CPA2b Magazine - Spring 2020

SPRING 2020 | VOL. 15, NO. 2

Comfort Zone Outside the

Brittany Greuel 6

Plus...

CPA EXAM TIPS

INTERNSHIP ADVICE

page 12

page 26

INTERVIEW STRATEGIES page| 34 CPA2b Spring 2020 wicpa.org

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LUBAR SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

MASTER’S DEGREE IN PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING YOUR FINAL STEP TOWARD EARNING YOUR CPA. The MS in Management-Professional Accounting program at UWM’s

Lubar School of Business is a one-year, full-time program that integrates CPA exam-related content directly into the curriculum. With the option to focus on either Assurance Services (audit) or Taxation, we develop highly professional and employable specialists in accounting.

Learn more at lubar.uwm.edu/mspa.

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CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

Spring 2020 | Vol. 15, No. 2 A publication of the WICPA Educational Foundation, Inc. | wicpa.org

Contents features 12 b prepared | CPA Exam study tips

10 Steps to Prepare for and Complete the CPA Exam The CPA Examination is considered to be one of the most difficult professional exams. While it can be a challenge to prepare for and take the exam while also juggling life, work and other responsibilities — it can be done!

By Christina M. White, CPA

18 b enlightened | rewards of public accounting

On Being a CPA This young professional was inspired by his father, whose CPA career provided stable employment, a flexible schedule and an excellent source of income to support the family.

By Charlie Wendlandt, CPA

22 b inspired | one CPA’s journey

Find Your Passion as a CPA Some students know what they want soon after starting college. Others find their way through trial and error. A year off and serious soul searching helped this CPA find his passion.

By Kyle Stephens, CPA

26 b proactive | internship advice

Beyond the Books Internships offer opportunities to get real-world experience and make valuable contacts that can help shape your future.

Take the advice of three talent recruiters who share the qualities they look for in their interns.

By Donna Pinsoneault

6 b recognized | member profile

30 b influential | making a difference

Outside the Comfort Zone UW–Whitewater student Brittany Greuel started college as a shy, reserved freshman. Today, she’s an accomplished, self-assured young woman who’s been recognized for her talents and is ready to graduate in May and step confidently into a career in accounting.

By Marcia Tillett-Zinzow

departments 4 b in the know | the value of membership

A Passion for Teaching Sometimes, you can have the best of both worlds. Read about this CPA’s desire to make a difference through her passion for teaching — and how she juggles two jobs to do it.

By Lisa Marie Lang, CPA, MPA

34 b hired | interview tips

16 b affiliated | welcome new members 38 b strategic | career planning

How to Prepare for an Interview Your first job interview can be super scary. Just remember this: “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” This article provides the information you need to prepare for a successful job interview.

By Robert Reck

CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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2019-2020 WICPA Educational Foundation Board of Directors: President Jessica M. Horning, CPA Secretary/Treasurer Roberta A. Ward, CPA Directors Christopher M. Cholka, CPA, CGMA Kenesha A. Coleman, CPA, MPA, EA Paul J. Frantz, CPA Jessica B. Gatzke, CPA, MST Elizabeth Hazi, CPA John R. Heindel, CPA Wendy K. Potratz, CPA, MBA, CMA, CGFM

Join the

Conversation wicpa.org/LinkedIn | wicpa.org/Facebook wicpa.org/Twitter

WICPA Board Liaison Katherine L. Hauser, CPA, CGMA WICPA President & CEO Tammy J. Hofstede Publication Team: Editor Marcia Tillett-Zinzow Design & Layout Brett Stallman Advertising Sue Daniels Printing Special Editions

CPA2b is a biannual publication of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Change of address should be sent to: Membership, W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway, Suite 201, Waukesha, WI 53188; Phone: 262-785-0445; Fax: 262-785-0838; email: jessica@wicpa.org. Statements or opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the WICPA. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of a product or service by CPA2b or the WICPA. Articles may be reproduced with permission. © Copyright 2020 CPA2b.

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CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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in the know | the value of membership

How does WICPA membership benefit you?

Let me count the ways.

A

s the membership outreach coordinator for the WICPA, I have the opportunity to travel to high schools and colleges throughout Wisconsin and connect with students who are on the path to becoming accounting professionals. This is one of the

By Amanda most common questions I am Armitage asked: “What can membership in the WICPA do for students while they are still in school?”

Well, my answer is that professional membership organizations are here to serve you, whether you’re a student or a professional. Your needs will shift as you move through your professional journey, but joining a network of like-minded individuals will give you support each step of the way. Here are five reasons to consider joining the WICPA while you are still in school.

1. Credibility As a new graduate, one of the biggest challenges you will face in your job search is a lack of experience in the accounting industry. As current CPAs are retiring at a rapid rate, companies are looking to replace long-term, experienced staff with top candidates, and one of the best ways to fast-track

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Joining a network of like-minded individuals will give you support each step of the way.”

your career in this environment is to start beefing up your résumé while you are in college. Joining the WICPA and putting it on your résumé is a great way to prove that you are serious about the accounting field and that you are looking for ways to be a better professional.

2. Networking “Networking” may sound like just a buzz word to you, but it truly does help you find opportunities in your career search. Building your network while you’re still in school will help make your transition into the professional world much easier. And networking doesn’t stop when you graduate, so you can expect to meet professional members at events the WICPA hosts throughout the state. The events are often attended by top industry professionals — and you never know when you will casually meet the “right” connection, the person who may help turn your application into a job offer.

3. Professional development One of best reasons to join the WICPA as a student member is the benefit of being able to attend conferences for a hugely discounted rate. WICPA members attend these events to earn continuing professional development credits that are mandated by the state. Attending as a student will help broaden your understanding of the material you are learning in school, give you an idea of what you may be required to know as a professional and even help you study for the CPA Exam. Plus, it’s a great way to start making connections and posting material on LinkedIn to boost your social network. In addition, student members are eligible to write for CPA2b and even be featured on the cover if they have interesting stories to share.

4. Educational savings The WICPA offers discounts on several independent CPA review courses to help you start on the pathway to becoming a CPA. The organization also offers student scholarships to help with the cost of college.

5. Support and resources Graduating and starting your career can be a really tough transition: moving to a new city, navigating a new lifestyle, losing a support system of faculty advisors. One of the most important comments I hear from young professionals is the need to have resources along the way to becoming a CPA, especially just after graduation.

Whether that means hearing from industry professionals or finding a mentor or simply knowing whom to ask the right questions, the WICPA can provide the connections you need to manifest your desire to earn your CPA designation. Joining the WICPA may be the best $30 you’ll ever spend.

Finally, like any membership organization, you will get out of the WICPA what you put into it. Don’t be afraid to reach out, volunteer and attend WICPA events. It will only make your experience as a member that much more valuable!

