One of the most difficult exercises our clients go through is determining the various positions within their IT team, the responsibilities assigned to those individuals and the appropriate salaries.  While many firms are part of an association of CPA firms that freely share such information, the rest of the firms are often do not know where to turn to for such information.

 Industry statistics point to a firm having one IT related person for every 20 to 25 staff for the first hundred users and then you get some economy of scale beyond a hundred.  For most firms the initial person hired has basic network management skills and does a lot of help desk and support.  This person is then followed by someone that is more involved with training, help desk, and capturing best practices. At this level, the higher level network administration skills are outsourced to experienced network integrators that have exposure to multiple networks and implementations. 

To further help firms clarify the job responsibilities there are a number of websites that have detailed job descriptions and in some cases provide competitive salary information.  Amongst the best is a site called Salary.com (www.salary.com) that will provide you local information on what various IT positions are paying at both a local and regional level.  A sampling of job descriptions they have on their site are listed below and we suggest you look through their site to help clarify your job descriptions and responsibilities within your firm.

LAN Support I (IT -- Networking)
Supports, monitors, tests, and troubleshoots hardware and software problems pertaining to LAN. Recommends and schedules repairs. Provides end users support for all LAN- based applications. Installs and configures workstations. May require an associate's degree in a related area and 0-3 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a project leader or manager. 

LAN Support II (IT -- Networking)
Supports, monitors, tests, and troubleshoots hardware and software problems pertaining to LAN. Recommends and schedules repairs. Provides end users support for all LAN- based applications. Installs and configures workstations. May require an associate's degree in a related area and 2-5 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision; typically reports to a project leader or manager. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. 

LAN Support III (IT -- Networking)
Supports, monitors, tests, and troubleshoots hardware and software problems pertaining to LAN. Recommends and schedules repairs. Provides end users support for all LAN- based applications. Installs and configures workstations. May require an associate's degree in a related area and at least 5 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. May lead and direct the work of others. Typically reports to a project leader or manager. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. 

Network Administrator (IT -- Networking)
Installs, configures and maintains organization's network. Builds networks and maintains external and internal web presence, administers the networks. Performs system backups on its internal and external web network servers. Designs and supports server system(s) and supporting software. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a project leader or manager. 

Network Administrator, Sr (IT -- Networking)
Installs, configures and maintains organization's network. Builds networks and maintains external and internal web presence, administers the networks. Performs system backups on its internal and external web network servers. Designs and supports server system(s) and supporting software. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision; typically reports to a project leader or manager. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. 

Network Planning Analyst I (IT -- Networking)
Reviews, plans, and evaluates network systems. May troubleshoot network systems and recommend improvements to network. Provides documentation/project tracking and management reporting. Provides tactical and strategic input on overall network planning and related projects. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a project leader or manager. 

Network Planning Analyst II (IT -- Networking)
Reviews, plans, and evaluates network systems. May troubleshoot network systems and recommend improvements to network. Provides documentation/project tracking and management reporting. Provides tactical and strategic input on overall network planning and related projects. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision; typically reports to a project leader or manager. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. 

Network Planning Analyst III (IT -- Networking)
Reviews, plans, and evaluates network systems. May troubleshoot network systems and recommend improvements to network. Provides documentation/project tracking and management reporting. Provides tactical and strategic input on overall network planning and related projects. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and 4-6 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. May lead and direct the work of others. Typically reports to a project leader or manager. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. 

Network Planning Analyst IV (IT -- Networking)
Reviews, plans, and evaluates network systems. May troubleshoot network systems and recommend improvements to network. Provides documentation/project tracking and management reporting. Provides tactical and strategic input on overall network planning and related projects. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty and 6-8 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. 

Network Planning Analyst V (IT -- Networking)
Reviews, plans, and evaluates network systems. May troubleshoot network systems and recommend improvements to network. Provides documentation/project tracking and management reporting. Provides tactical and strategic input on overall network planning and related projects. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty and at least 8-10 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Demonstrates expertise in a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. May provide consultation on complex projects and is considered to be the top level contributor/specialist. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. 

Network Planning Manager (IT -- Networking)
Develops, plans, and implements the overall strategic goals of an organization's network system. Evaluates and recommends changes to current and future network requirements to meet the organization's needs. Requires a bachelor's degree in a related area and at least 8 years of experience in the field. Generally manages a group of network analysts. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Typically reports to an executive. 

PC Support Manager (IT -- Networking)
Directs, establishes, plans and implements the policies and procedures to support the organization's PC support services. Manages the deployment, maintenance, support and upgrade of servers, desktop PC, hardware, software, operating systems and distributed printers. May require a bachelor's degree in a related area and at least 7 years of experience in the field. Generally manages a group of exempt and nonexempt employees. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Typically reports to an executive. 

Help Desk Manager (IT -- Networking)
Manages a team of support personnel who troubleshoot IT issues. Implements policies and procedures regarding how problems are identified, received, documented, distributed, and corrected. Ensures maximum issue resolutions in minimum time. Evaluates new information systems products or services and suggests changes to existing products or services to better aide the end user. Requires a bachelor's degree with at least 7 years of experience in the field. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.