focus on careers

CPA:

The Path to Many Doors

I’m a finance and accounting recruiter with experience in a variety of areas, including public accounting. However, I haven’t been a practicing accountant for a number of years now, and a question I am often asked by friends and family is whether or not I regret my decision to become an accountant and obtain my CPA license — because frankly, 150 credits and the time it takes to properly prepare for and pass the CPA Exam is a significant investment. My answer is always the same: absolutely not! I don’t regret it; in fact, I am proud of my CPA designation. I decided on accounting as a career when I was a junior in high school, not because I was exceptionally great at math (a common misconception) but because I enjoyed an accounting class I had, and I knew it was a stable career. That was true in 2009 when I graduated from high school, and it rings true even more so today. Demand has never been higher for accountants. The number of students graduating with an accounting degree and obtaining the CPA designation is far lower than the number of accountants needed. Salaries are continuing to increase to reflect this high demand and place greater value on this essential business need.

When I originally left public accounting, I did a complete 180. I taught yoga and fitness classes while working in retail. It was definitely out of character for me to take a risk like that, but the truth is the only reason I had the confidence to do something like that was because of my CPA designation. Even when I wasn’t in accounting, I always knew that I had job security, and I could go back to it if I wanted to. What the CPA designation really means to employers is that you are disciplined; you can manage your time and work independently to get the job done. That skill set is in high demand, not just in public accounting but throughout the entire business world. Whether it’s a startup, a large corporation or anything between, employers want these qualities. Accounting as a career is not just the backbone of a business; it is the overall language of business. It’s not just “a numbers game,” as many people think.

By Jorie Groom, CPA

Demand has never been higher for “ accountants. Salaries are continuing to increase to reflect this high demand and place greater value on this essential business need.”

Businesses need those who can appropriately keep track of the business results and analyze them and make recommendations accordingly — and that’s what they get with a CPA. For an organization, it is the difference between just staying afloat or growing into a profitable business empire. A couple of other misconceptions I would often hear while I was in public accounting were “I wouldn’t picture you as an accountant — you’re so outgoing!” which would either be followed or preceded by “You must be great at math!” Sure, there are accountants like Angela and Kevin in the TV sitcom The Office, but the fact of the matter is that there are many different career paths in accounting that enable you to match your interests and specific skill set to maximize your

Businesses need those who can appropriately keep “ track of the business results and analyze them and make recommendations accordingly — and that’s what they get with a CPA.”

success. Here are a few examples of things you can do with an accounting degree and a CPA designation: • Blend your role with another interest, such as IT, finance or even law.

• Love to travel? Some public accounting firms as well as international publicly traded companies can station you in countries like the UK, Australia,

Spain, Switzerland — and the list goes on. • Love your summers? Public accounting can provide the work-hard, play-hard environment that allows you to frontload your hours when the workload is slower and have some summer play time. • More of a bookworm? Tax law is constantly changing, and the demand for tax research is on the rise.

• Not really a numbers person? Perhaps Internal Audit is the path for you! One of the biggest concerns I had (and that many college students have) is the fear of the unknown: What if you spend the time and money investing in a college degree with a major you chose when you were in your 20s and end up not enjoying your career? With accounting, that fear can be minimized because of the many options that are out there, even right out of college. So, the question then becomes: How do you make your résumé stand out from other résumés that show the same college degree and coursework? A great way to do that is to put “CPA” after your name. I will be the first to tell you the exam isn’t fun, but it’s worth it. A small chunk of time invested will pay you back — with interest — for the rest of your career. One final thought: Networking is something you want to do when you don’t need it — and while you’re still in school is a good time to start. Creating good business relationships early on, in high school or college, is so important for your future. Similar to having the CPA designation, being well-connected is something that will only add value to you and your brand, personally and professionally. The WICPA can provide many opportunities for students to network with professionals who can help you start your career. Some may even be looking for someone just like you to join their organization. And they will prove to you that a career as a CPA is the path to many doors that will be opened to you for the duration of your career.

The WICPA can provide many opportunities for “ students to network with professionals who can help you start your career.”

Jorie Groom, CPA, is a finance and accounting recruiter with Truity Partners (formerly Baker Tilly Search & Staffing) in Milwaukee. Contact her at 414-777-5322 or jorie.groom@truitypartners.com.

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