Amanda Armitage is the membership outreach coordinator for the WICPA. Contact her at 800-772-6939, ext. 4511, or amanda@wicpa.org

Note: Students can join the WICPA at www.wicpa.org/join.

CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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recognized | member profile

Comfort Zone Outside the

Photography by Rick Swearingen

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CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

By Marcia Tillett-Zinzow

U

The accounting and IT double major will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in both concentrations. During just the past two years, she participated in a travel abroad experience in Ireland, did an internship at Deloitte in Milwaukee and served one semester as president of UW-Whitewater’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter. In spring 2019, she won a WICPA Educational Foundation scholarship and received the WICPA’s Accounting Student Excellence Award, and in the fall she was named an Under 30 Scholar by Forbes magazine.

Brittany also has managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout her college career, and when interviewed in January, she was studying for the CPA Examination and hoped to have two parts of the four-part exam under her belt by the time she graduates. In addition, she managed to turn her Deloitte internship into a fulltime job, which she will start in the fall.

Why accounting?

Like most accounting majors, Brittany didn’t have any accounting classes in high school but fell in love with the field after taking her first college accounting class. She is well aware of the many opportunities the CPA designation can offer. For starters, certified public accountants make more money than their counterparts, get better job opportunities and enjoy major “street cred” as part of a highly respected profession.

Brittany understands this partly because accounting runs in her family. She credits her mom – Dawn Reichert, CPA — with introducing her to the profession and encouraging her to at least try accounting. Mrs. Reichert is the office manager at Interstate Sawing Company Inc. in West Bend, where Brittany has worked for over five years.

Photo courtesy of the WICPA

W-Whitewater student Brittany Greuel is a person who has made the most of her college experience and who, in turn, has gotten a tremendous amount from it. After starting out as a quiet, demure freshman, she has grown into a confident young woman who is anything but shy. Her accomplishments show what you can do when you step outside your comfort zone.

Brittany Greuel with her mom, Dawn Reichert, CPA, at the 2019 WICPA Member Recognition Banquet.

“

My mom was my first role model and mentor, and she is the person who has influenced me the most in my life.”

“It has been incredible to work alongside my mom and learn from her, especially when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Brittany said. “My mom was my first role model and mentor, and she is the person who has influenced me the most in my life. She has always been and will always be my biggest cheerleader, motivator, supporter and confidant.”

Recognizing the major evolution the accounting profession is facing, which is primarily driven by new technologies, Brittany decided to add information technology as a second major. She likes to joke that she is a perfect blend of both her parents, with a dual major that encompasses both their professions. Her CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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recognized | member profile

Photo courtesy of Brittany Greuel

In her role as president of UW-W’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter, Brittany leads her first meeting.

father, Travis Greuel, is a senior IT engineer at Watlow, a global supplier of industrial thermal solutions, at their Richmond, Illinois, location.

“Go big or go home” As noted, Brittany started college a very shy and reserved freshman. But she pushed herself to get involved, and the more she got involved, the more she grew and the more things began to gel for her.

She started joining groups in her freshman year, including the International Business Club, the student chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, and Habitat for Humanity (which took her to WinstonSalem, North Carolina, over spring break in 2018 to help build a home for a family in need).

In spring 2017, she became a peer mentor and has continued in that role, helping freshmen acclimate themselves to college life and serving as a mentor to the students assigned to her. The following September, she joined the UW-Whitewater chapter of the national accounting honor society, Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) — and in spring 2018, she ran for an executive board position.

To her surprise, she was elected president.

“One day I just decided to go big or go home, so I put my name on the president sign-up sheet, prepared a speech, and I won. And that was the turning point for me,” she said.

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You don’t grow as an individual if you aren’t constantly pushing past these boundaries. All of the experiences I have had at UW-Whitewater have done just that for me.”

She served as president-elect of BAP that semester and as president the following semester. The faculty advisor, Susanna Pendergast, pushed her to step outside her comfort zone more than she ever had before. She found herself leading meetings and speaking in front of groups that sometimes numbered in the hundreds. It wasn’t long before her shyness became a thing of the past.

“Life is about testing your limits and pushing past your comfort zone,” Brittany said. “You don’t grow as an individual if you aren’t constantly pushing past these boundaries. All of the experiences I have had at UWWhitewater have done just that for me.”

Reaping rewards The summer of 2018 was a busy one for Brittany.

She took a three-credit travel study course spring semester, which ended with traveling to Ireland and Northern Ireland for three weeks in May and June. She considers the experience one of the best and most rewarding of her entire college career.

“I gained an appreciation for a new culture, I learned to adapt to any and everything that comes my way, and I created memories that will certainly last a lifetime,” she said. “Cultural competence and cultural awareness are learned only through experience, and having this firsthand experience definitely taught me to appreciate others’ differences and all of the characteristics that make every individual unique.”

No, you’re not seeing double! Brittany’s twin, Brianna, joined her on the travel study trip to the Emerald Isle.

Here’s how the competition works: Students are put into teams of four and assigned a real-world business problem from an actual organization. They’re given a day and a half to work together to come up with a solution and then present it. The competition is judged by the organization’s representatives and BAP judges, and a winner is chosen after the presentations.

Brittany’s team’s case was from the Maryland Association of CPAs, which asked them to find a way to attract and retain young professional members.

“I thought it was so relevant,” she said. “We came up with a development fair idea, similar to a career fair, where young professionals could come and see all the career opportunities in the profession, the different certifications they can get and the educational programs they can enroll in. It would show them, all in one place, the many opportunities that are available and let them talk to people in the organization.

“We also presented the idea of a student ambassador program — because what better way to attract students and young professionals to an organization than having somebody their age tell them about it and encourage them to join.”

Photos courtesy of Brittany Greuel

That summer, following her Ireland experience, Brittany attended the Beta Alpha Psi annual meeting in Washington, D.C., to participate in Project Run With It (PRWI), an international case competition. She was one of only 72 students from the U.S. and Australia who were selected for PRWI — and the first UW-Whitewater student to hold the distinction.

The winning team of the 2018 international case competition, Project Run With It.

Brittany’s team won the competition. And then she marched on to her next achievements: receiving a WICPA Educational Foundation scholarship and the 2019 Accounting Student Award and then being selected a Forbes Under 30 Scholar and given an invitation to attend the Under 30 Summit.

“I’m pretty active on LinkedIn, and I saw a lot of students posting about being selected as a Forbes Under 30 Scholar, and I thought that sounded cool,” she said.

“I did some research and found out that 1,000 students are selected to go to the Under 30 Summit every year for free. It was a fairly simple application: a couple of essay questions and basic info about my GPA, year in school and such. I didn’t expect to hear anything back, but a month or two later, I got a letter with the news that I had been selected.”

Brittany drove herself to Detroit (a six-hour drive), where the summit was held. When she walked into the event, she was taken aback by its scope.

CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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recognized | member profile

“There were so many people there!” she said. “It was overwhelming at first, but then I found some other people to go through the summit with, and we became fast friends. I keep in touch with them today.”

