[Manuelo]

long story short, i “found” myself in the mid-20s, and now two years after graduating from college, i regret majoring in accounting. i can’t go back to college. i have other responsibilities now. so, can there be an outgoing and creative accountant? i find CPA (audit) so boring now and can’t concentrate well. god, i really hope there are fun things to work on in accounting firms.

yesterday i was at a cpa networking event. i observed many things i hadn’t in the past. A LOT of students were stiff, rigid, closed-off, emotionless….while i was laughing, asking questions, talkative….i have a feeling that accounting firms like to hire the former type of students. most of my classmates who got placements with the big 4 or medium 10 are prime examples of this.

i’ll give you guys an example about my thinking. so yesterday at the cpa event, when i arrived, the registration table guys forgot to create a name tag for me. the other 250 students already received a name tag each. so i took a blank sticky paper and wrote down: “I’m Manuelo and I’m awesome!” and stuck it to my shirt. i see nothing wrong with this. i’m being myself. and of course, i got a few laughs from the reps.

another example: after about 10 minutes of introduction, the event was followed by a panel discussion on stage consisting of 4 reps and a host. at the end, the host asked us students if we had any questions to ask the reps. now, i’m looking for a firm that encourages employees to think outside the box, be creative, etc. so i raised my hand, went on stage, and in front of all the 250 students, asked the reps why the earth is round. i got no answer. blank stares. complete awkwardness. you could tell the reps were wondering “why is he asking this?” no big deal, i had a reason, i was comfortable with what i did because that’s who i am.

i’ve changed drastically over the past 2 years. now i’m wondering if there is such a thing as an accountant who has similar personality as mine. i hope you guys understand what i’m trying to say. i want to finish my cpa designation, but i don’t know if i want to be a cpa forever. i used to like accounting in college, but now i don’t understand why i have to study all the rules when i’m starting to act against the rules.

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Personally, I would have found the “I'm awesome” name tag funny, but the joke to be bad (it reminds me of a ‘joke' my dad apparently tells all the time, in part to try and make people feel stupid; part of the joke is him saying that the Earth is flat and when he gets the blank stares he thinks its funny because he's made the person/people feel stupid. I've tried telling him that that it has the reverse effect but he doesn't believe me).

I do agree with everyone that says there is a time and place to be serious as well as be funny.

Even where I work (we produce TV shows), surrounded by some of the most creative people in our industry, people have to be serious most of the time otherwise the job would never get done; but a well placed joke does lighten the mood, especially if it looks like its going to be another 12 hour day. And I've heard some people keep getting hired because they provide comic relief, but because they are never serious or particularly good at their job, they'll never be promoted. And if someone is too busy joking around and not getting their work done, they will not be asked back the following day or project.

As the accountant, I am one of the quietest people in the office, it used to shock people to learn I love to go to concerts; I'm not talking top 40 bands I mean my favorite bands are Bullet For MyValentine, Slipknot and Metallica. And I don't go unless I can be next the stage, which is also known as the mosh pit.

And I love accounting.

CPA (MA, Non Reporting) since Oct. 2015

 

B – 33, 71, 79

A – 32, 61, 70, 83

R – 33, 58, 73, 69, 81

F – 47, 78

1st test 01/19/2013

Last test 05/26/2015

 

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Anonymous]

There are definitely accountants that are outgoing, creative, etc. I've actually been surprised in getting into accounting to have *not* encountered many of the stereotypical, lifeless accountants!

However, there is definitely a level of professionalism in the field. I think the name-tag could be alright, but the question was out of my place. My personal opinion. I've always been very outgoing, loved creative things (not much good musically, but I love almost anything else creative!), etc. The trick is to balance professionalism, fun, and personality. Managers in most professions are more likely to hire someone that they can “click” with – someone who they are comfortable around. Ease of conversation helps that a LOT. And the lifeless students in that group will have a hard time making an easy, comfortable conversation. So, that is where you're ahead. But, those lifeless students would also be sure to be professional in everything they say, and that's where you might not be ahead. It's all about balance.

My boss is very chatty, very outgoing. In my interview, we discussed mostly professional topics, but it was still in a comfortable manner. We both came from banking, and he made a joking comment about always keeping the Lysol spray near, and we shared a laugh…because there's a certain repugnant odor that always came in when people cashed their SSI checks. So, laughing at the stench of customers isn't 100% professional, but it's still somewhat related to the issue at hand. I think that's the sort of joking and personal-ness which is good. But, I wouldn't have asked him what his dog's name was, because even though I love dogs and that's part of who I am, it's not part of what the job is.

And as mla said, respect is the basis of it. It is respectful to be friendly; it's also respectful to be appropriate to the event. Respect, I guess, is the guidebook to finding balance.

So there's my 2 cents…

[acamp]

All aboard the troll train! Woooowooooo!

I'm in a Big4 and I'd say way more of my colleagues are outgoing and funny than not–of course this is coming from a boring accountant, so what do I know?!

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Was just thinking. Since you are comfortable getting up in front of hundreds of people to tell a joke, then you should look into open mic nights in your area. Start your comedy routine, see which jokes are funny and which are not. And yes, not all jokes are funny, to all people, all of the time. A few weeks ago I went to see a famous comedian do stand up; it was a crowd of people who have known of him for years and paid good money to hear him tell jokes. It was a great show and I will see him again. But some jokes fell flat and no one laughed; being the professional he is he knew how to recover, and it was still a great night.

