Category: Professional Development

Virtual reality, IRL, working from home—what’s the difference? Should you look for a CPA job with the ability to work from home, or do you find yourself more focused when you’re in the office? Maybe you don’t know what you prefer yet. Here are the key elements of working from home vs. working in the

  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

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

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.

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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