Lying on Your Résumé Paid Off For This Laid-Off Accountant
Insider has published a first-hand account from a 37-year-old who lost their job at the beginning of the pandemic when the accounting firm they were working for went under (side note: had to be one tiny firm or we would have heard about that no?). They did what most people did in that situation, enjoyed […]
Advice on How to Get Hired at EY From the Vice Chair of Talent
Insider has published an ‘as-told-to- essay from EY Americas Vice Chair — Talent Ginnie Carlier in which she offers insight on what the firm is looking for from prospective hires. One takeaway: add a “personal purpose statement” to your résumé if it doesn’t already have one. This is not a bland objective — those have […]
The Dumbest Thing You’ve Read Since ‘Women’s Brains Absorb Information Like Pancakes Soak Up Syrup’
It’s been three and a half years since we first found out about the sexist seminar in which women in leadership positions at EY were told that women’s brains are like pancakes and soak up information like syrup. The exact quote from that training to refresh your memory: Women’s brains absorb information like pancakes soak […]
Begging for a Signing Bonus *After* Accepting an Offer is Not How This Works
A disappointed new Deloitte hire must have gotten wind that the firm offers signing bonuses if it’s desperate for warm bodies, but this person wasn’t presented with one when they accepted their job offer. So they went on r/Deloitte to ask for advice. And the responses this person got back are about what you’d expect […]
PSA: Even in This Market, It’s Still Uncool to Quit Your Big 4 Job Without Notice
I was a bit surprised by the responses to this question on r/Big4 about quitting without notice. It seems even in this market we are in agreement that the least you can do is give the customary two weeks. Best case scenario they cut you loose immediately so you don’t drag your team down, steal […]
How Do You Sign Off Your Emails?
The Journal of Accountancy published an article about how CPAs should end their emails for maximum professionalism a few days ago and it got me thinking about an old article my former colleague Caleb Newquist wrote about email pet peeves many years back. Actually it got me thinking about a rant on how “best” is […]
How Do You Know When It’s Time to GTFO of Big 4? One Manager’s Opinion
Came across this on r/big4 this morning, let’s remember half of what you see on Reddit is just someone’s creative writing exercise and people who claim to make $200k/yr are often 14-year-old larpers but hey what kind of weirdo would pretend to be a Big 4 manager on the internet. Read on. I don’t think […]
Why You Need to Stop Typing ‘Hello’ in Chat Immediately
Hey What’s up Hi Hello Do you hate it when a colleague messages “hello” and then leaves you hanging while they type out the next thing they have to say? ME TOO. And we’re not alone. Instead of silently building resentment, send them this link. You don’t even have to say anything, just hit ’em […]
10 Lucrative Side Hustle Ideas for Big 4 Accountants
Things are getting pretty bad financially for all of us right now; grocery trips are digging deeper into our pockets every time we pick up a few things, rents are rising, and gas is up to $37 a gallon ($40 by the time I finish this sentence probably). Inflation is expected to remain high through […]
If You’re Quitting Public Accounting Try Not to Burn Bridges on Your Way Out In Case You Need to Come Crawling Back
A few months ago business sections across .coms everywhere were getting blown up with articles about “the boomerang,” an imaginary trend whereupon corporate quitters discover the grass is not in fact greener on the other side and come crawling back to their former employers. Like this March piece from Forbes: According to experts like Anthony […]
Here’s a Piece of Practical Self-Help Advice For Those of You Working This Weekend
Namaste. @masood_boomgaard You are not your job.#fyp #foryourpage #comedу #motivation #selfcare #selflove #tiktok #tiktokusa #mentalhealth #antiwork ♬ original sound – masood_boomgaard Thank you, @masood_boomgaard!
Let’s Say Theoretically You Crap Your Pants Your First Week at a Big 4 Firm, What Should You Do?
Saw this on r/big4 over the weekend and while it’s obviously completely made up (despite being posted on the internet where absolutely nothing is fake ever), much like an account man getting his foot run over by a riding lawnmower by a secretary at an advertising firm, surely this has happened somewhere at a Big […]
Reminder: Don’t Forget to Turn In Your Timesheet!
