Common Accounting Interview Questions and Best Answers

Common Accounting einstellungsgesprch Questions and Best AnswersCommon Accounting Interview Questions and Best AnswersWhen youre interviewing for anaccounting sttte, theinterview questionswill vary depending on the job. Accountants have important roles in virtually any business, organization, or government agency that handles money. Companies that arent large enough to hire in-house accounting staff often hire accountants as outside contractors. Accountants also work for financial advisory firms and banks, or as tax advisers. Some questions youll get when youre interviewing as an accountant, therefore, are industry-specific. But others are common in any accounting interview, regardless of industry. See a list of typical accounting interview questions, along with sample answers, and tips on preparing for your interview. 132 How to Answer 4 Common Accounting Interview Questions Typical Accounting Interview Questions Give yourself a leg up on the competition by reviewing these qu estions that you will likely receive during your interview, along with sample responses. 1. What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession today? What They Want to Know There is no one right answer to this question, but you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to your profession by having a well-thought-out and intelligent answer. The interviewer wants to see that you are familiar with the industry and its challenges, and that you care about your job enough to have an opinion. Recent changes to the tax code are one big challenge for the industry since we have to scour through all the new rules and guidelines, and adjust accordingly. Of course, responding to new tax laws is familiar to the accounting industry. Another pressing issue for everyone in the field is technology. Readily available angeschlossen accounting services can make the role of a seasoned professional seem less essential, which means as accountants, we have to o ffer clients something thata computer cannot. Expand2. Which accounting applications are you familiar with? What They Want to Know There are many applications out there, and no one person could know them all. Interviewers are looking to see that youre aware of more than one application and have knowledge of the tools of the profession. As well as mentioning the ones you prefer (and why), you could also talk about recent developments in relevant software. Im most familiar with ABC Company Names accounting software, since its what I used day-in and day-out in my last position. Ive also used X and Y accounting applications in other roles. And, after a former co-worker recommended it, I recently started an online course in how to use the Z application for businesses. Expand3. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different accounting packages you have used in your most recent accountant jobs. What They Want to Know Be prepared to share specific examples of the pros and cons of th e accounting software youve used. Your response will show interviewers your knowledge as well as your critical thinking and assessment skills. I found the usability- and price- of ABC Accounting appealing. I welches, however, I bit frustrated by some of the missing functionality, which comes standard with other popular packages like XYZ and XXX. Expand4. Describe any accounting process that youve developed or sought to improve. What They Want to Know If youre still early in your career, you may not have developed any processes yet, but you should be ready to demonstrate that you can innovate. Think about something youve helped change or develop over the past few years. In my role at ABC Company, I discovered that the process for handling company travel reimbursements for the sales kollektiv was so difficult and time-consuming that everyones expense reports came in late. I assembled a team to evaluate the process and streamline where possible. We were able to use an application that we downloaded on all company-provided phones, and since we transitioned to this new process, reports havebeen timelier. Expand5. Describe a time when you helped to reduce costs at a previous accounting job. What They Want to Know All accountants should be able to reduce costs. Thats a major part of why employers hire them. Describe a time when you reduced costs unexpectedly through your personal innovation or diligence. Have the financial details of your success available in case your interviewer asks you to elaborate. Often unused licenses to software programs that charge a per-license fee (regardless of whether the licenses are in use or not) eat up a significant amount of budget. I led an audit of our software, spending time with each department to understand what programs and services were in use. We discovered that several departments had purchased programs that did essentially the same task and that we were paying for more licenses thanwere beingused. I did an analysis to unco ver that streamlining our programs could result in a 15% savings in this area of the budget, and presented my findings to the executive board. Expand6. Describe a time when you had to use numerical data or a graph to convince a manager. What They Want to Know Discuss how data or a chart or graph helped you make your case, and how the outcome worked in the organizations favor. For years, my company had been turning to the same vendor to stock paper products. Each year- despite increasing moves away from paper, and toward online communication- the overall price we paid went up. My manager was reluctant to dissolve the relationship, because finding new vendors can be hard. I showed a chart of the year-over-year increase, along with researching alternatives and getting bids for services, and showed her thatwe could be saving 40% on these costs. Seeing the data laid out was tremendously persuasive. Expand7. Describe a time when you had to work exceptionally hard to provide great service to a customer or client. What did you do and what was the outcome? What They Want to Know Interviewers want to see that youre a hard worker, and willing to go the extra mile beyond the job description or the 5 p.m. end of the day. Share information on what you did to provide service and how you accomplished it. One story really comes to mind here- in my role as an accountant for ABC Company, which served small businesses, we had a new client come through whod recently started a small business. His business was doing well, but it was clear thatbookkeeping was not his favorite. It would have been easy to sell