Skip to content

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. Read our privacy policy to learn more.

Close
AICPA-CIMA
  • AICPA & CIMA:
  • Home
  • CPE & Learning
  • My Account
Journal of Accountancy
  • TECH & AI
    • All articles
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Information Security & Privacy

    Latest Stories

    • Incorporating prompt engineering into the accounting curriculum
    • Create a dynamic to-do list with Excel’s checkboxes
    • Another way to manage authentication texts
  • TAX
    • All articles
    • Corporations
    • Employee benefits
    • Individuals
    • IRS procedure

    Latest Stories

    • Paper tax refund checks on the way out as IRS shifts to electronic payments
    • IRS keeps per diem rates unchanged for business travel year starting Oct. 1
    • Details on IRS prop. regs. on tip income deduction
  • PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
    • All articles
    • Diversity, equity & inclusion
    • Human capital
    • Firm operations
    • Practice growth & client service

    Latest Stories

    • Paper tax refund checks on the way out as IRS shifts to electronic payments
    • Practice mobility update: New NASBA tool tracks changes for CPAs
    • IRS keeps per diem rates unchanged for business travel year starting Oct. 1
  • FINANCIAL REPORTING
    • All articles
    • FASB reporting
    • IFRS
    • Private company reporting
    • SEC compliance and reporting

    Latest Stories

    • SEC accepting Professional Accounting Fellow applications
    • SEC names new chief accountant
    • SEC ends legal defense of its climate rules
  • AUDIT
    • All articles
    • Attestation
    • Audit
    • Compilation and review
    • Peer review
    • Quality Management

    Latest Stories

    • AICPA unveils new QM resources to help firms meet Dec. 15 deadline
    • 8 steps to build your firm’s quality management system on time
    • Auditing Standards Board proposes a new fraud standard
  • MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
    • All articles
    • Business planning
    • Human resources
    • Risk management
    • Strategy

    Latest Stories

    • Business outlook brightens somewhat despite trade, inflation concerns
    • AICPA & CIMA Business Resilience Toolkit — levers for action
    • Economic pessimism grows, but CFOs have strategic responses
  • Home
  • News
  • Magazine
  • Podcast
  • Topics
Advertisement
  1. newsletter
  2. Cpa Insider
CPA INSIDER

Surefire ways to impress your boss

Making a positive impression paves the way to success.

By Teri Saylor
March 12, 2018

Please note: This item is from our archives and was published in 2018. It is provided for historical reference. The content may be out of date and links may no longer function.

Related

February 5, 2018

Strategies for leading productive office meetings

January 29, 2018

Skills that help accounting professionals succeed alongside AI

January 16, 2018

Delegating like a boss

TOPICS

  • Professional Development
    • Communication

Career advancement comes with being noticed for the talents you bring to the workplace. Whether you are vying for a promotion, eyeing the top rung of the career ladder, or just looking for opportunities to grow with new and challenging experiences, making a good impression on management is paramount to your success.

“The best employees go beyond their job description and engage in what are called organizational citizenship behaviors,” said Ronald Riggio, Ph.D., professor of leadership and organizational psychology at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif., and author of numerous books and articles on leadership.

“These behaviors include helping others, volunteering to take on extra tasks or learning new skills, and talking positively about the company and the boss to others. In other words, this means going above and beyond the call of duty,” he added.

It’s obvious that good habits like arriving at work on time or even early, dressing professionally, and being productive are the hallmarks of an impressive employee, but a CPA can do other things to attract notice. Leadership experts and experienced CPA managers recommend the following ways to make a great impression at work:

  • Maintain a positive attitude. Having a good attitude at work is half the battle, according to Meagan Wellbrock, CPA, principal at Adams, Brown, Beran, & Ball in Hays, Kan. “Having a positive attitude has helped me along the way, and I often see other young CPAs get to where they want to be because of their attitude,” said Wellbrock, a 2017 graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy.
  • Take initiative. A.J. Hurst, CPA, senior audit manager at Frazier & Deeter in Atlanta, is always impressed with employees who are willing to go the extra mile. “I notice employees who take on challenging assignments, help those who are buried in work, and assist other employees who report to me. Dedication to their team and always striving to be at their best is what impresses me,” said Hurst, a 2017 graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy.

Jodi Glickman, CEO and founder of leadership development firm Great on the Job, located in Chicago, said she advises employees to be proactive — to offer to jump in and help out without waiting to be asked to take on tasks. For instance, offer to draft the agenda for a meeting, start on an analysis for a client, or pitch in on a new engagement. “Anticipate the needs of your boss and your team,” she suggested.

  • Be transparent. “If someone asks you to do something and you don’t know how, let them know,” Glickman said. “But at the same time, express enthusiasm for learning.”

Wellbrock noted that it is important to be realistic and transparent with bosses, co-workers, and clients about deadlines. “It’s fine to push the envelope and to push yourself, but don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take to complete a project,” she said.

  • Work smart. Whether you are in public accounting or business and industry, working smart is important. Hurst has witnessed employees burn out by thinking they have to work crazy hours just to please their bosses. He’s even been there himself. “Superstars are those who are focused more on what they are doing than how much time they spend doing it,” he said. “I was a big offender, but I learned that it’s the quality of the time more than the quantity of time you spend that is important.”
  • Own your work product — even the mistakes. Admitting to your mistakes is difficult but important, Glickman said: “Take ownership of those mistakes and go the extra mile to fix them.”
  • Communicate. Glickman recommended communicating regularly with management to make sure your priorities are aligned. “Make sure you are on the same page as your boss and check in periodically,” she said. As Riggio noted, “Responding quickly to emails, phone calls, and assignments shows you are on the ball.”
  • Show gratitude. Express appreciation when your boss has done something positive for you or the company, Riggio suggested.
  • Remember that work is a team sport. Put your team first, Glickman said. “Ask yourself: ‘What is the most helpful thing I can do to advance our collective agenda?’,” she said. “Be laser-focused on what’s best for the team and the boss, and don’t be selfish. If you make other people better, in the long term the benefits will accrue to you.”

Being a generous co-worker benefits everyone, Riggio observed: “Helping others triggers them to reciprocate and help you when you need it.”

Advertisement

Teri Saylor is a freelance writer based in Raleigh, N.C. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Courtney Vien, a senior editor at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

Advertisement

latest news

September 24, 2025

Paper tax refund checks on the way out as IRS shifts to electronic payments

September 24, 2025

Practice mobility update: New NASBA tool tracks changes for CPAs

September 23, 2025

IRS keeps per diem rates unchanged for business travel year starting Oct. 1

September 22, 2025

Managing teams, managing time: The importance of setting expectations

September 19, 2025

Details on IRS prop. regs. on tip income deduction

Advertisement

Most Read

MAP Survey finds CPA firm starting pay on the rise
IRS finalizes regulations for Roth catch-up contributions under SECURE 2.0
NASBA, AICPA release proposed revisions to CPE standards
Congress passes act allowing tax relief when a state declares disaster
IRS releases draft form for tip, overtime, car loan, and senior deductions
Advertisement

Podcast

September 25, 2025

Professional liability risks related to Form 1065, CPA firm acquisitions

September 18, 2025

‘We’re still the thinkers’ — a reminder for tax pros in the AI era

September 11, 2025

Strong storytelling helps speakers deliver ‘medicine’ without the aftertaste

Features

Calming nervous clients nearing retirement
Calming nervous clients nearing retirement

Calming nervous clients nearing retirement

7 retirement tips for small firm CPAs
7 retirement tips for small firm CPAs

7 retirement tips for small firm CPAs

Building a better CPA firm: Stepping up service offerings
Multi-colored plus signs

Building a better CPA firm: Stepping up service offerings

2025 tax software survey
Smiley, frowney, and neutral faces for Tax Software Survey.

2025 tax software survey

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Flip out with the latest Tech Q&A

The September Technology Q&A column shows how to create dynamic to-do lists with Excel's checkboxes and also how to set up multifactor authentication texts that don't rely on phones. Flip through both items and view a video walkthrough in our digital format. 

From The Tax Adviser

August 30, 2025

2025 tax software survey

August 30, 2025

Are you doing all you can to keep the cash method for your clients?

July 31, 2025

Current developments in S corporations

July 31, 2025

Paid student-athletes: Tax implications for universities and donors

MAGAZINE

September 2025

September 2025

September 2025
August 2025

August 2025

August 2025
July 2025

July 2025

July 2025
June 2025

June 2025

June 2025
May 2025

May 2025

May 2025
April 2025

April 2025

April 2025
March 2025

March 2025

March 2025
February 2025

February 2025

February 2025
January 2025

January 2025

January 2025
December 2024

December 2024

December 2024
November 2024

November 2024

November 2024
October 2024

October 2024

October 2024
view all

View All

http://JofA_Default_Mag_cover_small_official_blue

PUSH NOTIFICATIONS

Coming soon: Learn about important news

CPA LETTER DAILY EMAIL

CPA Letter Logo

Subscribe to the daily CPA Letter

Stay on top of the biggest news affecting the profession every business day. Follow this link to your marketing preferences on aicpa-cima.com to subscribe. If you don't already have an aicpa-cima.com account, create one for free and then navigate to your marketing preferences.

Connect

  • X Logo JofA on X
  • facebook JofA on Facebook

HOME

  • News
  • Monthly issues
  • Podcast
  • A&A Focus
  • PFP Digest
  • Academic Update
  • Topics
  • RSS feed rss feed
  • Site map

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Submit an article
  • Editorial calendar
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & conditions

SUBSCRIBE

  • Academic Update
  • CPE Express

AICPA & CIMA SITES

  • AICPA-CIMA.com
  • Global Engagement Center
  • Financial Management (FM)
  • The Tax Adviser
  • AICPA Insights
  • Global Career Hub
AICPA & CIMA

© 2025 Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. All rights reserved.

Reliable. Resourceful. Respected.