Question

Answers

Age:

25

Education:

Georgia State University - BBA, Accounting, 2001, MTX, 2004, Georgia State University

Passed CPA exam November 2003

Hours per Week:

50

Position at HA&W:

Staff Tax Accountant

Years/months with HA&W:

1 year, 9 months

Hometown:

Charlottesville, VA

Hobbies: 

I enjoy traveling, shopping and going to concerts.

What do you do?

I prepare tax returns for corporations, partnerships and individuals. I also started a specialization in state and local taxation as well as international tax.

What did you do before?

I worked at a smaller CPA firm in the Atlanta area where I prepared all types of tax returns.

How did you get your job?
What are your career aspirations?

I was attending a class with an HA&W senior manager in the Masters of Tax program at Georgia State. The senior manager told me about an open position with the firm. I submitted my resume, interviewed and was hired.

What kinds of people do well in this business?

People who do well in accounting usually have good personalities, are able to adapt to change, and can quickly learn new skills, software programs, and procedures.

What do you really like about your job?

I like my coworkers. They are willing to help with work assignments and career development. Friendly and outgoing, everyone works together as a team to get the job done.

What do you dislike?

I dislike the long hours of tax season and the required work on the weekends.

What is the biggest misconception about this job?

The biggest misconception about this job is that it’s boring. My job is very interesting and I get to work with a wide variety of clients.

Looking back on your career or job search, what do you wish you had done differently?

I wish I would have earned my Masters degree right after my undergraduate degree. Instead, I chose to start working and complete my Masters by taking night classes. It is more difficult to go to school and work at the same time.

How can someone get a job like yours?

They participate in the accounting fraternities in college and attend on-campus recruiting events. It is a good idea to investigate all the firms, both large and small in order to determine the best fit.