[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

For those who are looking to get jobs/internships this fall, good luck to you all – I’m on the same boat, and know how nervewrecking this time can be. Anyways, my alma-mater (I just graduated Spring 2013) is holding a “meet the professionals” event next week and a whole bunch of professionals from various firms will be there (Small firms to Big4).

I’m wondering, what are some good questions to ask the professionals that are meaningful and could possibly engage into a nice conversation? I went to an open house last month at a regional firm and talked to a bunch of professionals, but sometimes it was hard to come up with new things to ask since there were so many of them. Also, any other good tips when im at these types of events? I’m pretty outgoing to begin with, and know that these guys are just looking for people to fit in at the firm.

A little background about myself – Just finished undergrad with 225 credits, 3.2 accounting gpa and double major in Accounting and Financial Economics. Thanks!

[Never_Give_Up1]

I think in general, if someone is a CPA they are an intelligent person. Who am I to judge them for using different vocabulary during communication? If I understand them and they can obviously come across clear and they articulate their message… why should I judge them? I work with some of the old guard…. and I can't stand them. Less than 10 minutes ago someone came to me and said, “instead of using, “back out” you should use “reverse.”” Really… we are professionals and you are nit picking over these words when you and I and anyone of the general populous would be able to understand the message. What if someone is great with numbers so they became and accountant and horrible at English… and they have a learning disability. You go ahead and judge someone just because they were not using your preferred adjective or verb. In the end it is only for you to make yourself feel better that you know they didn't use the proper word there. Otherwise, why would someone care?

If it is obvious they are not able to communicate with lots of filler words… judge away. But because someone used “anyways” is just nit picking… IMO.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Anonymous]

I agree with Keeley on this one. Professional written and oral communications skills are the difference between being promoted and staying at the same level. You may think it's “nit-picking”, Never, but it's a critical skill. As someone who oversees the work of others, I'll “nit-pick” all day long until the work comes to me the way I want it. Until the staff is in my position, they will accommodate my requests or it will be reflected in their performance evaluations. ESL or not, if you want to work in a professional environment in this country, you have to communicate like a professional.

Sounds like you have a poor attitude at work. You shouldn't be so concerned about why your boss wants to use “reverse” instead of “back out”; there may be a rhyme to his/her reason.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Keeley on this one. Professional written and oral communications skills are the difference between being promoted and staying at the same level. You may think it's “nit-picking”, Never, but it's a critical skill. As someone who oversees the work of others, I'll “nit-pick” all day long until the work comes to me the way I want it. Until the staff is in my position, they will accommodate my requests or it will be reflected in their performance evaluations. ESL or not, if you want to work in a professional environment in this country, you have to communicate like a professional.

Sounds like you have a poor attitude at work. You shouldn't be so concerned about why your boss wants to use “reverse” instead of “back out”; there may be a rhyme to his/her reason.

[Keely]

I get where you're coming from, but the example you used is a little different. Back out and reverse are all words, it's just someone's preference of which phrase they prefer. And yes, that is super nit-picky. I'm not saying one use of the word “anyways” makes you sound stupid. It doesn't. But when you're going for an interview, as the OP basically is, you have to be on point. Not a robot, but why not be as polished as possible? If you're just going to be judged on your accounting knowledge alone, why not just show up in jeans and a t-shirt? If I could wear sweatpants to work every day, I would still be as good of an accountant as I am now, but it's not allowed because we want to put our best foot forward.

To be successful, I think you need more than just the technical skills.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Keely]

I get where you're coming from, but the example you used is a little different. Back out and reverse are all words, it's just someone's preference of which phrase they prefer. And yes, that is super nit-picky. I'm not saying one use of the word “anyways” makes you sound stupid. It doesn't. But when you're going for an interview, as the OP basically is, you have to be on point. Not a robot, but why not be as polished as possible? If you're just going to be judged on your accounting knowledge alone, why not just show up in jeans and a t-shirt? If I could wear sweatpants to work every day, I would still be as good of an accountant as I am now, but it's not allowed because we want to put our best foot forward.

