CPA2b Magazine - Spring 2023

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CONTENTS

4 member profile

The CPA credential: What’s in it for you?

A young professional who is now co-owner of a public accounting firm shares his experience and advice on why students should obtain the CPA credential.

By Chad Durkee, CPA

10 membership message

What accounting firms look for in new hires

Accounting firms of every size are eager to get versatile individuals onto their teams. Learn how you can stand out to recruiters.

By Devin Yates

12 focus on finances

Use caution with online financial advice

If you find yourself in need of financial advice, should you turn to social media for help?

By Brian Ellenbecker, CFP, EA, CPWA, CIMA, CLTC

16 focus on soft skills

Soft skills: They’re THE differentiator!

A professional recruiter who specializes in helping companies find top accounting talent reveals why “hard” skills sometimes take a back seat.

By Carver Smith, CPA

focus on technology

Data analytics and accounting careers

Data is an asset, and those who know how to make use of it are at a significant advantage in the modern economy.

By Kevin Rich, CPA, PhD

professional perspectives

Destination CPA

Three young professionals share their career paths and provide insight into what it’s like to be a CPA, whether in public accounting or industry.

By Emalie Hahn, CPA; Christopher Malinger, CPA; and Victoria Thayer, CPA

26 looking back

Note to self

A seasoned professional writes a letter to her college-student self to reassure her that she’s choosing the right career.

By Stacy Stinson, CPA, MBA

28 career preparation: job search

Avoid common job search mistakes

A recruiter shares valuable tips for a more successful job search (prior to applying) so you don’t become just another applicant.

By Jill Dequaine, PHR

32 career preparation: virtual interviews

Five tips for excelling through the screen

Virtual interviews can be intimidating. Find out how to prepare with the right mentality.

By Nicole Garcia

34 exam preparation

CPA Exam checklist

Thinking of taking the exam one day? This checklist tells you what to do, from educational requirements to testing fees, and when to expect your results.

Chad Durkee, CPA

2022-2023 WICPA Educational Foundation

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The CPA Credential: What’s In It for You?

By Chad Durkee, CPA

College is an exciting time in your life — one that is filled with many transitions and decisions to help prepare you for a prosperous and rewarding future. Eight short years ago, I was in your shoes, deciding what I wanted to do for a career for the rest of my life. I graduated from UW–Oshkosh in December 2014 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance. I obtained my Wisconsin CPA license in February 2017.

Those are two of the most significant professional decisions I have made, and both have positively impacted my life. My degree and CPA credential have created opportunities and led me professionally to where I am today: co-owner of a public accounting firm. I strongly believe students should consider public accounting as a career and should obtain the CPA credential. Both are of high value to your future.

Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, your personality type doesn’t matter in public accounting. There’s a place for everyone. Accounting firms need finders, minders and grinders Finders are the business development side of the business. They turn relationships into new business and attend most of the client-facing meetings. Minders are the managers. They look after the clients, internal team members and internal procedures. Grinders are the “doers” and the execution part of the firm. They do a lot of the detail work.

Every day is different in public accounting. You work with a variety of clients in a wide array of industries and have the opportunity to specialize in an industry

A young professional business owner shares his experience and advice with college students seeking an accounting degree.

Photography by John Sibilski

you’re interested in if you want to. There is also a variety of client work: auditing, bookkeeping, payroll, business and individual tax preparation, and consulting to name a few. You are constantly learning, always challenged by new problems to solve. You never get bored doing repetitive tasks on a daily basis.

Starting out in public accounting is a great way to develop your accounting skills more quickly. This helps expedite career advancement, which ultimately can increase your earnings potential over time. You have work-life balance in public accounting, too. Although tax accountants do work a lot during busy season (January through April), they tend to have a ton of flexibility the rest of the year. I enjoy golfing, boating and various other summer hobbies outside of busy season. I prefer working in the winter, knowing I’ll have a lot of time off the rest of the year. For example, our firm is closed on Fridays from May through December. Client deadlines are known well in advance, so there is flexibility in managing your schedule, and you can decide when the work gets done.

The future

There is a misconception out there that future accounting work may be automated. Although manual and tedious tasks might be automated, the human elements of accounting and consulting are hard to replace with technology, so CPAs will always be needed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for people with a CPA license are projected to grow by 22% between now and 2028. Right now there is a huge demand in the marketplace for public accountants.

Many public accounting firms offer incentives to their employees for obtaining their CPA certification. These incentives may include paying for the cost of study materials and the CPA Exam, allowing paid study time and/or a monetary bonus when all four parts of the exam have been passed. The employers are willing to do this because they see the value in employees becoming certified and licensed.

Studying for the CPA Exam is a significant time investment, and you may find yourself sacrificing short-term perks (like social activities) for long-term benefits (like a great career). Over a lifetime, the typical CPA salary is 10–15% higher than that of a non-CPA accountant.

When someone asks you what you do for a living, and you say you are an accountant, typically the next question is “Are you a CPA?” Some people just expect that you are because of the credibility it adds. CPAs typically have more opportunities for career advancement than non-CPAs as well. In fact, in public accounting, you may not be able to advance higher than a supervisor position without your CPA designation.

Generation Z

Current high school and college students fall into the Generation Z (Gen Z) category, which, by most accounts, encompasses people between the ages of 10 and 25. Gen Z is quickly changing the marketplace,

Although manual and tedious tasks might be automated, the human elements of accounting and consulting are hard to replace with technology, so CPAs will always be needed.

Durkee (center) with co-owner Joel Stadler, CPA, CMA, MBA, and Staff Accountant Samantha Rice.

and employers are learning to adapt to their lifestyle and their values.