him a package he couldnt use on his own, and lock him into an annual subscription. Instead, I provided four training sessions on the software so he could independently track his sales and expenses. Since then, hes recommended us to other small businesses that signed on to our services because of his praise. Expand8. Describe a time when you faced a particularly demanding deadline to prepare a financial statement or report. How did you react? What was the result? What They Want to Know Time management is an essential skill for accountants, who deal with multiple deadlines throughout the year. Share an example that shows how you smoothly handled the situation. Avoid exaggerating, which could be seen as less than honest by your interviewer. The most difficult deadline I can remember was preparing the year-end FY report at ABC Industries because there is so much prep work involved, and there are many dependencies on other team members providing data from their departments. The good news isthat everyone knows how important it is to create and present the findings in this report. My co-workers were really good at sticking to the deadlines I established for turning in information (and I built in a few extra days of wiggle room just in case, too). Expand9. How do you ensure that you dont forget details and ensure accuracy when you prepare monthly journal entries, r ecord transactions, etc.? What They Want to Know Almost everybody forgets small details sometimes- except accountants, who cant afford to. Share your strategy for making sure you do not forget or unintentionally alter records. You can say that youre not prone to mistakes in your response, or that youre good with details, but try to go a bit deeper than that. Next to my computer monitor, I have a sticky note that reads Check- then double check. Its a reminder to me to track all the smallest details and to always confirm thatmy work is accurate. I do a few things to ensure I do not forget details first, I automate tasks as much as possible. Also, I use calendar reminders and a good old-fashioned list to make sure that I remind myself to do tasks so that nothing is lost in my inbox. Expand10. Describe a time when you had to explain a complex accounting issue to someone without an accounting background. How did you help your audience understand the situation? What They Want to Know Your ability to communicate with non-accountants may be very important, especially if you will be in an advisory role with direct contact with clients or with team members from other departments. When responding, emphasize yourcommunication skillsandstorytelling talent, as well as your ability towork as part of a team. Ive noticed that many people get overwhelmed when you throw a lot of facts and figures at them. So, at my last meeting with a small business owner to share strategic advice, I not only had a PowerPoint presentation, but I also provided a written summary. After my presentation, I gave the customer 15 minutes to review the summary, and then we were able to have a conversation based on a mutual understanding of the financial matters. Expand How to Answer Accounting Interview Questions As you can see, accounting interview questions are generally a mix of questions about accounting issues and your own accounting skills, plusbehavioral questionsregardingsoft skills, characte r, and work habits. You should never try to present a false front during a job interview because, among other issues, your interviewer might notice and decide that your lack of candor is a red flag for deeper problems. However, you can increase your chances of interviewing well and getting hired by practicing some typical job interview questions, as well as the common questions for accountants listed above. For the most success, use examples from your career in your responses and keep your answers well organized. You want to tell a story thats compelling and fact-based, but dont delve too deeply into nitty-gritty details. Tips for an Accounting Interview How can you ace an accounting interview, and show youre a strong candidate for the position? Follow these strategies Be prepared for questions That means practicing your responses in advance. As well, review the job description again before the interview so that youll know which of your qualifications and skills to emphasize. Co me prepared with a few examples/stories that will demonstrate those skills and show your value as an employee. Do research The more you know about the company, the more you can personalize your responses. As well as looking for news stories about the company and browsing their website and social media, you can also look up your interviewer on LinkedIn. Look organized This is a skill thats important for many roles, but in particular demand for accountants. So, bring multiple copies of your resume in a neat portfolio. Make sure your interview outfit is particularly neat as well. Have Questions Ready to Ask the Interviewer Make sure to prepare alist of questionsto ask your interviewer- it shows youre truly interested in the company and the new job. Here are some options 1.Can you tell me about the person in the role before me? Why did he or she leave? 2.Whats a typical day like in this role, and are there any particularly busy times of the year? 3.What do you like most about worki ng at this company? 4.What are some of the big challenges your team faces currently? 5.Whats the next step in this interview process? Remember you do not need to ask a ton of questions,but do ask at least one. Prioritize questions that will help you know more about the company and its culture, and ultimately get a sense of whetherthe job is a good fit for you. This interview is a two-way street- while the interviewer is assessing you, you should also be assessing the company. How to Make the Best Impression Follow these strategies to make a good impression during your job interview Show up on time, and professionally dressed - these two factors will help you make a good first impression.Give a good greeting - that means shaking hands (no sweaty palms, please) and smiling when you meet your interviewer. During your conversation, make eye contact, have good posture, and keep up a professional, enthusiastic demeanor. Give strong, relevant answers to questions - thats where all y our practice of common interview questions comes in handy.Write a thank you note after the interview - sending a thank you is polite, and also serves as a way to remind the interviewer of your qualifications. Find out more about how to make a good impression during your job interview.

