Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants Student Outreach Become a CPA – and discover a lifetime of opportunity! INTRODUCTIONS… •Name, job title, where I work, hobbies, etc •Where did I go to school? •My office/business is… and looks like… What Career is for me? Some things to consider… •What you like to do? •What are you good at? •What skills you have/enjoy using? •How much is someone willing to pay you? •What jobs/careers are in demand? •Jobs vs Careers •Value of College Education What is Accounting? •A business language •The process of recording, classifying, reporting and analyzing financial data & business transactions KEEPING TRACK OF THE MONEY •The basis of business operations A CPA is…… A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a financial professional CPA’s speak the “language of business.” *They provide the advice and information others need to make important financial business decisions CPAs are in high demand as a valued member of any Business team! Why Did I Choose to Become a CPA? •Challenging profession •Enjoy talking and working with people •Highly respected profession •Flexibility & opportunity for growth •High demand for accounting professionals •Job satisfaction •Earning potential/job security •Helping others understand and resolve business issues My “typical” day… •My clients and job responsibilities •Hours, travel, dress •My career ladder •Challenges & fun stuff (Perks) •What I enjoy most, least •Personal experiences CPA Careers •Differences between CPAs and other accounting positions (bookkeeper, etc.) •CPA Exam/certification/licensing required •Level of education required/CPE •Starting wages •Job responsibilities •Opportunity for promotion/higher positions CPAs work in… PUBLIC PRACTICE •Work with many different companies/industries and provide various services or specialized niches •Firms can be international and very large in size (Big 4), mid-sized (regional firms) or small and local firms •Top position is typically a partner in a firm Accounting/ Auditing Forensic/ Fraud TAX PUBLIC ACCOUNTI NG Environmental “Green” Accounting Business Valuations Business Advisory Information Systems Consulting Financial Planning CPAs work in… EDUCATION • High School Teacher • College/University Professor –Dean or Administrator • Conduct Research CPAs work in… PRIVATE INDUSTRY/CORPORATE •Work for one company or organization •POSITIONS -Internal Auditing -Financial and Management Reporting -Tax Planning -Corporate Finance -Strategic Planning or New Product Development •Top positions consist of controllers, chief financial officers, managers, etc Industry – Some Examples Industry – Some Examples Industry – Some Examples Requirements to Become a CPA in CT •Education: 150-hours of college credit *(Bachelor’s Degree/120 hrs to sit for exam) •Pass the CPA Exam: the exam tests your level of accounting knowledge •Experience: Two years of experience in accounting, which may be in the fields of public practice, government, and industry; work must be completed under the supervision of a CPA in good standing •Ethics: “open-book” take home exam Skills Needed to Be a CPA •Effective Communicator •Comfortable with Numbers – but NOT a “Math Whiz!” •People Person •Computer Skills (Excel/Spreadsheets) •Organized, Multi-tasker, Problem Solver •Ethical & Responsible Accounting Salaries •Bachelor's degree candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $48,993 •Master's degree candidates in accounting were offered $49,786 •In the top ten for starting salaries for graduates by degree •On average, individuals with a CPA and/or advanced degrees earn 10-15% more Source: NACE’s 2009 Summer Salary Survey How much money does a CPA earn? In Public Accounting, accountants can earn: (with – years experience) • Small Firms - $46,250 - $58,250 • Large Firms - $56,250-$72,500 Senior staff such as managers & directors can earn: •Small firms - $85,500 - $116,500 •Medium Firms - $94,500 - $143,000 •Large Firms - $107,000 - $167,250 Partner Level - $150,000 - $200,000+ How much money does a CPA earn? In Industry, accountants can earn: (with – years experience) •Small companies - $38,750 - $50,500 •Large companies - $45,750 - $64,500 •Auditors (Internal, IT) •Small companies - $49,250 - $74,750 •Large Companies – $45,750 - $81,750 •Management •(Treasurers, Directors, Controllers, CEOs, CFOs VPs, etc.) – $67,000 - $395,000 How much money does a CPA earn? In Government, accountants can earn: •Federal/State - $35,673 - $36,223 (entry level) MS or years of professional experience approximately $43,731 Supervisory and managerial positions averaged $78,665 Auditors averaged $83,322 In Education, CPAs can earn: (Accounting faculty at accredited colleges) •Assistant Professor - $93,500 (mean salary) •Associate Professor - $94,100 (mean salary) •Full Professor - $114,000 (mean salary) *Higher for doctorate degreed professor (Source: Robert Half 2011 Salary Guide, www.bls.gov) Accounting Degree = Landing a Job! •Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 18 % between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations •Internships (usually paid!) offer great experience and perhaps, a job offer!! (U.S Dept of Labor - BLS) Benefits of an Accounting Degree •Job diversity •Occupational mobility •Flexibility •Learning portable skills •High earning potential •UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES!!!! WWW.CTCPAS.ORG/STUDENTS THANK YOU!!!! [...]... Requirements to Become a CPA in CT •Education: 150-hours of college credit *(Bachelor’s Degree/120 hrs to sit for exam) •Pass the CPA Exam: the exam tests your level of accounting knowledge •Experience: Two years of experience in accounting, which may be in the fields of public practice, government, and industry; work must be completed under the supervision of a CPA in good standing •Ethics: “open-book” take... level) MS or 2 years of professional experience approximately $43,731 Supervisory and managerial positions averaged $78,665 Auditors averaged $83,322 In Education, CPAs can earn: (Accounting faculty at accredited colleges) •Assistant Professor - $93,500 (mean salary) •Associate Professor - $94,100 (mean salary) •Full Professor - $114,000 (mean salary) *Higher for doctorate degreed professor (Source:... 2011 Salary Guide, www.bls.gov) Accounting Degree = Landing a Job! •Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 18 % between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations •Internships (usually paid!) offer great experience and perhaps, a job offer!! (U.S Dept of Labor - BLS) Benefits of an Accounting Degree •Job diversity •Occupational mobility •Flexibility •Learning... candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $48,993 •Master's degree candidates in accounting were offered $49,786 •In the top ten for starting salaries for graduates by degree •On average, individuals with a CPA and/or advanced degrees earn 10-15% more Source: NACE’s 2009 Summer Salary Survey How much money does a CPA earn? In Public Accounting, accountants can earn: (with 1 – 3 years... School Teacher • College/University Professor –Dean or Administrator • Conduct Research CPAs work in… PRIVATE INDUSTRY/CORPORATE •Work for one company or organization •POSITIONS -Internal Auditing -Financial and Management Reporting -Tax Planning -Corporate Finance -Strategic Planning or New Product Development •Top positions consist of controllers, chief financial officers, managers, etc Industry –... earn? In Industry, accountants can earn: (with 1 – 3 years experience) •Small companies - $38,750 - $50,500 •Large companies - $45,750 - $64,500 •Auditors (Internal, IT) •Small companies - $49,250 - $74,750 •Large Companies – $45,750 - $81,750 •Management •(Treasurers, Directors, Controllers, CEOs, CFOs VPs, etc.) – $67,000 - $395,000 How much money does a CPA earn? In Government, accountants can earn:... (U.S Dept of Labor - BLS) Benefits of an Accounting Degree •Job diversity •Occupational mobility •Flexibility •Learning portable skills •High earning potential •UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES!!!! WWW.CTCPAS.ORG/STUDENTS THANK YOU!!!!