You more than likely are a member of Gen Z, and you may see yourself in the following statements:

• Gen Z cares about work-life balance, flexibility and personal well-being.

• Salary tends to take a back seat to lifestyle and values.

• More than half of Gen Zers said they would leave their job if it interfered with their personal lives.

Those in the Gen Z age range are innovative and powerful and want to make a difference in the world — and employers may be willing to negotiate with you to support your lifestyle and values.

The way we roll

Elevate Accounting LLC was launched on October 1, 2021. My business partner, Joel Stadler, and I met while working at a regional CPA firm. With that public accounting background, we were able to start a CPA firm when I was just 29. Launching

this company was the best career decision of my life. We are just over a year into this new firm, and I am personally managing over 200 client relationships. We are growing quickly and ready to onboard another CPA. We used our networking connections to build a successful CPA firm based mainly upon word-of-mouth referrals and treating people right.

At Elevate Accounting, we are trying to be the firm of the future and adapt to the new workplace expectations created by Gen Z workers. We are people driven versus profit driven. Our philosophy is simple: Take care of your people (the employees and clients), and the profits will come.

We are also embracing technology. All of our programs are cloud-based, so employees can work from home or in the office, and clients can upload everything to a secure portal or choose to have an in-person meeting.

Our philosophy is to hire good people whom we trust and who will buy into our company’s culture. We want our employees to manage their schedules, get their work done and be able to enjoy their lives.

In public accounting, you may not be able to advance higher than a supervisor position without your CPA designation.”

Chad’s CPA credential and background in public accounting helped him become a business owner at a young age.

Final words

Make sure you are doing something that you truly enjoy in your career because money isn’t everything. Public accounting is a rewarding career, and obtaining your CPA designation will open many doors and create countless opportunities for you throughout your life, but you still have to live your life with a purpose. Two core values that guide my life are compassion and integrity. I think of selflessness, serving others and empathy. ethical behavior, accountability, honesty — and the foundation for everything I do. Think about what values you want to guide your life.

Finally, remember that time is our most valuable asset, and tomorrow is not promised. Make time for what is important in life because the work will always be there. Work to live — don’t live to work. Leave a legacy while doing what makes you happy. You can’t relive your life, so make it a life worth living!

Chad Durkee, CPA, is co-owner of Elevate Accounting LLC in Oshkosh. Contact him at 920-385-6342 or chad@elevateaccountingllc.com.

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What Accounting Firms Look For in New Hires

There has never been a better time to enter the accounting profession. Accounting firms of every size are eager to get versatile individuals onto their teams. Here are four ways that you can separate yourself from your peers and stand out to recruiters.

1: Get to the next level with the CPA Exam

Firms want those they hire to be CPA eligible and on the path of pursuing the credential. A desire to obtain your CPA license not only shows that you are committed to the profession, but it also is a great indicator to firms of determination and dedication. It is generally recommended that you begin the process of sitting for the CPA Exam as soon as you meet the 120-credit requirement. Studies have shown that individuals who take the exam immediately after that have substantially higher success rates.

Not only do firms highly encourage taking the exam, but most will also pay for your exam and study materials and award a bonus if you pass the exam within your first three years. For the larger firms, this bonus is typically around $5,000 if you pass within the first year.

2: Technical skills

As technology continues to evolve, recent graduates must be skilled with the information systems used in the accounting world. Recruiters agree that candidates must have critical-thinking skills and an in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Excel going into the workforce. While a lot of the formal training happens during the onboarding process, having a basic understanding of the technology can give new hires a big leg up.

Careers in accounting are becoming increasingly automated, which means that entry-level accountants now have much more critical roles within the firm. Long gone are the days of repetitive bookkeeping tasks and long journal entries made with pen and paper.

3: Communication skills

It is a common misconception that accountants work in solitude. For new accounting grads, it is important to realize that public accounting is a service industry, which makes strong written, verbal and client communication skills essential. It is not rare for new hires to meet with clients the first week on the job. Those who are able to effectively communicate with clients and others within their firm are likely to achieve higher success.

Written communication is also paramount to the success of a public accountant. Being able to present complex information in a clear and concise manner allows a firm to work effectively and efficiently. Examples of written materials an accountant may prepare are financial reports, strategic plans, proposals and memos.

4: Be well-rounded

Many of your peers will have a similar education level, so it is important to find ways to set yourself apart from the crowd. One way to do this is by getting involved on campus and within your community. Joining your university’s Beta Alpha Psi or accounting club and taking on a leadership role can help show your commitment to accounting while also providing you great networking opportunities. Recruiters will also take work experience into account, and having a background in business can help show that you are ready for a professional role.

In conclusion

There are countless factors to consider when looking at all of the options in public accounting, such as firm size, work-life balance and how much you are going to get paid. Connecting with recruiters and accountants can give you insight into a how a firm might be right for you. Most importantly, find a firm that shares your values and has a culture that fits who you are as a person.

Devin Yates is the WICPA membership outreach coordinator. Reach out to connect with him anytime at 262-785-0445, ext. 4511, or devin@wicpa.org.

WELCOME STUDENT MEMBERS NEW

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University of Wisconsin–

Stevens Point

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Bryan D. Wilson

Lakeland University

Use Caution With Online Financial Advice

Often, the value of the advice can be worth what you paid for it — NOTHING!

By Brian

Learning the financial ropes at a young age can be a challenge. It’s important to get started early, though, as significant financial events often happen to us early in life. Perhaps you just landed your first job to help pay for school or cover other expenses. You might need to start planning to pay for additional schooling to land that dream job you’ve always wanted. What should you do about student loans? What’s the best way to start saving for your short- and long-term goals?

