[Getting a CPA]

What are folks going to do with their CPAs? I mean specifically….audit, tax, public accounting all come to mind. However, what are people particularly hoping to achieve from getting a CPA – 5 years, 10 years? And is everyone getting licensed?

I ask because I want to stay in IT and work on financial systems and maybe not even get licensed? I feel like people do so much with their CPAs – no limits…I personally can’t picture myself as an auditor or tax person but I enjoy accounting!

[lyzgrace]

If my only two career options with a CPA were audit or tax I would have quit a looong time ago =)

I've never personally worked in audit, just knew people who have – and tax isn't quite my cup of tea. I deal mostly with small business financial management and that's what I plan to focus on when I'm on my own. Bookkeeping, CFO services, planning and budget consulting, and payroll. Of course I'm not sure it's possible have a CPA firm that doesn't do taxes, I just don't plan on marketing that to the public as a primary service.

Hopefully you get more answers, I'm certain there is a SLEW of careers that could at least benefit from having a CPA certification. Have you ever thought about teaching? I think I would really enjoy it, but from what I've read you need at least a Masters, preferably a PhD, and I quite honestly don't see myself spending the time or money on either.

AUD: 82
FAR: 78
BEC: 75
REG: 8/1 score release!!

[Tripp11]

I work for a small, regional sized public accounting firm with a specialty area of practice. I've been there for about 15 years and am now a Manager. In a round about way, I was told that there would be no Partner opportunities if I didn't pass this exam, even though very little what we do actually needs those three little letters. However, it is a perception thing for our clients.

If someone were to spend all the time and effort to pass this exam and NOT get licensed, well, why are they taking the time and spending all the money to pass it in the first place?

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[Almost Done]

I work in fraud/financial investigations and plan on staying in the field after I complete the CPA(hopefully). I find it very satisfying, and it's a huge field and the cpa is valued just as much as other areas of accounting. I also don't find tax very appealing and have never worked in audit, so I'm going to stick with what I know. If you don't already know, there is great demand in the fraud area for people with IT experience combined with accounting background, just a thought.

BEC: Passed
REG: Passed
FAR: Passed
AUD: Passed

[Getting a CPA]

@Jreuther381 – I am looking at fraud examination, AML (Anti-money Laundry), and other IT/accounting combinations. I think working at a Big 4 company within IT will help this transition, or rather fusion!

@Tripp11 – I definitely plan on getting licensed. I am just trying to figure out how to move smoothly into financial stuff with a 10+ year IT/business background. I have been a consultant working on IT implementations (business requirements). It's something anyone with half a brain can do, and I am sick of being one of millions. However, I do need to figure out the experience part, as I don't work under CPAs.

[Tripp11]

@Getting a CPA – Among my friends that work for public accounting firms, they all suggest there is a need for CPA's who understand the nuts and bolts of accounting AND for those people who can also advise clients on software packages which will meet their specific needs (whether that be a G/L package, healthcare billing package, medical records package, depreciation package, etc…).

I think your IT background along with passing the exam will make you VERY marketable, at least from my experience in hearing what our clients want.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[Anonymous]

How do you go about getting into IT accounting, IT auditing, etc?

[Getting a CPA]

@Tripp11 – I agree. I think there are is so much in the areas of accounting software packages. I have actually worked in a firm like that for 2 1/2 years where we supported financial systems, but they were mostly mainframe. We did buy Microsoft Dynamics GP as a Customized Off the Shelf (COTS) package near the end of my tenure there. I will focus on passing my exams in 2013, and then move full speed ahead with my next career move. Thanks!

@Chakdey – there are lots of options as Tripp11 mentioned above. I think SAP implementations are still hot? IT auditing you can probably get into at a Big 4.

[Tripp11]

@Getting a CPA

@Chakdey

You both might also consider earning your CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) designation, and then becoming an expert in utilizing data mining software to discover potential fraud areas. The CFE exam is EASY compared to the CPA exam.

Just more food for thought.

Good luck to you both!

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[Getting a CPA]

I already did an MBA and PMP – dime a dozen degrees/certs and I am tired of tests. I think the CPA exam will do for a while 🙂

[Anonymous]

Jreuther381,

can you please tell me everyyyyyyyyyyyyything about your job? 🙂

More details about what you do, how did you start, what is your background, do you work for a cpa firm? if so large or small?

I really want to get into fraud investigation. I am pretty decent with computers but have no formal education in IT.

I hope you see this post

[Partially Deaf]

I've done similar work to him. Litigation support/consulting doing damage calculations for expert witness testimony. It often involves doing forensic accounting, analyzing GL and bank statements, etc to see where people stole money, and then documenting it.

it can be pretty exciting stuff.

MBA Candidate - UCLA Anderson School of Management

REG 89 - 4/9/2012
BEC 88 - 5/29/2012
AUD 93 - 8/20/2012
FAR 83 - 2/4/2013
-All passed on the first attempt!

CFA Level 1 - Passed on first attempt in June 2014

[Anonymous]

Do tell more? 🙂

[mdrobbin]

I'm 27 (going on 28 in about 4 weeks or so) and I have absolutely no freaking clue what I want to do. I've worked in corporate finance/accounting at a large private company for over 4 years, technically as a financial analyst but I've had my hands on a lot of accounting and FP&A stuff.

Can someone tell me what to do with my life? 🙂

But I'm excited to have my CPA and some years of experience under my belt. I feel like a have a fairly solid understanding of a wide range of topics. That fraud investigation stuff sounds pretty awesome… maybe I'll do some research on that.

I'd love to get involved with small businesses… big company politics I don't think are for me long-term. However, I sure don't see myself being 100% focused on Audit or Tax. We shall see where the road takes me…

FAR - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER)
AUD - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES)
BEC - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES)
REG - 2013 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES + NINJA AUDIO)

ETHICS - 2013 - PASSED

DONE!!! Thank you A71 for all the support! Hiya!!!

[Author]

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