[testsz]

Hey everyone,

Although I am looking for an Accounting entry-level position (particularly in public accounting), I was wondering if I am entering the wrong profession.

You see, I am an introvert at heart. I don’t mind speaking to people at all; however, I prefer to be alone and avoid as much social interaction as possible. I can talk to a few people at a time easily, but tend to avoid groups of people. I am not socially awkward at all. I just don’t like social interaction.

I actually chose accounting because I had the perception that accounting is an introverted profession, but from the looks of it, it seems like a sales job.

Any help regarding this issue would be much obliged.

Thank You.

[Anonymous]

I think accounting can definitely be an introverted profession. Some accountants sit in their offices or cubes and keep to themselves and have minimal interaction with others. On the other hand, in my company I am always interacting with other people in my department, other departments, etc. Once you move up to the manager or controller level, you are constantly interacting with other, putting on meetings, training, etc. I feel once you get to that level, more of the grunt work so to speak is being done by the staff and seniors. Not to say they dont do accounting, but its more complex work and alot of “top side” work.

Public accounting seems to offer more of a introverted atmosphere. That is just just my perspective from watching the auditiors that come to my company. Generally they sit in a room all day with headphones on behind a laptop.

When i first met my old neighbor, he asked what profession i was in. I said accounting, to which he replied “oh you must hate people.” This seems to be the general stereotype for accountants and while it may be true for a small percentage of number crunchers that want nothing to do with human interaction, from my work experience over the last several years, competent accountants are not under that stereotype at all.

[testsz]

Thank you for the response Beavis.

If you don't mind me asking, do you work in industry or public accounting. From your post, it seems like it is industry.

[musicamor]

@testsz…if you're prefer not to interact with people, then you have to be very picky in your job search. In public, staff, seniors and managers have to inquire of the client when working on audit schedules and different analyses. When you work in industry, many times you're having to work with other departments, plants, regions, etc. In many cases you can avoid contact with people by communicating mostly via e-mail; however, if you're looking to rise through the ranks, you'll have to come from behind the computer and interact with people–especially if you want to be a manager.

I would also ask you to spend some time thinking about your future career aspirations. If you want a good foundation in accounting and have the flexibility to move into different roles, public accounting (preferably Big 4) must be your first job out of school and before the CPA. There is nothing more valuable on a resume these days than that–I am speaking from experience.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[testsz]

MusicAmor,

Thank you for the advice. Thing is, I didn't pan out from OCR (on campus recruiting) in my university and I graduated 2 months ago.

Would it be too late to get into public accounting?

A lot of individuals I have spoken to said that entry-level public accounting firms recruit mainly from campus.

[Anonymous]

testsz, i work for a publicly traded company in financial reporting

[musicamor]

@Testsz…NO, it is not too late to get into public accounting. As long as you have public on your resume toward the beginning of your career–you're golden! Get with some recruiters and see if they can get you an interview. Also, connect with people online–I see postings for Public Accounting positions all the time.

@Beavis–what exactly do you do in Financial Reporting? The reason I ask is because I am seeing (public-company) employers want CPAs (with Big 4) to run their financial reporting functions. Please enlighten because I would love an SEC reporting manager job with a public company. They won't look at me even after becoming a CPA (I have years of experience prior to obtaining the certification) because I don't have Big 4 and I don't have public company experience!!

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[testsz]

Thanks for the help everyone, I really appreciate it.

If you guys don't mind me asking,

Would someone mind taking the time to look over my resume/cover letter?

I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

musicamor, are you asking what i do as far as a summary of my job description?

I will say the manager of financial reporting at my company worked at a big 4 for about 5 years before coming to our company. Prior to that he had worked at some smaller public accounting firms. After his experience in PA, he said most of the people want to make that move, esp those with a family and that do not want all the travel. I know for his position being a CPA and prob 7-8+ years at experience in financial reporting or public accounting is required.

I wouldnt think that most companies would turn someone down applying for a manager position with relevant financial reporting experience just because they have no PA experience. It all depends on the controller or person hiring and what they are looking for. They might be looking for someone that can bring that PA perspective to the table. Its definitely a different way of looking at things.

Another thing to mention is hours…..working for a public company and doing the SEC reporting is very demanding. Year end and quarter ends can be long hours. The extra hours may be spread out differently than PA, but they are definitely still there.

[LSNYC]

@musicamor I am not sure where you live, but you can get a job in SEC/financial reporting with a large company with out big 4. I work for a large publicly traded company doing financial reporting. I did not work at the big 4, and have not passed the exam yet. When i interviewed I had passed 2 parts (i have since lost them). I am also not the only non big 4 person in my department. My bosses boss (VP of the departments is not big 4) 2 managers are not big 4 either 2 lower level staff started right out of college, and the remaining 4 people are big 4. So it's about an even split.

