Why A Smaller
CPA Firm is
A Great Place
to Work
Advice from CPAs
Your Money. Your Life.
www.360financialliteracy.org
©2007, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
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Smaller CPA firms
are a great place
to work
If you’d like to build a challenging
and interesting career that also allows
you time for a satisfying personal life,
then a future in public accounting
is an excellent choice. CPAs have
long been trusted business advisers
for their clients, providing services
to meet a wide range of business
needs. Their services include not
only audit, accounting and tax,
but also information technology,
strategic planning and business
valuation — as well as personal
financial planning, estate planning
and general business consulting.
For those reasons, companies and
individuals turn to CPA firms to help
them understand and address their
most pressing business questions.
In recent years, new regulations
have reinforced the importance of
the financial knowledge and insight
CPAs can offer. CPA firm services
are in great demand, and the
people who work for CPA firms have
excellent learning and advancement
opportunities. They deal with a
large variety of different clients in
numerous industries, and provide a
varied menu of services to meet their
business needs. At the same time,
smaller CPA firms can offer flexibility
in scheduling and career options, a
warm and collegial atmosphere and a
wide range of hands-on professional
opportunities. They are a great place
to build your career.
Take the First Step
Would you like to learn more
about a career with a CPA firm?
If so, please contact:
Your Firm’s logo and
contact information
should be placed
within the yellow
box. The yellow box
should not print.
James Marta, CPA
James Marta & Company
701 Howe Avenue, Suite E3
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 993-9494
Professional Opportunities
Smaller CPA firms offer many attractive career
advantages for dedicated professionals. Because of
their size, it is easier for small firms to adapt to the
aspirations of individual staff members. What types of
opportunities will be available to you? When you are
meeting with firm leaders as part of your job search,
be sure to ask about the following:
■
Access to top people
At many smaller CPA firms, young staff members
directly work with partners and other senior staff, on
engagements in the office or in the field with clients.
This offers a great chance to learn about clients
and their businesses, and about the firm’s services.
Many smaller practices also offer formal and informal
mentorship programs, in which young CPAs can turn
to firm veterans for career insights and advice.
You will have the chance to be a key
player on the team, not simply one
of thousands of employees.
■
Variety and responsibility
At smaller firms, staff typically get to sample different
types of business challenges as part of their learning
process. Many young CPAs find early on that they
are taking responsibility for various aspects of an
engagement and working directly with client personnel.
In addition, smaller firms can adapt your assignments to
your own personal interests and strengths, rather than
asking staff to follow a set, one-size-fits-all career track.
■
Respect for staff opinions
CPAs don’t simply consult with business owners — they
are business owners themselves. In smaller practices, the
partners often include staff members in their brainstorming
and encourage them to share their ideas about the firm’s
future. You will have the chance to be a key player on the
team, not simply one of thousands of employees.
Many firms are able to tailor your
assignments to your own personal
interests and strengths, rather
than asking staff to follow a set,
one-size-fits-all career track.
■
Exceptional training
At many small firms, staff members are involved in
an engagement from start to finish, instead of working
on just one facet of a project. This makes it possible
to gain a broad understanding of business processes
early in your career. In addition to these on-the-job
opportunities, CPA firms also provide great training
and continuing education.
■
Community involvement
CPAs are business leaders who generally are very involved in
their communities. In many cases, even relatively new staff
members have the chance to represent the firm at business
events and meet other local business leaders. CPA firms also
are very much involved in community volunteer efforts.
Personal Advantages
A career in accounting makes it possible to have a
fulfilling professional and personal life. When you
are conducting your job search, ask about these
advantages available at many CPA firms:
■
A respect for work/life balance
CPA firms were among the first business organizations
to respond to professionals’ desire to maintain a healthy
balance between their personal and professional lives.
Although deadlines are a fact of life at CPA firms, staffs
at smaller firms often have a say in when and where they
do their work. Many firms offer flexible and alternative
schedules, as well as telecommuting, part-time positions
and other options that make it possible for staff to take
control of their time. In addition, firms whose main
clientele are based in their local communities often don’t
require business travel.
■
Your own career timetable
Smaller CPA firms typically do not have set expectations
about when and how their staff members should
advance. It’s true that there are numerous opportunities
for ambitious staff members, but it’s also possible to
build a career ladder that includes time for raising a
family, taking care of aging parents or exploring a variety
of career options within the firm before advancing along
any particular path. You can write your own ticket, based
on your unique aspirations and life situation.
■
Be part of a firm family
It can be a lot of fun to work at a smaller CPA firm. The
profession has very high standards for competence and
integrity, which means that you’ll be working with an
intelligent, committed and thoughtful group of people.
They’re also people who understand the value of
relaxing and socializing once work is done. Many firms
have regular social functions, including parties, trips to
sporting events, family picnics and firm-wide games
and competitions. And like an extended family, CPA
firm members also are known for offering tremendous
encouragement to each other in good times and bad.
In creating a career path, you can
write your own ticket, based on your
unique aspirations and life situation.
