If you find yourself out of a job in this downturn, keep in mind that restrictive covenants may limit your next move. If you are a party to such an agreement, you could face a costly lawsuit if you go to work for a competing company or firm or start
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Professional development
AICPA 2009 Trends Report Shows High Level of Accounting Degrees, Enrollment
The number of accounting graduates reached a record level during the 2007-08 academic year, according to the AICPA’s 2009 Trends in the Supply of Accounting Graduates and the Demand for Public Accounting Recruits. More than 66,000 combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees were awarded, a 3.5% increase from 2006-07, and the
Pursuing a Ph.D. in Accounting: Walking in With Your Eyes Open
After teaching mathematics for a number of years, I was contemplating a change in careers. After researching possible career choices, I took an accounting night class at a local university. I enjoyed the logic and structure of the class and quickly decided this was my niche. Next, I set my
Online CPE Grading Gets an Upgrade
The Institute has improved its Online Grading Web site for CPE self-study courses. The enhancements include a new design, improved navigation, new features to the exams and a simplified login process. AICPA CPE Online Grading is free and available for any AICPA self-study course in formats that include text, DVD
Take Stock and Take Action
To assess your commitment to creating value in your career, order the six statements below from the one that best describes you to the one that least describes you. I do my part. I am patient in waiting for opportunities to advance my career. I am not ready to move
Results, Results, Results
Efforts are wonderful, but results create value. Results come from a strong focus and uncommon persistence. For many CPAs, focus begins with good time management. Every practitioner gets 24 hours a day—1,440 precious minutes—that never seems to be enough. To manage your time is to manage your life, so learn
The Virtues and Challenges of a Long Break
Some people do solo retreats for personal development. Others provide volunteer services. One CPA firm partner took his two adopted children back to their homelands—Korea and Vietnam—where his 21-year-old son was reunited with his birth mother, brother and sister after 14 years, and discovered he had six nieces and nephews.
Right Track Your CPA Career
Careers aimed toward excellence start with the recognition that every CPA is truly running his or her own personal firm. Whether they are in public accounting, government or private industry, everyone must make investments into their company to be successful. These investments provide extraordinary returns for the individual CPA as
Be a Star CPE Instructor
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The CPA profession’s continuing professional education regimen requires a supply of class presenters, or discussion leaders, who in turn receive honoraria, CPE credit and the satisfaction of imparting valuable skills and knowledge. CPAs considering becoming discussion leaders can take several exploratory steps, including facilitating
Smart Stops on the Web
CONTINUING EDUCATION THE CPA TOOLBOX www.cpemarket.com This Smart Stop is part of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s www.nasbatools.com, which offers “tools for accountancy compliance.” CPAs can search CPE course providers, the National Registry of CPE Sponsor courses and quality assurance service courses, plus
Make Your Resume Pop
It’s no secret that human resource managers use electronic scanners and keyword searches of resumes to rank potential candidates. According to CareerBuilder.com, the terms employers search for most often are: Problem-solving and decisionmaking skills (50%) Oral and written communication 44%) Customer service or retention (34%) Performance and productivity improvement (32%)
Succession Plans Simmer on the Back Burner
According to the AICPA’s 2008 PCPS Succession Survey, almost 70% of multi-owner firms and more than 50% of sole proprietors (sole owner firms and sole practitioners) believe succession planning will be a significant issue for them in the near future. But only 35% of multi-owner
Make the Most of Mentoring
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The definition of mentoring is expanding to include the concept of coaching, which is focused on helping others learn job-related skills for growth. In today’s rapidly changing work environment, young accountants appear to learn more quickly and thoroughly through on-the-job training. Firms with strong cultures that facilitate continual
Mentoring Part of Recruiting and Retaining, Too
“Recruiting (and Retaining) the Next Generation Accountant” (April 08, page 60) intrigued me. The authors, Kent State faculty members, clearly understand the challenges involved in recruiting the next generation of accountants. They also discuss many ways in which academia and the profession can work together while young people are earning
Successor Readies to Take the Lead
Thirty years ago, Krista McMasters applied for a job at Clifton Gunderson’s office in Danville, Ill. She was fresh out of the University of Illinois undergraduate accounting program. Despite good grades, she heard nothing back. McMasters had job offers from other firms, but she persisted with Clifton Gunderson
Professional Issues
The guide provides step-by-step guidance, including ready-to-use forms and checklists, to assist in launching a mentoring program. To request a free copy of the guide, e-mail womensinitiatives@aicpa.org or download it at www.aicpa.org/download/career/wofi/Mentoring_Prg.pdf.
Swinging for the Fences: Jonathan Mariner Interview
Jonathan Mariner sports a shiny 1997 World Series championship ring on his right hand—a trophy from the nine years he spent with the Florida Marlins. Mariner got into the business of professional sports by answering the fledgling baseball club’s CFO wanted ad in 1991. He went on to become executive
“Success in Two” for the CPA Exam
At LarsonAllen LLP, our goal is to get employees started on the exam within one year of their full-time hire date, and then to pass the exam by their second anniversary with the firm – hence the name of the program “Success in Two.” Here’s how we do it: If
Recruiting (and Retaining) the Next Generation Accountant: One University’s Experience
What attracts students to accounting? Is it the appeal of social and forensic accounting in a post-Enron world? Is it the allure of big money? Or is it simply supply and demand? When it comes to attracting students to the accounting profession, faculty in university accounting departments face pressures from
Make More, Worry Less: Secrets From 18 Extraordinary People Who Created a Bigger Income and a Better Life
If your New Year’s resolution about finding more satisfaction—monetary or otherwise—on the job has begun to fade, Wes Moss has a pep talk designed to get you back on track. Moss is a certified financial planner in Atlanta. Fans of Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” may recognize Moss’ name from among
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Build reusable Skills in Anthropic’s Claude AI
Instead of rewriting prompts each time, CPAs can turn routine tasks into reusable AI Skills. This Technology Q&A walks through how to build Claude Skills that process files, ask setup questions, and export clean Excel outputs.
From The Tax Adviser
April 30, 2026
Current developments in taxation of individuals: Part 2
April 30, 2026
