More than ever before, success hinges on innovation. The Industrial Revolution ushered in the era of innovation a century ago, but today’s knowledge-based economy relies on innovative minds to produce new and improved strategies, capabilities, products, processes, and services.

According to the Conference Board of Canada’s Innovation Skills Profile 2.0, an individual’s skills, attitudes and behaviors combine to make a unique contribution to an organization’s innovation performance. Collectively, these skills combine to create the organization’s capacity to innovate.

At its heart, innovation involves generating ideas. Therefore, it’s critical that you be able to look for new ways to do old things – or look for ways to do things that have never been done before. An important first step is to think about how things are currently done. Only by understanding the current state of affairs will you be able to effectively come up with new solutions. Once you have achieved this understanding, you should brainstorm and be open to whatever ideas rise to the surface.

True innovation involves risk-taking. After all, you are not doing anything new or novel if you play it safe and stick with the status quo. Regardless of where you stand on the corporate ladder, you should adopt an entrepreneurial mindset. Approach the process of innovation as if you personally have everything to gain from new strategies, products, or services. Give yourself permission to take risks and experiment with new ideas. Empower everyone on your team to do the same. Be sure to always keep your eye on the goal, however. A new idea is great, but if it’s not applicable to what you are trying to accomplish, it’s worthless.

As you develop skills for innovation, include your team members in the process. Encourage them to bring forth new ideas and support them in their risk-taking. Share honest, constructive feedback and facilitate opportunities for teamwork. Spur innovation and creativity by recognizing and rewarding those whose ideas are truly original and led to improved performance.

Need help finding a new place to flex your innovation muscles? Contact Daley and Associates. We offer superior recruiting and placement results, specializing in auditing and financial placement.

It’s no secret that the best opportunities never make it to the job boards. In fact, the very best jobs are never advertised at all – anywhere! They are filled by word of mouth. That’s why it’s so important to build up your networking muscles, so that you will be considered by top decision-makers when one of these jobs becomes available.

Effective networking can make a huge difference in your job search. Whether you are hooking up with them in person, via phone, or through the Web, the key is to build a strong network of contacts that are in the position to help you connect with the next opportunity on your personal career ladder.

Here are some tips for building and leveraging your network for job search success:

Make a List – Wherever you are in your career, chances are you know a lot more people with whom you can network than you realize. A good starting point is to sit down and list them all. Include family members, friends, former colleagues and classmates. Don’t forget to include people you know in your personal social circle, from church or the local softball league, for example. Be sure to list the professionals in your life, such as your attorney or doctor. Even casual acquaintances can be helpful. Is your son’s best friend’s dad an executive? Put him down, too. You never know where a helpful referral or recommendation may come from. Segment your list based on your relationship with each individual.

Get LinkedIn – If you have not yet established a presence on LinkedIn, you are already behind the proverbial eight-ball. In recent years, the business networking site has become the database for candidates for the vast majority of recruiters, both in-house and agency. Whether you are setting up a new LinkedIn profile, or sprucing up an existing one, the key is to take care and make it as perfect as possible. Take the time to develop your profile. Upload your resume and other helpful documents. Above all else, use discretion when inviting people to join your network or accepting others’ invitations. This is not Facebook. LinkedIn is a site for business networking. While you count your dental hygienist or old high school buddy amongst your Facebook friends, it may not be appropriate to include them in your LinkedIn profile.

Build Relationships – Just as in friendships, networking is dependent on reaching out and communicating with one another. It’s up to you to maintain contact with members of your network. Use every opportunity to keep them abreast of your job search or career aspirations. However, be careful not to be too heavy-handed or make a pest of yourself. If you happen upon a member of your network at a non-business social event, such as a neighborhood picnic, feel free to casually mention if you are looking for a job or open to new opportunities. Don’t monopolize the conversation or drone on endlessly, however.

Need help with your job search? Contact Daley and Associates. We offer superior recruiting and placement results, specializing in auditing and financial placement.

