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.