FlexJobs Contest What was your favorite summer job as a kid

FlexJobs Contest What welches your favorite summer job as a kid Contest What was your favorite summer job as a kidAs we approach Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer, wed like to know What was your favorite summer job growing up? Did you have a traditional summer job like life-guarding, babysitting, delivering newspapers, or working at a summer camp? Or did you spend your summers doing something a little more unconventional? What was your favorite summer job as a kid?The What was your favorite summer job contest has ended. But you check our latest contest hereTO ENTER OUR CONTESTIn the comments below, answer this question What was your favorite summer job as a kid?Comments are approved by a real, live, human moderator, so please be patient. You wont see your comment right away, but we know its there and well approve it quick as can be.DEADLINE TO ENTERFriday, May 25th at 1pm ESTTHE PRIZEA free one-month subscription to with access to over 9,700 pre-screened telecom muting flexible jobs from 3,362 companiesREQUIRED TO ENTERYour first name, at leastYour e-mail address (this will be kept private)A respectful answer to this weeks question (if your answer is off-topic, it wont be approved)A maximum of one entry per personHOW WE PICK A WINNERWinner is chosen by random drawing and announced onFacebookon Friday after 1pm ESTYoull be notified by email if you win (so make sure you leave a valid email address in the comments below)GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR ENTERING

How to Connect Two People on LinkedIn (Template) - The Muse

How to Connect Two People on LinkedIn (Template) - The MuseHow to Connect Two People on LinkedIn (Template) Lets imagine you just received a homilie from one of your friends (lets call herbei Anna) who saw you were connected to someone she wants an introduction to (lets call him Bob). Anna may really want to connect to Bob, but youre not quite koranvers how to go about it. Youre not exactly best friends and you dont want to hurt your reputation in the process.This is a common situation (and kinda the whole point of LinkedIn). And the good news is that its pretty simple to do. The big trick is to get your friend to do the heavy lifting.In fact, youll want to ask her to write a one to two paragraph message that you can easily send over. Heres an exampleHi Emily,I stumbled across Bob Smiths profile on LinkedIn as I was researching local meteorologists. I was particularly impressed with his published academic papers on climate change. His findings have not only made large contributions t owards sustainability, but have also raised my awareness and impacted me to be make more conscious decisions in my purchases.Im currently endbearbeitung up my PhD program (graduating next month) at UC Berkeley in the area of Atmospheric Sciences and would be very interested in meeting a fellow Cal alumni with such extensive experience in the field. Id very much appreciate an introduction in case our schedules sync up so I can treat him to a cup of coffee, as I admire the wealth of knowledge he has developed in the field.Thank you,AnnaAs you can see, Anna kept the message to two paragraphs at maximum. But more importantly, she answered the following questionsWhy does she want the introduction?What about the persons background interested her? What specifically about their experience made them special?What is her professional summary or background overview?What does she hope to get out of the introduction? By answering these four questions, Anna did two important things She articulated everything better than the mutual connection could, and she made it effortless for the mutual connection to agree to send an introduction. Because now you can pen the message below, copy and paste Annas right under it, and hit send. Hey Bob,Anna, a good connection of mine, was really impressed by your background and I am thrilled to introduce you to her. I think the two of you would really enjoy connecting. Please see her message below and reach out directly if you have questions.What to Do if You Dont Know the Other Connection Very WellWhile LinkedIn encourages users to only add and connect with people they actually know, many users are connected to people theyve never actually met before. So, what do you do if someone asks you to introduce them to another person you hardly know? As the mutual connector, you might decide to just customize the message a littleHi Bob,I hope this message finds you well. We connected on LinkedIn months back and I just received this message from an old classmate of mine, Anna. She saw we were connected and asked if I could introduce you to her. Please see her email below and reach out directly if interested in her request.Thank youEmilyJust remember, in this fast-paced world where people are being inundated with messages and notifications every few minutes, its important to be as clear and concise as possible.And that helping others by facilitating introductions not only makes you a strong networker, but people will reciprocate the favor for you in the future. I believe youll not only have fun doing it, but youll feel great helping others build meaningful and long-lasting relationships.