Learning the best way to approach these issues isn’t always easy, as there are a lot of pitfalls you can run into. While parents and other family members, friends or teachers might be resources to learn some of this information, social media will likely also be a source you turn to at some point. It’s front and center in your daily lives, and the temptation to find a quick answer to a complex problem is tempting.

Many people turn to social media for advice on numerous topics, including personal finance. TikTok and YouTube seem to have become the most prominent apps to turn to for this type of guidance. TikTok has exploded in popularity, with over 1 billion monthly active users, while YouTube has well over 2 billion. Personal Finance TikTok, more commonly referred to as #FinTok or #StockTok, is the first place many younger people look. Twitter (if it’s still around by the time this is published), Reddit (Wall Street Bets lives here), Facebook, Instagram and others all have their fair share of this type of advice, too.

If you find yourself in need of some financial assistance, should you turn to social media for help? The answer: It depends.

There are many knowledgeable financial experts on social media who provide good, sound advice to their followers. Unfortunately, there are also many who give incorrect advice, some of which can get you into significant trouble — financially or even with the law. Some of the most popular advice-

givers on any given platform are those who lure viewers in by manipulating the platform’s algorithm with click bait or too-good-to-be-true headlines. The more clicks those platforms get, the more popular they appear. Their popularity could be confused with expertise on a given topic. The notyet financially savvy could unknowingly become victims of following bad advice.

While you can easily find bad advice on any number of financial planning topics, I tend to see some of the most egregious on the topics of

If you find yourself in need of some financial assistance, should you turn to social media for help?

The answer: It depends.

Ellenbecker, CFP, EA, CPWA, CIMA, CLTC

cryptocurrency, taxes, real estate investing and “can’t miss” stocks. For younger individuals who don’t have a lot of experience in these areas, the potential to be taken advantage of is high. Whether it’s the next “to the moon” stock or cryptocurrency, incorrect tax advice or the questionable application of certain real estate-related tax breaks, there is no shortage of advice that can lead you astray. The consequences of following this advice could be severe. Most often, you might learn a lesson and suffer only a small financial loss, if at all. In extreme cases, you could experience significant financial harm. I’ve even seen advice that could result in significant legal action, with the worst-case scenario being the potential for owing significant back taxes — and/or prison time.

Not all advice is intentionally harmful. Most of these videos need to be short and to the point, so the TikToker or YouTuber doesn’t always have time to cover the nuances of a situation. While the blanket advice might be appropriate for some, it may not be for others. There can be a lot of “it depends” scenarios in financial planning. Take the lease vs. buy decision when purchasing a car, which can be the largest financial transaction a person makes after college. For many people, purchasing a car outright will make more financial sense. However, if someone drives only a modest number of miles, doesn’t want to worry about significant repairs popping up or wants a new vehicle every few years without worrying about trading in, the convenience of a lease may outweigh some of the financial benefits that purchasing might offer. If a purchase is the way to go, should the buyer pay cash or take out a loan? The decisions keep coming and can feel daunting.

It’s unlikely a 30-second TikTok video is going to be able to cover all considerations.

You might also find online advice that is good in theory but much more nuanced in practice. A recent example I saw on TikTok teased “How to make $10,000/month at 18 years old.” Naturally, this is an appealing proposition for nearly any young adult

Whether it’s the next “to the moon” stock or cryptocurrency, incorrect tax advice or the questionable application of certain real estate-related tax breaks, there is no shortage of advice that can lead you astray.”

just getting started. The idea is to wholesale rental property by finding a run-down house, tracking down the owner, making an offer and putting it under contract, then finding an investor to select the contract for $10,000. Sounds great — right? But any seasoned real estate investor will tell you that it could be very difficult to find a buyer, as it’s usually a very competitive market. You typically have to put money down to sign a contract to purchase a property, so if you’re unable to sell it because you can’t find an investor, you could end up losing the deposit. For a young person who doesn’t have a lot of experience and potentially little to no financial backing, the results of this transaction could set you back years or decades in your financial progress.

For those who have more experience dealing with these types of situations, you may roll your eyes at some of the previous examples and know it’s time to quickly move on. However, if this is your first time having to make a serious financial decision, it’s not as easy to sort through good and bad advice. Even the most experienced or savvy experts today most likely learned a lesson or two the hard way.

Like any source of advice you seek, advice on social media has its positives and negatives. It can be a great place to start, but be sure to seek out advice tailored to your personal situation from a trusted advisor before making a big decision.

Depending on your situation, sometimes parents, other family members, friends or teachers may be able to help. When making a more significant or complex financial decision, you may want to consult a trained professional, such as a financial planner, accountant, financial advisor or attorney. Your parents or other family members may already have an expert they work with who is willing to spend a few minutes with you to help educate you on your issue. Spending a little time and/or money upfront to ensure you make the right decision can save you a lot of money and potential trouble down the road.

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Brian Ellenbecker, CFP, EA, CPWA, CIMA, CLTC, is a financial planner with Shakespeare Wealth Management in Pewaukee. Contact him at 262-814-1600 or brian@shakespearewm.com.

Soft Skills: They’re THE Differentiator

After years of study, you just earned your accounting degree, and now it’s time to begin the job search. But plenty of people graduate with accounting degrees each year, so what will differentiate you from the rest of your graduating class? Grades? Extracurriculars? Fancy résumé design? Sure, those may grab a recruiter’s attention, but in the end, they may not always make the difference. What will set you apart, however, are “soft skills.”

