How to start a career as a cpa

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Having a career as a CPA can be a rewarding experience, whether you work for a large company or go out on your own as an LLC or Sole Proprietor.

The following are some tips for getting started.

1. Getting in

Whether you intend to go out on your own or stick with a large office, getting in can sometimes be the most challenging part of the career process.

Most accounting offices look for new-hires who have degrees in accounting. Many will hire students straight from undergrad but having a masters degree is general a huge financial benefit.

If youre still a student, contact your universitys career development office for a list of accounting companies that will be visiting your school. Schedule an interview or submit your resume to the schools online database (most schools have one). Be sure make personal contact with each employer that visits your school. Chances are you will be one of hundreds of students each recruiter talks to in a given hiring season. Make yourself remembered by dressing and acting professionally at all steps of the hiring game.

If youre outside of school, check out online job websites for accounting office listings. You can also contact the human resource departments of local accounting offices where you would like to work. If you have been out of the accounting field for some time, its important that resume reflect what you have been doing accurately, but with an accountants twist. For example, if you have taken a cross-country car-trip for the past year between jobs, let your future employer know that you have been active during your time off, and not just loafing around the house waiting for something to come up.

2. Establishing relationships with your clients

Once you have the job with a big company, it is important that you have a solid relationship with each of your clients. Make sure they know that you know not only their names and business, but also the activities of their children and other family members. Your relationship not only helps to establish the bond between accountant and client, but it also helps you to do their taxes as strategically as possible. For example, if you know that your clients oldest daughter just bought a house and the client is helping to pay for it, your client may not know it, but there could be some tax benefits to their generosity.

Furthermore, when the time comes for you to break out from your company in order to establish your own freelance accounting business, it will be vital to have a strong client base C folks who will not only continue to use your services, but who will recommend you to their friends and colleagues. While often times accountants will not be permitted invite clients with them if they leave the company, it is always possible that your clients will choose to use your services based on your past demonstrated expertise and customer service.

3. Growing your business

Once you have your career as a CPA begun, it is important that you see it grow. If youre working in a large corporation, the company generally takes care of the marketing and advertising. But if youre working on your own, you are responsible for getting new clients.

Email your friends to let them know of your new business plans. Send postcards to neighbors and local business owners. Take out an ad in your local theaters playbills. Personalized, targeted advertising works and will be the most effective way to get new clients.