[HoldMyBeerCPA]

As you may know from my previous posts, I was hired as an audit associate at a local CPA firm of 20 employees (5 Partners who are CPA, 12 Staff, and 3 Admins/Paraprofessionals).I’m wondering what I could expect on my first day given the fact that it’s a smaller firm.

Can anyone provide insight as to what their first day and week was like at a smaller firm?

As a first-year, should I anticipate working in both audit and tax since it’s a smaller firm?

[zoctoman]

I was hired almost a year ago at a smaller regional firm(20 auditors, 10 tax staff, 35 total employees). My first day was in the office being introduced to the software and other protocols. Literally my second day I went out in the field. I could not believe I would be going to the client so soon. Basically I started off with very basic tasks. I was told to go and ask if I could view a particular bank balance online, I lumbered through the cash audit procedures. It's funny because the procedures or not that hard but when you have never done them before it is extremely difficult!

No one expected me to accomplish much my first week or two. But by even my third week I was given more and more responsibility and all of a sudden I was in the game so to speak. I personally only worked a little in tax. I did a couple 990(nonprofit) returns for the clients I audited.

So….Your first week or so will probably be a big whirlwind. Everyone will most likely tell you that you will not remember most of the stuff you are taught on your first day but to just hang in there. Hopefully everyone is friendly like at my firm and answer all of your questions.

I'm through almsot 11 months and I certainly have improved immensely. However, I'm told that you don't really start to feel comfortable until you do your “second pass” with the clients. Every couple of weeks I am starting an audit/review for the first time. This means I have to adapt to each client. Sure many of the procedures are the same but there are always unique things with each client. This is combined with the increased responsibility you will get during your first year…..you will probably always feel a little “behind” but if you look back you will be able to see great progress.

I'm almost at my second pass with my clients and I look forward to everything clicking a lot faster soon!

Best of luck to you. And remember, the most important way you can add value to your firm is by being professional/kind/nice to your clients. Most people can do the X's and O's, but from the client's perspective they simply care about how respectful and courteous you are. These clients will then rave about you to your managers, request for you to keep coming back, and basically make you look like a badass!!!

Audit(11/5/13) - 89
Reg(5/16/14) - 86
FAR(7/18/14) - 82
BEC(11/14) - 85

[HoldMyBeerCPA]

Hmm, it seems like it will be a trial by fire type situation. Though I do recall the partner I interviewed with stating that there would be at least a week for training. Maybe I'll get thrown to the lions thereafter given the fact that many of the clients are SEC Registrants that are closing their second quarter as of June 30.

[Author]

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