By Carver Smith, CPA

As a professional recruiter who specializes in helping companies find top accounting talent, I frequently see candidates list the “hard skills” on their applications and résumés. These include work experience, education, academic credentials, software skills and industry knowledge. In a highly technical field like accounting, all of this matters. However, all things being equal (and they rarely are), the soft skills — the inherent, intangible characteristics of you as a person that provide significant professional benefits — stand out more.

While you can learn or develop some soft skills over time —like public speaking, etiquette and listening skills — others are innate, such as drive, ambition and ability to handle difficult situations well. Personality and emotional intelligence (which includes attributes like relating to others, reading a room and being self-aware) are also soft skills. While these skills evolve and may be influenced by circumstance, they are often core to who you are.

The importance of soft skills goes beyond the interview process

Soft skills not only differentiate you in your résumé and during the interview; they also differentiate you in the workplace and enhance your ability to progress within an organization. Years ago, many public accounting firms were drawn to a candidate’s 4.0 GPA because they thought they had to hire the best and brightest. But good grades don’t necessarily mean a person is an effective communicator. Many technically competent accountants cannot articulate concepts to people who don’t have financial backgrounds, don’t know how to motivate their staff, or lack the entrepreneurial instincts needed to sell professional services. These soft skills are critical for anyone wanting to succeed in the accounting field, whether your goal is to make partner at a major firm or climb the career ladder in industry.

Soft skills alone are not enough

Previously in my career, I led campus recruiting at a major public accounting firm, where we studied our most successful people. From this study, we learned that for the first few years employees can survive on attitude (soft skills), but eventually aptitude (hard skills) became a critical factor required for advancement. Individuals with a solid blend of both soft and hard skills had virtually unlimited advancement opportunities within our firm.

So, although soft skills are a big differentiator, it’s important to remember they aren’t everything. You’ve probably heard people say that someone was “all show and no go.” Eventually, if you lack the technical expertise to back up your soft skills, it will catch up with you. That’s why continuing education and staying technically sharp is just as critical as developing your soft skills.

Showcasing your soft skills

Your résumé (and the stories it tells) is a great place to start highlighting your soft skills. When writing your résumé, be sure to include specific examples of accomplishments, both concrete achievements like GPA and degree as well as activities or projects that highlight your soft skills. The recruiter or hiring manager should be enticed to meet you and learn more about these accomplishments. When you have the opportunity to tell your story in person, make sure to bring your examples to life. Anyone can write a great cover letter, but if you back up those statements with memorable examples, you will likely impress the interviewer and increase your odds of moving forward in the process. Once you land that great opportunity, the development of both your hard and soft skills has only just begun.

The soft skills — the inherent, intangible characteristics of you as a person that provide significant professional benefits — stand out more.

Carver Smith is managing partner of Truity Partners, a staffing and executive search firm for finance, accounting, tax and HR talent. Contact him at 414-777-5322 or carver.smith@truitypartners.com.

Data Analytics and Accounting Careers

ata is an asset, and those who know how to make use of it are at a significant advantage in the modern economy. This is why data analytics, which involves using data (often significant amounts of data) to identify patterns useful in decisionmaking, is such a hot topic in accounting and beyond. The good news is that accountants are well positioned to lead in the age of big data, but they need to make sure they have the right skill sets to take advantage of the opportunity.

There are four types of data analytics; descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive 1 Descriptive and diagnostic analytics focus on what is currently happening and why and are the basis of “traditional” data analytics in accounting. They often involve using historical data to calculate metrics, such as financial ratios or unit cost statistics, which can be done using familiar tools such as Microsoft Excel. More recently, data visualization software packages, such as Tableau and Microsoft Power BI, allow for targeted analysis of large data sets and presentation

“

CPA, PhD

Accountants can lead in the age of big data, but they need the right skill sets. Start positioning yourself for success while you’re still in school.

1 See Tschakert, N., J. Kokina, S. Kozlowski, and M. Vasarhlyi. 2016. The next frontier in data analytics. Journal of Accountancy 222(2): 58-63. Available at https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2016/aug/data-analytics-skills.html.

of findings in a way that is easy to understand. Given that these activities often follow a set structure, they could be targets for robotic process automation in the relatively near future.2

Predictive and prescriptive analytics are more focused on what will happen and what the response should look like. They often make use of historical data to predict the likelihood of particular outcomes using regression-based models and then developing a probability-based action plan. While these analyses require an understanding of more sophisticated statistical techniques, they allow accountants to play an advisory role that adds value to organizations. Furthermore, they rely on creativity and problem solving that are more difficult to automate.

2 See the 2016 EY publication titled Robotic process automation in the Finance function, available at http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/EY_-_Robotic_ process_automation_in_the_Finance_function_of_the_future/$FILE/EY-roboticprocess-automation-in-the-finance-function-of-the-future-2016.pdf.

A February 2015 publication by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) outlines the skills students need to succeed in a data-driven world. Noteworthy is that they reference each of their primary product lines (audit, tax, risk management and consulting), suggesting that the emergence of big data will impact virtually all aspects of accounting.3 While data analytics is leading to rapid changes in our profession, it provides opportunities to deliver value to clients and more flexible and interesting experiences for accounting professionals.

Here are five ways that you as an accounting student can position yourself for success in the data-driven landscape:

3 See the 2015 PwC publication titled Data driven: What students need to succeed in a rapidly changing business world, available at https://www.pwc.com/ us/en/careers/university-relations/data-driven.html.

