Just before beginning our first “real” job, many young professionals find themselves reflecting on their lives thus far. For many of us, it’s surreal to think that many of the milestones we looked forward to just a few years ago have now passed: receiving a driver’s license, senior prom, 21st birthdays, and even college graduation. And now another landmark in our lives will pass: the start of our careers. I found myself in this very position just a few short months ago, and I think keeping an open dialogue among my peers is essential to ensuring a smooth transition from the classroom to the work place.
I began as a staff auditor at WeiserMazars in September 2011. The rest of my training class would not begin for a few more months. I had the unique opportunity to start early and perform out-of-state interim work in my 2nd week on the job! It was a little daunting to start early, especially since I had to move nearly two hours from where I grew up and went to college. My first day I was still a little nervous, but that quickly faded as I entered the office and was greeted by my HR director and several other coworkers. They made me feel extremely welcome, and soon I felt much better about adapting to a full-time job. And even though I didn’t head back to school this September, I have learned a few things in my first few months in my first “real” job.
Jump Right In
My first planning meeting took place during my first week. I did not have much to contribute. When my senior and manager gave me a thorough background of the client and key personnel, and even provided me with industry-specific materials to prepare, I was eager to jump in. Just a few days later I found myself boarding a plane for my first business trip. The opportunity to travel is definitely one of the things I love about my job. Again, I found myself feeling a bit overwhelmed despite all the excitement. After all, I was about to spend 2 weeks with coworkers whom I had only met a handful of times. Luckily, I knew WeiserMazars was a great fit for my personality, and as a result I had a wonderful time travelling with my engagement team. By the end of interim I definitely felt like part of the team rather than the new kid on the block.
Ask Questions
The interim work I performed was challenging at first. I asked a million questions and soon began to feel more comfortable and confident in my work. It might sound silly, but the first work paper I created, complete with audit procedures and tick marks, gave me a great sense of accomplishment. Something that looked like hieroglyphics to me a few days ago now made sense! The number one piece of advice I can offer anyone beginning a career in public accounting is to ask questions. Many coworkers have told me that they learn something new on the job every day -- and some of these professionals have more than 20 years of experience. We work in an industry where rules and regulations are constantly in flux, so continuing education, curiosity, and inquiry are essential.
Take the CPA Exam After Graduation
As a summer graduate, I did not have any time to begin my CPA examinations before starting work. A little over 2 months after my start date, I sat for my first exam and scheduled another for the first week in January. It is much harder to study after working all day, so if you are a spring graduate take advantage of the summer and knock out as many parts as possible.
Support Firm Initiatives
Another factor that prompted me to join WeiserMazars was the wealth of firm initiatives in which employees are encouraged to participate. I have already signed up for the book club, volleyball, and the Green Team. I also look forward to attending events sponsored by the Women’s Network, the CPA Initiative, and, of course, the NJSCPA. I suggest finding similar opportunities within your firm; it will help you get to know your coworkers and peers on the job, as well as develop professionally.
Build Relationships
My first two months on the job flew by, and Thanksgiving came and went. Finally, it was time to head to New York City for two weeks and begin formal training with my fellow first-years. I was so excited to meet everyone and training definitely lived up to my expectations. We were encouraged to work as teams and choose a new seat every few days in order to collaborate with as many trainees as possible. The entire class clicked right away and I left training with phone numbers and friendships that I believe will continue to develop throughout our careers.
Pay Attention in Class
We also learned many valuable skills and concepts during training, from risk assessment procedures to client relationship development. My favorite sessions during training were Accounting Boot Camp and a Firm Overview presented by our Managing Partner, Douglas Phillips. Accounting Boot Camp was hands-on refresher that got everyone working together while sharpening our skills. The Firm Overview presentation was informative and definitely got everyone excited about the opportunities available throughout the firm.
Have a Plan for Advancement
One thing that has surprised me during my short tenure in public accounting is the level of reinvestment that firms offer their professionals. For example, as long as criteria are met, my firm will cover the costs of CPA Exam Review courses as well as tuition for courses to obtain a graduate degree. They also sponsor many enriching activities, networking events, charity drives, trainings, and continuing education courses. In addition, WeiserMazars implements a performance management system, PATH, which encourages professionals to meet and exceed firm expectations in order to advance their careers. An integral part of PATH is that everyone is assigned a Resource Leader,, professionals senior to their assignees, who help develop and maintain a career path through the use of specific goals, competency development, and measurement outcomes. It is very beneficial as a young professional to know exactly what I need to accomplish in order to advance myself within my organization.
Don’t Forget to Have a Life
Finally, I know all aspiring CPAs are wondering about work-life balance. Even though, I have not experienced busy season yet, I can tell you that I am already scheduled for 9 straight weeks of 55+ hours with a minimum of 4 weeks spent out of state. I know it sounds crazy, but I am actually looking forward to busy season. I love travelling and experiencing places that I would probably not visit on my own. No matter how hectic my life may seem for those few short months, I know there will be time to see my friends and family. I will still always have Sundays and late night dinners with friends and coworkers —my new friends. Outside of busy season, work-life balance is a breeze, so far. I will still work late when a client requires my services, but for the most part my hours will be steady. In addition, my firm has summer Friday hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day when the office closes at 3 p.m. So do not shy away from starting at a public firm because you think you won’t have a life, it simply isn’t true.
As a result of my experiences over the last few months, I am very happy with my decision to begin a career in public accounting. I am gaining a multitude of skills and knowledge that will benefit me for the rest of my life. Will I stay in public accounting for the rest of my career? Who knows! However, I do feel this is a great industry in which to learn and grow skills, whether you decide to use them to become a partner, or head into private industry. Best of luck to all aspiring CPAs beginning their career in 2011/2012, hopefully I will meet you at an NJSCPA event soon!
Alyssa Shadinger is a Staff Auditor at WeiserMazars LLP in Edison, NJ. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Alyssa is a CPA Candidate with one part passed and the remaining parts scheduled for 2012. She recently began blogging for the NJSCPA Exam Cram blog, so you can feel free to follow her endeavors! In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys the beach, surfing, cooking, reading, writing, and spending time with friends and family.