Accounting skills are a hot commodity.

Drawing a comparison between Mick Jagger and an experienced CPA seems a little far fetched, but taken in context of today's employment climate, it may not be that big of a stretch. Changes in accounting rules and regulations spurred by Sarbanes-Oxley have turned senior level accountants and

While they may not have paparazzi tracking their every move, tenured accounting and finance professionals do have employers across the country competing for their attention. According to Julie Milius, Branch Manager of the Westlake Village office of accounting and finance staffing specialists Accountants Inc., what's contributing to the scarcity of candidates is the quality of experience today's employer is looking for.

"Over the last few years, we've seen organizational charts get really compressed. People's roles have expanded in all departments and companies are needing a more "hands on" skill set from the people they hire. The accounting world has gotten much more complex and so companies' needs are more sophisticated. Highly technical accounting and computer skills, certifications and a track record of longevity used to be ideal, "wish list" qualifications. Now they are absolute requirements, and in today's market it's really hard to find professionals that fit the bill," she notes.

This is good news for those with the skills that are in demand as employers begin to dip into the coffers to get the people they need. But even companies offering large salaries are having a tough time finding the right people to bring on board. This, says Milius, is where developing a relationship with a staffing partner can be particularly beneficial.

"Partnering with a staffing service doesn't just take some of the initial screening work out of a manager's hands-it really expands their network of potential applicants and allows them to cast a wider net. In today's market, particularly in the accounting and finance arena, this is the real benefit, especially if you are working with an accounting and finance specialist firm like AI," she states.

"A specialist is going to have a greater understanding of some of the intricacies of an accounting or finance department, whether it's dealing with a payroll conversion or tackling Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. They will know the right questions to ask to get a better assessment of a company's needs. And, because they deal exclusively in accounting and finance they will have a larger network of candidates who are also working with them because they are specialists."

Joanne Savage is Franchise Principal with Accountants Incorporated, a member of the Vedior Group of Companies, one of the world's largest recruitment companies. They are a leading provider of accounting and finance staffing and work with a wide range of clients with diverse needs. Together with their sister company, Acsys, Inc., they form a nationwide accounting and finance staffing network and are among the top service providers in the United States. Anyone who wishes to know more about the latest trends in accounting and finance staffing or has an upcoming staffing or career need, can contact Julie directly at (805) 496-6888.