[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am currently study for my CPA right now and I am wondering if anyone can give me some advice regarding my career change.

I got a job as media research specialist at a large corporation, after 8 months I realized I love Excel and financial modeling too much so I quit my job and completed my 150 hours at a community college.

I recently just finish my 150 hours requirement, and I am studying for my CPA at the moment. Honestly, I don’t find the CPA that challenging like most folks here (Not sure if it is a good thing or bad thing), but I do have to admit that there are a lot of materials. Ultimately it is how much you “Understand” rather than how much memorize you know.

I am currently working as IT/Staff Accountant at a medium size manufacture company (Cash Basis. Yuck) and I automate Excel reporting using Excel VBA, computer diagnose. My responsibilities include monthly bank reconciliation, payroll, internal audit, and some other office works. It is not a big company and I literally automated all the reporting, so basically I have very little to do at work except browsing internet and study CPA.

I am currently looking for position at public accounting, but I don’t know where to start. Now a day public accounting either recruit directly through colleges or referrals, so I am at a loss here.. I am highly experienced with Excel (Vlookup, Excel VBA/Macro, Nesting bunch formulas together, creating complicate pivot tables, etc). I am looking into Financial Analysis and Public Accounting. Any advice?

[Anonymous]

Here are a couple of web sites to check out regarding forensic accounting.

http://www.forensicaccounting.com/

http://www.acfe.com

Good luck with your interview.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Car,

I will definitely look into it. If you don't mind me asking, which Public Accounting Firm do you work for?

I really hope I do get the job with Grant Thornton. They seem like a really good Public Accounting firm to work for.

[Anonymous]

ChiTown – “I don't find the CPA that challenging like most folks here (Not sure if it is a good thing or bad thing)”

So basically, unlike us mentally challenged folk who don't have your IQ of 250, the CPA exam is a breeze for you right?

You seem pretty arrogant…no offense of course 🙂

[Accounting Pilot]

@eartzi and Drod57

Do you expect everyone to struggle with the CPA exam? Should ChiTownExcelAddict feign difficulty to make us feel better about ourselves? I think you are both looking too hard for offense. Take the comment in the context of the post: ChiTownExcelAddict is marketing himself/herself as someone qualified for a Big 4 firm.

Also, keep in mind ChiTown has not taken the exam. I thought accounting was easy and I was hot stuff until I started studying for and took the exams. Maybe ChiTown rocks FAR and BEC but, like me, struggles horribly with REG.

@ChiTownExcelAddict

Good luck with Grant Thornton; if it is what you want then I hope you get in there. But don't be so quick to discount manufacturing (even if they are cash basis. Yuck indeed). If you stop at the reconciliation and reporting, you are missing the best part of manufacturing. Being involved with production, seeing the manufacturing processes, working with the shop floor to develop cost-cutting measures, and saying “I contributed in the production of that widget” are very gratifying elements of a manufacturing job. Get away from that desk and walk into the shop every now and then, it is more fun that way.

Also, now that you are an expert with Excel, look at Access. Access can do things that Excel can only dream about, and it is one more tool in your toolbox that could be a deciding factor in a job search.

Wisconsin Candidate. NTS 450
BEC - 82 AUD - 85
FAR - 83 REG - 71, 86

[Anonymous]

When I was in telecom we worked with gigs of data on a daily basis on the SS7 circuits (needed to make telephone calls). The data was captured, imported to excel, manipulated with some sophisticated VBA macros but in order to actually present the data so management could use it we did have to put it int o Access and then run reports. At one point I used the data to save the company over $1 million a year on circuits that we were not using to capacity. At that time I did not work in accounting – I was a tech, but that got me interested in the accounting/finance side of the business. But I've found that my love is with auditing.

[Anonymous]

Accounting Pilot – Thank you for your advice. And you're exactly right. I found FAR, BEC fairly easy, but REG and AUD quiet challenging. What I learned from REG textbook is totally different experience when I actually prepare people's income tax during my volunteering session. I am still young, but maybe one day I will retired in a manufacturing industry. Who knows haha.

I took your advice and went ahead bought an Advanced Access and a SQL Database book, probably going to spend sometimes going through the books when I have time.

dhuffman – I had the same experience too. I was working in Media Research, loved database and accounting but hated research. Now that I am in the Accounting/Finance field, I couldn't be more happier.

I just got a 2nd round phone call literally within 2 business days. I was expecting they will call me back after a week and half since they mentioned that they are still in the process interviewing some other candidates, so still a little bit surprised but very happy. The 2nd round is tomorrow. Wish me luck I guess…

[tulip]

I'm late to chime in here, but Grant Thornton is a well-respected firm. Public accounting does not sound necessary for your career path, but you may find an interesting nugget here or there. Good luck with your second interview.

When you get a chance, focus on getting exposure to the different BI software options out there: Cognos, Hyperion, even the PerformancePoint add-on to SharePoint.

BEC - 10/18/2010 - 79
FAR - 10/28/2010 - 82
AUD - 11/04/2010 - 73; 02/18/2011 - 86 - IT'S OVER!!!!!!
REG - 11/21/2010 - 83

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Yeah right now Public Accounting is my #1 choice. I landed interviews with Yahoo, Inc, HSBC, and Morning Star, but I think Public Accounting will probably fulfill my hunger the best.

In term of BI software, what are the most popular BI software now a day?

[Anonymous]

ChiTown…I absolutely love research and auditing – kind of the same to me…I get to dig for information. I'm lucky in that I work for a small firm so get to do lots of auditing, some research and a little bit of taxes thrown in for fun. I've never been a pure “numbers” person but really enjoyed my stats class in my MBA program.

Good luck with your interviews and your future!

[Anonymous]

@Chitownexceladdict:

Congrats to your 2nd round interview.

I did a research and saw your excel posted on youtube. You are really an excellent excel guy. Could you post how to make a pivot table? My excel is not strong at all, just know basis.

By the way can I have your email address, or something so that I can ask for your experience since you are on the way to public accounting.

My current job is like you, nothing much to do just to browse the web. I just passed all the CPA and waiting for the license. Nothing to do at work is really killing me. I enjoy watcing your excel on you tube these days. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hey Annie,

Unfortunately, Grant Thornton didn't offer me the position because of my “lack of experience”… Sometimes it is pretty darn hard to prove someone you're good at something without demonstration haha…

My e-mail is JieJenn@gmail.com Shoot me an e-mail if you ever need help with Excel or anything. I have another interview with Morningstar, Inc soon, so hopefully that one will go well.

By any chance do you work for any Public Accounting firm?

PS: I have been really really busy with studying for CPA, and I am still learning how to record a tutorial video properly,,, Maybe you can give me some suggestions. Thanks!!

[Author]

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