Numbers & Beyond

Students,

As you begin your career in accounting, you may wish you had some sort of crystal ball that would give you some insight as to what you are getting yourself into. Well in this moment, I'll be the magician and no, this is not a trick.

We all know public accounting gets a bad rap but that could be any industry that feels unfamiliar. Personally, I didn't have many expectations going into public accounting, but I did assume it might feel like what you see in the movies where partners and managers treat employees like just a number.

However, my perception changed rather quickly. In fact, one of the biggest surprises for me after starting my job in public accounting was how different it was from what I learned in school. In school, you get a good understanding of the basics and the terminology, but once you are working, there's a whole new set of things to learn. Most of the real-world knowledge comes from hands-on experience, and you quickly realize that success on the job requires more than just classroom learning.

Don't get me wrong, conceptual learning will help you create foundational knowledge. But it is experience that bridges the gap between what you're learning in the classroom and what public accounting truly IS. So my advice is to focus on truly understanding the material in school so you can apply the knowledge once you start working. I'd also say that starting an internship early will really help you see the difference between what you learn in school and what the real working world of accounting is like.

I won't lie to you, public accounting can be complicated like any other career, but getting started doesn't have to be.

Sincerely,
Clayton Cannon
Sr. Tax Associate