Accounting…

Is It For You?
Presented by:

Author of Presentation
 What is Accounting?
• A business language
• A set of rules to record business transactions
in a consistent manner
• The basis of business operations
• Constantly changing
 What Are CPAs?
• CPAs are Leaders
• CPAs are Advisors
• CPAs are Educators
• CPAs are Managers
• CPAs are Respected People in your Community
 Professional Services vs. Private
Industry
• Professional Services
 Work for several different companies
 Provide audit, tax and consulting services
 Travel
 Top position is typically a partner in a firm
• Private Industry
 Work for one company or organization
 Travel varies
 Top positions consist of Controllers, Chief Financial Officers and
Presidents
 Professional Services
• Large Professional Services Firms (“Big Four”)
 Deloitte & Touche
 Ernst & Young
 KPMG
 PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Regional Professional Services Firms
 BDO USA
 Grant Thornton
 Baker Tilly
• Career Path
 Audit, tax & business consulting
 Service lines within each
 Levels of advancement
 What Do “Private Industry” Include?
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Insurance & Banking
• Healthcare
• Not-for-Profit
• Government & Schools
• Individuals
• Information Technology
 Topics of Discussion
• My personal CPA experience
• Unique occupations
• Traditional roles
• Growth opportunities
• Salary compensation
• Requirements
 Why Did I Choose Accounting?
• Very challenging
• People-oriented profession
• Highly respected profession
• Flexibility
• High demand for accountants
• Financial rewards
• Job satisfaction
• Desire to understand and resolve business issues
 My Personal Experience
• Related jobs
• Fun
• Growth
• Challenges
• Why I am a CPA
 Career Options
Pizza eating. Whale watching. Punk rocking.
Whatever your interest, you can turn it into a career in accounting.

• Entertainment: Have the itch to work in Hollywood?

• Technology: If you live on the cutting edge
• Sports: Behind every sports team, network and event are the accountants and CPAs making it
happen.
• Government: Seriously, what does our country do with all that money?
• Nonprofit & Education: The world needs more do-gooding accountants and CPAs.
• Criminal Investigation: Were you born to bust bad guys?
• Environment: Even the business world has room for the eco-friendly.
• Travel: Are your bags are always packed for your next destination?
• Food & Fashion: Love to eat, shop and be merry?
 Careers in Government
• Securities and Exchange Compliance
• FBI
• Government Auditing
• Country Tax Assessor
• Sales and Use Tax
• Parks and Recreation
• State and Local Government
 Technology Careers
• Software Consulting
• E-Business
• Developing and Testing Systems
• Change Management
• Security of Systems
• Maintaining Accounting Systems
• Project Management
 Other Unique Careers
• Entertainment Accounting
• International Accounting
• United Nations Accounting
• World Bank Accounting
• Risk Management
• Non-Profit (such as Red Cross)
• Education
 Traditional Roles
• Auditing
• Accounting and Consulting for Business
• Tax Accounting, Preparation and Planning
• Financial Planning
• Payroll Tax Reporting
• Sales Tax Reporting
• Financial Reporting
 Growth Opportunities
• CPAs become the leaders of their companies
• Many become the CFOs and CEOs of large and small
companies
• They are trusted business advisors
• Growth is possible to the top
Average Salaries for College Graduates
** Keep in mind if you also have a CPA license, you’ll make
10-15% more when you start out. **

Employer Jr. Level (0 - 3 yrs.) Sr. Level (4 - 6 yrs.)

Public Accounting (large
$48,750-$69,250 $66,750-$86,000
firm)
Public Accounting
$42,500-$62,500 $59,250-$79,750
(medium firm)
Public Accounting (small
$41,000-$56,000 $54,000-$69,750
firm)
Corporate Accounting
$38,000-$57,250 $55,750-$73,500
(large co.)
Corporate Accounting
$35,750-$53,250 $50,750-$65,500
(medium co.)
Corporate Accounting
$33,500-$49,000 $46,500-$58,750
(small co.)
 Upper-level Salaries For
Managers in
Corporate Accounting
Position Large Co. Small to Medium Co.
Chief Financial Officer $183,250-$384,000 $94,250-$175,750
Corporate Controller $122,000-$180,000 $80,500-$134,750
Tax Manager $92,250-$130,250 $74,250-$100,250

**Geographic region, experience, education, CPA

certification and company size each play a role in
determining salary**
CPAs are Needed EVERYWHERE!
Here’s what you can expect to be paid
where you live:

Boston $55,250-$68,900
New York $59,925-$74,730
Miami $48,025-$59,890
Chicago $52,275-$65,190
Denver $43,560-$54,325
San Diego $49,725-$62,000
Dallas $44,625-$55,650
 What Are the Requirements?
• Pass the CPA exam
 CPA Exam Book
• Complete Work experience/requirements
• Continued Certified Professional Education
 We Look for People Who Are…
• Involved in activities
• Professional
• Good communication skills
• Personable
• Detail-oriented
• Strong academically
• Overall business awareness
• Leaders
 PICPA
• A CPA license can open the door to unlimited career
opportunities. PICPA provides resources for high
school and college students, recent grads, and
educators on a variety of accounting topics that will
help you discover what your next step will be.
• Resources & Tools
Questions?