Photo courtesy of Brittany Greuel

Among the offerings at the summit were opportunities to hear a variety of notable speakers, including CEOs and CFOs of major corporations and celebrities like tennis pro Serena Williams and actress Olivia Munn. There were opportunities to create “journals” at different booths and an evening concert that included diverse acts like electronic dance musicians The Chainsmokers, singer Normani from the group Fifth Harmony, and UK-born rapper 21 Savage.

Meeting the future head-on

Brittany at the Forbes Under 30 Summit.

Last year, from January through March, Brittany was an audit and assurance intern in the Milwaukee office of “Big Four” CPA firm Deloitte. “I absolutely loved it,” she said. “So I’m excited to be returning as an associate in the fall. As cliché as it sounds, I learned more in 10 short weeks there than I ever thought I would. I’m really looking forward to starting full time and picking up where I left off.”

“

One of the things Brittany likes the most about Deloitte is the firm’s focus on well-being. During her internship, she was asked by one of her managers to send their team “daily well-being reminders,” which was not included in her job description but turned out to be one of her favorite tasks.

“I love to write, and it was so fun to motivate, offer advice and encourage my team — and eventually multiple other teams in the office,” said Brittany.

“People get stressed out during busy season, and sometimes it’s palpable. I based my messages on what I could feel in the room, and I think I shocked some of my team members with some of them. And honestly, I surprised myself!”

Soon, Brittany will walk across the stage and collect her diploma during UW-Whitewater’s spring commencement ceremony. In the fall, she’ll take on her first career role as an audit and assurance associate at Deloitte. Where she goes from there is anyone’s guess, as she has not outlined a concrete plan for her future — she prefers to be open and see what opportunities may come her way.

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In life and in everything you do, there truly is no such thing as failure. You either succeed or you learn from your mistake and move forward.”

Whatever she does, she is bound to succeed – because “failure” is not part of her mindset. “‘Failure’ immediately degrades the person, goal or experience that it is describing,” she said. “In life and in everything you do, there truly is no such thing as failure. You either succeed or you learn from your mistake and move forward.”

Those are valuable words of wisdom, coming from a once-shy, reserved freshman who dared to venture outside her comfort zone — and learned just how successful she could be.

Marcia Tillett-Zinzow is a Wisconsin freelance writer and editor.

Contact her at mtzinzow@icloud.com.

WICPA Career Center

Post Job Openings l Upload Your Resume l Apply For Internships

Whether you’re looking for a new career or a new employee, the WICPA’s new and enhanced Career Center can help you make the most of your search.

Find or post a job today at wicpa.org/CareerCenter.

CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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prepared | CPA Exam study tips

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CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

10 Steps to Prepare for and Complete the CPA Exam

By Christina M. White, CPA, Traphagen Financial Group

W

ith passing rates generally between 45 and 55 percent, the CPA Exam is considered to be one of the most difficult professional exams. The minimum passing score is a 75, and candidates must pass all four sections within 18 months. This can be an enormous challenge, especially when juggling life, work and other responsibilities while studying. Here are some best practices for preparing for and completing the CPA Exam within the 18-month window:

1

Don’t make excuses. The best time to start studying for the CPA Exam is now. Don’t wait any longer! It’s never going to get easier.

You’re never going to be less busy. If passing the CPA Exam is your goal, make it your priority and make it happen!

2

Make a plan (and stick to it!). It’s vital to schedule your study plan before getting started on each section. Deter­mine how much time you can dedicate each day to studying, and map out your expected progress on a calendar. For example, plan to study two chapters per week, and then allow one to two weeks of review time before your targeted exam date. Hold yourself accountable, and stick as closely as you can to your plan.

CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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prepared | CPA Exam study tips

3

Schedule sections early. Scheduling a section of the exam gives you a deadline and will help to ensure that you to stick to your study plan. This is especially im­portant if you want to take a section at the end of a testing window. Testing can book up quickly, so reserving the date early on will ensure that you are able register for the date that you want.

“

Keep the big picture in mind. Each section passed is a step toward achieving your goal.”

4

Study every day. Flash cards are a great tool. You can make your own as you study, with important items to remember from each chapter, like acronyms and formulas. Many of the study materials now also have an option to purchase flash cards. By reviewing flash cards every day, the information stays fresh in your mind even if you aren’t able to commit a lot of time on a particular day.

5

Don’t skip any chapters. All of the infor­mation in your study materials is fair game for the CPA Exam. Don’t skip sections or chapters because you feel they may be weighted less than other chapters.

Make sure you get through all of the chapters and all of the information that is provided to you. It’s okay to spend extra time on areas you feel you may be weaker in, but allocate time from your one to two weeks of review time in order to do this rather than skipping something else.

6

Set a realistic timeline for completing all four sections. Keep the big picture in mind. Each section passed is a step toward achieving your goal. If you are working full time while studying or studying full time before starting work, this may look different, but figure out what timeline best suits your situation.

7

Don’t let a failing score become a major setback.

Getting a failing score can be a serious hit to your motivation and your confidence, especially when you are al­locating so much time to study. You may need to adjust your plan to sit for that section of the exam again, but keep your focus on the end goal, and don’t let it stop you from moving forward.

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Reward yourself. You are working so hard!

So much time and energy goes into studying for each section. Once you sit for a section, give yourself a break or treat yourself to something special before moving on to the next section. Maybe it’s a weekend getaway or a special purchase you have been thinking about. Don’t wait too long to get back into it, but you deserve to take some time off to recharge.

9

Seek out a mentor. Rely on your fellow professionals to help you get through this. Talk to your friends and co-workers about their CPA Exam experiences and what advice they can give you. Share your experiences with others currently facing the same struggles as you.

10

Get in the right mindset. Come up with a good test-day routine that works for you.

This isn’t the time to learn new information, but you can roll through some sets of multiple choice questions or browse through your flashcards.

Keep focused, stick to your plan, and nothing can stop you from reaching your goal! You can do this!

Christina M. White, CPA, MS, is a senior tax accountant at Traphagen Financial Group. She is a member of the NJCPA and can be reached at christina@tfgllc.com.

Reprinted from New Jersey CPA, a publication of the New Jersey Society of CPAs, and used with their permission.

Le t’s make the conne ct ion.

INTRODUCING A NEW WAY FOR WICPA MEMBERS TO COLLABORATE WICPA Connect is your new and exclusive members-only networking and knowledge base designed to connect you with WICPA members and resources.

•

Network with peers and grow your contact list using the member directory of more than 7,000 members.

•

Contribute and download resources such as documents, whitepapers, articles, reports, guides and more.

•

Post questions to find out from fellow members who have the expertise or may have been in the same situation.

•

Share your knowledge and expertise by answering questions and offering your insights and ideas to fellow members.

•

Personalize your profile by adding your interests, education, experience, honors and even your photo.

