What Is Accounting?

What Is Accounting?

A business language

A set of rules to record business transactions in a consistent manner

The basis of business operations

Constantly changing

What Are CPAs?

CPAs are Leaders

CPAs are Advisors

CPAs are Educators

CPAs are Managers

CPAs are Respected People in Your Community

Professional Services vs. Private Industry

Professional Services Work for several different companies Provide audit, tax and consulting services Travel Top position is typically a partner in a firm

Private Industry Work for one company or organization Travel varies Top positions consist of Controllers, Chief Financial Officers

and Presidents

Professional ServicesLarge Professional Services Firms (“Final Four”) Deloitte & Touche Ernst & Young KPMG PricewaterhouseCoopers

Regional Professional Services Firms BDO Seidman Grant Thornton

Career Path Audit, tax & business consulting Service lines within each Levels of advancement

What Does “Private Industry” Include?

Manufacturing

Retail

Insurance & Banking

Healthcare

Not-for-Profit

Government & Schools

Individuals

Information Technology

Topics of Discussion

My personal CPA experience

Unique occupations

Traditional roles

Growth opportunities

Salary compensation

Requirements

Why Did I Choose Accounting?

Very challengingPeople-oriented professionHighly respected professionFlexibilityHigh demand for accountantsFinancial rewardsJob satisfactionDesire to understand and resolve business issues

My Personal Experience

Related Jobs

Fun

Growth

Challenges

Why I Am a CPA

Careers in Government

Securities and Exchange Compliance

FBI

Government Auditing

County Tax Assessor

Sales and Use Tax

Parks and Recreation

State and Local Government

Technology Careers

Software Consulting

E-Business

Developing and Testing Systems

Change Management

Security of Systems

Maintaining Accounting Systems

Project Management

Other Unique Careers

Entertainment Accounting

International Accounting

United Nations Accounting

World Bank Accounting

Risk Management

Non-Profit (such as Red Cross)

Education

Traditional Roles

Auditing

Accounting and Consulting for Business

Tax Accounting, Preparation and Planning

Financial Planning

Payroll Tax Reporting

Sales Tax Reporting

Financial Reporting

Growth Opportunities

CPAs become the leaders of their companies

Many become the CFOs and CEOs of large and small companies

They are trusted business advisors

Growth is possible to the top

Salaries for CPAs in 2003

Average total current compensation, including annual salary, bonuses and other cash compensation.

$0 $30,000 $60,000 $90,000 $120,000 $150,000

CFO

Finance director

Controller

Finance manager

Finance staff $46,000

$64,000

$78000

$107,000

$128,000

CPA vs. Bookkeeper

CPA Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting Must pass CPA exam and other requirements Starting wages

Bookkeeper Two-year education or less Does not require passage of CPA exam Starting wages

What Are the Requirements

Pass the CPA exam, requirements: A baccalaureate degree plus a minimum of

30 semester hours (approximately 150 hours total)

Total hours must include 36 semester hours in accounting beyond the principles level and 39 semester hours in general business

Continued CPE

We Look For People Who Are…

Involved in activities

Professional

Good communication skills

Personable

Detail-oriented

Strong academically

Overall business awareness

Leaders

What You Can Do Now

Assess what you like to do

Assess what you are good at

Leave yourself opportunities by: Maintaining your GPA Getting involved in activities Finding what you are passionate about Choosing relevant courses, such as bookkeeping,

accounting, written communications, computer applications and oral communications

What You Can Do Now

Research and apply to advantageous colleges and universities

Visit the office of an accounting professional

Speak to members of professional organizations

Participate in a job shadowing program