Focus on critical thinking

Your value as an accounting professional increasingly comes from an ability to solve problems rather than inputting keystrokes into a software package. Tools change, but the need to approach problems in a systematic way is ever present. As you complete projects in your accounting courses, make sure to focus on process and question how (and why) a particular activity adds value.

Learn to code!

Accountants need to be ready to use data to offer tailored solutions to problems, some of which may not be feasible via existing software packages. Writing code in R or Python allows you to produce customized analyses limited only by your own creativity. It makes them repeatable, which can be invaluable if you want to do the same thing millions of times. A great side benefit of learning to code is that it forces you to practice your critical-thinking skills as you systematically outline the instructions you want your program to perform.

Refine your communication skills

While much of data analytics involves using sophisticated tools, do not lose sight of the importance of effective communication. Data analysts must work with process owners to get an understanding of business activities so they can determine what data are available and produce analytics that have value. Furthermore, data analytics can only influence decision-makers if it is communicated in a clear, concise and persuasive manner. In addition to getting as much practice in both oral and written communication as possible, try to seek opportunities to develop your interviewing skills.

Emphasize general business knowledge

A major benefit of having accountants perform data analytics is that they understand business — accounting is, after all, the language of business. Make sure to complement your accounting skills with an array of courses that make you a wellrounded business professional, and use your electives wisely to fill gaps in your knowledge.

Stay current on thought leadership

Public accounting firms are at the forefront of the data movement, and they regularly post white papers, surveys and how-to guides online. Staying aware of industry trends will provide you with important insight and should yield benefits during the interview process. Other excellent sources for information are practitioner-oriented publications such as the CPA Journal, Journal of Accountancy, and Strategic Finance (among many others).

Kevin Rich, CPA, PhD, is chair and associate professor of accounting and the Charles T. Horngren Professor at Marquette University. Contact Dr. Rich at 414-288-7708 or kevin.rich@marquette.edu.

Staying aware of industry trends will provide you with important insight and should yield benefits during the interview process.”

“

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DESTINATION CPA

A regular feature profiling young professionals who provide their insights about what it’s like to work as a CPA in public accounting or industry

Emalie Hahn, CPA

Job title: Senior Accountant l Employer: Wegner CPAs

What influenced your decision to become a CPA?

I knew becoming a CPA would open the door to more career opportunities. I was lucky to be surrounded by knowledgeable mentors, my parents and my accounting professor at Wisconsin Lutheran College, who highly recommended the CPA credential for going into a career in accounting.

How did you complete the 150 hours necessary to take the CPA Exam?

I took a lot of 18- or 20-credit semesters while getting my bachelor’s degree. I also took some summer classes and an extra semester (for a total of 4.5 years), which then allowed me to graduate in December and start my job right away in January — during busy season!

What are some dead-wrong assumptions people make about public accounting?

I think a big assumption that people make is the lack of flexibility. Although hours are longer from January through April, it evens out because we get a plentiful amount of PTO and are given the flexibility to work lower hours the rest of the year.

What’s the best part about your current job?

I really appreciate the trust that I feel between myself and Wegner CPAs and the fact that I am treated the same as all my other colleagues. It can be hard to find employers that have these qualities, especially for workers fresh out of college.

How did you find your first job out of college?

I used my connections with alumni from Wisconsin Lutheran College.

What was your first year like?

My first busy season at Wegner CPAs was a big learning curve and a challenging transition, learning to convert my book knowledge into real-world application.

What surprised you the most when you started your job?

The pace at which you learn is very high in public accounting — I’d say it’s one of the highest of any industry. It can be overwhelming at times, but well worth it.

What’s the best thing about being a CPA?

It’s the pride and accomplishment of having passed all four parts of the CPA Exam. I also feel a higher sense of trust between myself and my clients since I received the certification.

What do you like most about the organization you work for?

Wegner CPAS is a friendly, flexible, positive and fair environment to work in, which makes my job that much more enjoyable. They want all their employees to succeed, and we are given the tools to do so.

What are your goals for the future?

I want to continue to build relationships with the clients I have at Wegner CPAs, continue to learn, expand my knowledge of auditing, keep challenging myself with new opportunities and grow into my career the best I can.

Christopher Malinger, CPA

Job title: Manager, Tax Department l Employer: Scribner, Cohen & Company S.C.

What influenced your decision to become a CPA?

I always wanted to choose a career I knew would challenge me and one I would continue to learn in. I decided to pursue accounting and my CPA designation after talking with a few friends in the program and researching more about the career.

How did you complete the 150 hours necessary to take the CPA Exam?

I was a nontraditional student with an associate’s degree in fire sciences/EMT. I attended school at UW–La Crosse, Milwaukee Area Technical College and eventually UW–Milwaukee, where I finished my classes and received my bachelor’s degree in accounting.

What are some dead-wrong assumptions people make about public accounting?

That public accounting is boring or repetitive. Every single day is completely different than the one before, and clients’ needs change continuously. With tax laws and technology always evolving, it keeps the field interesting and encourages you to keep coming back for more.

What’s the best part about your current job?

The best part is the clients I am able to work with each and every day. With so many people from all different backgrounds, I work alongside some wonderful people that are making, or have made, meaningful impacts in our community.

How did you find your first job out of college?

I was able to apply for my first job through the UW–Milwaukee Lubar School of Business website for students. It was a smaller firm, multi-family office, and I was applying for an internship originally but was fortunate to be offered a position after my interview.

What was your first year like?

It was rewarding but also incredibly challenging. I worked with influential colleagues who helped guide me in that first year. The real-world experience is hard to replicate in school, so I took in as much as I could and have never stopped asking questions — even to this day.

What surprised you the most when you started your job?