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Customize your experience with controls for profile visibility, discussion signatures, notifications and more.

As a WICPA member, you already have a profile on WICPA Connect.

Simply go to wicpa.org/connect and sign in using your existing website login information.

Connect with thousands of fellow members now at wicpa.org/connect CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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affiliated | WICPA membership

WELCOME NEW STUDENT MEMBERS

Jonny A. Carbajal UW–Whitewater

Ana K. Metzler Concordia University

Karen A. Forseth Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Monica L. Parkes Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Southeast

Marcia L. Gallimore Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc.

Erika Priebe UW–Oshkosh

Julie Grafmeier United Financial Group Inc.

Jessica Rabay UW–Madison

Ty Greco UW–La Crosse

Amanda Robertson UW–Oshkosh

Victor Hayek UW–Green Bay

Megan Siesennop Martinez Edgewood College

Sophia L. Karlovich Concordia University

Renee Taitt Reilly, Penner & Benton LLP

Mai Chong Lee UW–Milwaukee

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2020 WICPA CONFERENCES SUCCEED

IMPLEMENT

LEARN

NETWORK

Looking to be a standout accounting professional?

WICPA conferences offer you an opportunity to connect with accounting and business professionals while learning from local and national experts.

Business & Industry Spring Conferences

Not-for-Profit Accounting Conference

Thursday, April 23 Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay

Tax Conference

Tuesday, March 17 Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee

Financial Institutions Conference Thursday, May 14 Milwaukee Marriott West, Waukesha

School District Audit Conference Thursday, May 28 Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells

Business & Industry Fall Conferences Wednesday, Sept. 23 Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee Wednesday, Oct. 21 Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells

Monday, Sept. 28 Milwaukee Marriott West, Waukesha

Thursday, Nov. 12 - Friday, Nov. 13 Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee

Accounting & Auditing Conference Wednesday, Nov. 18 Milwaukee Marriott West, Waukesha

Technology Conference

Thursday, Dec. 10 - Friday, Dec. 11 Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee

New Livestream Option!

Conferences will now be streamed live so you can still get the updates and insights you need if you’re unable to attend in person, including all of the general sessions and the most popular breakout sessions!

Students attend for as little as $30!

Registration opens approximately eight weeks prior to a conference.

View conferences currently open for registration at wicpa.org/conferences.

CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

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enlightened | rewards of public accounting

On Being a CPA 18

CPA2b Spring 2020 | wicpa.org

Why this CPA chose a career in public accounting — and why he loves it

O

bviously, a personal journey detailing an individual’s path to becoming a CPA will involve some storytelling, and while most professionals will start their story from high school or college, I am going to start my story a bit earlier in my life. In fact, my story starts before I was even born.

My father started in the accounting profession in the 1970s and passed his CPA Exam prior to my birth in 1985. Given that information, one might say I have been involved in the profession in one way or another since birth. Throughout my childhood, I was able to closely observe someone in the profession, which curated my initial curiosity about becoming a CPA.

By Charlie Wendlandt, CPA

I used that curiosity to sign up for an accounting class offered in high school, and I found that — along with history — it was one of my most enjoyable subjects. After high school, I had to decide on a major in college, and accounting seemed like the natural choice for a few reasons.

As mentioned, I had enjoyed the class I took in high school.

In addition, I was able to reflect on the opportunities an accounting career had provided to my father. He always had stable employment, a flexible schedule and an excellent source of income. These items all motivated me to pursue the profession further — which I did — and I passed the CPA Exam not long after graduating from college.

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enlightened | rewards of public accounting

Here are the three reasons I love being a CPA:

Top reasons to become a CPA If you take the time to look at a Top 10 list of reasons to be a CPA, the three items mentioned in the previous paragraph will generally be on it because they are sound, logical reasons to get into the profession. In fact, those are the items that initially attracted me to the profession, as I mentioned.

However, if you really want to know what makes me excited to go to work every morning, those items that initially attracted me to the profession are not the main driving force. While they are important foundations — and I’m glad they still hold true today — there are other incentives that make me love what I do on a day-to-day basis.

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1. I get to meet with people and help them solve problems they are facing.

2. I have the opportunity to perform a wide variety of work.

3. I am constantly learning new things in this everchanging profession.

“

My father always had stable employment, a flexible schedule and an excellent source of income.

Rewards of working with clients

When it comes to the attributes that make me love the accounting profession, a recent experience sums up what I enjoy most about the profession.

I recently met with a client who was newly assigned to me. Prior to meeting, I had a general idea of what the business did, but I had never been on-site to meet with the owners or take a tour of the facilities. By meeting with the owners at their place of business, I was able to gather loads of information about not only the business but the owners and their employees as well.

One of the owners, who had recently celebrated his 65th birthday, is an avid skateboarder. He even held a skateboarding session for his friends at his birthday party! Through his passion, he was able to meet other individuals in the skateboarding world, including a marketing professional who designed custom stickers for each of his employees to put on their products prior to being shipped.

While you might expect this individual to be in an industry related to skateboarding or something seen on the X-Games, his business is helping to repair broken construction equipment.

While I was visiting his company, not only did I have an opportunity to learn about his personal life, I was also able to get a better understanding of how the business works. While touring the facilities, we talked about how the inventory system works, how he helps construction companies avoid delays, and the process that’s used to keep projects on track and ensure they are completed in a timely manner. We also talked about the company’s accounting system as well as his goals for moving the business forward.

Because of those discussions, I now have the opportunity to help with an issue that is outside the normal scope of work typically provided. And the result of that will be a growth opportunity for me to learn something new.

By becoming a CPA, I have been provided the opportunity to work with clients (like the one I’ve described here), get to know them, learn about what they do and help them through the issues they face on a day-to-day basis. It is a very rewarding career — one I can highly recommend to you. My advice would be to earn your accounting degree and take the CPA Exam. You’ll be glad you did.

Charlie Wendlandt, CPA, is an audit manager at Hawkins Ash CPAs, Marshfield. Contact him at 715-384-1986 or cwendlandt@hawkinsashcpas.com

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inspired | one CPA’s journey

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A

By Kyle Stephens, CPA

s a child, I always wanted to be a lawyer (after my professional athlete stage). Popular portrayals on TV, including flashy suits, exciting cases and good pay were very appealing to me. This career goal stayed with me all the way to college. When signing up for my first college classes, I was informed that “lawyer” was not an undergraduate major. I chose philosophy.

After slogging through two years of school and mountains of reading and writing, my grades and passion for skipping class reflected that maybe this wasn’t the right path for me. Not many of my colleagues know this, but after two years of college, I had a very low GPA and decided to take a year off school to find my real passion. I continued to work at a restaurant through that period, and though I was very good at making and delivering the food, I got more and more interested in the business side of things. How do we calculate food cost? What’s the target? How is labor cost controlled?

When are managers bonused?

