[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.

[Zaq]

You can have a professional lifestyle (work) and a more expressive lifestyle (hobbies) at the same time, Manuelo.

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.

[Anonymous]

@manuelo Sounds like that event just didn't have the energy you did, and people didn't share the mood you were in, but from that to generalize a profession with a particular personality-trait is neither here nor there.

Coming in to a CPA blog to tell people we're boring? seriously?!

I know accountants that are wonderful classical musicians, others perform comedy stand up at night, and yes, even some who do extreme sports on their off time.

With all due respect, I don't think you thought this one all the way through.

[MintsRGood]

@OP Wait a minute…..aren't you the “Napuela” guy?!?!?!? Holy $hit!!!! Did you nap during any other exam breaks????

BTW not the best move at a networking event…you will be forever known to everyone else who attended as “that guy who asked the panel the bizarro question about the world being round”…not good! Keep it professional but friendly at the next one and I'm sure you will have a much more successful networking event!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Liss, Master of Coin]

I never said you wouldn't be able to be yourself. It's the idea that it is the stand up comedy world is less judgmental than Accounting that is hysterical.

According to this 2012 LA Times article on the Entertainment Industry (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/academy/la-et-unmasking-oscar-academy-project-html,0,7473284.htmlstory) “Independent studies of some film crafts show that the academy's demographics mirror the industry's. Women make up 19% of the academy's screenwriting branch, and a 2011 analysis by the Writers Guild of America, West found that women accounted for 17% of film writers employment. The academy's producers branch is about 18% female, and the directors branch is 9% female, figures comparable to those in a study by San Diego State University's Martha Lauzen. She examined the 250 top-grossing movies of 2011 and found that women accounted for 25% of all of the films' producers, and 5% of all their directors. ….

In the past 83 years of Oscars, less than 4% of the acting awards have been bestowed on African Americans. Only one woman — Kathryn Bigelow — has received the Academy Award for directing “The Hurt Locker.”….

The more than 1,000 people invited to join since 2004 include black actors such as Jennifer Hudson, Mo'Nique and Jeffrey Wright. But overall, the group was only slightly more diverse than the academy it was joining — 89% white and 73% male. Sherak pointed out that in 2011, the invitees were 30% female and 10% nonwhite. ….

The academy's overall composition before and after the 2004 policy shift remained close to 93% Caucasian and 76% male, and its median age dropped from 64 to 62.”

Does that sound judgmental to you? Because it should.

But, hey, what do I know, I've only been in the Entertainment industry for over 5 years; have tons of friends that are currently trying to make a living as comedians, actors, musicians, screen writers, etc… And yes, they get to be themselves while pursuing their goals (well, everyone except for actors, whose job it is to be someone else). Meanwhile to pay their bills, they are runners and waiters.

But you've had 1 Improv session.

Obviously I do not know what I'm talking about and you know better than I.

I mean this sincerely, good luck.

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.

[Lisa_Jane]

@Manuelo

Hey Soul Mate! I have a Master's Degree in Fine Arts in Painting. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about, so say no more. Yes, you can do accounting in a more creative environment. There are lots of places you can work where you feel you will fit in better. I use my skills in writing and communication to explain concepts to non-accountants. Most people who are not accountants have a hard time communicating with them. I hear this from people all the time.

I do like accounting though. I've always liked working with numbers and I like that it doesn't drain my creative “stuff” like doing graphic design might. I also like the pay and benefits that being a starving artist doesn't give you. If you are working someplace that you don't like, keep looking elsewhere and just find solace with your personal social network. The place I work is so severe that it is frowned on for people to even talk to each other. I am looking for a new job in a few weeks and I want to work at a less uptight place.

Accounting is an excellent business degree and if you really don't want to do accounting, I think you can find another field where you can use your communication and creative skills. Best of luck!

FAR Passed 5/28/14
AUD Passed 1/22/13
BEC Passed 7/12/13
REG Passed 5/9/14
Virginia CPA license issued July 2014

[jeff]

That's not the napuela guy

[smalltimeauditor]

To the original question:

Yes. They're called baristas.

B - Passed
A - Passed
R - Passed
F - Passed

[jeff]

I prank the Baristas in the drive thru with a hillbilly voice over rap music…not sure if that counts as a creative accountant

[Anonymous]

Manuelo – I love to have a good time and I have a fun, outgoing personality. However, work is work and I am very serious about my work ethic and professional reputation. I have heard folks say that you either LOVE accounting or you HATE it and there really is no middle ground. I don't know if that is true but l happen to enjoy the work. I've said it before on this forum that working for a CPA firm is not the “end all” for the CPA designation. Having an accounting degree is a good base and in no way a waste of time/money/effort You can build on that, my friend. My next venture is a Masters of Public Administration. I could run the freakin' country with that…but the job I have my eye on is “Director of Budget and Resource Planning” for an academic unit on the Big10 campus where I currently work. There are so many avenues in a wide range of industries for long lasting and prosperous careers if you seek them out. Look outside the box, think outside the box and find something that fits your personality. If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life, Somebody smart said that…

[Jennifer241]

The outgoing and creative accountants are partners in a CPA firm.

Outgoing attracts clients to them

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

I'm still waiting for an answer to the questions: Why is the Earth round? and How many McDonald's ARE there? =p

[barelystayingsane]

The earth is round because of gravity (gravity molds the earth into the most efficient shape, which is a sphere), as of June 2012, there were more than 33,000 restaurants around the world with more than 14,000 in the U.S, and I'm finding it very easy to do anything but build up the motivation to finish the last ten pages of B3 in Becker before I go to bed. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Well, I guess OP does not have much experience in the real accounting working world. I have been working in the industry for about 6 years now (3 and half at a big 4). Majority of people I've worked with were/are outgoing. Of course there are also some awkward accountants as well. But I would think every industry has some of those. In accounting, there are a lot of interactions with coworkers/clients, its not always just sitting at your desk and work by yourself. Thats why a lot of accounting job postings says (Must be a team player lol), Perhaps most people you saw at the networking event were right out of school therefore they did not know how to engage potential employers.

[MintsRGood]

The OP is NOT the Napuela guy? Oops, sorry!!!! @Jeff Who is the Napuela King then?

I completely agree with @Jennifer241 that there are PLENTY of fun, creative, and outgoing people in accounting…they are partners and key players in the firm who bring in CLIENTS!!!!! This year my client acquisition numbers are down due to the hermit lifestyle I've adopted while sitting for the exam. However, last year I brought 15 new clients to our firm…they didn't come on board because they thought we were brain dead, awkward, number crunching introverts incapable of making conversation…those clients signed on to my firm because we are bright, friendly, engaging, and have the technical knowledge to service their accounts!

It's important to find the right balance of personality and professionalism when you network.

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[MCLKT]

Um… I'm pretty sure this is Napuelo 🙂

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/wrote-the-reg-exam-yesterday?view=all#post-189664

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[Author]

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