away occasionally. This is even better for you if you can look outside, especially at bits of nature – as simply looking at a tree can reduce your stress levels. Get control of your sleep One of the first things people often neglect when their lives become busy is how much sleep they're getting. And that's unfortunate – sleep is one of the most essential parts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It may be the most difficult item on this list, but proper rest is indispensable. Sleep helps with everything from staying focused, to getting more out of workouts, and even losing weight. Your boss may not let you nap during the day – but you'll certainly feel better at work if you can practice better sleeping habits overall. The recommended amount of sleep an average adult should be getting is at least 7 hours. Conclusion Staying healthy at work can be tricky, as it's easy to fall into bad eating, sleeping, and exercise habits. It's not impossible to get healthier, though, and addressing one thing at a time is a great way to start. You may not be able to abide by everything on this list – maybe it's sleep that still gives you trouble or finding the time in the morning to put together a decent lunch. But following even a couple of these tips will markedly improve your health in the office. If you are thinking about your next career move and would like to discuss opportunities, here's 3 things you can do: Submit your resume and register on our website to receive tailored job alerts; Follow us on LinkedIn; Contact our team on 03 8606 0300 or send us an email on sharedservices.com.au