Why You Should Stop Keeping Score at Work and Focus More on Team Growth Over Personal

February 28th, 2017

As an ambitious professional, you have big dreams for your career. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are today, and you’re proud of all you’ve accomplished. Whether you’ve already plotted your next steps or are still trying to map your course, you have a bright future ahead. In fact, you’ve already met with some accounting staffing companies to discuss your options.

There are certain things you need to accomplish before you can get to the next level of your career, so you’re always searching for ways to get ahead. Consequently, you’ve developed a bad habit of competing with the rest of your colleagues. You probably haven’t realized it, but this takes a lot of time and energy away from your work. It’s also causing a disconnect within the group, as everyone thinks you’re only out for yourself.

Reasons to Shift Your Focus to Team Growth

The old adage is true, there really is no “I” in team. Find out why you need to start putting the team first.

The Team Needs You

You were hired to fulfill a certain role on the team, but you’re unable to fully complete this obligation if you’re not focused on the group’s success. A team is only as strong as its members, so your colleagues are counting on you to pull your weight.

You’ll Earn a Bad Reputation

Working with a poor team player is beyond frustrating. Eventually, your colleagues will grow to resent you and you’ll develop a reputation as difficult to work with. Not only will this make your current work environment unpleasant, this stigma could follow you throughout your career. The industry is much smaller than you think, and word travels fast.

Team Wins Are a Victory for Everyone

When your team achieves success, everyone wins. Being part of a seriously accomplished team is a learning experience you don’t want to pass up. Future employers won’t only be interested in achievements you’ve garnered on your own — they also want to see a project you’ve worked on with others.

Knowing where to find the best accounting and finance opportunities in Seattle can be a challenge, so allow Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing to assist. Our recruiting managers want to help you find the right job for your skills, interests, and career goals. Contact us today to get started!

 

 

Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing (a specialty division of Provisional Services, Inc.) has been the Northwest’s leader in specialized accounting recruiting and staffing services since 1994! We use a consultative approach to provide customized accounting and finance staffing solutions, which includes contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire placements.  We guarantee the best-personalized service in the recruiting business!

 

 

Simple Changes You Can Make Around the Office to Improve Your Team’s Focus and Productivity

February 21st, 2017

You may not realize it, but the office environment you create for employees directly impacts their productivity. Working in a dank, cramped, unpleasant space is distracting and takes the focus away from work.

The year has only just begun, and your team has a lot of exciting goals to accomplish. Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing — one of the best accounting recruiters in the Seattle area — has some tips to help increase efficiency by making a few easy updates to your office space.

Adjust the Thermostat

When you’re physically uncomfortable, it’s nearly impossible to focus. If the temperature in your office is so cold, people have to bundle up or so hot they feel like they’re in a sauna, you can’t expect them to get much work done.

The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) has no regulations regarding office temperature but recommends keeping the thermostat between 68 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, with 20% to 60% humidity. Instead of maintaining the same temperature year-round, adjust it seasonally and request employee input.

Get Some Greenery

Adding a few indoor plants to your office décor can boost productivity by 15%, according to a 2014 study conducted by professors from the University of Queensland, Cardiff University, the University of Exeter and the University of Groningen. The findings revealed the presence of plants improved air quality, concentration, and workplace satisfaction.

Get every employee a plant for their desk, place a few large plants in common areas throughout the office, or both. Greenery also serves as great décor, so this is an easy way to boost productivity and refresh the look of your office.

Create Alternative Workspaces

Sitting in the same office or cubical all day can quickly become mundane. Give your employees a much-needed change of scenery by creating workspaces they can retreat to.

For example, if your office is noisy and most people work in cubicles, it may be helpful to transform a conference room into a quiet working area. You could also add a couple couches and armchairs to an empty corner and turn it into a more relaxed workspace.

Reduce Clutter

It’s hard to work in the middle of chaos. If your office is filled with boxes, unused equipment, and other needless clutter, it’s time to clean house. Get rid of things you don’t need and put the rest away in a storage area — even if you have to rent one.

Working in an orderly office environment just feels good. Having more space to move around will make it easier for people to collaborate and stay organized.

Hiring top accounting and finance talent is crucial to the success of your organization. Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing is committed to connecting you with the best candidates in the Seattle area every time. Contact us today to learn more!

 

Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing (a specialty division of Provisional Services, Inc.) has been the Northwest’s leader in specialized accounting recruiting and staffing services since 1994! We use a consultative approach to provide customized accounting and finance staffing solutions, which includes contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire placements.  We guarantee the best-personalized service in the recruiting business!