You guys got a lot of things on your to-do list right now. We don’t want you to get in trouble for not remembering to do this. We’re here for you. Have a good weekend. Love, Your friends at Going Concern
The Boomerang: Who Says You Can’t Go Back to Public Accounting?
Most people who leave public accounting have absolutely no intention of going back. These days public accounting would probably take you back in a heartbeat if you changed your mind. But if you feel like you could use another “drink from the firehose” to help propel your career forward and provide you a missing experience […]
In Honor of International Women’s Day, Let’s Recall Some Important Rules For Women In the Workplace
Happy International Women’s Day, everyone! Yes, even you men. Actually, especially men. We’re counting on you all to lead the way and set a good example for those among you who may not have gotten the memo that women contribute so much more to society than clean dishes. Even something small like recognizing the achievements […]
Considering a Move? Don’t Believe Everything Partners Tell You to Convince You to Stay
Thinking about leaving public accounting? You are not alone. With burnout and attrition at an all-time high, partners will tell you almost anything to keep you on board. Often half-truths at best, the lies told to staff, seniors, and managers alike are nothing new. Here are some of my personal favorites: Lie #1: If you […]
Opinion: If You’re Burned Out It’s Probably Your Fault
The post I’m about to share with you appeared in CPA Practice Advisor yesterday, and while it is written for firm leaders and not the grunts at the bottom of the ladder (that’s you), I thought it worth sharing because … well … you’ll figure out why in a minute. It’s been long established that […]
This Year, Let’s Normalize Actual Time Off In Public Accounting
For far too long, the accounting industry has been plagued with this idea that sacrificing your personal life for the firm is some badge of honor to be celebrated rather than pitied. When millennials showed up in the workplace, we started destroying this concept just like we destroyed frozen food sit-down restaurants, the wedding industrial […]
EY Global Chairman Carmine Di Sibio Warns Zoomers Their Careers Are Screwed If They Stick to Remote Work
EY Global Chairman Carmine Di Sibio wrote a piece for Quartz recently on how young professionals can navigate today’s hybrid work environment (well, his communications team did anyway) and we found a few bits particularly noteworthy for early-career accountants eager to get ahead in today’s, uh, interesting work environment. You might want to grab a […]
Opinion: It’s the AICPA’s Own Fault No One Wants to Be a CPA Anymore
[Ed. note: we received the following in response to my newsletter column dated September 14, 2021. In the column, I referenced the 2019 AICPA Trends report, which stated that non-accounting majors made up 31% of all firm new hires at that time. The reader comment is published here with permission from its author who wishes […]
F*ck the Firms, It’s Your Show Now
Several weeks back I had an early morning appointment halfway across town and though I usually bike everywhere, I decided I didn’t feel like working up a sweat at 7:30 a.m. so I called an Uber. Rather, I attempted to get an Uber, however not a single vehicle was on the road. I live in […]
Your Suffering Is Not Noble So Let That Sh*t Go
Before I get into this, I feel it’s important to explain where I’m coming from. You see, I had a turbulent childhood. Not “damn, my mom won’t buy me a Power Pad!” turbulent, I only wish that had been the extent of my troubles growing up. I won’t get into too much detail as I’m […]
Why You Should Just Read the Chapter Already
I had a dream the other night that I was back in managerial accounting. A few of my classmates back then would call it a nightmare. It was second semester of my sophomore year and somehow this general business course was harder than the first intermediate accounting that I was also taking at the time. […]
6 Real-Life Embarrassing Accounting Résumé Mistakes You Never Want to Make
Writing your résumé is a big deal, wouldn’t you think? Especially if you really need a job to maintain your lavish lifestyle or keep your kid in video games. There are maybe a handful of things in life that you don’t want to screw up—think marriage proposal, your CPA exam, and, yep, a résumé is […]
Yes, You Can Make More Money as a Freelance Accountant or Finance Professional
The pendulum has swung: accountants and finance professionals can make more money—and have wayyyy more freedom—taking on freelance work, especially when compared to a full-time salaried position at a public accounting firm. Just imagine it! Working from home in your pajamas, setting your own hours, taking Netflix-and-nap breaks. No co-workers bugging you with stories of […]
You Better Put Pants on Before Your Firm Decides to Implement a Work From Home Dress Code
Remember way back in March when the world came to a stop and offices everywhere shut their doors to employees, driving many of us inside? I distinctly remember the collective sentiment being something like “well, whatever, it’ll be over in a few weeks.” In fact, when my own state’s governor locked us down until the […]
What To Do If You Think You’re About To Be Fired
With the news this week that KPMG trashed a bunch of its workforce cuz Rona or whatever, we thought this might be a good time to talk about what you should do if you think you might get the axe. I wish I’d read an article like this a few years back when I got […]
Ask GC: Is It OK to Renege on a Previously Accepted Offer For an Offer From a Bigger Firm?