Finding my passion After the one-year hiatus, my interest in the restaurant business drove me to explore business classes. The first career-focused class was Intro to Accounting. For the first time in my college career, I looked forward to attending class, and I breezed through all the reading and homework. I knew immediately this was the career for me. I was good at it. I enjoyed it.

Because of my year of soul-searching, I felt behind.

Everyone in my low-level business classes was at least two years younger than me. I was no longer attending to make friends and have fun; I was attending college to prepare for my career. I signed up for at least 21 credits

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inspired | one CPA’s journey

“

CPAs earn more money than their counterparts, have better job options and enjoy the credibility of being part of a well-respected profession.” each semester until I reached my 150-credit goal, which made me eligible to sit for the CPA Exam.

I started my career at Scribner, Cohen and Company (SC), a CPA firm focused on audit, tax and consulting services for family-owned and closely held Milwaukee-area businesses. In my six years at SC, I built a strong foundation in corporate tax, auditing procedures and supervising other team members. SC also pushed all its employees to network in the local business community and give back to local charities.

After those six years, I realized I didn’t want to be an auditor or tax advisor my whole career. I wanted to be a chief financial officer (CFO).

A friend of mine introduced me to the managing partner at Grant Thornton’s Milwaukee office, who oversees the firm’s financial due diligence practice. This type of work, in mergers and acquisitions, would give me access to controllers, CFOs and CEOs of companies nationwide that were going through a buy or sell transaction. Two years into that opportunity, I received a call from a friend who had opened a fast-growing brewery, wondering if I’d be interested in coming on board to help with the finance and HR function. Two years later, we’ve taken Good City Brewing from 25 to 90 employees and have widened our footprint from one to three locations.

Find your motivation As you pursue the CPA certification, your story won’t be the same as mine, but I can promise you one thing: opportunity. CPAs earn more money than their counterparts, have better job options and enjoy the credibility of being part of a well-respected profession.

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But Kyle, you’re thinking, I need an extra year of college credit to sit for the CPA Exam.

You’re right. It’s expensive, and you won’t get right into the workforce at the same time as your friends. But there are a couple of options here: You can complete 150 credits as an undergrad; or you can go through one of many master’s programs, such as the Master of Science in Public Accounting (MSPA) program, that most universities now offer. Due to my unsuccessful start as a philosophy major, I had racked up some extra credits before choosing accounting, so I had 150 credits quickly after completing my undergraduate coursework.

The CPA Exam is not easy. You’ll hear that from a lot of people, especially at your college. They want you to spend your money on their CPA prep program, and those programs usually do a good job of preparing you for the exam. But don’t think you can’t purchase study materials and do it on your own. I did. My college advisor told me there was no chance I would pass the CPA Exam if I didn’t complete the MSPA program.

That pushed me to prove her wrong. SC provided study materials via Becker CPA Review. I skipped a family vacation to Alaska and studied hard all summer.

I passed all four parts in four months on the first attempt. Find your motivation.

The CPA credential breeds opportunity to take your career wherever you want it to go. In many cases, public accounting is the first choice. This is the rocket fuel to most young accountants’ careers.

Public accounting provides experience with many

A LEGACY OF LEARNING FOR A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS 1 million+ CPA candidates have chosen Becker.

Accounting industry professionals around the globe count on Becker to help them excel throughout their careers—from the CPA Exam and beyond.

different companies and industries, propelling young professionals to management-level positions later in their careers. If working for a specific company is more your speed, you’ll be able to learn the ropes of that industry from your managers and advance from there.

Tenured CPAs are retiring from the workforce at a faster rate than ever. I’m sure you remember the principle of supply and demand from your economics class. It applies here: As the supply of CPAs goes down, the demand will increase accordingly, providing jobs, pay increases and phenomenal benefits to young CPAs.

Kyle Stephens, CPA, is vice president of finance and administration at Good City Brewing in Milwaukee. Contact him at 414-310-6144 or kyle@goodcitybrewing.com.

Madison, WI

“ Edgewood College gave me the opportunity to develop the skills to have a fruitful career in Accounting. The small class sizes, professor mentorships, and personal connections I made within the graduate level classes were crucial to my success, both inside the classroom and when entering public accounting. Being a part of the accounting program allowed me to graduate with the necessary requirements to sit for the CPA exams and provided both applicable and appropriate content that was a key foundation to studying and passing the exams. I would not have reached the milestones and goals that I have achieved so far in my career without my experience at Edgewood College.”

Molly Weil ’17, CPA, Experienced Audit Senior, BDO USA, LLP.

Available online or in the classroom. Visit connect.edgewood.edu, call 608.663.4177,or email gps@edgewood.edu today.

Contact your local Becker representative, Deborah Andreivich, at dandreivich@becker.com.

Apply free! Use the fee waiver code 262.

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proactive | internship advice

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Beyond the

Books

What prospective interns need to know

By Donna Pinsoneault

N

ot long ago, Randy Juedes headed off to a firmwide internship training. He’s not an intern, though. Randy Juedes, CPA, is a partner and chairman of the Executive Committee at Hawkins Ash CPAs, a midsize firm where professionals believe that internships are a pretty big deal.

“We welcome interns,” Juedes said. “We try to provide real-life learning experiences to help them choose accounting as their profession. As for us, it allows us to ‘test-drive’ future employees. We get to see their capabilities, what they have to bring. It’s mutually beneficial.”

Victoria Spencer, a talent acquisition specialist for Wipfli LLP, agrees. “Our interns get a lot of hands-on experience,” she said. “They get to see what it’s like to work as a staff accountant during the busiest time of the year, and it helps us grow our pipeline for full-time roles after they graduate.”

Randy Juedes, CPA

Victoria Spencer

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proactive | internship advice

look at how well you do in your accounting classes.

That’s a given. A successful intern, however, brings skills that go well beyond what one learns in class.

The process can begin as early as sophomore year.

“Some of our best interns reached out to us as sophomores,” Juedes said. “They knew they would need an internship the following year, so they took a leap of faith and reached out on their own. We are always looking ahead, and we keep track. When we open up the interview process, those who have reached out are in the front of the line. Being proactive shows initiative and real interest.”

What firms look for Attending a campus career fair, sending an introductory email or making a phone inquiry can launch the process, but it’s what happens in the next few weeks or months afterward that makes the difference. As a prospective intern, you will have opportunities — such as phone screens, socials, interviews and campus-based conversations — during which you will talk with professionals at the firm.

Those conversations can help you showcase what you bring to the table.

“We look for students with better than average GPAs who have had the basic tax courses,” Spencer said.

“We are also looking for key skills, such as the ability to think independently, prioritize work, make decisions on their own and ask for help when they need it.”

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“We look for students who have a solid work ethic, a positive attitude and an open mind,” Juedes said. “An interview gives prospects a chance to demonstrate how engaged they are in the process, how interested they are in the position and their willingness to try new things.”

