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"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert

With summer almost behind us, it's hard not to sense a change in the air. Our steps are more purposeful, holiday party "save the date" cards are being dreamt up, and many of us are about to embark on the "busy season," if it ever slowed down.

This month's Member Spotlight, Stacy Stanslaski, spoke to us about the importance of speaking up; of being confident in your skill set enough to take a risk and know that there is value in your experience. Table Talk includes how to keep a sense of humor when work goes into overdrive and the importance of career coaches for keeping you on the road to success. Announcements highlight some of the fun events coming up that celebrate professional women, including FEWnet members (and our very own Karen Oman). No time for such fun? Maybe one of our featured contract or perm candidates will be just the help you need.

If you haven't had the chance to check out our new website, we encourage you to do so and let us know your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you and hope that you enjoy the first few weeks of fall!

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Stacy Stanslaski

Stacy Stanslaski is the Controller at Viking Electric Supply, a distributor of electrical products to the contractor and industrial markets in the Upper Midwest and a subsidiary of Sonepar, the world's largest, privately held electrical distributor.

With a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse, Stacy spent the first part of her career with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, providing audit services and financial consulting. A phone call from her mother about an open position at a company where a family friend was CFO was just the nudge she needed to take the leap from public accounting to industry. What has followed has been an exciting adventure of transition and accomplishment along with its fair share of challenges.

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Read about hot topics from this month's FEWnet small group discussions.

Busy season is beginning.

Tis' the season for budgeting and we're all feeling the pinch. One FEWnet member shared with us her tips for surviving the season: Remember that it will get done. When frustrated, draw on the sense of accomplishment you will feel once the season is over. Name a reward for yourself and your team so that you have something to keep you going when hours get long. Most importantly, keep your sense of humor and take at least a minute or two to center yourself each day.

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Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis

Work with the best in the world! Manage the preparation of the division long-range plan, quarterly reviews/forecasts, and annual business plan. Prepare and review capital appropriation requests, as well as reports, ad-hoc analysis, and presentations for Corporate. A team player with demonstrated leadership skills, the ideal candidate will be a solutions provider who is ready to drive business growth in a fast paced industry. Salary starts at $75K

Tax Manager

Manage a team that is responsible for a variety of income tax compliance and planning projects, including preparing federal, state, and local income tax returns; assisting in managing federal income tax audits; proposing and implementing state income tax savings opportunities; and performing tax due diligence and integration functions on domestic acquisitions. A great fit for a dynamic leader with savvy communication skills and the desire to grow with a global leader! Salary starts at $90K

Controller

A demonstrated visionary with superior decision making skills, our client seeks a CPA to manage all financial functions, credit and collections, accounts payable, capital asset accounting, management accounting, and internal and external financial reporting and analysis. High impact players looking to lead the financial success of a fast growing company are encouraged to apply! Salary starts at $100K + bonus potential

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Finance & Commerce Top Women in Finance Luncheon

Recognize women who have made significant contributions in the financial services arena by positively influencing their business, industry or community. The award will go to women who lead their organizations directly or by example from positions of critical importance. Join us in celebrating the energy, drive, integrity, insights, and technical skills of this year's winners.

Sponsor: Finance & Commerce

Thursday, November 2, Noon
Downtown Minneapolis Hilton

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11th Annual WomenVenture Conference

"Living with Purpose" is the theme this year, featuring Yolanda King as the luncheon keynote and an outstanding line-up of morning workshops. Three local women will be honored with the Pioneer, Unsung Hero, and Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Awards. The day also includes a Women's Resource Center, which offers a place to gather, network, and explore products and services from women-focused companies.

Sponsor: WomenVenture

Friday, November 3, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Convention Center

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Featured Contractor #1

Technical skills: Account analysis, acquisitions, budgeting, computer conversions, consolidations, depreciation, financial reporting and analysis, fixed assets, month and year-end close, SEC, and Sarbanes Oxley make for an unbeatable combination of skills!

Computer skills: Strong Excel skills, Hyperion, Quicken, PeopleSoft.

Industry experience: Retail, wholesale, hospitality, and distribution.

A client favorite, this CPA has a nice blend of public and private accounting and a strong financial reporting background.

Bill rate: $79/hr.

Featured Contractor #2

Technical skills: Computer conversions, system installations, audit, account analysis, acquisitions, due diligence, budgeting, treasury, cash projections and management, cost accounting, IPOs, SEC and more...this sharp accounting professional can do it all!

Computer skills: Access, ADP, Crystal Reports, Excel, Great Plains, Hyperion, JD Edwards, Oracle, SAP.

Industry experience: Manufacturing, computers, communications.

This "hands on" CPA/MBA has an impressive blend of public and industry accounting experience with a strong SEC reporting background.

Bill rate: $112/hr.

Featured Perm Candidate #1

Technical skills: General ledger, month-end close, audit, cash projections and management, consolidations, financial reporting and analysis, and more.

Computer skills: ADP, Ceridian, Excel, PeachTree, MAS90, QuickBooks, Timberline.

Industry experience: Construction, transportation, manufacturing, and nonprofit.

A strong public accounting background and recent role as a CFO make this candidate a perfect fit for a Director of Business Development or other strategic, high impact role.

Target compensation: $85,000.

Featured Perm Candidate #2

Technical skills: Month and year-end close, computer conversions, system implementations, acquisitions, due diligence, budgeting, treasury, cash projections, cost accounting, financial reporting and analysis, and so much more!

Computer skills: Access, Excel, macros, JD Edwards, Oracle.

Industry experience: Agribusiness, health care, manufacturing.

A sharp MBA with big company experience and a fantastic background of business development, strategic planning, and analysis.

Target compensation: $150,000.

Call Certes at 952-345-4140 for more information about our outstanding contractors and perm candidates!