Back in the day, advice emails were our bread and butter. Well, more like my esteemed former colleague Caleb Newquist’s bread and butter. He loved cranking them out while I really had to be in the right mood otherwise I’d end up telling some poor intern to go fuck themselves just because I could. The […]
Yes, You Can Quit During Busy Season
Nearly 10 years ago to the day (10 years and one day, specifically), my esteemed former colleague Caleb Newquist wrote a post for this here then-new website entitled Infuriating Problem of the Day: Accountants Quitting During Busy Season. It’s important to note here that Caleb is former Big 4 himself (borderline debatable given he worked […]
Just How Difficult Is It to Break Into Accounting As a Second Career?
Around these parts we like to focus on the “traditional” accounting track: school, degree, Big 4 job, CPA exam, and exit to greener pastures, usually in that order. It’s how it’s always been for accounting majors and likely how it always will be because as we know, it’s Big 4 or nothing in the world […]
Get Me the F*ck Out of Here: So You Put in Your Two Weeks, Now What?
Early on in this series, we covered the first steps to take before quitting your job in public accounting. You brushed up your dusty-ass resume, connected with those obnoxious recruiters on LinkedIn you’ve been dodging since your first days in public, and gently massaged any and all connections you’ve made going back to your Accounting […]
Get Me the F*ck Out of Here: The Art of Saying Goodbye to Your Crappy Old Job
As we’ve progressed in this series about quitting your terrible public accounting job and moving on to bigger and better things, I’ve looked forward to this post more than any of the others. Why? Because we have collected some funny-ass farewell emails over the years and I relish any and every opportunity to share them […]
Get Me the F*ck Out of Here: First Steps For Quitting Your Job In Public Accounting
A year ago, our contributor Megan Lewczyk (what the hell happened to her, anyway? Megan, send a smoke signal if you’re OK) wrote a field guide to quitting your job in public accounting. Unlike many of the articles we pour our hearts and souls into around here, it was well-received, and even after all this […]
How New Accounting Grads Can Tune Up Their Diversity BS Detectors
How can CPA firms be so white and male when they’re so dedicated to diversity? Look at any firm’s career site and you’ll see a carefully written commitment to diversity. Read enough of them and you’ll soon realize that diversity statements all sound the same. The profession can’t even come up with diverse ways to […]
Here’s Another Article Advising Dumb-Ass Old People On How to Talk to the Youths at Work
Welcome back to another installment of “GC Shits on Legitimate Accounting Publications For Writing Stupid Advice.” I’m your host Adrienne. In today’s episode, we’re going to destroy this recent Journal of Accountancy article about how to improve cross-generational communication in a professional setting. Now that Generation Z has entered the workforce, colleagues at a single […]
This Forbes Columnist Thinks You’re All a Bunch of Whiny B*tches
If you read Forbes contributor Peter J. Reilly’s recent post entitled Advice For The Looming Tax Deadline – No Fooling, you easily could have missed the jab at the end toward all you whiny losers complaining about how hard tax season is. I could waste a lot of characters here describing it, but you know […]
Let’s Talk About F*cking Your Coworkers
Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all! Whether you’re single, attached, or too busy to give a crap about getting laid, today is all about love. Or at least that’s what Hallmark wants us to believe. Given that love is on everyone’s minds this week, the following article from the NASBA Center for Public Trust couldn’t be any […]
How Deep Accounting Skills Can Help You Unlock Cool New Jobs