 

 

Is There a Gender Bias in the Accounting Industry? And If So How Can We Eliminate It?

February 14th, 2017

In 2017, it can be hard to believe a gender bias still exists in any employment industry, but unfortunately, this is still a very big problem — and the accounting industry is no exception. For the past 20 years, more than 50% of accounting graduates have been women, but only 19% of partners in U.S. accounting firms are female, according to the American Institute of CPAs.

As accounting recruiters, Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing is tired of this unfair treatment. From having the same opportunities as men to earning equal paychecks, it’s time for women in accounting to finally get what they deserve.

Ways to Eliminate the Gender Bias in Accounting

For far too long, gender discrimination has held female accounting professionals back. Find out how you can play a role in finally stopping it for good.

Make Some Noise

As an employer, you’re in a position of authority. Channel this power to draw attention to the gender bias in accounting. Use your company blog and social media channels to highlight key information on the issue, to educate other companies and the general public. A change will never happen if this problem is continuously swept under the rug, so do your part to stop it.

Update Your Company Culture

Many accounting professionals hold long hours that make it impossible to have a life outside of work. Consequently, this tends to force women with families out of the field or keep them in entry-to-mid-level positions. The value of a strong work-life balance has never been more evident, so shift your company culture to one where success isn’t defined as an 80-hour workweek.

Break the Cycle

You’re very aware that women hold a disproportionately low number of leadership roles in accounting, so defy the odds at your company. This doesn’t at all mean you should promote or hire women because of their gender — a practice equally insulting in its own right — but take a look at your hiring practices to make sure everyone is offered equal opportunities to get ahead.

If you need to expand your team, partner with Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing to do it right.

Our talented recruiting managers are here to help you find the very best accounting and finance, audit and taxation, cost accounting, analytics, and reporting, or accounting support candidates in the Seattle area. Contact us today to discuss your needs!

 

Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing (a specialty division of Provisional Services, Inc.) has been the Northwest’s leader in specialized accounting recruiting and staffing services since 1994! We use a consultative approach to provide customized accounting and finance staffing solutions, which includes contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire placements.  We guarantee the best-personalized service in the recruiting business!

 

 

Is Your Daily Productivity Hindered By a Lousy Morning Routine?

February 7th, 2017

ou may not realize it, but your morning routine can make or break the success of your entire day. The actions you complete from the time you get out of bed until you walk out the front door lay the foundation for your daily productivity.

If you typically end the day wondering why you haven’t accomplished more, there’s a good chance your morning routine needs an overhaul. Follow this advice from Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing — one of the leading temp agencies in Seattle — to start your day off on the right foot.

Morning Rituals to Boost Your Daily Productivity

Wake Up Earlier

No one wants to get out of a warm, cozy bed but hitting the snooze button every 10 minutes won’t give you more energy to start your day. The quality of sleep you’re getting isn’t great and it messes with your body’s internal alarm, causing you to feel tired all day.

Complete a Morning Workout

A morning sweat session is a fantastic way to help you wake up and get ready to take on the day. It doesn’t matter if you head to the gym for a cardio workout or do yoga in your living room, you’ll get the blood flowing and start the day with a feeling of accomplishment.

Make a To-Do List

Complete every important item on your agenda by making a to-do list each morning. This helps you visualize your day, prioritize the most important items, and stay organized. You’ll likely keep adding to it throughout the day but getting it started first thing sets the tone for a major productivity.

Eat Breakfast

You might not wake up starving, but if you don’t eat breakfast, your stomach will be rumbling by mid-morning. Avoid those hunger pangs and the lack of energy that accompanies them by making time to eat something healthy before you leave the house — oatmeal, fresh fruit, whole grain toast, egg whites, etc.

Take a Few Minutes for Yourself

Jumping out of bed, rushing into the shower, and frantically running around the house getting ready for work starts your day off on a chaotic note. When you get up a few minutes earlier, you can gently ease into your day by starting off with something you enjoy. Whether you like to spend a few minutes reading the news, meditating, or sipping coffee while watching the sunrise, these early morning moments are all your own.

Searching for a great new accounting or finance job in the Seattle area?

The recruiting managers at Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing want to help you find a rewarding temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, or direct-hire opportunity. Contact us today to get started!

 

Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing (a specialty division of Provisional Services, Inc.) has been the Northwest’s leader in specialized accounting recruiting and staffing services since 1994! We use a consultative approach to provide customized accounting and finance staffing solutions, which includes contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire placements.  We guarantee the best-personalized service in the recruiting business!