So, you're looking for a job in accounting. Well, in these economic times you'd be wise to not only look at the company, but the city in which the company is located.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine made this observation in releasing it's 2009 Best Cities List:
When our numbers guru, Kevin Stolarick, evaluated U.S. cities for their growth potential, he looked not just at the overall number of jobs, but also at the quality of those positions and the ability of cities to hold on to them when the economy softens. (See our Methodology) Says Stolarick, who is research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank that studies economic prosperity: "Although downturns are felt by everyone, our research has shown that the impact is less severe for those in the creative class -- people who are paid to think."
Accountants fall into that category - "people who are paid to think." And, guess what? Kiplinger's ranked Albuquerque, the city REDW calls home, the second best city in the nation. Now, maybe you want a second opinion. No problem. Look no further than
U.S. News and World Report, which has Albuquerque at the top of its list of Best Places to Live 2009:
Along the banks of the Rio Grande, with the Sandia Mountains in the background, is the beautiful city of Albuquerque, N.M. The sunny climate and endless landscape have long drawn writers, poets, and artists to this spot, which includes an unconventional mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. But it's not just freethinkers who drift to this Southwestern city of 511,000. Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and Intel Corp. have helped develop the area into a manufacturing and research hub. They provide a stable anchor for the local economy.
Albuquerque's clear skies, calm winds, and abundant sunshine present plenty of opportunities to explore its natural splendor. Each October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills the sky with more than 700 colorful hot-air balloons. Fourteen area golf courses are open year-round and allow duffers to tee off against spectacular backdrops of volcanoes and mountain peaks. Meanwhile, Albuquerque's foothills and network of trails make the area a wonderful destination for biking. Still, "it's kind of undiscovered at the same time," says Will McConnell of the Albuquerque Bicycle Center.
Okay, we may have cheated a little on that one. The list is alphabetical. But still, it doesn't take away from the fact that there were only ten cities that made the list. Now learn a little more about
working in a great accounting firm in one of America's best cities.