How to Use Facebook as a Social Media Resume

How to Use facebook inc as a Social Media ResumeHow to Use facebook inc as a Social Media ResumeHow to Use Facebook as a Social Media ResumeIs your Facebook profile helping or hurting your job search? Its no secret Facebook, Twitter, and other social media giants have taken over the internet. LinkedIn is also growing, proving to be a great place to display professional content and expand career networks. Twitter provides us with a news arena, while Pinterest dazzles viewers with art. So what social media outlet do employers go to when examining a job applicant?Facebook has become one of the primary targets for businesses looking to hire a new team member. Whether its being used as a follow-up to an application or interview, search tool for finding the best fit, or as an investigative and research platform, hiring managers are using Facebook to learn more about applicants.This makes the idea of using Facebook as a social media resume quite intriguing. Lets dive deeper into how to buil d a resume on Facebook.Career experience and educationMuch like LinkedIn, Facebook offers users the ability to list career information and use the platform as a social media resume. This platform helps connect applicants with more businesses through tagging. When you list your companys name, it automatically connects you to that companys page, allowing future employers to see who youve worked for in a new light.Treat each job and position as you would on a resume. Dont place silly descriptions or rude comments. Instead, display your leidable contributions and key achievements. Additionally, take advantage of the projects tool. Use this tool to list each notable contribution and key project you worked on. Limit the number of projects to five or six. You dont want to prevent hiring managers from seeing your other accomplishments.Heres another piece of resume help If you have large gaps in your work history, do not include dates. This could tell the hiring manager you arent willing to commit. Omit the dates, and focus more on skills and activities.Education tools on Facebook are similar to those of the employment section. It connects you to the school and universitys page. List all universities, colleges,and schools where you received a degree or diploma. Dont list every single one attended. This can insinuate you give up too easily.Skills sectionThis is one of the most overlooked aspects of Facebook. The skills area, located slightly below the education section, is used to list skills. These skills are automatically tagged in Facebooks search engine. Meaning, if you list dog walking as a skill and potential employers search for dog walkers on Facebook, bingo, your name appears.Be careful though Facebook limits the number of skills you can list. Only list the most important and relevant skills. Dont list transferable skills, and avoid bland terms. This list should be specific. Facebook will try to help you by listing words it thinks you mean. Take advantage of th is resume help feature because those are the terms most searched for online.ConclusionFacebook is more than a social media and communication tool. It is useful in job searches and networking with other professionals. It can even be used as a sort of social media resume. Hiring managers and supervisors are increasingly requiring applicants to list their Facebook account. Those managers use your profile to determine if you are a good fit or not. Following these basic tips not only will help you get the job, they will also prevent embarrassing moments. To recap on how to build a resume using FacebookUse your resume as the basis for the Work and Education section of the About tab.Fill out your Timeline with vital information that paints a rich and robust picture of your professional life.Consider adding life events that convey interesting and relevant information.Add photographs or other illustrations that show the evolution of your career and academic trail.Employ your feed or Status U pdates in a way that communicates your professional and personal interests.Strive for cohesion and consistency in your content.Avoid information that distracts or destructs.Dont post topics or photos you wouldnt want your mother or mentor to see.Need help with your resume? Our TopResume writers can helpRecommended ReadingWhy You Should Google Yourself to Monitor Your Online Personal BrandHow to Write a Powerful LinkedIn Profile Summary7 Tips on How to Use Twitter Effectively for Your Career

