Consulting Opportunities for Senior CPAs

Experienced CPAs sometimes hit a ceiling when they get to the controller level because their soft talents aren't as strong as their technical skills. Ron Blair, managing director of recruitment firm the Century Group, in El Segundo, Calif., says such folks still can take advantage of a wealth of consulting opportunities. High-level technical skills are in such demand they're usually able to find as much contract work as they need, he told Jon Jacobs:

Much of the demand for contract work comes from private equity firms who want to upgrade the financial management and controls at companies they've acquired. Mid-size or smaller firms acquired in a private equity deal "may not be able to carry the freight of having that new CFO on board five days a week, at $200,000 to $500,000 a year," says Blair. Instead, they may instead choose to bring in a former Fortune 500 CFO as a one- or two-day-a-week consultant.

"We see this a lot in California, both in Silicon Valley and Southern California," Blair says. For many mid-career professionals, project assignments can open the door to a permanent position. They also demonstrate the job-seeker isn't letting his skills atrophy.

CPA Shortages Impact Work at Senior Levels [JITM]