By VIRGINIA SMITH, EMPLOYMENT CORRESPONDENT

 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/jobs/6671473.html

There is one thing every small business, corporation and nonprofit organization needs — an accountant on some level — and that is one reason this field continues to withstand downturns in the economy.

“We have seen the accounting field continue to be stable, and it has been less affected by the recession than some other positions,” said Sue Burnett, president, Burnett Staffing, Houston.

According to Burnett, in past recessions companies and organizations hired more contract accountants, but this time more are opting to put these much-needed positions directly on the payroll.

There are many different types of accounting jobs, from non-degreed accounting clerks to the degreed accountants. Degreed accountants usually work as analysts in finance and auditing, for example. With experience, accountants may move into positions such as controller, comptroller, vice president of finance, chief finance officer, or become consultants and open their own firms.

“We are seeing greater demand for higher-level positions than for non-degreed positions that usually handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and possibly other responsibilities,” Burnett said.

Tax auditors and controllers also are in demand.

“Those with experience with any of the Big Four (accounting firms), such as Deloitte & Touche or Ernst & Young, are in high demand and can almost write their own ticket,” Burnett said.

Those interested in moving into this field will find degree plans at most colleges and business schools. Business colleges usually offer an associate degree in accounting.

The University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business, Department of Accountancy and Taxation offers three programs designed to prepare students to pass the Texas Certified Public Accountant exam and make the most of their chosen fields.

The Professional Program in Accountancy lays the groundwork for undergraduate students. A master's in accountancy degree is offered for those with bachelor's degrees in any area who want to transition to accounting. The Certificate in Accountancy Program provides a quick and complete overview of the requirements for the Texas Uniform CPA exam.

The Academy of Distinguished Scholars (ADS) at The University of Texas at Arlington is sponsoring a new award competition for students currently enrolled and in good standing in any graduate program in a Texas institution of higher education.  Eligible students are invited to submit a short (800-word) preliminary proposal describing how current knowledge could be applied to improve the lives of citizens of Texas.

The winner of the UT Arlington ADS Public Interest Award and those proposals designated honorable mentions will receive cash prizes.  To submit a proposal, graduate students should visit http://www.uta.edu/ads.

The 2009-2010 Public Interest Awards Competition
The Academy of Distinguished Scholars (ADS) at the University of Texas at Arlington invites proposals for the 2009-2010 Public Interest Awards competition from graduate students who are currently enrolled in Texas institutions of higher education.

Beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year, the UT-Arlington ADS Public Interest Awards will be given annually for proposals that suggest ways to apply research and scholarship in the interest of the people of the State of Texas. The intent of these awards is to identify and publicly recognize ideas that have a significant potential to advance the public interest through the application of research and knowledge obtained through graduate students' educational activities in Texas institutions of higher education.

Awards
Three awards will be given each year: a primary award in the amount of $5,000 and two honorable mention awards in the amount of $2,500 each. Because a major purpose of the awards is to strengthen the links between higher education and public policy in the State of Texas, all proposals should state explicitly how the proposed idea could be implemented into public life through legislation, public policy, a special funding initiative, etc.

Graduate students who are interested in participating in this year's competition should begin by reviewing the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to submit a proposal if you are:
•    currently enrolled
•    a student in good standing
•    in any graduate-level program within a Texas institution of higher education, and
•    not a previous recipient of a UT-Arlington ADS Public Interest Award
Because you must meet all four of these criteria to be eligible to participate, you will need to provide the name and contact information for a faculty sponsor who can confirm your eligibility in terms of all four criteria. Please fill out the form with the following information (note: Faculty webpage is: http://www.bauer.uh.edu/search/directory/index2.asp?dept=ACCT):

A student who meets the eligibility criteria can submit a single proposal for the 2008-2009 competition. Multiple proposals from the same student will not be considered.

Preparing Your Proposal
Eligible students should prepare their proposals in Word 1997-2003. All proposals should be limited to 800 words. Use standard 1-inch margins and Arial 12-point typeface. All paragraphs should be set flush left, with one space between lines. Separate paragraphs from each other with a single blank line.
If they are essential to convey the meaning and import of the proposal, either 1 or 2 graphic elements may also be included. A graphic element may take the form of a figure, table, schematic drawing, or photograph. Any words that appear in these graphic elements should be included in the total word count, which cannot exceed 800 words.

Proposals will be evaluated on the four criteria of
1)    their potential positive impact on society,
2)    their creativity,
3)    their viability / potential for implementation, and
4)    their cost-effectiveness. Proposals can reflect any areas of academic study; they are not restricted to particular academic disciplines. Explicit information about all but the second of these criteria should be provided.

Submitting Your Proposal
All proposals for the 2009-2010 competition must be submitted on-line during the period of October 1 through November 15, 2009. All of the required submission information and the completed proposal should be uploaded using the form found at http://www.uta.edu/ads. If any of the required information is not provided, the proposal application will not be uploaded and retained.

Submission Deadlines
September 1, 2009 - The official launch date of the website for University of Texas Academy of Distinguished Scholars.
November 15, 2009 - The ending data for acceptance of proposals to be considered for the 2009-2010 competition. The website will accept no additional proposals after this date in the 2009-2010 academic year. 

Beta Alpha Psi and Deloitte & Touche have teamed up again for Launch. This event is geared towards improving interview and communication skills for Junior and Senior level students who will be interviewing during this Fall semester for internships and full-time positions.
 
Launch will be held Tuesday, October 13th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Deloitte’s Office (1111 Bagby St., Houston, TX  77002).  We would like all attendees to arrive by 5:45 PM so we may begin in a timely manner.
Beta Alpha Psi, HBSA & PPA students are invited to participate in this event. It will include formal interviewing sessions along with mix and mingle activities designed to further develop students’ communication skills.
 
Attendees should dress in professional business attire to get the most out of the event.  Remember to bring copies of your resume and business cards for distribution to the Deloitte interviewers.  Students should treat this event as a real interview by doing research and preparation work beforehand.  Come with a position in mind.

Please note that this event is to aid those who are new to interviewing or are in need of improved interviewing skills.  Therefore, if you have already secured a position, please allow a student who can better benefit from the event to have the seat.

To RSVP:

Send an E-Mail to ushoustondeloittelau@deloitte.com (if you have question, please do not use this email address, another address is listed below).

 IMPORTANT NOTES:  All students must enter his/her full name in the RSVP email.  Security at Deloitte’s building requires names of attendees at after-hours events.  Seating is limited: 50 students will be able to participate on a first-come first-serve basis.  

Additionally, in order to get credit for your attendance, you must state whether you are a member of BAP, PPA, HBSA or Multiple (list all that apply).  Benefits for attendance from the various groups are listed below:

BAP Students: 20 points will be awarded for the event and it will fulfill a professional meeting requirement for those attending.  As seating is limited, if you RSVP and are granted a seat but do not show, there will be a penalty of 20 points.  You may cancel your reservation without penalty, if the cancellation is performed by end of day Friday, October 9th, in order to allow adequate time for another student to reserve the seat.

PPA Students: Attendance to the Launch event will count as a Mock Interview.

For further information send an email to: wfalkenhagen@deloitte.com or to corporate@uhbap.org with “Launch” in the subject line.

Student parking fees will be validated by Deloitte at the event, but only if you are parked in the Heritage parking garage.  Maps to the Deloitte office and Heritage Parking garage are attached below.

Beta Alpha Psi
Gamma Delta Chapter
www.uhbap.org

Deloitte
www.deloitte.com

Deloitte Office and Parking Locations:
 

Detailed View w/ parking instructions: