Question

Answers

Age:

26

Education:

State University of West Georgia - BBA in Accounting

Hours per Week:

40 outside of tax season, sometimes more.  55+ during tax season

Position at HA&W:

Staff Accountant

Years/months with HA&W:

3 years, 10 months

Hometown:

Newnan

Hobbies: 

I enjoy spending time with my husband.

What do you do?

I prepare monthly, quarterly, and yearly compilations, business tax returns and payroll and sales tax returns for clients. I respond to any tax correspondence from all types of tax entities. I also handle correspondence with the client concerning business purchases, shareholder or partner buy-ins and other banking and financing issues.

What did you do before?

I worked for a hospital in accounts payable for 5 years.

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

I became familiar with HA&W at a recruiting event at my school. I submitted my resume and interviewed with the firm. I immediately loved the firm and I was very impressed with their ability to meet all of the financial service needs of clients. My career aspiration is to do my job well at each level of my career.

What kinds of people do well in this business?

People who enjoy accounting, are willing to work hard and take pride in their work will do well in this business. Because accounting is more than just numbers, it’s imperative that someone be able to communicate accounting in a way that anyone can understand.

What do you really like about your job?

I enjoy the client relationships and the satisfaction that comes from exceeding a client’s expectation and doing a job well. Also, HA&W is great because of the employees and the supportive team environment. Even if you’re working on a project by yourself, you know that you have a team to back you up if you need help. At HA&W, everyone cares about the clients and everyone’s clients are important.

What do you dislike?

It can be tough when you misread a client’s expectation or when you misread a partner’s expectation.

What is the biggest misconception about this job?

The biggest misconception is that an accountant does not need good communication skills. Generally speaking, accounting is not easy for people to understand and I believe it is essential for an accountant to be able to assess the client’s needs and communicate to the client how the firm can exceed their expectations.

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

I wish I had focused more on the CPA exam in the earlier part of my career. After having completed graduate level classes to sit for the exam, I have recently started sitting for the exam and am working to pass it.

How can someone get a job like yours?

They can research the firm and submit their resume. They can take time to plan for their future, to the point that they develop a roadmap from college to their desired professional accounting position. If they are switching from another industry, they should focus on the CPA exam. Getting the required education sit for the exam and passing the exam would be the appropriate first steps. After passing the exam, they should then start applying for positions at accounting firms.