Introducing Resume Reference Page

Introducing Resume Reference Page You dont need a possible employer looking for information. Set the person whom youve known the longest at the peak of the list, or else the person who can offer the most positive details about you. Every time you create in-depth info. Help yourself to a completely Free Resume Reference Template on my site to make your job search simpler Getting the Best Resume Reference Page As soon as its important to get people who can vouch for your abilities and abilities, offering a list of references right from the gate during work search isnt always the ideal policy. So that your job posting says they require good interpersonal skills. Skills which can be validated or quantified through certifications ought to be included. You might also give the person who has an updated resume or list of your abilities and qualifications. For example, if a client were unable to supply a very clear timescale where the work required to be completed, you should off er an assumed completion date depending on the resource plan youve stated earlier in the proposal. Including such information is very useful when working with foreign clients who might be less acquainted with your firm, and frequently provides the client confidence in the firms capacity to deliver a top quality product. This page consists of examples of the most frequently used kinds of sources utilised in the social sciences. For example, you may want to provide absolutely free hardware for testing purposes, training to the customers staff, or another gesture of goodwill as it is related to the customers needs and the undertaking. Additionally, while candidates typically do not offer references who would not provide glowing testimonials, professional recruiters have extensive personal and professional networks which often permit the organization to gain from references that havent been named by the candidate. Though in some instances you might only conduct a reference check o n your clear first option, in different cases it is reasonable gather references for over 1 finalist. You also need to inform your references of your circumstance. When you give out somebodys name for a reference, to start with, be positive you have permission to use them as a reference. You want recent references from those who may not only vouch for your character, but the caliber of work you do. For that reason, it is sensible to put your main fans first. Choosing Good Resume Reference Page You should also incorporate the complete citation for the source in the APA reference list, which is generally the previous item in an undertaking. Although APA guidelines are commonly used, make sure that your professor approves. Near the end of making a complete reference citation, youre observe the choice to create a parenthetical citation in the APA format generator. Be consistent with your formatting and make certain to include exactly the same information for each reference. The im portant rule is to offer sufficient information so the reader can find the reference easily. After you have decided on who you need to have in your reference list you must get their permission. There are lots of templates out there that may help you begin and avoid writers block. Introducing Resume Reference Page It is crucial to get in touch with your reference before going to your interview. During a job interview, you might be asked to supply references. A superb reference will enhance your likelihood of getting hired. If a person pauses or seems to be uncomfortable at all, thank them and continue on to the upcoming possible reference. The only criteria is that theres somewhere to enter in each of the essential info, that its laid out in a sense that is reasonable, and that each and every entry looks the exact same. At time it will become essential to indicate when a specific reference is readily available for a telephone call. The expert reference doesnt need to be a buddy or somebody you are friends with. Use a suitable business letter format. You may also see that some possible employers do not need a list of your reference in any respect. At times, its tough to think of five or seven people who it is possible to list as references you will know will provide prospective employers the best recommendations. Try to list all of the info you can concerning the reference so that your upcoming employer can contact him easily and examine the authenticity of his job position. Giving future employers references on your resume is an excellent method to construct trust. Thus, youll want to put your very best foot forward and collect a winning proposal when responding to an RFP. An RFP could be issued in combination with a SOW, or might be a stand alone document to which suppliers respond. Keep your referred person updated while youre asking for work.

