[lynseyklly]

It’s been a while since I’ve been on the site, but looking for some fellow accountants advice. I work in Industry accounting, moving from insurance to aviation. I’m very excited about the change but also terrified of course. I’ve been with my company almost 10 years now. The new company wants to bring me in as a part manager, part consultant type of position, so I am to learn and then improve processes, etc. I’m nervous, as although I feel like I am familiar with all of these things, some will be responsibilities I’ve never held directly, so I only have my education/knowledge to work with. Because of this I feel like I should go back and try and refresh myself on anything they have mentioned specifically.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Are they any good refresher resources out there? I feel like there probably isn’t much I can really do to prepare, but I hope to impress them, not have to take time to research things they are expecting me to know already.

AUD 85 (2/22/12)
FAR 81 (5/10/12)
BEC 7/13/12
REG 10/1/12

using Becker

[Anonymous]

I felt the same way when I started my current job, but found once on the job that most things are either things I knew or could make a very good educated guess at, or they're really specific to the place I'm working and not things I could learn out of a textbook. So, my main advice to you would be to not sweat it too much.

That being said, I would probably refresh on anything you know you'll need to cover. For example, if aviation means making airplanes, I'd refresh my cost/manufacturing accounting knowledge, but it's likely that the basics are all you'll really need walking in on Day 1. To do simple refreshers like that, I'd suggest buying a college textbook (one that's a couple editions out of date and cheaper) and reading through it. I took Cost Accounting online so this textbook: https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Management-Strategies-Business-Decisions/dp/0073526800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435878112&sr=8-1&keywords=9780073526805 was how I learned – no professor involvement the way I took it. So, since this was how I learned, if I was preparing for a job that used cost-accounting, I'd probably just get a copy of it and re-read.

[Anonymous]

My input on this is second hand, but in addition to (or in lieu of) buying a college textbook to refresh, you might be able to find CPE courses/literature on the areas of accounting which will be relevant to you at this new position. It is my understanding that many CPE courses get much more in depth on specific areas of accounting than would a college textbook.

[lynseyklly]

Thank you both for the advice. I have all of my old textbooks (graduated 2011, so I'd like to think not too out of date), plus all my Becker study material. I like the idea of CPE since I need it anyway. I'm actually signed up for an excel accounting specific course I wanted to complete ahead of time to refresh on some things (i.e. pivot tables). I like the advice to not sweat it too much! 🙂 I am so neurotic sometimes, I was just thinking this morning that I will likely spend hours “preparing” and none of it will end up being useful.

AUD 85 (2/22/12)
FAR 81 (5/10/12)
BEC 7/13/12
REG 10/1/12

using Becker

[fuzyfro89]

They don't expect you to know anything walking in the door.

They expect you to learn fast since you have many years of experience. Spend every day with eyes wide open.

[msgolds]

I've had a semi-similar experience. The first several years of my accounting career were in Audit, after which I made a transition over to Consulting. To me, the shift in responsibilities was sort of reminiscent of forgetting how to swim when I was already in the deep end. Consulting requires developing so many different habits and problem-solving skills that just aren't as necessary in Auditing. It also requires a very different way of communicating with people. I struggled for a long while, but the trick is to really immerse yourself in your company, ask questions, and absorb as much available documentation as you can. Nobody is going to expect you to pick it up all at once.

On a side note, I am currently about to transition from a Consulting role to a Corporate Accounting role, so I imagine I am going to go through a somewhat similar experience soon. Good luck!!!

BEC - 90 PASSED
FAR - 84 PASSED
AUD - 93 PASSED
REG - 84 PASSED

I DID IT!!!!

Using Becker Self-Study

"If we were put here to carry a great weight, then the very things we hate are here to build those muscles."

[Author]

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