Wise Advice from the New Kid

What’s the best advice to give virtually anyone starting a new job? Corey Cines, blogger with the AICPA’s This Way to CPA website, wrote “From Backpack to Briefcase: How I handled the jump into Public Accounting,” to offer his tips for starting life as a firm newbie. It’s excellent advice for any young CPA looking to build a foundation in accounting. Not only that, Corey’s great advice also applies to anyone transitioning into a new role or a new organization.

Asking “dumb” questions, staying positive and practicing stress relief: these are just some of Corey’s gems for getting the lay of the land.

We asked several AICPA CPAs on staff what advice they wish they had gotten when they first entered the accounting workforce. Here are some tidbits:

When Opportunities Abound, Follow Your Passion

When should you make the transition from public accounting to business and industry? That’s the question Dan Griffiths tackles in his latest blog post on ThisWaytoCPA.com, the AICPA’s hub for college students, CPA candidates and newly-minted CPAs. Touching on the core skillset that public accounting provides a young professional, Griffiths makes the argument that opportunities exist in all areas of business. What’s important is that CPAs pursue the opportunities they are most passionate about.

5 Valuable CGMA Resources for Business People

The AICPA and CIMA continue to make available valuable management accounting reports and tools available for CPA, CGMAs and those considering the CGMA. Check out the following to help you develop new skills and bring best practices to your organization.

HOTI: Carrier IQ; 12 Days of Christmas Gets Expensive

We asked our bloggers to tell us what they found interesting on the Internet this week. What would you add to this list?

Heidi Brundage, CPA - I found the Gen X & Gen Y Insurance Resource Center to be fascinating! Long-term disability has always been such a mystery to me because I’d never imagine myself becoming disabled. This website breaks down the issues, questions and solutions into organized and understandable chunks and they relate directly to me! I’m really impressed (and enlightened).

Jina Etienne, CPA - I re-tweeted this post from the Colorado Society of CPAs, it generated a lot of interest and comments. “So... what's so great about being a CPA? 5 reasons here.” I even got a response from a former client whom I had recommended get her CPA. She’s finishing up school now and will take the CPA Exam next winter!

Still Not Convinced Accounting is the Way to Go?

Last week, in his Nov. 2 CPA Success blog post, How to choose a major: Step 1 -- pick accounting. QED, Bill Sheridan, CAE, electronic communications manager and editor at the Maryland Association of CPAs, affirmed that careers in accounting continue to buck trends and supply solid careers for young professionals. Sheridan said, “If you want a job in a profitable industry, study to become a CPA.” He went on to cite the latest data from Sageworks and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which supports his point: the accounting profession is still sporting huge successes. It is expected to see further growth over the next six to seven years.

Future Accountants Leverage Competition as Career Prep

Last week’s CPA Success post “Labor Day 2011: Laborers Wanted” cited Rick Telberg’s CPA Trendlines blog indicating that 34,800 more jobs in accounting and bookkeeping were posted in August 2011. Even as the market continues to struggle and the outcome of President Obama’s jobs plan remains unknown, this is still good news for the profession. In fact, it puts pressure on the AICPA, educators and other accounting influencers to ensure that there are skilled candidates to fill these positions and the many more that will be available when the economy finally rebounds.

The AICPA is rising to this challenge and encouraging young people to learn more about the accounting profession.

Diverse Faces Reflected in Your Organization’s Future

The year is 2020. The global economy has rebounded, the U.S. is celebrating less than five percent unemployment and the CPA profession is experiencing record growth. Your organization is doing particularly well and what’s more, your staff, senior leadership and partners’ ability to connect with a diverse clientele is the talk of the profession. Clients include a biotech start-up seeking to cure spinal cord injuries; a women-owned IT consulting company; a Kenya-based manufacturing firm; a law firm specializing in same-sex marriage and estate planning issues; and a car dealership owned by a Native American father/son team.

What led you to the success you’re experiencing? You cultivated your diverse team of talented staff using inclusive leadership. But, what is inclusive leadership?