Steven Fried

Let’s debunk some common misconceptions about accounting careers. Accountants Need to Be Math Geniuses: Contrary to popular belief, accountants don’t need to be mathematical prodigies. While they should understand basic algebra and statistics, modern software programs handle the most complex calculations.  Accountant Jobs Are Boring: The stereotype of accountants as dull pencil pushers is outdated. Today’s accountants break free from cubicles and redefine their roles. They fight climate change, work with sports teams, provide tax services to entertainers, and contribute to cultural change at work. Accountants Exclusively Do Taxes: While tax is one specialty, CPAs also focus on financial reporting, finance, management, audit, assurance, and strategy.  Accountants Will Be Automated in the Future: Although some accounting processes are automated, accountants won’t be replaced by robots. CPAs add value through problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and logic.    Are you looking for your next opportunity? We have vacancies in our network for positions in Canada and US, such as: - Accountants - Auditors - Finance Managers - Tax Managers - Tax Associates   Send your resume to [email protected] and we’ll schedule a time to meet and see what opportunities align with your career aspirations.   #accounting #finance #careeradvancement #oakdaleconsulting

The fallout from the Enron scandal reshaped the accounting industry, resulting in the dissolution of Arthur Andersen, one of the then "Big Five" accounting firms. At Your Accounting, we remain committed to integrity and transparency, prioritizing ethical practices to build trust and confidence in financial reporting. #EnronScandal #ArthurAndersen #YourAccounting

If you thought using specialty testing and assessment options for hiring accountants was only for public accounting firms you'd be wrong! It works just as well in corporate - it's just that as the CFO or Controller you might need to know enough to tell your HR team that you want it! We're doing a webinar on CPA Academy specifically for corporate accounting departments - how you can speed up your hiring process, get the first chance to make offers to candidates, while making sure you know the calibre of those you're hiring. August 28, 3 PM Eastern / 12 PM Pacific.

Making sure new accountants feel welcome and ready to work is crucial for CFOs and Controllers. Here’s a straightforward approach: Plan the Onboarding: Have a clear plan for the first few months, outlining what they need to learn and achieve. It guides them on what to focus on. Give Them a Mentor: Pairing new accountants with experienced mentors helps them adjust faster. Mentors can answer questions and offer advice. Schedule Check-Ins: Regular meetings with their manager ensure they're settling in well and any issues are caught early. Introduce Them Around: Make sure they meet important team members and stakeholders soon. Feeling part of the team helps them get up to speed quicker. These steps create a welcoming and productive environment for new hires. Looking to share more tips on bringing new talent on board smoothly? Let’s connect.

https://lnkd.in/dJXcDwfv 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐏: 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 The accounts payable function, traditionally seen as a transactional back-office, is evolving into a strategic partner, driving efficiency, managing cash flow, and providing actionable insights, driven by emerging trends and technologies. Key Trends Transforming AP Increased Automation: Automation remains one of the biggest trends shaping AP. Automated AP solutions streamline tasks such as invoice capture, data entry, and approval routing, allowing teams to focus on high-value activities. Key Benefits: Reduces manual data entry errors Accelerates invoice processing times Minimizes the risk of duplicate or fraudulent payments Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning are playing an increasingly prominent role in AP by analyzing historical data to identify patterns and exceptions. These technologies can flag anomalies, predict payment behaviors, and optimize cash flow. Key Benefits: Enhances fraud detection and prevention Predicts future payment trends and working capital needs Improves accuracy in invoice data extraction and categorization Blockchain Technology: Blockchain technology is gaining traction for its ability to securely store and verify transactions. Its decentralized and tamper-proof nature makes it ideal for preventing fraud and improving transparency. Key Benefits: Enables secure, real-time transactions between businesses Reduces costs associated with third-party verification Increases the transparency of the payment process Robotic Process Automation (RPA): RPA automates repetitive tasks like data entry, invoice matching, and report generation. It enables AP officers to focus on strategic decision-making and exception management. Key Benefits: Eliminates the risk of manual errors Reduces invoice processing cycle times Frees up AP staff for strategic analysis Cloud-Based AP Solutions: Cloud-based AP systems offer greater flexibility and real-time access to data from anywhere. They also facilitate collaboration between remote teams and provide seamless integration with other financial systems. Key Benefits: Reduces the need for on-premises infrastructure Allows instant updates and scalability Improves data security and backup The Changing Role of Accounts Payable Officers

As April winds down, it's the perfect time to reflect and recalibrate your business finances. Closing out the month strong is key to maintaining momentum into May and beyond. Here's how Ascend Accounting can assist: ✅ Review Your Financials: Take a close look at this month's income and expenses. Understanding where you stand helps set the stage for future decisions. ✅ Update Bookkeeping Records: Ensure all transactions are recorded accurately. Our bookkeeping services streamline this process, keeping your finances precise and up-to-date. ✅ Assess Budget vs. Actuals: Compare your planned budget with actual expenditures. This insight is invaluable for adjusting strategies and planning ahead. ✅ Prepare for Upcoming Obligations: Anticipate early May expenses now. Planning ahead prevents surprises and keeps your finances on track. ✅ Set Goals for May: With a clear view of April's outcomes, establish specific, achievable goals for the next month. Let Ascend Accounting be your partner in closing out April efficiently and paving the way for a successful May. Here's to ending the month strong and starting anew with clarity and confidence! #EndOfMonthStrategy #BusinessFinance #AscendAccounting

Financial goals are easier to achieve with a plan. 🚀 Let’s map out your strategy for the rest of the year! 📝 Schedule a meeting with us to start YOUR tax planning! https://lnkd.in/ezxd8eTR

The accounting industry isn’t slowing down - are you ready to lead in 2025? On Wednesday, December 18th at 11 am EST / 4 pm UK, I'll be sharing the 5 priorities that will make or break accounting firms in 2025 in my upcoming livestream. Here’s a taste of what you’ll take away: ✅ Confidence to increase prices and reflect your real value. ✅ A plan to transition to value pricing and increase profitability. ✅ Insights into how AI can free up your time and improve results. This is your chance to get ahead of the curve. Save this link to join me LIVE on the day: https://lnkd.in/dUF4MmJd What’s one thing you’d like to master in 2025? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

As we move into the second half of the year, here are some key steps to help you prepare: 1. Review your mid-year financials. Assess your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow to understand your current financial health. 2. Adjust your budget based on the first half of the year’s performance and set realistic targets for the rest of the year. 3. Project your cash flow to ensure you have enough liquidity to cover expenses and invest in growth opportunities. 4. Review your tax obligations and plan for any upcoming payments or filings to avoid surprises. 5. Define clear financial goals for the next six months and develop a strategy to achieve them. If you have any questions about how we can help you free up more of your time while we take care of the numbers, let's set up a call! https://lnkd.in/esz2Hp9q #BusinessStrategy #BookkeepingHelp #bookkeeping #accounting #bookkeeper #quickbooks #payroll #financialreports #profitandloss #balancesheet #bankreconciliations #creditcardreconciliations #SanDiegoBookkeeper #SanDiegoAccountant #CaliforniaBookkeeper #CaliforniaAccountant #IntegrityAccounting