There’s a lot of upside to adding deep accounting knowledge and skills to your resume—impressive credentials, prospects for higher pay, and a chance to take your career to the next level, among other positive career boosts. If you already have solid work experience and have developed expertise in certain areas, adding accounting knowledge—and a Master […]
3 Legal and Liability Tips Freelance Remote Accountants Must Consider
If you’re considering a career as a freelance remote accountant, or if you’ve already started one, there are certain legal and liability issues you need to deal with. As you’ll no longer have the protection of an employer to bail you out of any lawsuits or legal troubles you might encounter in your work life, […]
Take It From a Former Public Accountant: Having a CPA/MBA Makes Sense
It’s a tale as old as time here on Going Concern. Your career in public accounting probably looks a little something like mine did: slog your way through 150 credits, pass the CPA exams while working, keep near-investment banking hours (yet still pack lunch to make the salary work), and then sit back and watch […]
How to Avoid Conflicts of Interest as a Freelance Remote Accountant
If you’ve been a freelance remote accountant for long, it’s probably already happened. You’ve got two clients, Client A and Client B, that are both in the same industry. Client A finds out you’re working for Client B and unleashes the fury on you: “How dare you help our competitors?” And the response you want […]
Here Is Everything You Need to Know About Meet the Firms
Welp, it’s about that time of year to dust off your big brother’s hand-me-down blazer and practice your handshake for Meet the Firms. As you’re polishing up your personal elevator pitch, now is a good time to go over some basics, lest you make an absolute fool of yourself. What Is Meet the Firms? As […]
How Accounting Firm Aprio Helped an Employee Make Partner at 32
The road to making partner at an accounting firm is often a long one. It generally takes about 10 to 15 years for a CPA to get to partner, so most accountants won’t receive an offer until their late 30s or even early 40s–if they ever get one at all. But at some firms, fast […]
Why Coworking Accounting Spaces Suck and Why They’re Awesome
Kyle Schmitz is the director of product design at Accountingfly. He sometimes works remotely out of a coworking office space in downtown Pensacola, Fla. We asked Kyle about his thoughts on the pros and cons of coworking spaces for accounting, and he was happy to give us the real scoop. Coworking spaces suck: Everyone does […]
How to Convince Your Boss to Let You Ditch the Accounting Office and Work From Home
It’s OK to admit it–you want to work from home. But if your boss forbids it or limits your remote work time, what’s an accountant to do? If you’re lucky, you work for an employer that embraces remote work and flexible work-from-home policies. If you’re tragically unlucky, your company is resisting the remote trend and forbidding […]
Get an Accounting Job with Startup Perks–Minus the Startup Risks
Looking for a job in the accounting field where you’ll get to interact with a wide variety of clients, gain a foothold in the ever-expanding tech market, and enjoy the benefits of a startup lifestyle without the fears of working for an unstable company? If that sounds appealing, FloQast may have a position for you. […]
5 Weird Benefits of Ditching the Accounting Office and Working Remotely
Spend more time with family. Lose the commute. Work flexible hours. Wear what you want. By now you’re more than familiar with the typically-cited benefits of working remotely. So we’re not gonna write that article, because you can read that anywhere. Instead, we’re gonna grab our trusty football bat, gather up some three-dollar bills, and […]
What Is a Homebuilder, and Why Should Accountants Work For One?
