‘ability to relate’ to people and ‘integrity’ may be the most important ingredients in a successful career as a cpa.
what’s the best career advice you could offer?
the first 20 answers, verbatim:
1. acquire a well rounded portfolio of experience.
2. be able to communicate with a sense of self confidence. and cover your rear end at all turns.
3. work hard, the profession is a career choice, not a job. everyone has to start at the bottom and success is something that you achieve through hard work, not something that is owed to you.
4. learn as much as you can in the first few years
5. work hard, but don’t let work take over your life.
6. keep your expectations high, and always strive to succeed.
7. a desire to understand and be patient
8. don’t pretend to know it all. even when you think you know the subject, listen to what others say. you may learn something.
9. talk to people. understand how business works and how accounting fits. try different areas while you are young to find the area that most excites you.
10. be a “sponge” the first two years. learn, listen and don’t be afraid to make a mistake but learn from them.
11. learn excel
12. be ready to pay your dues. the profession is a marathon, not a sprint. every task is a development and growth task.
13. communication skills are very important. this profession is about more than just numbers.
14. find a good mentor to help you learn the profession.
15. stay focused and professional
16. make sure you get an ergonomically sound office setup (chair, computer keyboard, etc.)—you’ll be spending a lot of time there. make sure you get out of the chair & get some exercise as often as possible: it will help with the stress.
17. communication skills-both written and oral are so important. accountants tend to be introverts so it is also important to work on people skills. this along with a good technical background will take you a long way.
18. don’t be afraid to ask questions and give suggestions to clients and staff.
19. continue and obtain your master’s if you are still in undergraduate. obtain your cpa!!!!!!!!!!!! if already a new, young cpa, obtain public accounting experience for at least 2 years, preferably with one of the big 4. this, and your cpa, will carry you a long way!!!
20. find a mentor. there are lots of accounting jobs that are designed to crank numbers. look for learning opportunities; look for opportunities to work with the leaders of your company (accounting, sales, executives….).