CCIE Voice Engineer

Here’s an exciting opportunity for a CCIE Voice Engineer in Boston, Mass.

Responsibilities include supporting, troubleshooting, installing and configuring routers, switches, and firewalls. He or she will support, troubleshoot and install unified communications and related technologies. The CCIE Voice Engineer also will assist in the build and configuration of teleworker kits; develop network and voice configuration documentation for customers; ensure security protocols across the network platform; maintain industry certifications as required; and travel to regional customer sites as required to support business initiatives.

The CCIE Voice Engineer will be expected to perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision; interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers; work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments; and work independently while understanding the need to communicate and coordinate work efforts with other employees and organizations.

The chosen candidate must be a Cisco-Certified Network Associate or Professional with voice specialization. The employer would prefer Cisco-Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Voice. Additional requirements include an understanding of network routing and switching protocols and experience with Enterprise Wireless, VoIP, QoS, and IP Telephony technologies. Cisco Contact Center knowledge including scripting is desirable.

Senior IT Auditor

Are you an articulate IT Audit talent interested in working for a dynamic high-growth organization with a campus-like headquarters?  A Massachusetts-based employer is looking for a Senior IT Auditor with two to four years of systems audit experience to work independently on a variety of projects. Reporting to the IT Audit Director, the chosen individual will be involved in systems and technology performance and compliance reviews, along with evaluations of controls and any risk factors.

Requirements include a BS or BA with a Business or CIS major, along with two years of experience involving testing controls and performing review of procedures in a complex systems/technology setting. He or she must have very strong written and oral communication skills, along with demonstrated ability to analyze findings and test results and developing/presenting findings and recommendations. Also required is experience with an IT governance framework used for policy development and IT best practices and regulatory compliance (i.e. COBIT). Experienced with SAS70 with knowledge of SSAE16 is desired. Prior experience in public accounting is preferred but not required.

Compensation will be $72,000 to $85,000 per year.

For more information about these and other highly desirable jobs, contact Daley and Associates. We have the expertise to help you find the ideal job in the ideal location.

Looking for a great senior payroll analyst job in Boston? At Daley and Associates, we offer superior recruiting results, specializing in auditing and financial placement.

Senior payroll analysts play a key role in helping a firm to conform to fiscal rules. He or she assists senior leadership ensures regulatory compliance by making certain that employees abide by fiscal rules and industry practices. The senior payroll analyst works under the direction of a payroll tax manager to evaluate salary information, ensuring it is accurate. He or she also partners with corporate treasury and accounting department employees to ensure that employment tax amounts are transferred to revenue agencies on time.

Specific duties of the senior payroll analyst include creating reports for information pertaining to retirement and payroll; communicating with employees regarding changes in salary, benefits, etc.; entering changes to employee payroll records; calculating key, total, and balance substitute payrolls; and handling voluntary and involuntary deductions.

Education requirements for senior payroll analysts include a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, or Finance.  A payroll analyst with a Bachelor’s degree may be promoted faster if she seeks a professional certification such as a Certified Financial Manager (CFM) designation.  A talented payroll analyst may move up to a senior position within two to five years. A senior payroll analyst who manages a large department or works for a multinational company may hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or an Enrolled Agent (EA) designation.

According to Indeed.com , the average salary for a senior payroll analyst in Boston is $68,000. That’s 15 percent higher than the national average pay of $59,000 for a senior payroll analyst.

According to PayScale Inc., popular industries for senior payroll analysts include business process outsourcing, financial services, software development, payroll services, and manufacturing. Eighty percent of senior payroll analysts are women and twenty percent are men. Thirty-six percent have between 10 and 19 years of experience.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of senior payroll analysts is expected to increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. The rationale for the increase is based on increased demand for corporate transparency regarding their financial situation, including the salaries and benefits of employees of large corporations with shareholders.

Search available senior payroll analyst  jobs in Boston.

