5 Ways CFOs Can Provide Strategic Guidance

5 Ways CFOs Can Provide Strategic Guidance5 Ways CFOs Can Provide Strategic GuidanceAs the economy gains speed, finance leaders find themselves at the center of the action Theyre the key players in designing strategic growth agendas to lead their organizations toward more fiscally sound futures. What best practices are todays financial leaders adopting?In Finance with Foresight, a white paper from Robert Half Management Resources, more than 200 finance executives in the United Kingdom shared how they deliver strategic guidance and use critical thinking to make top-level, wide-reaching decisions that can boost the bottom line. While the research is UK-based, it is widely applicable to North American organizations.Here are five tips weve distilled from the report to help you and your finance team offer more targeted strategic guidance for your organization.1. Get the board on boardStrategic guidance isnt worth much if it falls on deaf ears and isnt implemented. After all, the goal of s trategic thinking initiatives is to solve fiscal problems for management and the companys board of directors. To accomplish this task, youll need to make a clear and compelling argument when presenting ideas to key stakeholders.If you are proposing the company invest in a new financial system, for example, explain how your ideas can help your company run more efficiently, save money and achieve better results. While geschftslebenes commonly rely on Excel for business reporting, you may recommend other complementary high-tech tools, such as predictive analytics or data visualization software that could add greater value. Additionally, increasingly popular cloud technology offer real-time reporting, allowing finance managers to seamlessly and securely build reports.2. Master the art of staff managementDay-to-day tasks and long-term business planning are miles aparte, so focus on these goals separately within your finance department. You will never find time to concentrate on strategic thinking if your team cant handle their daily responsibilities as autonomously as possible. This is why its essential to maximize each employees potential by delegating duties according to each members individual strengths and skill set.Similarly, encourage career development and make it part of your corporate culture. Leadership training, for example, doesnt just groom future managers, it also boosts creativity, motivation and engagement among your workforce.Your team needs all the pieces of the finance puzzle to function successfully, and every member needs to understand business operations in order to improve them. So promote comprehensive employee onboarding practices, rigorous training sessions and solid mentoring programs. Only then will you and your staff have the time and know-how to tackle long-term business planning.3. Maximize data captureIn order to get an edge in the market and capitalize on industry trends, finance executives need access to a wide range of data from a broad spectrum of sources. In Finance with Foresight, nearly half of respondents (49 percent) said their function should be proactive when it comes to identifying the right tools to extract maximum insight from data.Its important for finance executives to take the lead with testing data-harnessing tools and implementing better data-capture systems. Also, by housing all of the data generated across all business functions in one place, you will ensure data analysis is more accurate and accessible.4. Take the lead on experimentationStrategic thinking, by definition, includes coming up with business insights not previously considered. Yet these groundbreaking solutions will never be heard if finance leaders are not bold enough to propose them.As a finance executive, its important to take the lead on experimentation and adoption of new technologies or delegate a manager to champion these solutions across the business. When taking the helm on these experimental projects, be prepared to i nitiate difficult conversations about whether or not business tools will add value to the finance function. For example, explaining a software package youve been licensing for years isnt as good as a new one can be difficult - but it is an essential step toward honing your strategic guidance skills.5. Rethink recruitment and retentionAs accounting and finance professionals toolboxes grow heavier, highly skilled talent is in significant demand. In this environment, its essential to vet your future employees not only for technical prowess but also for nontechnical skills, as they will work with colleagues and upper management across the business. As strategic guidance becomes increasingly data driven, you should also pinpoint employees with business analytics skills and the ability to interpret data trends.Lastly, because demand for skilled employees exceeds supply, its imperative to do everything in your power to retain top talent. Your goal should be to groom future leaders who wil l become part of your succession plan. By revisiting their compensation regularly and offering opportunities for advancement, you can increase engagement and foster loyalty among your team.VISIT THE SALARY CENTERFor comprehensive results and additional insights on the research, request your copy of Finance with Foresight. Findings specific to small businesses also are highlighted in the infographic below.