I was surprised by how creative accounting can be. Obviously, you have to abide by tax laws, but there are creative approaches you can take to help your clients navigate those laws and maximize their savings over multiple years.

What’s the best thing about being a CPA?

The best part is the satisfaction that comes from finding the best solutions for your clients and providing value. Many people are not excited when they see their tax bill, but being able to provide a valuable service to help reduce that bill under the law is a fantastic feeling.

What do you like most about the organization you work for?

The amount of care Scribner, Cohen provdes to their clients and employees is truly invaluable. It’s no secret things have changed drastically over the past few years, both in the accounting field and offices, but our firm provides the best service while making sure its employees continue to grow personally and professionally.

What are your goals for the future?

I plan to continue to grow and learn while helping new CPAs who are entering the field. I know the impact great mentors and colleagues have had on my career, and I would like to provide that kind of support to others.

Victoria Thayer, CPA

Job title: Manager l Employer: Berndt CPA

What influenced your decision to become a CPA?

Wanting a better understanding of tax and financial statement preparation to better serve our clients. I believe that as human beings we are in this world to use our talents to serve others, and that motivated me to pursue the CPA credential.

How did you complete the 150 hours necessary to take the CPA Exam?

I decided to go back to school to obtain my master’s degree in accounting. The master’s program I chose at Edgewood College was fully remote, which allowed me to keep my full-time job and study on nights and weekends.

What are some dead-wrong assumptions people make about public accounting?

That it’s boring and repetitive! There is nothing more rewarding and exciting than public accounting. Every day is different; each client is a different world, and they present different challenges. Our job as CPAs is to help our clients obtain the financial clarity they need to achieve their business goals.

What’s the best part about your current job?

Being able to work with business owners from my community and to team up with other smart and driven CPAs to deliver excellent service to our clients.

How did you find your first job out of college?

I found my first job by searching online.

What was your first year like?

It was a period of self-search; I knew I needed to try different roles before I found my true purpose.

What surprised you the most when you started your job?

I started my professional career in corporate accounting as a cost accountant. The job’s duties surprised me because they were very repetitive, and there was no client interaction. I was seeing only one small part of the whole financial statement (just a few expense accounts, to be precise).

What’s the best thing about being a CPA?

Being able to serve a wide variety of clients! I think that the pinnacle of being a CPA is becoming that trusted advisor for a client. Working with clients on tax planning, budgeting and forecasting is rewarding because you are impacting their lives and the success of our community.

What do you like most about the organization you work for?

Their support to help me grow as a CPA and as a leader. Berndt CPA has given me the opportunities to get out of my comfort zone to grow, and they have mentored me through it. They are very involved in the community, and they have empowered me to create my impact in the community.

What are your goals for the future?

To grow our firm’s client advisory services, to obtain my CITP credential and to increase financial literacy within the Latin community through organizations like the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce and Midwest Mujeres. I am proud of being Latina, and empowering other Latinos is a key part of my purpose.

Note to Self

Note to Self is a column in which CPA professionals write notes to their college-student selves to give them a glimpse of their future. In this issue, Stacy Stinson, CPA, MBA, an assistant professor of accounting at Concordia University – Wisconsin, shares her path with us. She graduated from Rufus King High School, UW–Milwaukee with a BBA in accounting and UW–Madison with an MBA.

Ms. Stinson also is a member of the WICPA board of directors.

Hey Stacy,

Before I start, I will say you are awesome and will handle all the pressures that college offers. While you wanted to attend Wake Forest for that cool new gadget included with tuition called the laptop, UW–Milwaukee is perfect for you. And you will eventually have many, many laptops.

Now I will get on with it. But don’t worry — I will not give away any information that would completely change the future. (Yes, you still love science fiction movies.) Here are the Cliff Notes:

• First, to calm your fears, you will pass Intermediate Accounting on the first try. It will be the most challenging class you will take and prove to be the one you use the most in your career, so keep your textbook.

Note: You will still keep in contact with your “all-nighter” study group.

• You will get two exciting internships at Ernst & Young and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Note: Do not worry about taking a semester off. The experience will be well worth it, and you will meet people from these first jobs who will be mentors later on.

• You will get a great job in audit after college that pays well and allows you to travel across the United States. You will work with some of the best people you have ever known, and they will nurture you and your career growth. Note: Save 10% more money than you plan to, and do not buy that new car, as you will travel 80% of the time for about three years.

• You will pass the CPA exam. Those 19.5 hours do not go quickly. It won’t be easy, but it won’t be as difficult as you think. Note: Do not stay the weekends while on the Tampa, Florida, audit; go home and take your Becker class — this will make sense to you later.

• Finally, a goal always in the back of your mind will be fulfilled: You will graduate without any undergraduate student loans!! This will make the decision to return to school full time at UW–Madison for your MBA after a few years much more manageable.

Longer term, your career choice of accounting is perfect. It will lead you to various positions in audit, cost accounting, financial planning, consolidations and corporate accounting in industries such as consumer products and manufacturing with companies that produced or sold food, beer, computers, control/power systems and motorcycles. But again, the best part will be meeting some great people along the way.

However, you will ultimately leave corporate America to pursue your lifelong goal of teaching accounting at the college level. You will join Concordia University – Wisconsin, and it will be gratifying to teach accounting, mentor students and usher them into the accounting profession. Now, I will let you know that you will again be in school for your doctoral degree – then you’ll be done with school — I think!

Now for a bit of random advice:

• Take an international assignment. See the beauty of the world.

• Take up running. If you don’t, you will always wish you had.