When it comes to effectively running an organization, staffing it with the right people is the most crucial of all endeavors. However, not far behind is establishing a productive Board of Directors. It’s not enough to simply throw a group of diverse, intelligent individuals into a room and call them a board. In order to effectively govern, a board must be comprised of people who share a common vision, who are comfortable engaging in candid and respectful debates, and who can work well together for the betterment of the company. There must be a positive culture interwoven throughout the group, one which is focused on productivity and on tackling even the most difficult challenges.

Here are a few steps you should take to ensure that your board is far more than a group of people who merely “work well with others.”

1. Meet Regularly: It’s been said that boards do not keep their problem-solving muscles toned unless they are regularly exercised. With this in mind, establish a regular schedule of board meetings and stick to them, even when there are no pressing matters to discuss.

2. Encourage Vigorous Discussions: Nothing is less productive than a board that agrees on everything. It falls to the board Chair and Executive Director to encourage debate. Differences of opinion should be welcomed and encouraged. After all, the ability to negotiate and arrive at an agreement is key to a successful board.

3. Hold Everyone Accountable: For members of a board to trust each other, there must be no appearance of unethical behavior or impropriety. Board members must be careful to avoid any perceived or actual conflicts of interest.

4. Value Measurement: That which does not get measured does not get done. Thus, each board member – and the board as a unit – must be willing to measure their own performance and effectiveness and then take action if necessary.

At Daley and Associates we offer superior recruiting and placement results, specializing in auditing and financial placement. If you are looking for financial executives in the Boston area, contact us today!

You may find it hard to believe, but your management style isn’t all that unique. That’s not meant to denigrate the way you perform on the job. But the fact is pretty much everyone gravitates toward one of three distinct management styles. They are taken from an assessment test called the Birkman Method, which ranks participants from 1 to 10 in each of the following three categories.

#1 Knowledge Specialist: Individuals who rank highly in this area feel the need to ensure that they know the facts before openly discussing a topic. Oftentimes, it’s a matter of fearing they will be discovered to be a fraud, not really comprehending that which they are expected to know. Other individuals simply need a thorough understanding of the facts in order to feel confident speaking authoritatively.  Those who score low in this area don’t mind winging it. They have no qualms about being thrust into the spotlight even if they are lacking the facts.

#2 Directive Management: People who rank highly in this category would rather take care of something themselves than risk handing it off to someone who may do a poor job. They are the ones who can be heard saying, “If I want this to get done right, I’d better do it myself.” Not surprisingly, they have a hard time delegating. Instead, they opt to have direct involvement in every facet of a project.

#3 Delegative Management: You guessed it! This is the exact opposite of the style we just discussed. Those who rank high in the area of delegative management tend to solve problems through people. They want to get a lot done, so they delegate tasks to members of their team. There are pro’s and con’s to this style. On the one hand, delegative managers are seen as giving others the freedom to take on a task and see it through to fruition. At the same time, people may grow frustrated with this style of manager, even accusing them of shirking their duties and relying on others to handle what they should be doing themselves.

Whether you are currently in a management position or not, contact Daley and Associates for help with your financial job search. We offer superior recruiting and placement results, specializing in auditing and financial placement.

Ah, the life of a CPA – a higher salary; greater chances to grow and advance; enhanced credibility; and increased job flexibility and mobility. The motivation is definitely there to pursue a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. Actually passing the exam can be a difficult proposition, however. That’s why we have compiled the following tips to help you prepare for – and successfully take – the CPA exam.

1. Enroll in a Review Course – Many CPAs credit a review course for preparing them to pass the exam. Some vendors that offer such courses claim their students pass at twice the rate of those who don’t participate in review courses. Whether the actual number is really that high remains to be seen. Suffice it to say that enrolling in a formal course of review can be highly beneficial as you prepare for one of the most important tests of your professional career. If you haven’t a clue which course to choose, ask your CPA friends which courses they found helpful and which ones you needn’t bother taking.