HR Block Career and Employment Information

HR gruppe Career and Employment InformationHR Block Career and Employment InformationAre you interested in a career as a tax professional, or possibly a tax bro support job or corporate position? HR Block is the worlds largest tax services provider and a fully-integrated financial services company, operating more than 13,000 offices worldwide. You can find HR Block career and employment information online to help you determine if they offer the right career choice for you. Company Overview HR Block was founded in 1955 by brothers Henry and Richard Bloch. Their principal mission was to look at life through tax, and help people with preparing their taxes for the maximum refund. Today, they have prepared over 720 million tax returns, and have offices in all U.S. states, U.S. territories, and on U.S. military bases worldwide. They are industry leaders due to their cutting-edge innovation and advanced technology. HR Block Job Options HR Block hires both full-time year-round and te mporary employees for tax season. Over 80,000 tax professionals work at corporate headquarters and at local offices throughout the United States. Jobs are continuously available, and thousands of seasonal employees are added during the busy tax season. Office positions include tax professional, office leader, and tax office support. Tax operations field management jobs include district, regional, and divisional leadership roles. Corporate positions are available in information technology, retail sales, field management, client service and support, communications, financial services, government relations, menschenwrdig resources, legal, and marketing. HR Block looks for candidates with effective communication skills, ability to grow business, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work a flexible schedule. Successful completion of the HR Block Income Tax Course or Tax Knowledge Assessment will qualify you for consideration for certain career opportunities. For administration jobs, preferred qualifications are one year of clerical or administrative experience, one year of HR Block tax office experience or quality control experience, good reading and math skills, strong verbal and written communication skills. Income Tax Preparation Class If youre interested in a job working as a tax preparer, HR Block offers a course to teach you everything youll need to know, from tax theory and ethics to real world tax preparation. Youll earn HR Block certification, a certificate of completion, and qualifying education hours. After you complete the course, you may be invited to interview for a position with HR Block. The class is offered online in English and Spanish. Fees vary based on location. If you have experience, you can take the Tax Knowledge Assessment before you sign up to determine your skill level and if you need to take the class. Seasonal Positions Temporary tax season jobs offer flexible hours, the opportunity to utilize and gain professional experienc e, and to learn new skills in both tax and support roles. Seasonal tax preparer responsibilities include conducting tax interviews, preparing tax returns, ensuring client confidentiality and privacy, increasing client retention, and offering additional products and services. Seasonal office position responsibilities include greeting clients in a personalized, friendly and inviting manner, matching clients with tax professionals, scheduling, maintaining office cleanliness, and overseeing office organization. Career Opportunities Job searchers can find out what HR Block has to offer them in two ways. First, by enrolling in their Talent Community, which provides updates to candidates on jobs, events, and news at HR Block. Youll receive information on hiring events and job fairs you can participate in. They will also send you notifications of job postings that fit your criteria and seem to be a match for your qualifications. Secondly, applicants can search for job opportunities, fin d local jobs, and apply online for both office and corporate jobs. Just select your job title, category or keywords, and your location, and you will find a variety of employment options. Create an online profile to store your resume for easy application when you find interesting positions. HR Block Employee Benefits HR Block offers a variety of benefits to full-time employees including health and wohlbefinden benefits like medical, dental, vision, health savings, flex spending, and life insurance. Additional benefits include adoption assistance, domestic partner coverage, an employee stock purchase plan, retirement plan, vacation, and tuition assistance. Depending on eligibility, part-time employees may be able to enroll in medical coverage and retirement plans, and receive employee discounts. Read More How to Find a Seasonal Job Temporary Tax Season Jobs

New Yorkers may soon get 12 weeks of bereavement leave

New Yorkers may soon get 12 weeks of bereavement leaveNew Yorkers may soon get 12 weeks of bereavement leaveWhen a family member dies people can suffer unspeakable loss and need time to grieve. If they live in New York all workers may soon be guaranteed 12 weeks of bereavement leave if a new bill passes.The mandatory bereavement leave bill would include coverage for the death of a workers spouse or domestic partner, child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandchild andreceive up to two-thirds (or anywhere from 50%-67%) of their weekly pay during this time.According to the New York Post, the NY average weekly wage is currently $1,357 so the most a worker would get during the leave comes out to $680 per week.The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Rich Funke (R-Fairport) and Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle (D-Rochester.) It has already been passed in the Senate and the Assembly though The Business Council of New York State opposes paid bereavement. The bill still needs to be reviewed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.Most employers (94%) offer a paid bereavement leave of an average of only three days which is up 11% from 2016, according to studies by the grenzberschreitend Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP.)Only 3% of employers offer six or more days of bereavement for a parent or child death and just 5% for a spouse.