I’m interviewing Megan Scheiderich, director of internal audit at PulteGroup. If you didn’t know, PulteGroup is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious homebuilders. So I have to open the interview with THE question. One of those questions you dread asking because the answer is so obvious and self-evident. But you have to ask […]
You Must Be Digitally Fit to Land a Job at PwC
For those college students who aspire to one day possess a stack of PwC business cards, Mike Fenlon, PwC’s chief people officer, explains how you—yes, you—can land a job with the professional services firm. Obviously, interning with PwC will give you a leg up on the competition, as Fenlon told CNBC that a majority of […]
You Won’t Need a Therapist if You Have a Mentor
Public accounting breeds irritable, highly-caffeinated workaholics. It’s no surprise mental health is an afterthought. Between preparing for intense client status calls and getting workpaper review comments cleared before archiving starts, it’s not likely you’ll have much time to focus on your feelings. We put up with long hours with 85%-90% billable utilization quotas during the […]
Reminder: If You Improperly Alter Audit Workpapers and Are Found Out, You Will Be Fired
Louder this time, for the people in the back.
How a Career in Cloud Accounting Can Change Your Life
Getting your first accounting job out of school – whether at a Big 4 firm or elsewhere – is exciting. As with any career path, however, there often comes a point when it’s time to explore other options, perhaps to advance your career, or to expand your skill set, or simply for the sake of […]
Let’s Cool It With All the ‘CPAs Should Run for Office Because Taxes’ Talk
Crazy enough to think that people will care that he can look at a 1040 and not soil himself. Should CPAs run for office? According to this gushy post at the AICPA, the answer is a resounding: YAAAAS. When you’re a CPA, you have a solid understanding of the many issues that power government: taxes, […]
A Field Guide to Quitting a Job in Public Accounting
That is the look of a man who no longer bears the yoke of a Big 4 job. Are you fantasizing about quitting your public accounting job? It’s finally March. Busy season will start to wind down soon and those miserable hours will begin to taper off. You may catch yourself daydreaming about finding another […]
Insecure Overachievers Will Always Have a Place in Public Accounting
Does the endless stream of work make you want to cry sometimes? I know it is enough to make even diehard auditors buckle and break. Overwork is a hallmark of the accounting profession, and we all know it. But why? Surely if you factor in all of the international teams, we have plenty of people […]
An Open Letter to Anyone Thinking of Asking the Accountant in Their Life for Help on a Tax Return
Dear friend, There’s an accountant in your life. He or she may be a relative, acquaintance, or someone who foolishly answered your terrible icebreaker “So, what do you do for a living?” honestly. It dawned on you that tax season will soon be upon us. You have probably received documentation informing you that a precise […]
Why Working at San Diego-Based Gatto, Pope & Walwick Is a No-Brainer
When Sheena Barnes moved to San Diego, she spoke to every tax firm in the area. She says choosing Gatto, Pope & Walwick was a no-brainer. Yes, a tax accounting job can be fun Even for those of you who get legitimately excited about tax accounting, we know the business can be a bit of […]
Love Technology & Accounting? This Company Wants to Hire You.
