[pfloyd]

Hello everybody,
I will be getting a substantial bump in pay compared to being a staff accountant and will have the opportunity to work under a CPA to get my license. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how to perform well during the first couple of months as a senior accountant compared to being a staff accountant? I was told the closing process at this job would be a week compared to the closing process being a day at my older job. I will be working under a senior accountant at first virtually until everyone is allowed back in the office probably around fall or winter. Thanks!

AUD 5/27/16 74 &#%!! 7/13/2016 86!
BEC 8/17/2016
FAR 11/04/2015 73, 1/4/2016 75 (phew!)
REG 2/26/2016 74. 4/2/2016 79

[AGI]

Why don't you just ask your boss this question — “What's the one thing you want me to accomplish to do in the first 90 days of the job?” or “What can I do to help make life better in the office?” —- and just do that.

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[ellabella]

Congrats! It's difficult to train virtually, but it is the safest thing right now, so it's good that you have the opportunity to do so. You may experience the opportunity to manage people in your senior position, have the opportunity to do more seminars/training, and also deal more directly with banks/audit firms. You may do more internal audit and participate in formulating company manuals/training materials. It sounds like a great opportunity-congrats again.

[pfloyd]

Thanks, I did ask my boss in the interview what he wants me to accomplish in the first 90 days. He said he wants me to be able to close one section of the balance sheet and learn about the new ERP system we use, I was just wondering if there were specific tips first starting out as a senior? Thanks

AUD 5/27/16 74 &#%!! 7/13/2016 86!
BEC 8/17/2016
FAR 11/04/2015 73, 1/4/2016 75 (phew!)
REG 2/26/2016 74. 4/2/2016 79

[CPA1219]

Depending on the company, a senior vs staff accountant may or may not be materially different. Sometimes it's merely a title related to where you land on the pay scale. When starting in a new role such as the one you just accepted, learning to navigate the ERP and obtaining a thorough understanding of your role in the close checklist is very important. You didn't specify the size of the company, whether you were in a department (i.e. AP, AR, etc) or a generalist, at the corporate or operating company level, etc, so there's a lot of variables. If you want to impress your boss, make yourself an asset and be the SME for the GL accounts for which you're responsible. Understand the typical activities that occur in the accounts, what departments typical charge against them, trends, identify and understand why there were material changes within the accounts (MoM, YoY, etc). When you have a solid grasp over your areas of responsibility in the close checklist and become better at navigating the ERP, you'll become faster. Reducing the number of days in the close cycle will make your controller very happy. Increase your excel skills, perhaps pursue the CMA after the CPA, and once you've mastered your area(s), volunteer to become someone's backup and learn their area as well.

Do these things and you'll be regarded as an asset. You'll make your boss and teams' life easier and you'll eventually be rewarded/compensated accordingly. And above all, always continue learning and mastering your area. Seek more knowledge and responsibility. Volunteer to assist and never become lazy.

[pfloyd]

Thanks, I forgot to specify I would be working for a smaller mid sized company. I would be working in the corporate office and am solely responsible for general ledger transactions, I don’t do anything with AP/ or A/R, they have their own AP and AR manager. I am definitely looking to become advanced with their ERP system and will continuously look for ways to optimize my work and make my manager’s job easier. I am brushing up on my advanced excel skills now, V-lookups, pivot tables, and macros.

AUD 5/27/16 74 &#%!! 7/13/2016 86!
BEC 8/17/2016
FAR 11/04/2015 73, 1/4/2016 75 (phew!)
REG 2/26/2016 74. 4/2/2016 79

[AGI]

If you are working in the corporate office, then I will recommend you read through their annual report ahead of time, know what you are going to except, know what is going on in the company (news, media, projects).

When you became on board, first thing to do is know people's name, second thing to do is to know all the important head's name (at least those you will have to deal with). For whatever section you are in charge of closing, read through last 5 years history, know the internal procedures and controls top and bottom. Then you can start practicing your management skills.

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[Author]

Replies