2. Set a Study Schedule – Chances are you will be working full-time will preparing to take the CPA exam. You might have a family and other obligations, too. That means you are going to have to schedule specific times for study so you don’t neglect to put in the hours necessary to pass the exam. (Unlike those college exams, late night cramming will not work.) Consider what time of year it will be easier for you to dedicate sufficient study time. If you have children, summer might be difficult, as they are likely to be home far more often. Finding time for hours of concentrated study may be tough when kids are running through the house or begging you to take them to the pool. If possible, arrange to take some time off work just prior to the exam for some last minute non-rushed review.

3. Take Advantage of Snippets of Time – Technology has made it easier than ever to make good use of previously wasted time. Instead of burying your nose in the latest best-seller, take advantage of time on the bus or subway or in your doctor’s waiting room to review the relevant materials. You’d be surprised how much an extra 15 minutes here and there will enhance your comfort level with the subject at hand.

4. Practice Healthy Habits – Adequate sleep, healthy eating, and exercise are important at any time. At no time are they more critical than when you are preparing for an important, stressful event, like taking the CPA exam. That doesn’t mean you can keep late hours up until the night before the big test and then try to cram in eight hours, however. You must start several weeks before the exam. Practice good sleep hygiene by turning off electronic devices, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening hours, and cultivating a cool, dark, sleep-inducing environment. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and lean proteins. Drink a minimum eight glasses of water each day. And get moving! There’s nothing better for your brain than to get the blood flowing.

Whether you have already earned your CPA or have plans to do so in the future, we can help with your financial job search. Contact Daley and Associates. We offer superior recruiting and placement results, specializing in auditing and financial placement.

As a financial professional, you are typically viewed as a pretty cool cucumber. After all, you are the one with all the numbers – and seemingly all the answers. But while you are likely confident in your capacity as a highly skilled individual, that confidence may not always translate to the job interview. That’s even more likely to be the case if you have been in search mode longer than you had anticipated. Your confidence may have been shaken – or you may be so desperate for a job that the interviewer begins to question your competence. On the other hand, you could simply be so enthusiastic about the opportunity before you that you find it difficult to contain yourself in the interview.

Needless to say, you can’t let the hiring manager detect such emotions in your demeanor. The idea is to come across as calm and confident. Your number one goal should be to convince any potential employer that you have what it takes to crunch their numbers, to provide true and accurate financial forecasts, and to help them blaze a path to a profitable future. Therefore, you must exude confidence at every turn, from the very moment they first lay eyes — or ears — on you.

Here are a few simple tips:

• Do Your Homework – Take the time to learn as much as possible about the company and the job opening. Practice answering the types of questions you expect to be asked. You will naturally come across as more confident if you aren’t sweating it out every time the interviewer asks you something.
• Assemble Supportive Documentation – Even if you have already sent a copy of your resume, references, or other documents make sure you have fresh, clean copies ready to take with you. Take extras, in case you are being interviewed by a team of people. You will not be perceived as competent or confident if you are found to have come unprepared.
• Sleep on It – You may be nervous going in, but if you’ve had a good sleep the night before, it’s less likely to show. Resist the temptation to rely on sleep aids, however (unless you ordinarily do so). Instead, practice good sleep hygiene. Avoid caffeine or alcohol in the evening and turn off all electronic devices.
• Have a Leisurely Breakfast – Assuming your interview is scheduled for the morning hours, be sure to rise early and take the time for a sit-down breakfast. Make it a balanced affair with protein, carbohydrates, and fresh fruit. If you normally drink coffee, have a cup or two, but be careful not to overindulge to avoid being jittery.

Need help with your financial job search? Contact Daley and Associates. We offer superior recruiting and placement results, specializing in auditing and financial placement.

Senior Financial Analyst

Interested in working for one of the largest utility companies in the Northeast? Here’s an exciting temp-to-perm opportunity for a sophisticated Senior Financial Analyst in Lexington, Mass.

