Professional Development

You know it’s important to make a good impression through your resume and in the interview process, right? But did you know that you must also impress employers throughout your email correspondence? To develop your career, you need to master the art of correspondence. Here are email tips about professional etiquette and 5 things you should never do when applying for an internship or job opening. Details Matter At every stage of the employment ... more

An internship is like trying before you buy. It is probably why many professions encourage students to take internships before they graduate. The realities of day-to-day work experiences may reinforce your career decision or cause you to change majors. With that in mind, how can you make your internship a great one? Look for these things in your accounting firm internship experience. Ask questions. Be open to new things. Make friends. But first, ... more

There are plenty of opportunities for accounting career development here at LvHJ. When you’re in a rut or you feel like you’ve been doing the same thing for far too long, you can always make a change for the better. It all starts from within. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an intern just starting out, here are five ways you can get more out of your career – and you will feel more fulfilled, too! 1. Start a Club Are there clubs ... more

Here in California, our style is all about comfort, soft neutrals, natural materials and bringing the outdoors inside. The same is true for cool office spaces. Whether you are a public accountant in California or working remotely in another state, you might be wondering how to change up your office space. Does your work area feel a little lackluster? Are you tired of staring at the same wall color or basic file organizer? Here are a few tips to ... more

Experienced accounting professionals seeking a career opportunity in the San Francisco Bay area are wondering: in this era of hybrid interviews, what do I wear in-person vs. on camera? Should you dress differently when interviewing remotely?  Here are our tips for dressing professionally and excluding distractions when interviewing in-person and remotely to help land you the job of your dreams.  What Your Outfit Says About You When you’re ... more

  There are many benefits to joining an association. When you work for LvHJ, you are also encouraged to become a member of any number of nonprofit associations to help grow your career which allows you to give back to the community at the same time. Since we are Professionals for Good, we are always looking for opportunities to help make the world a better place. Here is how giving back to the community, especially nonprofit associations in ... more

Accountants have to present information all the time, and they need to do it with confidence to represent the firm well. This is best exemplified through public speaking as a means of delivering information concisely and informatively. This also shows authority in your delivery. You need good speaking skills to: Be credible in front of colleagues Be credible in front of clients Build your reputation in accounting 1. Credibility in ... more

Knowing what you want in a CPA firm goes a long way toward helping you make the decision as to which firm you’d like to work for. And it’s a hard decision to make. You want to find a position that comes with job security, provides you a living wage and works with your schedule and work-life balance needs. Ideally, you’re looking for an environment where you feel comfortable working there to build your career, a firm that you can stake your ... more

  What if there were easy solutions to make your work day lighter or more balanced? Chances are, there are streamlined processes to help you do that! Here are a few tips to streamline a business process or task in front of you.  1. Identify the end goal. Begin by identifying your goal. Interns and audit associates have many tasks to tackle throughout the week, so it helps to pick one goal to focus on at the start of your day.  For ... more

Congratulations, you have landed that all important career-starter: an internship at a CPA firm! Being selected over others means that the firm sees some potential in you. Now your task is to learn as much as you can in this real-time test of skills, attitude and fortitude. How can you make the most of this opportunity? Show enthusiasm for your accounting career. From an employer’s perspective, a positive attitude is one of the most important ... more

Soft skills, sometimes referred to as interpersonal communications skills, relate to how well a person interacts with others. Up to now, the majority of your professional educational efforts have probably been razor-focused on hard skill, fact-based learning.  For certain, mad-fast calculator skills and the ability to craft the perfect pivot table are awesome technical feats. However, employers want more than someone who has memorized the ... more

Talk to people who have, or had, your desired position. An advanced degree may not, in fact, be required to get to where they are. After all, professional experience and connections matter as much or more than any degree.  That being said, many who have a master’s in taxation (MST) find that it accelerates their career because it gave them access to new networks and skills. State and federal tax codes and regulations are complex; learning them ... more

“Learning the ropes” is an expression that goes back to the days of apprenticeship on a seafaring craft. While mastering the sails was probably not in your advanced accounting classes at college, neither were the countless practical nuances required to become a true professional in a CPA firm. However, whether you are just beginning your first job or have had a couple of years of experience, finding a mentor to help guide you is a smart ... more

Between co-workers, managers, projects and a different culture from your previous workplace, the transition to a new job can be difficult—even in the best of times. For employees who start a new job remotely, it can be a daunting task to get up to speed on processes, expectations and collaboration. By communicating and proactively showing interest, you can help streamline the onboarding process and team development in your new role. Try these ... more

Starting a new job is a big life change! It’s an exciting time in your life, but it can leave you feeling nervous and uncertain about what’s to come. This feeling of nervousness is normal when starting a new job—we’ve all experienced it. It can feel challenging, or maybe even overwhelming to face a new job when you’re feeling anxious. In this article we talk through ways to calm your nerves before starting a new position, and tips to begin your ... more

As we go through life, stressful situations happen. Starting a new job is one of the most stressful situations we will face, but there are ways to turn that stress or anxiety into productivity. Use these tips to turn this or any stressful situation into a positive one.   Find Balance There is a lot of change that comes with a new job. Suddenly you’re learning how to communicate with new coworkers and a new boss, navigating a new commute, ... more

When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? It’s important to regularly update your profile and check-in with your followers, not just when you’re looking for a job. An up-to-date profile is a reflection of who you are and the organization you work for, and can also be used as an effective business development tool. Optimize your LinkedIn profile by making sure it’s up-to-date, by connecting with others in your industry and engaging ... more

Whether you’re applying for a new job, just starting off in your career or are an established professional, the way you communicate matters. Written communication can become sloppy and unprofessional if we aren’t careful. Here are a few tips to ensure you’re communicating professionally within the work place or when applying for a new position. Email Etiquette Professionals consistently communicate through email in the workplace. Emails can be ... more

A lack of organization can be a real problem in the workplace. It can affect your productivity levels, and hinders your professional appearance to colleagues and clients. It isn’t just about your professional reputation; implementing daily habits to remain organized can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. Feeling unorganized can produce unnecessary work-related stress which, as a result, sacrifices the quality of product ... more

Do Your Homework With an interview in place, it’s now time to learn as much about the firm and position as possible. Gathering background information allows you to tie your qualifications back to the firm during your interview. The employer will expect you to know a few things about the firm and if you will fit in well with their culture. Your research should help you answer questions like “Why do you want to work here?” and “What do you know ... more

Social media is a widely popular tool for employees and job seekers to post about professional accomplishments, accreditations and even volunteer activities. Unfortunately, an outdated social media account could cost you an interview or hinder your chances of getting a job. Are your social media channels outdated? If so, it’s a good idea to clean them up for your job search and for your professional career in general. Check out these tips to ... more

The skills a CPA needs at the beginning of their career shifts over the years and depends heavily on the path chosen. Let’s a take a look at that shift as a CPA career progresses. Early Stages of a CPA’s Career In the beginning of a CPA’s career, the skills and expertise are developing and growing. It can seem a bit intimidating when you’re just getting started but there’s no need to panic. Just set a few goals to achieve each year and in just ... more

Like anything in life, a career ebbs and flows. You go through stages where you feel invincible and ready to take on the world, but there are also those times where you may feel like you don’t have the same fire as when you started out. These are the times when being creative and proactive can add some fresh inspiration into your accounting career. Connect with a mentor or become a mentor No matter what stage you are at in your career, a mentor ... more