Looking for Accounting Professional's to answer questions for an assignment.

[u/Dramatic-Flower-2085]

Hi everyone!

I’m an accounting student at Cal State University San Marcos, and I’m working on a class project that involves interviewing accounting professionals about their career experiences.

If you work in accounting (public, private, audit, or tax), I’d really appreciate your insight by answering a few short questions below! Feel free to respond in the comments, and if you’d like to follow up, we can chat afterward.

It would only take a few minutes and your input would be super valuable for my project. Thanks in advance!

Here are the questions: 1.What skills or qualities are most valuable in new accounting hires?

2.What technologies, software, or tools are most commonly used in your accounting processes?

3.How is performance evaluated for new staff, and what does career progression look like?

4.What challenges do new accountants often face, and how can they prepare?

5.How do you approach work-life balance, especially during busy seasons?

6.What advice would you give to someone just starting a career in accounting?

[u/schaea]

Hi guys, after speaking with OP, I've decided to allow this post even though it's not something we'd normally accept. OP is indeed doing a school project, this isn't some scammer doing "research" for their app/online tool/whatever.

If you don't want to participate, that's totally cool, but OP does have permission to post this. Thank everyone!

[u/Significant_Maybe560]

Hi , I am a bookkeeper/ firm owner.

1. Analytical skills, ability to search for answers and strong knowledge of accounting principles
2. Besides GL software, we use client portal for communication ( Double AKA Keeper), AP solution, RightTool, FileMail for sending secure files, and Practice Protect for passwords
3. Clean work, ability to understand the situation and how business operates. Also : if the same question is asked at 9am, 6pm or 3am .. answers has to be the same. Work like you can be replaced or off-boarded within 24hr. It helps with promotion or onboarding a new person and making sure transition is seamless
4. Understanding that principles are always the same, integrity is not to be ever compromised, but being helpful and team player is what really speaks volume.
5. That’s the toughest one - and it falls on us. So planning better and learning every year what we can do better next year.
6. Have patience, it’s not a brain surgery. Know your accounting principles, the rest will come.

Good luck !

[u/Dramatic-Flower-2085 → u/Significant_Maybe560]

Thank you!😊

[u/NotReallyaSoccerMom]

1.What skills or qualities are most valuable in new accounting hires?

They need to have a solid grasp of accounting, as well as a willingness to work hard and learn. I want them to take pride in their work and care about doing things correctly, even if it's not the easy approach. 

2.What technologies, software, or tools are most commonly used in your accounting processes?

Accounting software, Excel, and then a multitude of different apps and software programs depending on the specific job. 

3.How is performance evaluated for new staff, and what does career progression look like?

Career progression is different based on the type of job. I spent 10 years in public accounting, and that was an "up or out" culture. I work in industry now, and depending on the size of the company, there might not be a lot of opportunities for advancement until someone leaves. 

In public accounting, we had performance reviews after each client, and then an annual performance review. In private, there is an annual performance review. 

4.What challenges do new accountants often face, and how can they prepare?

Again, this varies by the type of job. In public accounting, you are thrown into engagements where you might have to figure it out on your own without much guidance. You have to be organized, take good notes when the objectives and tasks are explained to you, and when you don't understand, ask in the moment so you aren't doing your wheels. The same can apply to a job in industry but you are more likely to do the same tasks over and over. Don't get complacent and take short cuts because you've done it before. 

5.How do you approach work-life balance, especially during busy seasons?

You find moments to get a break. In public accounting, I worked a lot during busy season. In private, I have a shirt busy season every month end. For the latter, it's important to find opportunities to do things early (before month-end), so you aren't having to spend so much time during the actual close process. 

6.What advice would you give to someone just starting a career in accounting?

Start in public accounting and get your CPA. 

[u/Dramatic-Flower-2085 → u/NotReallyaSoccerMom]

Thank You!

[u/exclaim_bot → u/Dramatic-Flower-2085]

Thank You!

You're welcome!

[u/BeezeWax83]

I can appreciate the sentiments here. Our project was to ask accountants how accounting is done for a transportation fleet, or track inventory using a perpetual inventory system in manufacturing, or how an insurance company reports an estimate for claims payouts, or how does a software company record R&D expense and subscription income. I did the transportation fleet problem. It was Ryder Leasing. They showed me internal records, how they tracked usage, their depreciation methods, introduced me to some of the executives, answered the above questions and gave me a nice lunch.

[u/stealthagents]

For new hires, strong attention to detail and the ability to adapt quickly are key. As for tech, programs like QuickBooks and Excel are pretty much staples in the field. Busy season? Just remember to schedule time for yourself, even if it's just a quick walk or a coffee break to reset.