A software company that makes apps for accountants by accountants? It’s for real, and they’re looking to hire now. If your world is one where technology and accounting collide, you should check them out. FloQast is a startup in the conventional sense, and they’re growing rapidly. They just raised $25 million in series B funding, […]
How to Get Ahead: Embrace Office Politics
Ed. note: This post originally appeared on the Accountingfly blog. I think most people fall into one of two camps when it comes to office politics. There are those people who think it shouldn’t matter much when it comes to getting ahead. And then there are those people who think that it’s the only thing […]
Accountants Suffer from Choice Overload
Job security isn’t something most accountants worry about. Everyone needs an accountant. Even with technology doing more of the grunt work, someone needs to be able to turn that garbled mess of numbers into decision-useful information. Yay, go us. We don’t need to worry about paying rent. But, having more choices does not equal greater […]
While Climbing the Career Ladder, Know When Steps Are Missing
Recently, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse wrote a book entitled The Vanishing American Adult. All the talk about generational differences prompted me to read some of the reviews. What was his point of view? An example Sasse gave really resonated. Here’s a summary from the Chicago Tribune: His advice is rooted in his experience as both a […]
How to Get Ahead: Whatever It Takes, Learn to Network
Ed. note: Don’t worry, I’m not working on my vacation. I wrote this ages ago for Accountingfly’s old blog and we’re re-running here. Let’s get something straight: I hate networking. I suck at small talk. The idea of “working a room” makes me wanna hurl. The word “schmoozing” disgusts me and you will never hear […]
Ask Yourself These Questions to See If You’re Really in the Right Job
You like your job and want to stay, but you aren’t sure whether staying is the best decision. It’s quite the conundrum. As an accountant, you probably are making a pretty good salary, but that’s not the only thing—and maybe not even the main thing—motivating you. It’s easy to get lost in your day-to-day obligations […]
Promotion Games: When Your Responsibilities Don’t Match Your Title
It’s performance review season, and promotion announcements are starting to trickle in. PwC just announced their new partners last week. As exciting as this time of year is, it’s anti-climatic since promotions in public accounting are very prescribed and follow a consistent timeline: 1. You must work at the firm X number of years (typically […]
How to Get Ahead: Scare Yourself Regularly
Image: PongsakornJun/iStock Two of my favorite people, twins, a boy and a girl, graduated from college this spring. Lauren is graduating from Michigan State and Andrew from Indiana. I had no idea what to get them as graduation gifts. After a lot of thought, I settled on books. As I reread the blurb of a […]
Good Goal Setting Takes Introspection
Recently, I wrote a blog about looking at busy season differently. Instead of focusing on the grind, take a dispassionate view to clarify what you learned from the most hectic time of a CPA’s year. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of life. Stopping to think about the bigger picture is put […]
How to Get Ahead: Speak Up When You Want Something to Change
We are all guilty of this. We see something in our office that we don’t like: an outdated policy or inefficient procedure, how a client issue was handled, how a staff person was treated, etc. What is the easiest thing to do? Stay silent and go about your day. Afterward, we think of all the […]
What’s Your Job Search Plan?
It’s springtime and you’ve made the decision to look for a new position. Now you need a plan. First, narrow down what you want to do next by answering these four basic questions: What kind of work do you want to do? Stay in public accounting, but at a firm that is: larger and you’re […]
How to Get Ahead: Sorry Not Sorry
Not that long ago, someone I hadn’t heard from in months and barely knew texted me out of the blue to ask for a favor. I won’t get into the specifics of the favor but let’s say it involved some cats and me putting the cats somewhere other than that person’s house as if I […]
Now’s the Time to Take a Long, Hard Look at Busy Season
Now that busy season is over, and you’ve had some time to yourself, work schedules go back to normal. Same old, same old. So it’s a good time to assess what you learned. Doing that can give you a picture of how your firm managed the stress of filing season—and, more importantly, how you did. […]
How to Get Ahead: Work on Your Writing
Since Marsha tackled listening on Friday, I thought I’d share this post on writing I scribbled awhile back for Accountingfly’s blog. Writing is part of my job, so I take it pretty seriously. I write every day. I read well-written articles from a variety of sources. I like to read about writing as a craft. […]
Work on Your Listening
Ever overheard part of a stranger’s conversation and wonder, however briefly, what the outcome was? Ever heard music playing in the background at a restaurant when you first walk in—and never paid attention to it again? Hearing and listening are not the same. The distinction is very important. What do you hear when your manager […]
Consider a Mid-Market Accounting Firm Before Taking a Job in Industry
“Two years here [a Big 4 firm] to get that on my resume, then on to private industry.” That, in a nutshell, is how lots of Big 4 associates talk about their career. For some of them, it’s a fine plan. In a way, it’s an extension of what many accounting students believe: get into […]
I’m Calling BS on Your Cliched Career Aspirations
This sunset is less everyday than your career goals. Happy Tax Day everyone! Today is the day for alcohol, sleep, and breathing a big sigh of relief. Another busy season complete! Today is also the day to start career brainstorming for potential post-busy season job hopping, ladder climbing, and startup launching. So it’s also the […]
Is Your Job Making You Happy—Or Is It Time for a Change?