The Senior Financial Analyst will be charged with providing special financial analyses required by the business, as well as helping inform businesses, functions, and corporate stakeholders on projected financial performance. Day-to-day tasks will include calculating and tracking of performance targets and interfacing with Strategy & Financial Control to help ensure alignment with the planning process. The chosen individual will also be charged with helping to implement and manage the standardized and automated planning process. He or she will be expected to provide management with ad hoc reporting requirements and strive for continuous improvements in processes and output deliverables.  The Senior Financial Analyst also will assist in monthly management reporting of actual-to-budget variances, forecast updates, and year-on-year financial analysis.

A business or finance degree is required. An advanced degree or certification is a plus. The ideal candidate will have five-plus years of accounting/analysis experience, preferably in a large, international corporate setting. He or she should have experience working with major accounting systems (SAP, Oracle, Peoplesoft, Hyperion) and MS Office products.

Compensation will be $35.00 to $45.00 per hour. That compares to a national average salary of $76,000 for a Senior Financial Analyst, according to Indeed.com.

Payroll Supervisor

Are you a payroll professional with strong interpersonal skills? A Falls River area hospital is looking for a Payroll Supervisor due to a long-term disability medical leave of the previous payroll supervisor. It’s an outstanding opportunity for a payroll professional with supervisory experience who still has the ability to be a hands-on contributor.

The payroll group runs payroll for the entire hospital.  The payroll consists of union and non-union employees as well as exempt and non-exempt employees.  The Payroll Supervisor will be expected to resolve sensitive issues in a timely fashion, while dealing with employees at every level. He/she must be knowledgeable about 941’s, tax withholding, garnishments, multiple pay codes, accruing benefit time, and electronic and manual time recording.

Requirements include 10-plus years payroll experience, including payroll supervisory experience; ADP or Ceridian payroll experience; and experience with 941’s, tax withholding, garnishments, multiple pay codes, accruing benefit time, electronic and manual time recording. Experience working with Union Contracts is a plus and healthcare is a huge plus. The ideal candidate will also have strong Excel skills and excellent supervisory and communication skills. He or she must be available immediately.

Compensation will be $55,000 per year. That compares to a national average salary of $59,000 for a Payroll Supervisor, according to Indeed.com.

For more information about these and other highly desirable jobs, contact Daley and Associates. We have the expertise to help you find the ideal job in the ideal location.

Looking for a great financial analyst job in Boston? At Daley and Associates we offer superior recruiting results, specializing in auditing and financial placement.

Financial analysts are responsible for researching and analyzing financial information to help companies make well informed decisions about their future investments. They are concerned with providing a comprehensive understanding of the financial status of a given investment opportunity. Data-gathering is one of the key duties of a financial analyst as they seek to influence decisions related to a particular venture. Savvy financial analysts do much more than simply assemble data, however. Frequently, they must ask difficult questions and continue to play a key role in securing and verifying information until the decision-making process is complete. The best financial analysts take a broad approach to gathering data, developing potential trends for the company and investigating other investment opportunities.

Education requirements for finance analysts include a Bachelor’s degree in a finance-related field. Many financial analysts also earn Master’s degrees in finance or business administration. They also take additional financial analyst courses, typically related to their specialty. Commonly, they become Certified Financial Analysts. Many employers will pay for employees’ certification and licensing program enrollment.

According to Indeed.com , the average salary for a financial analyst in Boston is $77,000. That’s 14 percent higher than the national average pay for a financial analyst. Similar jobs in Boston include corporate financial analysts who average $79,000; senior financial reporting analysts who earn $86,000; and financial system business analysts who top the ledger at $93,000.

Job opportunities are plentiful at a number of different types of employers, including banks, investment firms, mutual and pension funds, and insurance companies.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for financial analysts is great. Opportunities for financial analysts are expected to grow by 23 percent between 2010 and 2020, much faster than the average for all professions. That equates to 54,200 new positions. Competition remains fierce, however, especially for new analysts. Candidates with a master’s degree or certification have the best chance of landing these jobs.

Search available financial analyst  jobs in Boston.