What You Should Do to Find Out About Best Resume Writing Services in Atlanta Ga Kill Before Youre Left Behind

What You Should Do to Find Out About Best Resume Writing Services in Atlanta Ga Kill Before Youre Left Behind Its hard to settle on a service to purchase your essay from. The same is applicable to top essay writers. If youre thinking that you will need someone to compose my essay at the moment, you can just rely on our honest reviews. At our essay assistance, essays are always delivered in a brief moment. Type of Best Resume Writing Services in Atlanta Ga Kill There are numerous essay writing services that think theyre the very best, and therefore dont be cheated and check the legitimate list of the very best. If you wish to get a research paper, online writing service like ours is precisely what you want. If you would like to acquire high excellent research and thesis papers punctually and for a ritterlich price, you should probably attempt using EssaySupply.com. Youve got to compose several academic papers over the span of a year. First impressions matter, which is the reason why the best resume writing services might be enormous asset for you. Youre a personal services business. You should definitely take this service into account if youre new to the internet writing businesses. When you are attempting to select the best resume writing service to enhance your resume, its simple to be overwhelmed with options. The price is dependent upon the size and urgency. It is possible to even check out several reviews and after that choose the business which best suits your requirements and inexpensive budget. The review is going to teach you all you want to understand and then youre able to place your purchase confidently. Our reviews contain information like the score of the clients, our rating, starting prices, Discounts, and caliber of the papers. Following are a few reasons you want a resume writer and where you are able to find one in Atlanta. Bottom Line If you are searching for top rated resume writing services, Careers Booster is definite ly an institution to look at. An expert author with experience features expertise to develop interview-winning resume packages. One other great thing which makes Resume Writing Service one of the very best rated resume writing services is they frequently offer discounts. Where to Find Best Resume Writing Services in Atlanta Ga Kill Lets say you should purchase essay for college. You need to make sure youre putting your resume and technically, your possible career in the proper hands. Since you are able to see, students will definitely face many challenges should they need to turn into a member of the buy essay club. Youre unsure how to explain your work history. The Demise of Best Resume Writing Services in Atlanta Ga Kill You might believe that there isnt much improvement for your resume, but if youre bedrngnis being brought in for interviews, theres likely an issue with your resume. It includes your contact info, past jobs and abilities, along with achievements that shed light on your hard work over time. You do not have to fret about your personal details that may be viewed, as we handle the matter on a safe network. For some of them you will require help, while others you may write by yourself.

Must-Have Java GUI Skills

Must-Have Java bedienoberflche SkillsMust-Have Java GUI SkillsJava GUI is used to write programs that range from applets to stand-alone applications. Unlike traditional programs, GUI programs are event-driven. A user clicks a button or presses a key for something to happen the program responds to the click or the press or whatever else generates the event.Java is one of the primary languages for developing native Android apps and back-ends for enterprise software. So adding new Java skills is a surefire way to make yourself more marketable. These five Java GUI tutorials can help get you there1. Brush up on Java SwingJava Swing is an additional set of program components that work with the prewritten code called Java Foundation Classes. By using JFC and Swing, a programmer can write programs in an operating system other than Windows. You can create GUIs for applications and applets using JFC and Swing.2. Incorporate JavaFXA separate tutorial from Oracle gives instructions on how to inc orporate JavaFX into a Swing application. Java programmers use the JavaFX software platform to create and deliver rich Internet applications that run on a variety of devices.Calculate a java developer salary in your area with our Salary Calculator.3. Check out a free programming tutorialLandofcode.com provides free tutorials on web development, including tutorials on Java GUI programming, layout, graphics, responding to events, and displaying applets on websites.4. Go deepThe Udemy course Java Swing (GUI) Programming From Beginner to Expert, which you can preview for free, is a bargain at $49. Its taught by former software developer and contractor John Purcell and runs the gamut, like the title says.Purcell also runs the website Cave of Programming, where many more programming tutorials are stashed - many of them free.5. Look to the old favoritesIt may sound strange, but dont overlook YouTube as a resource. A cursory search turns up Java GUI tutorials on a number of topics, among t hem NetBeans and Eclipse.Your Java GUI skills can be enhanced, learned anew or taken to the next level with the help of ansprechbar tutorials. So, poke around within the tutorials and devote yourself to the one you like best. Your bottom line will thank you, as your Java GUI know-how likely will be in demand with many employers.