To be successful, I think you need more than just the technical skills.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Never_Give_Up1]

Bob… I think I just have a little more perspective about life than most people. And I'll change what they requested in a heart beat no questions asked. I have no problem with it. And for you to say I have a bad attitude is pretty presumptuous of you, since you have no clue who I am or the work environment I am in. Bob… I have given my dying father CPR… I have almost died myself. I have served in the military. I am willing to forgo that “critical skill” you talk of all day long and any day if it is something so trivial. Working with people who care about crap like that make the work environment miserable. If what they are communicating makes sense, is changing one word to your liking worth the work environment turning toxic? Every person I have worked with that works under a person that is constantly picking over little things that don't matter, hate working with that person. And to say, “I'll nit pick all day long until it comes to me the way I want it” sound very controlling and OCD. Which is part of the problem with the accounting world. You have lots of people who need things to fit in their little box, their way… and they have ZERO people skills.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Never_Give_Up1]

Bob… I think I just have a little more perspective about life than most people. And I'll change what they requested in a heart beat no questions asked. I have no problem with it. And for you to say I have a bad attitude is pretty presumptuous of you, since you have no clue who I am or the work environment I am in. Bob… I have given my dying father CPR… I have almost died myself. I have served in the military. I am willing to forgo that “critical skill” you talk of all day long and any day if it is something so trivial. Working with people who care about crap like that make the work environment miserable. If what they are communicating makes sense, is changing one word to your liking worth the work environment turning toxic? Every person I have worked with that works under a person that is constantly picking over little things that don't matter, hate working with that person. And to say, “I'll nit pick all day long until it comes to me the way I want it” sound very controlling and OCD. Which is part of the problem with the accounting world. You have lots of people who need things to fit in their little box, their way… and they have ZERO people skills.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Anonymous]

Well, first of all, I have the utmost respect for you for serving our country in the military. So from the bottom of my heart: thank you. Secondly, I get where you are coming from…I am controlling and I am a little OCD, but realistically, the staff isn't the one who's going to get crapped on if the deliverable isn't what my boss was expecting…it's going to be me. That's all I meant. Sorry to assume I knew anything about your situation. You're in the right on that one.

[Anonymous]

Well, first of all, I have the utmost respect for you for serving our country in the military. So from the bottom of my heart: thank you. Secondly, I get where you are coming from…I am controlling and I am a little OCD, but realistically, the staff isn't the one who's going to get crapped on if the deliverable isn't what my boss was expecting…it's going to be me. That's all I meant. Sorry to assume I knew anything about your situation. You're in the right on that one.

[Anonymous]

So…any other tips of things to say besides not saying “anyways”? :p

[Anonymous]

So…any other tips of things to say besides not saying “anyways”? :p

[Keely]

Ha! Yeah, we kind of got a little off topic. Definitely find out the size of the firm where the person works and his/her position, and tailor your questions/responses from there. Understand that all of these people were once in the same position as you, and they're very aware you don't know anything about public accounting. I would just think about what you really want to know. I wanted to ask about the hours (obviously you have to phrase that one properly, but they all know you want to ask that), what a day in the life of a staff was like, etc. etc. If you're talking to someone from a large firm, understand you probably aren't going to get much client contact, if any. Ask questions about how they ensure a staff's success in their firm. If you're talking to someone from a small firm, I would try to showcase your personality. When I interviewed with the partner from my last firm (of 8 total people), he had a bunch of bottles of whiskey behind his desk! He was looking for someone with personality, so we talked about everything but accounting. You will almost certainly be asked about what you enjoy outside of accounting. Maybe that will develop into a conversation. Show that you have varied interests. Basically, because you have no experience, they are looking for a good fit, personality-wise, and that you will put in the time and effort the job requires.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Keely]

Ha! Yeah, we kind of got a little off topic. Definitely find out the size of the firm where the person works and his/her position, and tailor your questions/responses from there. Understand that all of these people were once in the same position as you, and they're very aware you don't know anything about public accounting. I would just think about what you really want to know. I wanted to ask about the hours (obviously you have to phrase that one properly, but they all know you want to ask that), what a day in the life of a staff was like, etc. etc. If you're talking to someone from a large firm, understand you probably aren't going to get much client contact, if any. Ask questions about how they ensure a staff's success in their firm. If you're talking to someone from a small firm, I would try to showcase your personality. When I interviewed with the partner from my last firm (of 8 total people), he had a bunch of bottles of whiskey behind his desk! He was looking for someone with personality, so we talked about everything but accounting. You will almost certainly be asked about what you enjoy outside of accounting. Maybe that will develop into a conversation. Show that you have varied interests. Basically, because you have no experience, they are looking for a good fit, personality-wise, and that you will put in the time and effort the job requires.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[acamp]

“If you're talking to someone from a large firm, understand you probably aren't going to get much client contact, if any.”

Ever work at a large firm?

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

“If you're talking to someone from a large firm, understand you probably aren't going to get much client contact, if any.”

Ever work at a large firm?

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Author]

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