The key competency “The biggest skill interns need is the ability to carry on a conversation,” said Danielle Ibinger, a tax manager at KMA Bodilly CPAs and Consultants S.C. “Our clients want to communicate — face to face, by phone and/ Danielle Ibinger or electronically. However they want to communicate, whatever their communication style, our interns need to be able to converse comfortably with them.”

Spencer and Juedes agree. “Our interns have quite a bit of client contact during their internships,” Spencer said. “Communication is a big thing we look for, both verbal and written, because they will be making calls, sending out emails, typing letters and networking.”

Those communication skills play into the interview and evaluation processes, too. During an interview, prospective interns need to demonstrate that they know something about the firm. “If they share

particular things they know about the firm, and if they ask good questions about the firm, that lets us know they have done some research,” Ibinger said.

“That lets us know they are serious.”

Communication skills will also play into conversations about previous experiences. “We look for some kind of work or volunteer experience that includes being part of a team in some way,” Ibinger said. “It doesn’t have to be related to accounting. It’s just that if they have had responsibilities in the past, they know what a commitment is.”

That matters because firms are evaluating interns, in part, on their potential for future employment.

“We want to get a feel for how they mesh with staff,” Juedes said. “It starts with a formal, firmwide training program where we bring all the interns together.

We bring in staff, and we bring in the managing partner. There’s an initial orientation where they meet members of the firm and learn about the systems, the policies and procedures.”

Wipfli organizes a firmwide training every January that includes large meetings, networking events and various programs. “Interns have opportunities to meet with different partners and to network with other interns from our other offices,” Spencer said. “It’s really cool for everyone to get together, to network and to jump right in, all at the same time.”

KMA starts with a holiday party so new interns can get to know the people with whom they will be working. KMA and the other firms provide extensive training and match interns with mentors or performance coaches who can answer questions and guide interns through challenges.

Little things matter Making the most of potential internship interactions includes communicating in other ways as well. “I would recommend dressing nicely — maybe not business professional, but at least business casual,” Spencer said. “It shows that you really care about the experience you are having.”

Communicating after an interview or other conversation is important as well. “I think follow-up can speak volumes,” Ibinger said. “It doesn’t have to

“

Learn something every day to take with you. Know that the experience can lead to bigger and better things.”

be anything extravagant. Even a quick thank-you note or email saying ‘I enjoyed this’ or ‘I learned this’ can make a difference.”

Is it worth it?

It makes sense to use and continue to develop your communication skills throughout your internship experience. “Be confident,” Spencer said. “Go out and create relationships. You never know what kind of doors those relationships will open for you.”

Keep in mind, too, that firms see internships as “test drives” or “pipelines” for future employees.

Interns will face multiple challenges, and the ability to communicate well will matter.

“Interns will work with mentors, go through a review process and get lots of constructive feedback,” Juedes said. “That is part of the growing process. We hire a significant number of our interns if they have potential and meld well with existing staff.”

“If they can talk with someone, that’s the key. We can help them develop the skills they need to provide good accounting services,” Ibinger said.

“Most important is to really enjoy the experience and use it to its fullest,” she added. “Learn something every day to take with you. Know that the experience can lead to bigger and better things. I went through it myself, and when you are done with it, you are thinking, ‘Wow! This is where my schooling is going.

This is what I want to do with my life!’”

Donna Pinsoneault is a freelance writer based in Brookfield.

Contact her at 262-408-7167 or dpinsoneault@gmail.com.

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influential | making a difference

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How and why this CPA juggles two jobs

“

We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.”

– Author Stephen King

F

or me, teaching has always been about the positive influence I can have on someone’s life; and because of this, I have sought to hold many different teaching roles throughout my life.

My first teaching position began during high school, when I worked as a swim instructor for children at the local YMCA. My passion to teach followed me to college, where I worked

By Lisa Marie Lang, CPA, MPA as a supplemental instructor and tutor for accounting students, and it has continued to follow me to the present day. I am currently a senior accountant at Wegner CPAs, where I am a part of the training committee, and last year I also became an adjunct lecturer for an Information Technology (IT) class at UW–Whitewater for the fall 2019 semester.

LEARNING FROM CHALLENGES Everything we do in life comes with challenges, which we learn from, and for me juggling two jobs last year meant a lot of learning. As a perfectionist and Type A personality, I wanted every class to be perfect, which was completely unrealistic. I made mistakes during lessons, locked myself out of the main computer several times, and once I even had software that failed to cooperate during an entire lesson.

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influential | making a difference

Another challenge was teaching a class in which I do not consider myself an expert.

The class included both IT theory and Excel functions. I use Excel every day, so that was the easy part. It was the IT theory that proved most difficult, especially trying to make the content interesting when a chapter focused primarily on boring definitions. Not only was there a big learning curve for my teaching experience, but I was also continuing to grow my clientele and responsibilities at Wegner CPAs during this time.

Upholding a work-life balance in public accounting is hard enough by itself, especially when my typical busy season lasts from March to December. When I took on the additional role as an adjunct lecturer, I knew that my work-life balance would be even harder to maintain. There were moments in which I lived by the phrase “fake it till you make it.” At times, my mental health suffered due to a lack of sleep, lack of exercise and lack of discipline to eat healthy.

However, I knew I could get through it with a solid support system.

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“

I taught each student at least one thing they did not know before coming into the class, and I taught myself something new as well.”

TAPPING A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK A past professor and friend was willing to help me with every step in preparing to teach a college class. My supervisor and co-workers at Wegner CPAs were willing to be flexible when I had to leave early and even offered to share my workload when I was swamped. I also had the support of my parents, boyfriend and close friends, all of whom made certain that I was still having fun while managing 60-hour-plus workweeks. In addition to my support system,

I take pride in utilizing strong time-management skills, and various to-do lists helped me to prioritize my schedule, meet all my deadlines at work and ensure I was prepared to teach class each week.

Although there were challenges during the last year, there were also victories. I taught each student at least one thing they did not know before coming into the class, and I taught myself something new as well. I improved my public speaking skills. I also learned the importance of time optimization. In addition, I grew my relationships with those around me as I leaned on them amidst times of struggle.

Finally, I was able to confirm my passion for being in front of a group of students to help facilitate their education.

REAPING REWARDS BY MAKING A DIFFERENCE Through all my teaching experiences, there has been one common factor: I have been able to impact someone’s life — many lives, in fact. I have watched children in my swim class go from the fear of dunking their heads underwater to swimming across the entire pool by themselves. I have helped non-accounting majors pass accounting class; one of my students even went on to speak at their commencement ceremony. I have tutored accounting students who have since passed their CPA Exam and received offers from some of the best public accounting firms in the nation. I have watched co-workers whom I have trained now help new staff themselves and praise me for the support I provided. I have connected personally and professionally with multiple students in my IT class. While the parts I have played were small, it is incredibly rewarding to know that I have had some kind of impact and influence in each of my students’ lives.