Inspector Drone

Inspector Drone Inspector Drone Inspector DroneDrones arent just for snooping, spying, stealth attacks from above, and pranks anymora. The oft-maligned technology is now in the business of saving lives, by going where humans cant go without taking on considerable risk. Industrial inspection is the niche that screams out for remotely operated aerial vehicles, as they are sometimes known. Jobs that once required people dangling from ropes, or atop precarious scaffolding, are now about as risky as playing a video game. In the UK the largest number of industrial fatalities comes from falls from heights, says Phil Buchan, a mechanical engineer and the commercial director of Cyberhawk, Aerial Inspection and Surveying Specialists. Our technique is reducing the need for people to work at height. That technique involves more than sending up a GoPro on a quadrocopter controlled by an early-adopting technophile. Cyberhawk uses two highly skilled employees for every job. One is a trained drone p ilot, the other a trained engineer. While the pilot controls the vehicle, the engineer controls the camera. The engineering half of the duo may have once been an inspector or may have been trained by Cyberhawk after graduating. Pilots might be hobbyists or may come from a military background. At Cyberhawk they go through four levels of training, with only level-four pilots sent out to inspect assets in complex harsh environments such as offshore oil platforms.Inspecting an offshore rig. Image Cyberhawk The cameras Cyberhawk use can look straight up and straight down, giving them an unrestricted view of whatever might need inspecting. We can fly under the deck of an oil platform and turn the camera and look directly up to inspect the underneath of the deck, says Buchan. Traditionally thats an area difficult to inspect, difficult to have access to. But these ogling RC aircraft do more than just reduce the need for dangling humans and associated risks. They can save industries serious money. For example, until now, checking a flare stack meant shutting down production. A flare stack typically has a large flame coming out of it, so you cant send someone up there to inspect it, says Buchan. We can do our inspection while the flare is online, and now we can do it every six months to monitor degradation. One supermajor oil and gas company said they saved $11 million by not having to shut down during such an inspection in Nigeria, thanks to a Cyberhawk team. After some 10,000 safe commercial flights in 20-odd countries, Cyberhawk has shown the world that drones are good business for cutting risk. In the U.S., though, regulations make that business a little more complicated. Ventus Wind had to ground their inspectors when the FAA outlawed all commercial drones. We were operating for about two and a half years without any problem, says Marco Zvanik, the companys CEO. It put us out of business. To get back in business, the company had to jump through a fair number of hoo ps. They had to apply for (and received) a section 333 exemption from the FAA all their pilots now have to be licensed pilots a spotter must accompany all the pilots for all flights the drones cannot fly out of the line of sight at any time and all drone flights have to be registered with air traffic control, days in advance. But however onerous these requirements might be, it does raise the bar for entry into the business, eliminating potential amateur competition. Whatever time and money the bureaucratic process might cost, Ventus Wind is still able to offer incredible savings to those in need of a thorough examination at a high altitude. Their cost for a single turbine inspection ($1,700) is a mere 15 percent of what it would cost to inspect in any other fashion. The price is likely to go downand efficiency upas drone technology improves. With current battery technology the drones cant stay up longer than 15 minutes. Ventus has recently put sensors on their drones to detect leaki ng methane, but any addition to the drone sucks up a huge percentage of a drones hauling capacity. There is a lot of hardware that works on the back of a truck but is impossible to use on a drone, says Zvanik. Advancements are needed on the software side of things too. You can capture all the great videos and infrared you want, but you have to be able covert that to a usable format and generate a report the asset owner can actually do something with, he says. However much room there may be for improvement, the drone inspection business is already saving money and saving skins. Just the other day I watched a helicopter dangling a man a 100 feet below, going from transmission tower to transmission tower looking at components, says Zvanik. Its like, ok, you can do that with a human, but you can do it a lot faster and with plenty less money using a drone. Michael Abrams is an independent writer. For Further Discussion A flare stack typically has a large flame coming out of it, so you c ant send someone up there to inspect it. We can do our inspection while the flare is online, and now we can do it every six months.Phil Buchan, commercial director, Cyberhawk