Best thing you can do is get a recruiter, I know i would have never gotten my job with out mine. My Boss values his opinion, since he placed him as well. My recruiter became my advocate for the job. I am not saying big 4 doesn't hep, but it doesn't mean you can't get the job you want either.

@testsz I agree with what was said about needing to be picky in your job search. When are you looking to start? I know in NYC they are hiring mostly for next year already. However it's not to late to look for this year just make it your 2nd job, studying and job searching!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[splinter1643]

About your original question – It is about the culture and the team you work with. I used to work in tax in the big 4 and they were definitely as you said, like a group of salespeople. The tax team would not stop chatting, even when they were preparing tax returns. However, afterward, I did a brief audit rotation within the firm, and the team I worked with would actually work quietly on the audit unless it was the lunch hour or they had any questions. It was pretty eye-opening.

CPA license in progress....

[Anonymous]

If you are introverted, consider working in software development. You can take a few programming courses and/or get some certifications and do implementation work. A project manager, project leader will have most of the customer facing interaction, but application designers and testers with a CPA can make big bucks. All Accounting is in demand, but living your life adding value to things will be far more rewarding than being a mere paper pusher. I speak from experience.

I decided to get my CPA 15 years into an IT career to enhance my marketability as a solutions implementation specialist. I have dealt with big 4 auditors my entire career having sat through many audits I can tell you they are no special breed apart from any other accounting specialist.

In fact it amazes me what passes for an auditor. More than half that I have ever dealt with don't even have the slightest clue about what to ask for. It comes as no surprise to me to see the number of accounting scandals that auditors never see coming. Auditors are no different than policeman IMO. Their presence keeps most of society in line. However, the real crooks will always find a way to commit crimes without being caught or found out right away.

My advice. Go work for the big 4 if you can, but don't plan on staying long. If you are introverted you will never make it into management because selling services and sacrificing your family is the only way to move up the ladder to partnership. Having that pedigree on your resume will land you just about anywhere with a good medium salary without the hours, the travel, and risk of being duped by crooks.

[testsz]

LSNYC, I will start whenever I get a job. Insofar as the recruiter is concerned, how do you find such recruiters and stay connected with them? I am sure they get e-mails, cold calls, messages, etc all the time.

Regarding client interaction, how does it work in practice? Is it a popularity contest? Do clients go to the most knowledgable CPAS (even though they don't have the “spark” of an extroverted preppy individual)?

Let me give you an example. In a professional environment, classroom, or an organizational meeting you have the people who speak a lot with or without volume, and then you have the people who say a few words here and there but make sense, and then you have people who don't speak at all.

In public accounting, can you get away by speaking here and there but with volume?

In essence, is small talk an integral part of public accounting?

Thanks for all the replies guys, I really appreciate it.

[splinter1643]

Having worked in the big 4, but under tax, general rule is: tax people tend to be more dynamic and outgoing than audit. Audit people, to me, seem a lot calmer, though there are definitely exceptions. Bigger offices are less personal (doesn't mean the individual teams are the same!) while smaller offices are like small towns: everyone knows everyone else (here you would at least need to maintain a minimal amount of small talk or participate in almost every office event). So…it depends on where you end up. Overall, though, as you move up the ladder, you will need to find a way to build a strong relationship with clients (so that they don't take their business elsewhere!) while asserting your introvertedness.

CPA license in progress....

[LSNYC]

@testsz I know in NYC there are a ton of recruiters you can Google and find an abundance of them. I have a few that I know personally (friends, old coworkers, ect.). I am not sure about other markets but i know they exist. Are you looking for any accounting job right now? Or only Public? If public isn't hiring would you work in private for the time being? When you get a recruiter they will ask you this for sure. All the recruiters i have worked with called and e-mailed me a few times a week (sometimes daily) they work on commission, so getting you a job is how they get paid. If they know you are serious about finding a job trust me they will be dedicated to finding you one.

Also, I have a good friend from my public account job, that is very intervened and she has excelled. She is still there doing great and getting promoted faster than a lot of other people she started with. She talks to the client works with them, but doesn't really take part in firm social activities, and everyone loves her, co-workers, partners and most importantly the clients!

Also Tax v Audit, At my old firm I actually found it to be the opposite, the audit teams I worked on were mostly very social, we traveled a lot we went to dinner, drinks, ect. When there were firm happy hours it was almost always all Audit staff. I find it interesting that other firms experienced the opposite. I would guess that every firm is different, but maybe the firm I was at was just an exception to the general rule?

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[testsz]

@LSNYC

I prefer public accounting, but am looking for any accounting job. I figure it would be best to gain some accounting work experience whilst looking for a better job than sitting on your hands.

Would you happen to know any recruiters in California (particularly Southern California)?

Thanks.

P.S. I think most public accounting firms in California already finished or about to finish their recruiting. They start around September and end around November I think?

[Author]

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