Tomorrow's CPA: The Blog

Something to chew on

We always hear about how an accounting career offers countless opportunities.

Well, here is one example of an accountant who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

In 1928 Walter Diemer was a cost accountant for the Fleer Corporation chewing gum company in Philadelphia.  Like all good accountants, he was looking for a way to cut costs when he accidentally stumbled upon a recipe for a gum that would stretch and allow you to blow bubbles. Ta da! Walter had invented bubble gum.

Walter never received a patent or royalties for his invention, but he eventually rose to become a senior vice president and board member at Fleer.  Not too shabby for a so-called bean counter.

ML King Day. Inauguration Day. What's next?

On Thursday, January 28th, 2009, more than 100 Maryland CPAs will descend on the state capital in Annapolis, for what has come to be known as “CPA Day.”

You may not think of CPAs as political animals, but when it comes to their profession and their clients they are not afraid to go toe to toe with Maryland legislators.  On CPA Day they visit the offices and enjoy lunch with a goodly number of Maryland’s 188 lawmakers.  The goal:  to share the CPA perspective on profession-related issues expected to come up during the 90-day session.

 

These issues may not seem as important as, say, slot machines or the death penalty.  But to CPAs and their clients there are always bills relating to taxes, or insurance, or even professional practice issues, that can translate into considerable time, trouble and money. And 2009 is no different from any other.

 

You will see. When you are a CPA odds are you'll motor to Annapolis and make your voice heard.  For now, lend your ear to a podcast,  "CPAs take their message to Annapolis" that tells you just what's at stake for CPAs in the Maryland legislature.

 

 

Rags to riches

Most CPAs make a pretty good pile of money.  Just witness the most recent salary survey.

But not all CPAs started out affluent.  Consider this first-person account by Barbara Evans, CPA, a poor (and we mean turn-off-the-electricity poor) Georgia farm girl who has risen to become CFO of Thomas Concrete of Georgia, Inc., of Atlanta.

Ms. Evans worked her way through college, where she fell in love with accounting.  It took her to age 42 to pass the CPA exam, but by then she had accumulated vast knowledge and experience.  She has even added an MBA to her credential list.  She speaks often to groups of future CPAs, to whom she emphasizes, "Don't forget your roots."

Guess what? You can do it, too!

 

Nobody shouldn't become a CPA

We just read about accounting on a cool career site and we have come to this conclusion: There are upsides to becoming a CPA—and there are downsides to not becoming one.

CPAs make more money than uncertified accountants.  They also enjoy greater prestige, a reputation
as the most trusted business advisor, and they are allowed to sign an audit opinion.  Best of all, the CPA's greater depth of knowledge and mastery opens up all sorts of professional opportunities that are not available to the uncertified.

So go ahead, be an uncertified accountant. Make 10 percent less money, command less respect, impress fewer recruiters and employers and do less sophisticated and exciting work.

But don't say we didn't warn you.