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Growth in any career can benefit from good planning, but charting a successful CPA path requires careful preparation, timing, and outreach. If you’re in the early years of your CPA career, here are the most important steps to prepare yourself for a future as a Tax Senior.
Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ Years of Current Tax Experience in a Public Accounting Firm
Tax Seniors support multiple operations within a tax practice area and deliver quality tax services as a trusted business advisor to the assigned caseload.
Duties include:
- Ensuring performance of tax planning, client interaction, and special projects
- Collaborating with internal and external staff on income tax preparation and planning
- Representing clients with IRS, State, or other audits
- Reviewing completed tax forms and providing recommendations when needed
Passing the CPA Exam
Expect to spend upwards of 30 hours per week for roughly 16 weeks, studying for the exams. For example, once you pass section 1 – Audit and Attestation (AUD), you’ll then have 18 months to pass sections 2-4: Business Environment & Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG).
Some helpful resources to aid you in scoring in a top percentile are:
- AICPA website: exam content, sample tests
- Podcast: “Next Stop: CPA”
- Amazon: Exam review materials
- Online Review Course: CPAexcel
Prepare Your Resume
As your primary marketing tool, your resume is your passport to better pay, better workplaces, increased responsibilities, and partnership. With over 7,000 CPA resumes on indeed.com(1) alone, here are some tips for helping your CV/resume be the best it can be:
- Keep it professional (no color fonts, emojis, unnecessary visuals, etc.)
- Eliminate the Objective Statement
- Include your certifications in the header after your name (John Smith, CPA)
- NEVER embellish your accomplishments
- Ensure your LinkedIn and resume/CV don’t contradict each other
Make a Firm and Location Wish List
Are you looking to move closer to family or perhaps live in your dream location? Looking to transition into a National, Regional, or Local-sized firm?
With thousands of CPA Firms to choose from across the U.S.(2), knowing where to look and the hiring outlooks in your target markets can set you apart. It will also help you be more efficient in your job search and make an informed decision.
For example:
- Houston and New York have the most CPA candidates living in the area (2)
- Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC have the most open job postings for CPAs (2)
- Houston, Miami, and Atlanta are the top cities where demand for CPAs outweighs the supply of candidates (2)
Focus on Transitioning When It’s Slow
(Typically May-Aug or Nov-Dec)
All firms value integrity, commitment, and loyalty. Unless absolutely necessary, never leave your current role during the most crucially busy times of the year. Show you care about doing the right thing and keeping your engagement commitments by preparing for a transition during the slower months.
Engage with a CPA recruiter
You’ve come so far on you own, let a CPA Recruiter help take you the last mile. Our proven process, experience, and expertise ensure we connect you with the right opportunity based on your personal career goals.
We can help you:
- Find the firms nationwide that align with your goals
and interests - Review your resume
- Set up and prepare you for interviews
- Negotiate your compensation and benefits
ALL AT NO COST TO YOU!
Don’t delay! Contact your VALiNTRYfinancial Placement Executive today!
1 Indeed.com – December 2020 Data 2 CareerBuilder.com – December 2020 Data