THE MARCONIAN | Volume IV, Issue 7
Quote of the Week: "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."
-- Andrew Carnegie
February 19, 2016 - In This Issue:
Weekend Weather

Fri., Feb 19
Partly Cloudy/Wind
High 62 Low 41
Sunny
Sat., Feb 20
Sunny
High 54 Low 34
Partly Sunny
Sun., Feb 21
Partly Cloudy
High 41 Low 31
Chicago Sports 
 Sunday, Feb 21
 Blackhawks @ Wild
 2:30 PM, NBC
 Friday, Feb 19
 Bulls vs. Raptors
 7:00 PM, CSNC

 Sunday, Feb 21
 Bulls vs. Lakers
 7:00 PM, WGN
FEI Chicago Chapter Events
Women's Strategic Professional Alliance (SPA) Event

Monday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 AM

The Metropolitan Club
233 S Wacker Dr

FEI's Strategic Professional Alliance (SPA) builds strategic relationships and social capital across FEI's women members, draws upon FEI's women members' collective knowledge, and explores areas of interest to women in financial leadership roles.

In keeping with our theme of "thinking outside of the box" by hosting Financial Women Executives whose careers have led them to a "non-traditional" path, SPA welcomes Emilia DiMenco, President & CEO, Women's Business Development Center. 

Click HERE to learn more!

Weekend Events
70mm Film Festival: The Ultimate Edition 

Feb 19 - Mar 10

Music Box Theater
3733 N Southport Ave

After installing a gigantic 41-foot screen and 7.1 channel sound system for its 70mm screenings of The Hateful Eight, the Music Box presents nearly three weeks of classic films projected in the immersive, large-scale format. This year's 70mm Film Festival is bigger and better than ever before, featuring classic movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Lawrence of Arabia and Vertigo. Also on the schedule this year: Ghostbusters, Interstellar, Cleopatra, Starman, Inherent Vice and more.

Click HERE to learn more!

CPAs Seeking New Ways of Learning
by Michael Cohn|Accounting Today

The Indiana CPA Society's CPA Center of Excellence is seeing greater demand for online learning in nontraditional areas for accountants, according to a new survey.
The CPA Center of Excellence recently surveyed nearly 700 Indiana CPAs to gauge their learning preferences and the skills they need to enhance. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they need technical accounting, auditing and tax education, as expected. But more than 40 percent (respondents could choose multiple types of education) said they also needed non-technical education such as leadership, critical thinking and communications training. And 13 percent indicated that they needed ethics training as well.
Classroom training was the top choice among CPAs for a learning environment. However, nearly 30 percent said they are most successful in online webinars, while over 20 percent said they are successful in online self-study. These online education percentages are believed to be higher than in prior years. As far as devices used for online education, the laptop was used most, followed by a desktop, tablet and smartphone.
"The survey results confirm what we've known to be true for some time now," said Indiana CPA Society president and CEO Gary Bolinger in a statement. "First, that mastery of non-technical skills is critical for current and future CPAs. Second, the current hours-based system of education is outdated and not meeting CPAs' needs. And third, CPAs want options for professional development and need help mapping out those plans."
Two questions on the survey addressed learning group size. Larger groups were the preference for both classroom and online learning. In a classroom environment, 93 percent preferred class sizes of 10 or more. In an online environment, 81 percent preferred groups of at least that size as well.
When CPAs were asked about their preferences between formal and informal settings for learning, nearly 64 percent of respondents preferred informal settings. In terms of learning formats, an interactive format was the top vote-getter, followed by lecture and experiential.
"Formal is too restricted. There are often good ideas by the participants in classroom CPE, and they can offer valuable insight at times. A combination of lecture and interactive is best," said one survey respondent. Another commented, "Informal settings usually allow for more participation and knowledge sharing of participants."
A third respondent provided a perspective that contrasts competency-based learning with the current hours-based model: "I like to learn at my own pace. When doing online learning (such as CPA Center of Excellence training), I am required to focus and learn. In a class setting, it is easier to just be physically present and not get much out of the class."
More than 35 percent of respondents indicated a shift to "competency-based" education for CPAs is needed, while only 16 percent disagreed. Nearly 50 percent of the respondents said more information was needed to form an opinion. The competency-based approach used by the CPA Center of Excellence means that competency must be demonstrated in order for a participant to advance through or complete a course.
A related question asked how the CPA's employer addressed the need to develop non-technical (or "soft") skills. Nearly 45 percent indicated their employer believes this education should be included within their continuing professional education requirements, while another 20 percent offer to pay for this training in addition to other continuing professional education. At the present time, CPAs in Indiana are required to obtain 120 hours of training every three years.
Three other questions dealt with professional development plans. More than 62 percent said they do not currently have a plan, and nearly 65 percent would like resources to help develop one. Of those that do have a plan, only 44 percent said that their skills development is assessed.
In terms of the specific skills necessary to them personally, communications was first at 23 percent, with critical thinking second at 19 percent, problem solving third at 18 percent, leadership fourth at 17 percent and analytical fifth at 16 percent. Among new hires, the skills most lacking were critical thinking, communications, problem solving, analytical and leadership.

Available Talent Spotlight
Is your team looking for someone with this skill set? 

Accounting Consultant, MBA, CPA
 
Accomplished accounting and finance professional with particular expertise in healthcare and non-for-profit organizations. 
  • Specialized in financial planning, cash management, budgeting, month and year end close, managing external audits, forecasting, financial analysis, costing and operational/financial reporting. 
  • Experienced in efficiency improvements including performance evaluation, training and development, documentation of policies and desktop procedures, streamlining budgeting processes and cost saving solutions. 
  • Extensive systems knowledge including Peoplesoft, Lawson, SAP, Blackbaud, Excel, Oracle, JD Edwards and Quickbooks. 
If this person would be a good fit for your team, please contact Jonathan Moe at 312.546.9800 or at [email protected]
Potential Opportunity
Looking for a new opportunity? 

Finance Analyst II
 
The Finance Analyst II position is responsible compiling and analyzing complex financial data used for decision making. The activities may include analysis of internal, external, organization wide, or department specific or patient specific data. The analyst function also includes pro-forma projections, contract and regulatory interpretations, and management summary reporting. This position requires a combination of financial, computer, data base management, and people skills. 
 
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance.
  • 5-7 years healthcare experience.
  • MBA and or CPA preferred.
Interested parties are encouraged to contact David Tuminello at 312.546.9800 or at [email protected]
Potential Opportunity
Looking for a new opportunity? 

Senior Accountant Contract Engagement
 
Looking for an experienced Senior Accountant for a contract engagement in support of a large manufacturing organization for a period of 5-8 months.  Individual will be responsible for the following:
  • Review, investigate, and correct errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents, and reports.
  • Assist in month-end sales reports and ensure these agree to the general ledger.
  • Ensure timely and accurate completion of all Balance Sheet General Ledger reconciliations as well as the maintaining and posting of journal entries, payroll expenses, monthly periodic and fixed entries
  • Assist in the internal financial reporting process including the consolidation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial information consisting of capital expenditures, accounts receivable, debt and notes receivable.
  • To perform this job successfully, and individual should have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, spreadsheet software and experience with Axapta/MS Dynamics and other ERP and/or manufacturing software.
Interested parties are encouraged to contact Jonathan Moe at 312.546.9800 or at [email protected]

Marco & Associates | 150 S. Wacker Drive | Suite 2050 | Chicago | IL | 60606