• Pass on taking the Lotus 123 training class. You won’t need it. Take the public speaking training instead.

• Go on a real vacation annually.

• Assets = Liabilities + Stockholder’s Equity, but people are not so logical, so forgive faster than you think you should.

Finally, your most significant role will be serving as the mother of two beautiful daughters.

Oh, and I almost forgot — you will still be involved with the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the WICPA to ensure accounting is available and accessible to everyone. So keep on your path, and everything will work out just fine.

Stacy Stinson, CPA, MBA

Avoid Common Job Search Mistakes at CPA Firms

By Jill Dequaine, PHR

“Pick me, pick me!”

This is what is going through your mind as you click “apply” on the website of the employer of your dreams. You wait and wait. Then suddenly you receive an email that says, “Thank you for applying. We will be in touch if you meet our qualifications.”

How do you set yourself apart from other applicants? Here are a few tips for a more successful job search — prior to applying — so you don’t become just another applicant.

A clear, concise cover letter

Your cover letter is your first opportunity to show your written communication skills, and this may be your first test from the employer. Do your best to grab their attention, and condense your thoughts into concise sentences. Attempt to pique their curiosity so they want to learn more about you and your accomplishments.

Personalize the cover letter, and be sure to address it to the correct employer. Some companies don’t require a cover letter; but be prepared for employers who do, and use the opportunity to make a great first impression.

Polish your résumé

Your résumé is critical to your job search and needs to be updated as you progress in your career. In one page, tell your story. Share what you studied in school, your volunteer work and the sports teams or extracurricular activities with which you were involved.

List any jobs you had throughout college and any roles you may have taken to support a cause you believed in. All of this gives the recruiter a sense of who you are. It offers them some commonalities for identifying people they may want to connect you with at the company, and it also provides great topics for conversation.

Choose formatting wisely, and use it consistently in both your cover letter and résumé. Most importantly, proofread. Be sure there are no

typos. Have someone else review your résumé before you start applying.

Tap your network

You have your cover letter, and you have your résumé — now meet some people. Technology has enabled connection via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. LinkedIn continues to be an impactful professional networking tool and job search platform. Be sure to set up an account and tap into a few LinkedIn learning sessions to become proficient.

Think about your connections and who is in your “circle of influence” — people who could

Your résumé is critical to your job search and needs to be updated as you progress in your career.”

connect you with your future employer. Ask to meet with leaders of organizations you admire who are currently in the seat you hope to occupy someday. This can provide you with an opportunity to create ongoing mentorships prior to and during your employment. Many executives will make time to give a little guidance or insight into their journeys.

Networking is a great way to get to know more about a company and its employees even before you apply. Their insights could help you decide if the company is a good fit for you. Proceed with caution, and post wisely on your social media accounts.

Evaluate the culture and prepare

Get to know the companies you’re most interested in by doing research. Most companies have a business strategy, but it’s the culture of a company that makes it unique. Decide what you’re looking for in a company, what’s most important to you and the culture that would be the best fit for you.

Preparation is a critical step for successful interactions with recruiters. Connect on LinkedIn with the company representatives you are meeting, check out the company’s website and spend as much time as it takes to properly prepare for your interactions with them. By doing your research and attending recruiting events, you will get a good feel for a company’s culture.

Follow up

Regardless of whether you applied for a position online or connected with someone in your network who made an introduction for you, follow-up is critical. A simple thank-you email or card to the person who made the introduction will go far.

It’s common to follow up with an employer after you have applied for a position. This shows you are genuinely interested in the position, and it’s a demonstration of your follow-up skills, which are important in the customer service industry.

Recruiters continue to see a trend in applicants accepting multiple offers and then having to revoke their acceptances as the start dates near — or even worse, applicants who have accepted an offer and then ghost the recruiter or don’t show up for orientation. This is a great way to establish a not-sogreat reputation in the industry.

Reconsider accepting multiple offers; instead, maintain constant communication with the recruiters of the companies you’re most interested in. Recruiters would prefer you take the time to accept the right offer — the one you really want — than to accept the first offer you receive. Recruiters, career and professional development staff, and faculty at your university are well connected. Keep those bridges strong.

If you create an awesome cover letter, put together a stellar résumé, research the companies you’re interested in and connect with your network before applying, you’re on the road to avoiding some common job search mistakes.

Jill Dequaine, PHR, is regional campus director for CLA in Green Bay. Contact her at 920-996-1449 or jill.dequaine@CLAconnect.com.

Recruiters, career and professional development staff, and faculty at your university are well connected. Keep those bridges strong.

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These words are at the core of our unique culture. The SVA difference is how we work with our accounting staff members to help shape their careers with the special programs we’ve developed to enable them to meet and exceed their professional goals.

The SVA difference is built upon these values:

We have trust and respect for others.

We encourage flexibility and innovation.

We conduct ourselves with integrity.

We are committed to teamwork.

We promote a high level of achievement and contribution.

We are Great Place to Work® Certified.

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SERVE.

PEOPLE. BETTER.

Janna Hurley

Human Resources Director

A 608-826-2425

m hurleyj@sva.com

These words are at the core of our unique culture. The SVA difference is how we work with our accounting staff members to help shape their careers with the special programs we’ve developed to enable them to meet and exceed their professional goals.

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VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS:

Five Tips for Excelling Through the Screen

By Nicole Garcia

Job interviews can be intimidating, but virtual interviews can often be even more intimidating. Many employers have transitioned to virtual recruiting and interview processes. While this has many benefits for both parties, it opens the door to some possible complications or challenges. You should enter a virtual interview with the same mentality as you would for an in-person interview. Consider the following tips for navigating a virtual interview:

Choose an appropriate workspace

Making a good first impression is essential when interviewing. In order to do so during a virtual interview, it is important to set yourself up for success.