4 Benefits of Object-Oriented Programming

4 Benefits of Object-Oriented Programming4 Benefits of Object-Oriented ProgrammingLike parachute pants and Pac-Man, OOP (object-oriented programming) got its start in the 1980s. But unlike trendy fashions and video game characters, this programming model is still going strong after these many years.OOP has become a fundamental part of software development. Thanks to the ubiquity of languages like Java and C++, you cant develop software for mobile unless you understand the object-oriented approach. The same goes for serious web development, given the popularity of OOP languages like Python, PHP and Ruby.Getting your head around the idea of object-oriented programming can be challenging for some IT professionals. You may be wondering why you even need objects when you could use the top-down approach of traditional structured programming in languages like Visual Basic.If youve written this kind of software, youre probably used to breaking down large problems into sub-problems and solvin g them in separate units of code. Or you may have experience with functional programming, which treats elements of code as precise mathematical functions, and prevents them from affecting other elements, i.e., no side effects.Get to grips with OOP, however, and youll see that its a whole new way of solving problems. The basic concept is that instead of writing a program, you create a class, which is a kind of template containing variables and functions. Objects are self-contained instances of that class, and you can get them to interact in fun and exciting ways.The advantages of object-oriented programming lie in this kind of encapsulation. Heres a detailed look at some of OOPs top benefits1. Modularity for easier troubleshootingSomething has gone wrong, and you have no idea where to look. Is the problem in the Widget file, or is it the WhaleFlumper? Will you have to trudge through that sewage.c file? Hope you commented your codeWhen working with object-oriented programming language s, you know exactly where to look. Oh, the car object broke down? The problem must be in the Car class You dont have to muck through anything else.Thats the beauty of encapsulation. Objects are self-contained, and each bit of functionality does its own thing while leaving the other bits alone. Also, this modality allows an IT team to work on multiple objects simultaneously while minimizing the chance that one person might duplicate someone elses functionality.We can help you find your next programming jobSEARCH JOBS2. Reuse of code through inheritanceSuppose that in addition to your Car object, one colleague needs a RaceCar object, and another needs a Limousine object. Everyone builds their objects separately but discover commonalities between them. In fact, each object is really just a different kind of Car. This is where the inheritance technique saves time Create one generic class (Car), and then define the subclasses (RaceCar and Limousine) that are to inherit the generic classs traits.Of course, Limousine and RaceCar still have their unique attributes and functions. If the RaceCar object needs a method to fireAfterBurners and the Limousine object requires a Chauffeur, each class could implement separate functions just for itself. However, because both classes inherit key aspects from the Car class, for example the drive or fillUpGas methods, your inheriting classes can simply reuse existing code instead of writing these functions all over again.What if you want to make a change to all Car objects, regardless of type? This is another advantage of the OO approach. Simply make a change to your Car class, and all car objects will simply inherit the new code.3. Flexibility through polymorphismRiffing on this example, you now need just a few drivers, or functions, like driveCar, driveRaceCar and DriveLimousine. RaceCarDrivers share some traits with LimousineDrivers, but other things, like RaceHelmets and BeverageSponsorships, are unique.This is where object-ori ented programmings sweet polymorphism comes into play. Because a single function can shape-shift to adapt to whichever class its in, you could create one function in the parent Car class called drive - not driveCar or driveRaceCar, but just drive. This one function would work with the RaceCarDriver, LimousineDriver, etc. In fact, you could even have raceCar.drive(myRaceCarDriver) or limo.drive(myChauffeur).4. Effective problem solvingA language like C has an amazing legacy in programming history, but writing software in a top-down language is like playing Jenga while wearing mittens. The more complex it gets, the greater the chance it will collapse. Meanwhile, writing a functional-style program in a language like Haskell or ML can be a chore.Object-oriented programming is often the most natural and pragmatic approach, once you get the hang of it. OOP languages allows you to break down your software into bite-sized problems that you then can solve - one object at a time.This isnt t o say that OOP is the One True Way. However, the advantages of object-oriented programming are many. When you need to solve complex programming challenges and want to add code tools to your skill set, OOP is your friend - and has much greater longevity and utility than Pac-Man or parachute pants. Tags