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Career Development

Career Development 


How to say, "This is the job I always wanted!" a dozen times in 50 years... And mean it.

Whether you’re just starting out or a few years in, you deserve to hear the truth: being a CPA isn’t just a job. It’s actually a whole series of jobs, one after another, that before you know it add up to something pretty amazing: a career.

A career, mind you, that might very well include some stepping stones, stopgaps and maybe even a mistake or two. But really, there are no dead ends – in this profession, every route will lead you somewhere. You just have to recognize the forks in the road, pay attention to the turn signals and great opportunities will appear on the horizon. (No more driving metaphors, we promise.)

As with anything else, some of this will be the result of a fortuitous confluence of events (“dumb luck”), but there’s an awful lot that’s in your power to control. And whether through providence or preparation, you’ve just stumbled on a great resource to help sift your options and plan your career ahead.

This is the place to get more information on the kinds of career paths you can follow – public accounting, government, non-profit, business, industry, whatever – and the credentials you need to reach them.

It’s also the place to get guidance on the questions that are bound to come up along the way. What should go on your next resume? How can you get plugged into professional networks? Should I work domestically, across the state line or go global

Dig in.

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Masters Degrees Defined

Article After achieving a degree in accounting and now working full time, would you have the time and energy to go back to school? In today’s job market and in the real world, what kinds of benefits will a master’s degree bring and what kind of degree should you get? In
Published on May 14, 2013

Off-the-Hinges Accounting Engagements No Naps for AuditorsOr Controllers

Article Here’s another profile of a young CPA on an engagement that is truly out of the ordinary. Meet Chris Cobb, an assistant corporate controller with Vera Bradley. Chris traded a career in the Big 4 for corporate accounting; find out why he made the switch and the kinds of activities
Published on April 15, 2013

May I Interrupt Asserting Yourself Into a Conversation

Article Sometimes, it’s hard to get a word in edgewise … but now and then you have to interrupt in order to make a point or justify your position. How do you interrupt a conversation or discussion in a polite and non-confrontational manner without coming across as a total jerk? Here
Published on March 14, 2013

3 Reasons to Get Involved in Professional Organizations

Article Take your pick: Rotary, Kiwanis, college alumni groups … the sky's the limit on the number of professional groups you can get involved in, but is the time spent good for you on a personal and professional level – and also good for your firm or company for client/customer recruitment
Published on March 14, 2013

10 Steps to Surviving a Firm Merger

Article You joined your firm or company because you felt a connection to the business. However, due to a merger, you suddenly find yourself working for a very different kind of organization. Here are 10 steps you can take to ensure a solid future.
Published on December 14, 2012

Managing Relationships After a Promotion

Article Healthy workplace relationships are vital to your happiness and success. Being promoted doesn’t spell the end of those relationships; what it means a change in how the friendship is structured. It may take patience. Here are some pointers on how to address some of the more difficult situations that may
Published on December 10, 2012

Most Outrageous Gifts NOT to Give Your Boss

Article It’s almost time for the December gift-giving season, and if you’re like most young CPAs, you’re probably scratching your head coming up with a meaningful gift to give your boss for the holidays. Here’s a fun list of outrageous gifts you would not want to give, all for some very
Published on November 27, 2012

Determining Which Specialty is Good for You

Article While there are many CPAs who are generalists and like working with a diverse group of services, others prefer specializing in just a few areas. Based on your competencies, skills and mindset, which specialty is a good fit for you, and why are specialties important to your car
Published on September 24, 2012

Off the Hinges Assignments Kelly Mann and the K-9 Training Team

Article When you’re a CPA, you can get caught in some of the most interesting—and sometimes a few of the most unnerving situations. This was the case for Kelly Mann. While working late one night on an assignment as a staff auditor for a boat manufacturer, the warehouse she was working
Published on September 05, 2012

How to Respond to a Negative Online Review

Newsletter More of us search and find advice online for restaurants, services, and leisure activities. But what happens when it hits too close to home and your company gets a negative review?  How do you respond to a negative review?
Published on July 06, 2012

Off the Hinges Assignments Sales Tax Guru

Article Who says sales tax reporting and compliance can’t be exciting? Meet Allen Lau, CPA, a senior tax specialist with Avalara. Find out why Allen chose to go down this road. His reasons just might surprise you!
Published on June 14, 2012

Five Tips to Branding Yourself

Article Even though it may seem foreign to you, branding actually begins with you—and the persona, culture and outlook you present to your colleagues, family and friends. Learn how to brand yourself using these five simple tips.
Published on March 30, 2012

The Top 10 Things Young CPAs Should Focus On For Their Careers

Article Move over David Letterman! Here is our Top 10 list of career builders, boosts, and benefits, all designed to help you improve your short-term goals and long-term aspirations.
Published on February 09, 2012

Sunday Night BluesCan You Survive

Article When should you stick with your job and when is it time to bail? With your nose constantly to the grindstone, most of us never stop to think about any options. Don’t ignore the warning sign, learn how to spot them and proactively respond.
Published on December 14, 2011

F is for Fraud A Discussion With Marc Filer

Article Do you have the right stuff to work in fraud, forensics and litigation support? In today’s firm or company, there are many accounting career opportunities in niche practice areas, and one of the most interesting of all of these is fraud.
Published on October 26, 2011

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