CPA (MA, Non Reporting) since Oct. 2015

 

B – 33, 71, 79

A – 32, 61, 70, 83

R – 33, 58, 73, 69, 81

F – 47, 78

1st test 01/19/2013

Last test 05/26/2015

 

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Zaq]

Pretty sure AICPA has a standard about telling bad jokes; guaranteed independence.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[Manuelo]

Guys, I'm sorry if I, in any way, insulted the accounting profession. Actually, I can see I did that and I do apologize. But I didn't know any other way to compare and contrast two diferent personalities. And please, to the few posters who told me not to judge, well…the first thing an accountant does IS judge. If you're not dressed professionally, you're shunned. If you do not ask a certain way, you're looked down upon. We all judge. That's how we come to conclusions…however unfortunate that may be.

DJN, thank you for your advice. At one time when I looked across a sea of accounting students and reps, I remember thinking “oh my god, what did I get myself into? The last thing I wanna do is be around them.” Now I don't know what I'm

going to do with my life. It's nice to know that there are outgoing compliance officers like yourself. It gives me hope.

Lisa, I thought a bit about the stand up comedy thing. One thing that's always stuck with me regardless of what stage in life I was in is my ability to speak in front of a large audience. Ive been soing since i was a kid at competitive levels. And I do enjoy attention and being weird in front of people. I also used to sing at competitions. Music is another area I might pursue. God, I wanna do so many things! I can't decide.

[Zaq]

In regards to judging, we're mostly referring not lumping a large population into a category based off a small sample size. As accountants, we perform proper test of controls and substantive testing to reach our conclusions; observation alone doesn't suffice.

…if we're talking about how accountants judge.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[mla1169]

“If you're not dressed professionally, you're shunned. If you do not ask a certain way, you're looked down upon”

Do tell how this is unique to accounting? You don't think the marketing, sales, production and HR people operate exactly the same way upon first contact?

You think someone can show up for a McDonalds interview wearing whatever they want and say whatever they want?

If you're truly looking to dress and act in any way you want, you may want to consider self employment. However your potential customers (whether they're looking for accounting services, or a stand up comedian) will also judge you.

I just don't see your issue as being an issue about accounting. Its more a societal issue. You're going to run into the same stuff wherever you go.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Manuelo]

I know it's not unique to accountants, but there was no need of telling me not to judge a bunch of accountants when our job IS to judge. If you were Buddha, only then I would listen to something about being non-judgmental.

[Manuelo]

I think eventually there will be a time where I will question myself: what is it that I wanna do? Sorry…I still question that. If I start ‘being myself', the fact that I like to be weird, outspoken, eccentric might piss people off. Then getting a house, finding a job, etc will become far more difficult. You know, the nail that sticks up gets hammered down. This is less true in good times but true in hard times.

If I just comply and act like the people around me, things will come easier. But I won't be true to myself and I will be en route to depression.

I'm stuck. I'll have to figure this out by myself…

[mla1169]

Oh brother. Yeah, ALL accountants are stiff, uptight and humourless. We're also wicked judgmental.

But remember, you're one of us. LOL.

Tell me, what types of careers/jobs would allow you or even encourage you to behave the way you did in your first post. (your awesome name tag, and asking an exceptionally off topic question during an event). Curious………

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Liss, Master of Coin]

BWhahahahahaha! Sorry cannot help but laugh.

If anyone thinks that stand up comedy is LESS judgmental than accounting, then you are in for a rude awakening.

CPA (MA, Non Reporting) since Oct. 2015

 

B – 33, 71, 79

A – 32, 61, 70, 83

R – 33, 58, 73, 69, 81

F – 47, 78

1st test 01/19/2013

Last test 05/26/2015

 

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Anonymous]

Accounting profession has many venues to practice and maybe the particular public CPA firm you are with just isn't your cup of tea. Perhaps private industry would suit you with many departments and personalities to interact with….maybe you could move into Financial Planning, and Sales Operations and eventually Sales!

I worked for one start-up and we were going public. The CFO was ablazing personality and a great representative of the mission and prospects for the company. So personalities in the right context can be well, AWESOME!

Good luck to you as you explore your passion(s) including your Comedy Roadshow!

[P or F.. I think Im gonna BARF]

I promise you this… when you finally figure out what you want in life and realize that you farted away all of your time looking at other people instead of focusing on yourself and your own dreams, I'll do you a favor and let you clean my toilets. I'm so nice (and creative) that I will let you clean my toilets wearing any name tag you'd like. I do recommend something with a zing to it, e.g., “Manuel, the best damn toilet cleaner in town”

… Although I'd prefer for you to not speak at all, I will be open to you asking yourself any and all elementary philosophical questions. Again, just a recommendation for you – instead of wondering why the world is round (considering over time the spinning of an object will cause that object to become round), I think you could benefit by asking yourself questions to dive deep into your inner-self: “If Manuel speaks, and nobody hears it, did Manuel ever speak?”

Enjoy, and best of luck to you on your quest for continuing “awesomeness.”

B - (08/29/2013) Passed
A - (07/02/2013) Passed
R - (10/17/2013) 73 - Rematch
F - (05/29/2013) Passed

[Manuelo]

Liss, OH RLY? The point is I would be myself.

ClBrown, there are many things that I want to try. Maybe private industry is something that I might enjoy.

On the other hand, I do enjoy the arts – singing, playing the piano are a couple of my interests. I LOVE Improv. A few weeks ago, I went to my first Improv session of my life. I had such a blast. The instructor asked me if I had taken any professional acting lessons. She said “I have the natural ability to perform.” So maybe I would enjoy acting.

It's hard right now because I'm not completely sure of myself.

[Author]

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