Bradley Said:

Where is a better place to start a career public accounting or corporate financial analyst?

We Answered:

Accounting. Because of increasing regulations they have more job security. Analyst jobs are at the mercy of the market. Also as an accountant you will gain a better understanding of financial statements and the basis for financial analysis.

Johnny Said:

s working in public accounting either for the Big 4 or a large regional firm a good career choice?

We Answered:

If you understand numbers, like reading regulations, can pass the CPA exam, don't mind long hours, and enjoy interacting with people then - Yes.

Harry Said:

Internal Audit career in private or public accounting?

We Answered:

I have been both an internal auditor (and still am going on 10 years now) and worked in public accounting (3 years).

You should probably take the job with the big four firm. I say this because the bredth of experience that will get form that job will be invaluable in your future career. You will see many different ways that companies handle internal controls as well as get a good foundation in the "red book". You will also make contacts and a network of friends that could spread across the world and all different industries. To me the big downside of the big four job would be the travel (probably be 80%+ unless you get on a very long term engagement) and the perception/feeling that you are a "hired gun" and not really part of the entity that you are working at.

While the job with the manufacturing firm may be a fast track to management you will, in the long run, be limiting your potential. The up side to this job is the stability (as much as anyone has outside government work) you know where you will be working with a fiar amount of certainty, and the lack of travel.

In the end, if i was you, I would look at how I handle: pressure, travel, change, and risk (the big 4 job is riskier b/c if they lose the contract you are assigned to you may lose your job). Some people thrive on those things and if you are one of them....then go for the big 4 job.


One last thought you will probably grow more professionally in the big 4 job than the other simply because of the greater variety of work, more and better managers to learn from, and competition among staff auditors to get ahead (which pushes you to do better).

Good luck

Ellen Said:

Advice on how to start public accounting career ?

We Answered:

Well, to do public accounting you have to like people a lot more than you like numbers. People and tax returns are a lot more complex and incomprehensible than numbers. You need to be able to say that you understand tax laws and variable circumstances of income, investments and expense deductibility and are prepared to work a heck of a lot more than 4 hours a week to get a job in public accounting. The basic mathematics of it all is incidental. Anyone can add up some numbers on a calculator... but to know what you can do with those numbers is a different story.

You could do a short course (that you pay for) with H & R Block or ITP to get a foot in the door to do very basic individual tax returns on a casual basis. But you can't go any further than that without formal academic qualification.

Be prepared to do monkey work for low pay unless you are prepared to get qualified.

Good luck :)

Bessie Said:

I don't know why public accounting is so good?

We Answered:

I've been at PwC since last year. Having big 4 on your resume will help you in the future as far as getting a good job; many employers prefer and look for that experience when hiring. So yes, the prestige is important. Other than that, the big 4 is basically a boot camp that uses your accounting/audit/tax skills you learned in college. And you'll basically get the same experience at any other public accounting firm. Make sure your resume is in top notch shape.

Karl Said:

How important is excel in Public accounting??

We Answered:

Knowing Excel is very important. Some basics would be:

1. Copying/Moving and pasting data in a cell or cells (range)
2. Adjusting row and column sizes
3. Creating simple formulas: adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing two or more cells
4. Applying the sum formula
5. Editing the above formulas
6. Underlining cells
7. Using tabs within a spreadsheet and referencing a cell from another tab
8. Formatting a number or date
9. Formatting text alignment, positioning and size
10. Configuring all of the page setup settings

Intermediate skills like using the data functions, pivot tables, graphs, and database formulas are important to learn once you're comfortable with the basics. You should also know how to use Outlook and Word fairly well. Then Visio, Powerpoint, and Access would be good tools to master.

I would strongly advise visiting your local library and checking out and reading some books on Excel. They may even have a computer there with the software that you can practice on. Your local community college may have a computer to use also. Or you can rent some time at Kinko's or take an online excel class. Please do this now. It is worth the investment of time as these will be tools and skills that you'll use for several years. Plus it'll make you more valuable and you'll earn more money!

Marilyn Said:

Which is better for a career in public accounting: a double major in Acct/Fin or just Acct with a better GPA?

We Answered:

i advise you to stick to the major which you like, and is easier for you to maintain a good G.P.A If that doesn't work and both majors r hard for you, stop the extra-curricular activities, u did them already its time to move on and go to the library and study ur a** off...lol and for the internship go to your career services center at ur school they will always send emails and events via email that give u the best firms who are looking for students just like urself to be a part of their team...and ur GPA is good, dont worry about it and just dont go lower than tht..try to maintain tht 3.3 thats the hardest part, once u go down its very hard to pull urself up again Good Luck! ^^