WICPA Accounting Careers

Speaker nameCompany BackgroundWICPA member

Mission:

The Wisconsin Institute of CPAs is a professional association which strives to serve its members, assure the public, and maintain the integrity of the accounting profession through the provision of continuing education, peer review, and community service opportunities; involvement in the legislative process; and communication with the public through the print and broadcast media.WICPA membership: Over 8,000 members Builds relationships Education opportunities Speaking opportunities Career opportunities

About the WICPA

Lets Introduce OurselvesWho Are You?Tell us your name

Why you are interested in accounting?

What do you plan to do with an accounting degree?

You have to be a great math student to be an accountant.An accounting degree can lead you to a career in sports, music or entertainment.With an accounting job, you are stuck behind a desk all day counting beans.CPAs are crime fighters.CPAs either work for the IRS or prepare tax returns.

Fact or Fiction

Certified Public Accountants

Who Are CPAs?ProfessionalsTrusted business advisorsTechnical specialistsProject managersAnalysts & decision makersStrategic thinkersProblem solversUsers of technologyEthicalTeam orientedEducators

Licensed by a State Board of Accountancy Governed by a Code of Professional Conduct Must adhere to technical standards Maintain a high level of independence, objectivity and integrityCertified Public Accountant

CPA License Requirements

How to become a CPA?Complete 150 semester unitsMinimum degree bachelorPass CPA ExamProfessional work experience

Public accountingCorporate/industry accountingBusiness entrepreneurGovernmentNon-profitEducation/teaching Career Paths

Public AccountingOn the JobReviewing financial statementsAssessing riskTesting systemsEvaluating assetsTax planningPerformance measurementAnalyzing operationsFinancial planningBenchmarkingTeaching/researchingWhats In It For You?InternshipsChallenging & rewarding workNumerous career pathsBroad industry exposureGlobal assignmentsContinuous learningPerformance based salaryCompetitive benefitsWorking with talented peopleDiverse workforceWork/Life balance

Corporate / Industry AccountingWork for a company (Small to Large)Roles includePrepare financial statementsManage company financing and investing activitiesAudit internal financial / operating systemsAnalyze and report on financial and non-financial dataIdentify ways to improve financial performanceAssess tax requirements and alternativesRise to top level management CEOCFOControllerDirectors of divisions

Business Entrepreneur

Countless opportunities what you make of it!High Risk = High Reward

Government OpportunitiesFederal (FBI, IRS, Treasury, General Accounting Office)Investigating white-collar crimeConducting financial statement auditsPerforming analysis & researchDealing with tax legislation

State & Local (School districts, DFI, DOR)Conduct auditsCompile financial statementsDeal with state tax legislation

Audits at All Levels of Government (FDIC, OCC, SEC, Internal)Performance (evaluate an organizations operations)

Financial (examine financial statement)

Compliance (id deviations from laws/regs)

Investigative (investigate improper activities)

Non-Profit

Perform cost benefit analysis Are expenses exceeding revenues?Advise on budgeting & tax mattersPrepare financial data to aid in raising & disbursing fundsSetup internal control processFind fraud

EducationAccounting FacultyTypical Career TrackTeach

Conduct research

Publish articles/books

Serve as business consultants & expertsAssistant (0-6 years)Associate (with tenure in 7th year)Full professor (10-12 years)

Networking

Think about what you want from a careerTalk to family, friends, teachers, and accountantsGet involved with school organizationsConsider an internship and/or job shadow

So Which Path is Right for You?

Were In Demand!Aging Population Needs Financial Advice & ProtectionThe Census Bureau says that an American turns 65 years old every 13 seconds and that some 10,000 boomers retire every day.Its estimated that 70 million people will be 65 or older by 2030 nearly doubling the 34 million today (2011).

For every three people leaving (retiring from financial services businesses) theres only one to take their place right now. CNBC August 2011

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 22% growth in accounting and auditing jobs in the decade between 2008 2018 especially CPAs and graduates with masters degrees. AICPA May 2011

Accounting Career

Demand is goodVery challengingPeople oriented professionHighly respectedIncome potentialJob satisfactionUnlimited opportunitiesBenefits to You

Preparation for H.S. StudentsChoose Relevant CoursesAccountingComputer ApplicationsEconomicsWritten CommunicationsOral CommunicationsResearch & apply to colleges & universitiesVisit an accounting practiceSpeak to a WICPA memberParticipate in a job shadow program

Resources

WICPAAICPAAccounting firmsHigh schoolColleges & universitiesState boards of accountancyInternetCareer centers & fairsWhere to Obtain More Information

WICPA Where to Find Us?Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants235 North Executive Drive, Suite 200Brookfield, WI 53005

Tel: (262) 785-0445 (800) 772-6939

www.wicpa.org

Thank you!

We hope to see you as a WICPA member soon.

www.wicpa.org

*Please insert your name and company here.***Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**Answers:Fiction You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the math work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the math. Its the input of information that accountants are concerned with.Fact CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.Fiction While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountants day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.Fact Due to an Accountants familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.Fiction This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. Well talk about some of them next.**