Busy season is slowing down or over for a lot of accountants. Even those who still have April 18th marked on their calendars will start thinking about life and career post-busy season. Regardless of your situation, it’s the perfect time to do a happiness assessment of your job. It’s easy—and therapeutic—to identify what you dislike […]
How to Get Ahead: Learn to Deal With the Critical Voice Inside Your Head
Ed. note: Awhile back, I wrote some career advice posts for Accountingfly. We’ll be republishing them here from time to time for your enjoyment and discussion. Send comments, queries and complaints to [email protected]. Do you think about thinking? Like, are you ever blown away by the monologue that occurs inside your brain and how it seems […]
Important Observations to Make When Interviewing
Often, when you’re interviewing you feel a little like a bug under a microscope. Someone is watching everything you do and assessing everything you say. Did you wear the right thing? Are you smiling enough? Your interviewers are looking for clues about who you are and whether you’ll be a good fit for the firm. […]
Reorganization – What to Do When You Get a New Boss
Pray you don’t end up with this guy. Sooner or later it happens. Your company gets acquired, the division is closed or senior management announces a reorganization. Welcome to the “New Normal” where loyalty is a negative. You are back to your first day at a new firm. Adjusting can be tough, but with effort, […]
Considering an MBA? 3 Key Questions to Ask Yourself
Please enjoy this sponsored content from Beech Valley Solutions. I’ve never been water-boarded (I keep begging my wife…), but I’m guessing it’s a lot like busy season. I’d say just about anything to make it stop…like, “maybe I should get my MBA?”. Should you? Maybe (probably not). It truly depends on a series of questions […]
The Best Line of BS I Ever Heard During My Time in Public Accounting
The best line that I ever heard about my career success during my time in public accounting was this: “Rachel, think long term. The more hours you work compared to your peers now, the more experienced you will be.” I heard this brilliant piece of advice as a young and naïve tax associate fresh out […]
Verbal + Nonverbal Communication Skills = Your Persona
You’ve undoubtedly heard how valuable it is to have good communication skills, but you may be less clear about what they are. The truth is there are many components. You are communicating every time you speak with or write to anyone whether in person, on an online platform like Skype or GoToMeeting, via email, text […]
Accountants’ Résumés Are the Worst
My name is John, I’m a recruiter and I have a résumé problem. I see lots of résumés from accountants. Less than a third are presentable. When the perfect candidate has a résumé that fails, I get cranky and I call to suggest a fix. Hiring managers don’t do that. Where to start? Résumé experts […]
3 Ways Your Boss Causes Busy Season Fire Drills
Nothing can make your life a living hell more than a boss that turns everything into a last minute fire drill, especially during busy season. We’ve all had those bosses. Gallup’s research reveals that only about one in 10 people possess the talent to manage. These are not good odds. It’s almost like these bosses […]
How to Develop Consistency as a Skill
It’s sometimes hard to get noticed when you are at a firm. Certainly, much depends on firm culture, but that’s not all of it. Other factors include: Where you are in the firm’s pecking order: Are you a staff accountant or a manager? Are you new to your firm? Do you feel recognized or overlooked? […]
Intern With Uncertain Future Wants to Know If It’s Time to Stay or Go
Need some career advice? Email Rachel at [email protected] and your question may be featured on Going Concern.
Learn Something New When You’re Bored and Stuck at Your Job
Need some career advice? Email Rachel at [email protected] and your question may be featured on Going Concern.
How to Make the Most of Your Time Before Busy Season
To get your career conundrums addressed, email Rachel at [email protected] and your question may be featured on Going Concern.
Oh glorious November, you are so sweet to me. You give me a time of low billable hour goals, clients on vacation, and tons of admin hours. In a world of crazy deadlines and overtime, this month is like public accounting nirvana.