In regard to my career, I do not know all of the details of what my future holds, but I do know that

“

While the parts I have played were small, it is incredibly rewarding to know that I have had some kind of impact and influence in each of my students’ lives.”

I am destined to teach and to continue to positively influence people’s lives. Whether that means being in an office or a classroom, I will continue developing my passion for teaching and striving to impact as many peoples’ lives as I can.

Lisa M. Lang, CPA, MPA, is a senior accountant at Wegner CPAs, Madison, and an adjunct lecturer in information technology at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

Contact her at (608) 442-1953 or lisa.lang@wegnercpas.

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hired | interview tips

I

nterviewing is a learned skill — not an innate talent. This is great news because it allows interviewees to compete on a level playing field. This article is designed to help you develop that skill.

By Robert Reck

Whether a job is won or lost will be determined not in the interview itself but in the preparation for the interview. Of course, preparation for an interview can get someone only so far. If an interviewee lacks the experience a company requires in a position, even the best will struggle to provide examples that are deemed sufficient in the eyes of the interviewer.

The bright side is that companies don’t have high expectations of current college students or recent graduates when it comes to on-the-job experience. Many entry-level interview questions will focus instead on the following: • • • • • •

attitudes habits perseverance ability to work as part of a team willingness to go above and beyond (passion) willingness to accept and apply feedback

This article will discuss some of the finer points of how to prepare for an interview.

Highlighting business acumen The questions you ask in an interview will separate you from other candidates more than your answers will. Instead of asking questions about work-life balance and the scope of the role you’re interviewing for, ask questions about the business that the company’s own executives might ask each other. Here are three questions you can ask during an initial interview with a company:

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• What is the company’s five-year plan, and how might I fit into it?

• How does this business differentiate itself from competitors?

• What headwinds and tailwinds will this company face in the marketplace?

STAR framework The STAR framework is an effective tool to use when answering nearly any interview question.

Here’s what the letters stand for: Situation: Provide any pertinent information that the interviewer will need to know to understand the context of the accomplishment. Be as concise as

possible, and don’t waste time providing more detail than is necessary.

Task: Interviewers never ask about a time when everything was going well and you joined in on the success. They want to hear about how you reacted when stress was at a peak and your chips were down.

In order to have a meaningful accomplishment, a task had to be completed or a challenge had to be overcome. Explain the challenge that was faced or the task that was assigned.

Action: This is what most people think of when they hear an interview question. This part is the behavior exhibited in order to navigate the task or challenge that was issued. Focus again on being

“

The STAR framework is an effective tool to use when answering nearly any interview question.”

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hired | interview tips

concise when describing how you successfully handled the task or challenge.

Result: Even though actions or behaviors are what these questions are trying to uncover by the way they’re worded, the quantifiable results are what the interviewer will be expecting to hear in your response. Sharing an action or behavior without explaining how the bottom line was impacted would be an incomplete answer in most interviewers’ eyes. If quantifying actions doesn’t apply to your response to an interview question, explain at a minimum the impact the actions had on the team, company or client. Failure to translate actions to tangible results will most likely spell disaster in an interview.

One thing you can do to prepare for an interview is perform an internet search for the “most popular interview questions” and write out your answers in bullet point form.

Accomplishment buffet Think of accomplishments as being on a buffet like this: • Main course: two or three of your greatest accomplishments (you’ll be expected to discuss these) • Side dishes: two or three accomplishments that are not fully fleshed out but can be easily shared • Dessert: thoughts on two or three additional accomplishments that can be provided if necessary

36

“

Failure to translate actions to tangible results will most likely spell disaster in an interview.”

“What is your biggest weakness?”

This is one of the most difficult interview questions. However, there is a contemporary framework that has replaced the time-honored practice of stating a weakness and then explaining why it should be viewed as a strength. The current framework for this question can be thought of as the following two-step process: 1. Share an example from the past that illustrates an area identified for improvement.

2. Share a more recent example that illustrates the improvement you made and how you made it.

The goal is to imply that this weakness has been handled and is not a weakness that will be brought to the interviewer’s company.

Additional guidance for answering this question includes these thoughts: • The weakness should be a soft skill, not a hard skill (such as a lack of system expertise).

After preparing to share these accomplishments with anyone who asks, the interview simply becomes a matching exercise.

• Illustrate self-awareness. Everyone has something they are working on at any given time.

Another best practice is to have a robust mix of individual and team accomplishments for each of the above categories.

• Use the current framework defined above to provide evidence of setting goals and achieving them.

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Behavioral questions

The bottom line

Behavioral questions begin with something that sounds similar to “Tell me about a time when …”

Interviewing is an art, not a science. In order to improve interview performance, mock interviews are a great way to collect feedback and practice the advice contained herein. They offer a no-risk setting to practice in before it actually matters.

Answer these questions directly, and be concise.

Answer with a concrete example, using the STAR framework that was provided earlier. Don’t start by explaining how a situation like the one asked about is normally handled. The interviewer has no interest in hearing about a philosophy or framework of how to handle a certain type of situation. They expect to hear about a specific time when you faced this type of situation and how you handled it in that instance. Following the STAR framework will encourage you to answer about a specific instance with quantifiable results.

Nobody gets every job they interview for, but hopefully the advice provided in this article will provide some useful tools you can use when vying for a coveted internship or your first job out of college.

Robert Reck is the founder and president of Kilbourn Marshall, an executive search firm in Milwaukee dedicated to providing unbiased career advice that can help accounting professionals take the next step in their careers. Contact him at 414-676-2195 or robert.reck@kilbournmarshall.com.

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strategic | career planning

Destination CPA Destination CPA is a feature profiling how young professionals got their start in the profession, the resources that helped them along the way and misconceptions they had about being a CPA.

NICHES

• Industry • Public • Nonprofit accounting • Government

RESOURCES • Job board • People • Résumé • WICPA workshop

LAW

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BLOGS

Lyssa Kemper, CPA Job title: Principal Owner l Employer: Virago Accounting LLC, Princeton How did you find your first job?

I found my first accounting job through a job fair at my college, University of Alaska–Fairbanks.

It was an internship as a staff accountant at a local firm.

Which resource was the most helpful in your job search efforts?

The most helpful resources have been the connections I have made in college and through the profession. Those connections have been invaluable to me through the years. These individuals have helped me find opportunities, given me a resource to bounce ideas off and provided valuable references.

Which resource turned out to be less helpful than you thought?

In my experience, I have found that the big job websites, like Indeed and others, are the least helpful. They are great to use as a tool to find more information on the general job market in your area, but they’re not great at lining up a job. If you decide to go this route, I suggest sites like Accountingfly and FlexJobs.

These sites are more focused on accounting jobs.

What’s one thing you know now that you wish you had known before starting your first job?

I wish I would have known that you don’t have to know it all on your first day. I put myself under so much pressure thinking I had to know it all right out of college.

But you don’t!