• Ensure the area you’ll be using to take the interview has appropriate lighting and is clean, quiet and free from distractions.

• No loud pictures or wall art, piles of papers, open windows or distracting noises such as cellphones,

children or other adults, televisions or music should be present in your interview space.

• If you don’t have an appropriate workspace at home, try a local library, university or communal workspace that offers private spaces.

Test all electronics

One of the added components of a virtual interview is making sure all of your electronic devices are working properly.

• Make sure your speakers, microphone, camera and computer are working properly the day before the interview as well as a few hours before the interview.

• Be familiar with the video software, and have an account properly set up if applicable.

• Ensure access to reliable Wi-Fi.

• Don’t rely on your laptop’s battery power; use a power cord.

Dress to impress

Although the interviewer may only see you from your chest up, it is important to dress professionally from head to toe. Dress as if you were going to an inperson interview. Presenting yourself in a polished and professional manner will not only project a business intent but will also help you feel more confident.

Present yourself as you would in person

Sometimes maintaining professional mannerisms and body language can be difficult in the comfort of your own home. However, maintaining good posture and eye contact with the camera shows the interviewer that you are giving them your undivided

attention and fosters a better connection. You can also show that you are engaged in the conversation by giving a slight head nod or asking clarifying questions to reassure the interviewer that you are absorbing the information they are presenting.

Be prepared

Regardless of the format, you should always come to an interview well versed on your résumé, the company you are interviewing with and the position you are applying for. Log into the meeting at least 10 minutes prior to the start. This shows the interviewer that you respect their time and understand the importance of being punctual. Prior to the interview, spend some time researching the company, their values, their culture and their leadership team. You should also come to the interview ready to answer questions about your skill sets and prior work experience. In addition, be prepared with questions for the interviewer — this is your time to truly learn about the position and the employer’s expectations and show that you are interested and enthusiastic about their company.

Interviews can be overwhelming at times, but regardless of the format, try to relax, be yourself and let your personality and professionalism come through the screen. By implementing these tips, you will be in a position to establish a strong connection to achieve your goal: an offer from a quality company!

Nicole Garcia is an accountant at Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors. Contact her at nicole@tfgllc.com.

Reprinted from New Jersey CPA magazine with permission from the New Jersey Society of CPAs.

Interviews can be overwhelming at times, but regardless of the format, try to relax, be yourself and let your personality and professionalism come through the screen.”

Educational Requirements

o Education

Applicants must complete (cannot be in process) a minimum of 120 credit hours of education leading to a bachelor’s or graduate degree to apply for the Uniform CPA Exam, which includes at least 24 semester hours in accounting from an educational institution that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education at the undergraduate level or 15 semester hours at the graduate level, or an equivalent combination that covers each of the following subject areas:

• Financial accounting

• Cost or managerial accounting

• Taxation

• Auditing

• Accounting information systems.

o Applicants must complete the AIS course to satisfy the accounting information systems requirement. Completion of the BIS, MIS or IS courses will not satisfy the accounting information systems requirement.

Note: A bachelor’s degree is not required to apply. The 120 credits must be completed and include the above required classes before applying.

o Courses

• Credits from a community or technical college not transferred to an accredited institution that offers a bachelor’s degree may be accepted toward the requirements if they are earned from an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the federal Department of Education.

• The courses covering the subjects of financial accounting, cost or managerial accounting, taxation and auditing would generally be courses taken beyond the introduction accounting course required of every business major.

• Correspondence, CLEP credit, pass/fail grades and online courses are acceptable when you receive credit for the courses at a regionally accredited college or university. These courses must appear on an official transcript.

• Upper division courses are usually taken at the junior or senior undergraduate level.

• CPA review courses are not acceptable.

Note: Wisconsin offers the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Advisory Evaluation as an optional service. An Advisory Evaluation will identify any academic deficiencies in education before submitting a first-time application for the Uniform CPA Exam.

Transcripts

o An official transcript must be submitted from each school attended.

• Credit for courses completed at institutions located outside the U.S. must be transferred to an accredited bachelor’s degree-granting institution inside the U.S.

o The degree must be posted on the official transcript.

o Official transcripts submitted electronically must be directly from the institution(s). Some schools do not offer this service. Contact the registrar’s office for additional information. If an email address is required for electronic delivery, use etranscript@nasba.org.

Applying

o Candidates must create a user account and apply through NASBA at nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/wisconsin.

o A nonrefundable fee must be submitted with each application. Candidates may apply for one or more sections of the Uniform CPA Exam at the same time; however, the Notice to Schedule (NTS) will expire after six months. Candidates are recommended to only apply if they are ready to take the section within the next six months.

Note: There is no residency requirement for the state of Wisconsin. The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) administers Wisconsin’s CPA certificate and license. For more information on licensure, see the Wisconsin CPA Certificate & License Checklist at wicpa.org/LicenseChecklist.

Passing

o All four exam sections may be taken individually and in any order, but all four must be passed within an 18-month period, which begins on the date that the first passed exam section was taken.

• Candidates may retake an exam section once they have received their grades for any previous attempt of the same section.

Note: The ethics exam is administered through DSPS after the license application is submitted and requirements are met.

Next Steps

o See the Wisconsin CPA Certificate & License Checklist at wicpa.org/LicenseChecklist

Note: For questions or more information, contact NASBA at 800-CPA-EXAM (800-272-3926) or cpaes-wi@nasba.org.

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