Webinar | The Rise of the Accounting Entrepreneur
Whether you work in public, private or have started your own firm, you should approach your role like an entrepreneur. In this hour long webinar, Jason Blumer, CPA, Blumer and Associates and Founder of the Thriveal CPA Network, discusses the traits of an entrepreneur, why the role of the accountant is changing, and offers questions […]
Webinar | Going Above & Beyond For Your Career
“In a period of rapid change and increasing complexity, the winners are going to be the people who can LEARN faster than the rate of CHANGE and faster than their COMPETITION”. -Tom Hood, CPA, CITP, CGMA If you haven’t realized yet, learning doesn’t stop with a degree or even with a CPA license. Continuous learning […]
Why Otherwise Smart Professionals Manage Their Money Badly
You know many professions and executives who are well paid. They live comfortable lifestyles. Yet many of them manage their money badly. There are lots of reasons why. Buying into the myth –- They hold a great job with perks provided by the firm. When traveling on business, a black car picks them up at […]
That Scandal You Had Nothing to Do With Got Its Stink on You
All you Andersen refugees that were light years away from Houston probably think that people have stopped judging you in their hearts, but you would be wrong: The Enrons and Worldcoms and Wells Fargos hurt the careers of innocent bystanders. It's a nasty and persistent reputational ripple effect that can be incredibly hard, and sometimes […]
How to Overcome Age and Wealth Differences in Social Prospecting
“Birds of a feather flock together.” This old proverb implies we are most comfortable socializing with people of similar age and social status. You are a young(ish) accountant. The type of people who can potentially lead you to business or advance your career are often far older or 100 times richer than you. Why will […]
How to Meet a Stranger Without Being Awkward About It
Social prospecting operates along the same principles as dating. Desperate people don’t get dates. The person talking is the one having a good time. Despite the fact you graduated top of your class, starting a conversation with a lone stranger across the room can be terrifying. How do you do it? The ScenarioYou are at […]
Webinar | How Auditors Can Become Partners Earlier
The path to partner can be faster and easier than is often reported. In fact, it took one partner only seven years at Top-100 firm Warren Averett. Fifteen percent of its 124 partners are under 40, including the CFO. In a recent webinar, Yogesh Patel, an audit partner who is under 40, explained how he […]
Webinar | What Are Employers Really Looking For?
Degree, GPA, CPA (eligibility or passed), work experience, soft skills – all are important. But after certain thresholds are met (3.0+ gpa or not; pursuing CPA or not; etc), how do employers differentiate between employment candidates? It’s what you say about your experience and skills, and how you say it, that can make the difference. […]
The Non-Golfing Accountant’s Guide To Hitting the Links
I once asked a female partner for career advice. “Learn to golf,” she told me. “Otherwise, you’ll get left behind when the partners and clients golf together in the afternoon. I was the best accountant on the team, but if I couldn’t swing a club, I’d get stuck back in the audit room while the […]
Ex-Crazy Eddie CFO’s 10 Tips for Advancing Your Accounting Career
Generally speaking, you can't trust Sam Antar because he's a crook. But when it comes to advice on advancing your accounting career, you can trust these tips. Sam studied under Abe Brilloff at Baruch, graduated in 1980, became a CPA in 1985, worked for Crazy Eddie predecessor auditor Penn Horowitz (which was replaced later by […]
The Real Reason Millennials Can’t Find Work: They Stink!
Ah Millennials. They are almost as much fun to talk about as working women and people of non-causasian descent. Apparently, some of the kids are having trouble finding jobs. Mostly this doesn't apply to the fascinating field of accounting as there are plenty of jobs to go around and nubile warm bodies are always needed […]
Recruiters Left Scratching Their Heads at the Fact No One Will Take Their Calls
It's probably not all that far from base to assume Glassdoor hopes no matter how content you are in your current position, you're cruising their website looking for your next big opportunity. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that they suggest you take recruiters' calls even if you are happy at your job: You […]