Ask a CPA
Got a question? Fire away.
Are you a high school student curious about resumes? Or the CPA exam? Or the size of your future paycheck? Enter your question below and we’ll have a real-life CPA answer it.
If you are in college or beyond, get the answers to your questions by contacting the Academic & Career Awareness team.
Check out these questions or ask your own.
- Q: If you could have any job would you still be a CPA?
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Answered by:
Ebonie Hughey, Plant ControllerYes. If I could have any job I wanted, I would still be a CPA.
I absolutely love business, so any job I would have would be in some field of business. I know you probably have already heard this, but accounting is the language of business. So, having the CPA designation means that you are a business expert. Although I am currently a Plant Controller at a Fortune 500 company, I have also been an auditor (internal and at a "Big Four" accounting firm), and I have helped my sister start her own not for profit business. All of these assignments have been enhanced by the business knowledge that I have gained by being a CPA.
The funny thing about being a CPA is no matter what you plan to do in the business world, having the CPA will be relevant for your assignment. This is because the CPA means that you know fundamentals about business finances and all businesses want to make money. Therefore, you can apply those CPA fundamentals to accounting, finance, marketing, logistics, human resources, entrepreneurship and on and on..... and if that is not enough, you can have a job as a teacher (or professors) and teach others about those CPA business fundamentals.
- Q: What typical first job do new CPAs usually get, and what is their average salary?
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Answered by:
AICPACPA’s can start out in public accounting doing taxes or auditing financial statements, but that is less than half of college graduates. Many CPA’s go to work for a business in a variety of industries or work for their government. They could be doing anything from consulting to small business owners to helping prepare important documents for the SEC. Either way they will be make a good salary as described right here on StartHereGoPlaces.com at www.startheregoplaces.com
- Q: Why would accounting be a good job to have in the future?
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Answered by:
Katrina Lucero, Experienced Tax ManagerThere are many reasons why becoming an accountant would be a good choice for your future. For me, it was because I enjoyed working with numbers and had strong analytical skills. I am also very outgoing; a strength that is important when you work with clients and colleagues. Becoming a professional was exciting. Like doctors and attorneys, CPAs are given a high level of respect and trust. I enjoy working in an environment where respect and integrity are expected and practiced. I have remained in public accounting because boredom is my worst enemy. There is nothing more exciting to me than a brand new day in public accounting.
If you desire a future of constant growth and change, accounting will certainly provide that. Not to mention the financial rewards, the personal and professional rewards are unlimited. An accountant can fill many different business positions and roles. The opportunities are great and you can actually find that perfect job – the job just for you. You can work for yourself, a public accounting firm, a company in a particular industry, or government, to name a few. An accounting degree can also compliment other professions such as banking and wealth management.
As a manager I have never been in a position of saying we are not hiring. I have always been able to say that I can interview and hire if we find someone with a great resume. Most often firms and employers are willing to pick up great candidates even if the timing isn’t quite right. The reason being that the market is short of strong candidates and when someone worthwhile comes along we hire them. This is why it is important to start early with your career and do well in school. Market yourself from the beginning by joining organizations and taking on leadership roles. This experience also transfers over to the professional world, where again, you will do the same thing.
In addition, statistics are showing an increase towards balance of men and women in the profession. A once upon a time male dominated profession, public accounting firms are making it a strategic priority to attract and maintain qualified female professionals.
It is notable to mention that the rewards of becoming a CPA far outweigh obtaining your accounting degree alone. Why not take the next step and become certified? It was the best investment I have ever made.
Invest in yourself further. Becoming a CPA is a must! It will set you above the rest!
- Q: What classes should I take to become an accountant? Is accounting boring? What does it take to be a CPA? How do I get a CPA license?
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Wow . . . that is a lot of questions wrapped into one. I don’t think that accounting is boring, but I also think that because I like what I do and never leave work thinking I had a boring day. The great thing about accounting - which only gets better when you get your CPA license because more career options are available - is that there are so many different industries and positions that you can go into. You can be an accountant/ CPA in an industry that you finding interesting and find a position which you enjoy while getting paid well and adding value to that industry.
Most colleges have an accounting major that has required classes to graduate in that major which will give you the necessary classes to become a CPA. Depending on your state, you might have to take a few additional classes to be able to sit for the CPA Exam. I defiantly recommend you research your state so you can graduate college with all the required accounting and general education classes to be able to sit for the CPA Exam so you don’t have to go back to school or pay the extra money for a master in accountancy. Once you sit for the CPA Exam and pass, you must meet an experience requirement which varies by state to then obtain your CPA license.
Hope that answers your questions. Good luck! It is well worth the effort!
- Q: I'm 17 years old and I'm not sure what I want to do with my life. I was thinking of taking accounting in college but I'm having second thoughts. I love math and solving problems but at the same time I don't want to be bored. Is being a CPA boring? Is this career right for me?
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Answered by:
Wade G. Becker, Regional Managing PartnerI think your concerns are valid and given that you are evaluating activities you love to do in correlation to a career demonstrate some great reasoning skills you have developed very early in life. The field of accounting as well as obtaining your CPA can lead you in many different directions. Those directions can be as varied as being a sole practitioner, fraud and forensics investigator, FBI agent, CFO, CEO, business manager for a professional sports team, or a business owner to name just a few.
I always like to say that accounting is the “language of business” and earning your CPA demonstrates to the world that you are fluent in the “language of business.” The accounting discipline and the obtaining of a CPA license can springboard your career into any business or industry line in which you want to become involved as all industries and business lines typically have some level of fiscal accountability and reporting involved. If you love problem solving as mentioned, you will be presented many opportunities to reason and solve situations when helping maintain fiscal accountability and developing fiscal reporting within any organization. I have never been bored by my career to date and doubt that will ever happen as every day presents new situations and opportunities.
