If you are just starting out as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from college, you may want to know how to get ahead of the game in this competitive role. If you have your heart set on being promoted to a partner or Chief Financial Officer (CFO), then follow these top tips in getting ahead, so you can move up from your entry-level CPA job to a corner office dream job.
Find A Mentor To Sponsor You
You may or may not have heard of sponsors and mentors throughout your training as a CPA, but it has become increasingly popular in the U.S. recently. Both parties usually benefit from this program via career advancement and a higher salary. To become a protégé, CPA’s must work hard to gain a credible reputation and show they are dependable. To move up the career ladder, good sponsors can be a deal breaker for many companies. They will not only help you climb the career ladder, but they can give you invaluable advice that can help you throughout your career.
Prioritize
Learning to prioritize and having good time management skills are essential if you ever want to climb the financial ladder and not stay in your role as a CPA forever. Look at the priority levels of your assignments and focus on which are the most important first. A task from a CFO should take priority over a task asked of by a low-level employee from a different department. New CPA’s often come out of college and look to complete all their work as fast as they can to show that they are productive, and will help anyone who asks. Although, doing tasks for everyone is what is required of a CPA, prioritizing tasks according to their importance and what level they have come from shows initiative and will get you noticed.
Take Responsibility For Your Own Learning
Achieving success means not relying on others, but doing things yourself. You are in control of your own career and where you go as a CPA. You must take responsibility for your own learning and enhancement of skills, not just rely on other employees or mentors. Completing extra tax courses online will show clients and employers alike that you are dedicated to your role and by completing these you will gain some representation rights for returns you have prepared and signed. As a CPA, you will have an exempt status, meaning you will not have to spend as many hours on the tax courses to gain your record of completion.
Going into a new career as a CPA can be daunting, as the world of tax and finance is a competitive one, but with these top tips and an initiative and motivation to work hard and progress, you can do it. Know your weaknesses and strengths and learn what you don’t know. Challenge your limits and you will be set for success in your career as a CPA.
