University of Nevada professors study accounting salaries
University of Nevada, Reno accounting professors Jeanne Yamamura and Jannet Vreeland surveyed 39 companies statewide to compile their annual Compensation and Benefits Survey of Nevada Public Accounting Firms. Among their findings: entry-level certified public accountants generally will find higher salaries in Reno than in Las Vegas, fewer public accounting firms are paying overtime and more companies are awarding performance bonuses. Small firms -those with annual revenue of less than $1 million – pay entry-level CPAs an average of $28,000 in Reno and $25,000 in Las Vegas. For firms with annual revenues between $1 million and $5 million, entry level accountants earn an average of $29,000 in Reno and $30,000 in Las Vegas. Most striking is the change in the number of accounting firms moving away from overtime pay and toward performance bonuses and alternative work schedules. “When I asked the question in the past few years, very few firms awarded performance bonuses,”Yamamura said. “This year, 67 percent of small and medium- sized firms and 83 percent of large firms include performance bonuses as a standard component of their compensation packages.”
Lake Mead Hospital lab earns highest ratings in hospital history
Lake Mead Hospital Medical Center’s laboratory received its highest rating in the hospital’s history from the College of American Pathologists, an organization responsible for certifying hospital laboratories nationwide. The rating follows a year in which Lake Mead Hospital completely remodeled its lab and added new instrumentation. Lake Mead Hospital’s laboratory is a full-service facility using state-of-the- art equipment to deliver diagnostic test results to physicians 24 hours a day.
IT Strategies awarded water district contract
Las Vegas-based IT Strategies International Corporation, a global computer consulting firm, was awarded a professional services agreement contract with the Las Vegas Valley Water District. IT Strategies will provide the water district with an assessment of the WSIS system, a software system that provides the district with computer automation for various business processes and programs. IT Strategies will identify the core functional components of the system and determine whether the system should be changed. Earlier this year, IT Strategies completed an organizational assessment for the information systems department of the water district.
Zions, Pioneer complete merger
Zions Bancorporation completed its merger with Pioneer Bancorporation in late October, engendering an organization that now represents the state’s third largest banking entity. Pioneer’s subsidiary, Pioneer Citizens Bank of Nevada, will be merged into Zions’ subsidiary, Nevada State Bank. “The similarities between the two banks’ philosophies, including community leadership, in-state management and strong customer focus, will create a banking franchise that will be uniquely positioned to service the needs of Nevadans,” noted George Hofmann, president and CEO of Nevada State Bank. “Our broad range of products and services, combined with an expanded network of branches and ATMs, will truly position us as Nevada’s Bank.”
Valley Bank moves into new headquarters
Valley Bank recently moved out of the temporary facility it occupied since its opening in October of 1998, and took up residence in its new corporate headquarters building and office at 370 North Stephanie Street in Henderson. The general contractor on the project was Fremont Construction, and Welles Pugsley performed the building’s architectural design.
Silver State Bank named top SBA lender in Nevada
Silver State Bank, a Henderson-based community bank, was named top Small Business Administration 7(a) lender out of approximately 40 SBA lenders in Nevada. From October 1, 1998 to September 30, 1999, Silver State Bank funded SBA loans totaling nearly $19 million, far surpassing the bank’s $3 million in SBA loans funded in the previous year. In December 1998, the SBA awarded Preferred Lender Status to Silver State Bank. The status authorizes the lender to make SBA loans subject only to a brief eligibility review and guarantees a 24-hour turnaround time on loan approvals.
