New Employee Advice - Accounting

[iPwn]

I'll be starting my career soon as a CA articling student. Any advice from RFDers on being the new guy at an accounting firm?

[hvc]

Just be yourself. However, don't be the guy who tells their senior they're wrong and explain what you learned in your accounting courses.

You'll be fine! Congrats on landing the articling position. When will you be doing your exams?

[mcmanus]

Coming out of a western canadian university... pretty much accept that what you were taught in your accounting classes will not directly translate into your job. That was the biggest thing I had to deal with. I expected that I would know a lot coming out of university, university will help you with CASB which will then help you with your job but do not expect university to directly make you the best accountant.

If you're going to question a co-worker (any level) then make sure you know what you are talking about. Learn from your mistakes, I know this is a big pet-peeve of partners (making the same mistake consistently etc). If you have questions as to why a co-worker did something do not assume it was wrong and try to attack them, this will not get you very far.

Expect to do things that are not in your job description. Expect to research, expect to do the jobs your superiors do not want to do (attending late night inventory counts etc) and expect to work OT.

Also... if you are typically a student who didn't have to work that hard in uni to get good grades do not expect the same out of CASB as it will kill you... work hard at CASB as it will translate to knowledge directly related to your job.

[tylaw83]

If you're going to question a co-worker (any level) then make sure you know what you are talking about.

This is a horrible approach. If something looks off, you should ALWAYS bring it up. Just don't be rude or offensive and voice your thoughts politely.

Expect to do things that are not in your job description. Expect to research, expect to do the jobs your superiors do not want to do (attending late night inventory counts etc) and expect to work OT.

? This is 100% in your job description and there's no such thing as OT. You work as long as you need to to get things done.

... work hard at CASB as it will translate to knowledge directly related to your job.

This is not true at all...especially in your first year when you will just be vouching most of the time.

[hybridfx2]

Triple check your work.
In school you might get a few numbers off and still receive an 80%.
But in the real world mistakes hurt the client and you.

That being said, your a student and try to learn from everyone in the office.

[mcmanus]

This is a horrible approach. If something looks off, you should ALWAYS bring it up. Just don't be rude or offensive and voice your thoughts politely.



? This is 100% in your job description and there's no such thing as OT. You work as long as you need to to get things done.



This is not true at all...especially in your first year when you will just be vouching most of the time.

You clearly didn't understand what I was getting at here....

1. If something looks off YES bring it up but do not assume the co-worker is wrong because that is a horrible approach... a follow-up is if you get stuck on something do not spend hours trying to "figure it out" ask questions. Your superiors would rather you ask a question then spend a hour trying to get one number to work.

2. Some people do not expect to be doing as it is not always in the job-description is book-keeping, reconciliation's, client relations etc... Again at a big firm this might not be 100% applicable.

3. Did you go through CASB? Did you only work at a large firm?? working at a small-medium sized firm I found that CASB was useful since I wasn't just vouching at work.

[iPwn]

CASB module exams won't be for a while because I will be working a few months before starting CASB.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!