What are some dead-wrong assumptions people make about CPAs? All we do is data entry and math. While we do have to deal with a lot of data and a lot of math, I use a calculator and automate data entry as much as possible.

What’s the best career advice you’ve received?

The best career advice I’ve been given is to ask questions. Ask questions at interviews to show you are interested and care about the position. Ask questions while working so you can learn and build your skills. Ask questions to those in senior positions because they’ve seen it all and have great stories and advice to share.

What myths about CPAs are actually true?

I often hear that we are perfectionists. While I wouldn’t go that far, I would say we are more detailed oriented.

What’s the worst career advice you’ve received?

The worst advice I have been given was not to bother with an internship. Thankfully, I didn’t take that advice and ended up having a great experience in that internship.

What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned from a mentor in the profession?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned from mentors is that there are people behind the numbers, and sometimes you need to step back and remember that.

What’s one thing they didn’t tell you about the profession in college?

In college, I don’t think it was stressed enough how important technology and communication skills are in this profession.

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CAREER START YOUR JOB SEARCH HERE! FEATURED FIRMS

www.bakertilly.com Tara Tomter, Manager, Campus, 608-240-2445 Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (Baker Tilly) is a leading advisory tax and assurance firm whose specialized professionals guide clients through an ever-changing business world helping them win now and anticipate tomorrow. Baker Tilly is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, the world’s 10th largest network made up of 126 high quality independent accounting and business services firms in 145 territories, with 34,000 professionals.

www.hawkinsashcpas.com Brenen Boarman, 608-784-7737 Alysha Vassallo, 920-336-9850 Own your career path at Hawkins Ash CPAs. Our interns and recent graduates work closely alongside our senior staff, ensuring they get the most exposure. Our culture and training program allow our new staff to find the sweet spot between professional development and personal fulfillment. We have offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Learn more: HawkinsAshCPAs.com.

Reilly Penner & Benton LLP

www.rpb.biz Laurie Olson, HR Manager, 414-271-7800 Reilly, Penner & Benton, LLP is Wisconsin’s first chartered CPA firm with over 100 years of experience. We are a mid-sized CPA firm in the Milwaukee and Madison markets with a diverse client base including non-profit & for-profit organizations, unions, government entities, employee benefit plans, school districts, charter & school choice programs as well as tax preparation and counseling for businesses, partnerships and individuals. At RPB everyone is part of the team, with a focus on growth and development both as an individual and as an accounting professional.

RPB offers employees a positive culture with work-life balance.

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www.CLAconnect.com Jill Dequaine, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor jill.dequaine@CLAconnect.com CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services. With more than 6,100 people, 120 U.S. locations, and a global affiliation, we promise to know you and help you.

For more information visit CLAconnect.com.

www.johnsonblock.com Kate Karre, Human Resources Administrator, 608-274-2002, kkarre@johnsonblock.com Johnson Block and Company, Inc. has been serving Southwest Wisconsin for 35 years. With four offices, and over 45 professional staff, we emphasize getting to know first-hand about each client’s operations while sharing our experience and knowledge. We specialize in accounting, tax, audit, technology and managed services for a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, non-profits, school districts, and government entities. Why not join a CPA firm where you can enjoy a long career in public accounting?

www.sikich.com Nicola McGarry, Senior Director, Human Capital Nicola.mcgarry@sikich.com Sikich LLP is a leading professional services firm specializing in accounting, technology, and advisory services. Founded in 1982, Sikich now ranks as the country’s 28th largest Certified Public Accounting firm and is among the top 1 percent of all enterprise resource planning solution partners in the world. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and entrepreneurial insights to strengthen every aspect of their businesses.

IF YOURSpring FIRM 2020 WOULD| LIKE TO BE LISTED CPA2b wicpa.org IN THE FIRM SPOTLIGHT, PLEASE CONTACT SUE DANIELS AT 800-772-6939 EXT. 4516 OR SUE@WICPA.ORG.

SPOTLIGHT START YOUR JOB SEARCH HERE! FEATURED FIRMS www.svaaccountants.com Sara Shoys, Talent Acquisition & Development Director careers@sva.com | 608-826-2781 Celebrating 45 years and counting, SVA Certified Public Accounting is a TOP 100 US based accounting firm, as reported by Accounting Today.

SVA is a certified Great Place to WorkŽ with a growing staff and new opportunities to join our team. As one of the most diversified accounting firms, also offering consulting, technology and investments, SVA prides itself on our ability to meet our client’s needs and deliver Measurable Results.

SVA is committed to remaining independent and privately held, making us a sought-after firm with continued growth opportunities.

www.vrakascpas.com Kayla Kakonis 262-797-0400, kkakonis@vrakascpas.com Service. Solutions. Success. With over 70 professionals, our experience, size and resources enable us to provide high-quality client service, which starts with hiring the best people. At Vrakas CPAs + Advisors, we provide you with the tools needed to map out your own path to success, built around your talents and needs. We offer an open door policy, mentorship program, CPA exam support and fun company outings, just to name a few reasons why Vrakas should be at the top of your list. Experience the Vrakas difference and join our family!

www.wipfli.com Tori Spencer, Talent Acquisition Specialist vspencer@wipfli.com

www.wegnercpas.com Kyle Carr, Talent Acquisition Specialist 608-274-4020, kyle.carr@wegnercpas.com At Wegner CPAs, our people make the difference. Recently named by Accounting Today as a 2019 Regional Leader, we give staff the opportunity to work with a diverse client base. With seven offices throughout Wisconsin, D.C. and New York, we offer the ability to make connections beyond our borders. The professional growth and development of our employees, along with a strong focus on work-life balance, is a top priority.

Wipfli ranks in the top 20 accounting and business consulting firms and was recently recognized as a Top Internship Program by Vault.com. With 48 offices across Wisconsin, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and two offices in India, 2,400 Wipfli professionals provide industry-focused assurance, accounting, tax and consulting services. We set ourselves apart by making significant investments in our associates to develop their knowledge in specific industry expertise to better serve clients and become a Trusted Business Advisor!

FIRM LISTING Strohm Ballweg, LLP www.strohmballweg.com Contacts: Gary Strohm, CPA, Managing Partner and Heather Hafeman, CPA, Partner, 608-821-0600

IF YOUR FIRM WOULD LIKE TO BE LISTED IN THE FIRM SPOTLIGHT, PLEASE CONTACT SUE DANIELS AT 800-772-6939 EXT.CPA2b 4516 ORSpring SUE@WICPA.ORG. 2020 | wicpa.org

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2020 WICPA BUSINESS & INDUSTRY SPRING CONFERENCE YOUR SOURCE FOR KEY UPDATES , INSIGHTS & TIMELY IS S UES

HEMP & CBD IN WISCONSIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO MILWAUKEE WAYFAIR UPDATE ECONOMIC UPDATES

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

RADISSON HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER GREEN BAY

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Student members attend for as little as $30!