[Anonymous]

I started working at a small CPA firm just this past week (will be doing mostly tax work). Basically, my training from day 1 & 2 was read pdf tutorials and watch videos of the programs I will be using. Then after, I was already given work to do — for an actual client! I sat for 2 hours looking at all the “workpapers” and not knowing where to start. I am just so frustrated and already feel like quitting. Any advice on how to better overcome the first weeks/months of public accounting? I honestly feel so incompetent and feel “out of place” surrounded by these smart CPAs…. I don’t know if it’s because I’m doing tax work (which I’m not good at to begin with) or I’m just not really fit for this public accounting world….. ANy advice is appreciated

[MRSJLeon917]

Ask questions!!!

There is no way they should just give you work without walking you through it and explaining it to you. When I worked in public and was assigned a new person to a client, I made sure to take the time and walk through the client and workpapers as well as expectations for that client.

Don't be afraid to ask questions but be organized and maybe have a list of questions ready to ask that makes it look like you've looked through everything and need some guidance. You are new and they should understand that you will have questions and time invested up front will pay off in the end.

And don't worry, I used to think everyone around me was super smart and there was no way I could compete when I was in public accounting. The more knowledge I gained, the more I realized that half of the people actually didn't have a clue what they were doing.

AUD (5/25/2012): 91
FAR (10/22/2012): 89
REG (11/28/2012): 89
BEC (01/05/2013): 82
Ethics Exam: 90

IL Licensed CPA - 7/15/2013

A long journey, officially DONE!

[Anonymous]

Exactly how I felt when I started my first job doing taxes!! I started as an intern and like you received very little training. I don't know if Big 4 companies are like this, but small CPA firm usually just throw you in there and want you to figure it out (or at least make an attempt). The main thing I did to figure out all the workpapers is look at the previous years work papers and go from there. It will at least give you a basis to ask questions on. Then when you have an idea what you need to know, don't be afraid to ask. They do not have the time to train someone so they are relying on you to ask questions. But don't give up on it just yet, at least give it a few months and after this tax season you may like it more. None of the CPA's are smarter than you, they have just finished the test and have more experience. They have all been where you are and should be willing to help.

[Noct]

I suggest avoiding asking too many questions. Try to find your answers in the form instructions or the master tax guide first. If you find yourself spinning your wheels, ask questions for guidance as to how to find your answer. This shows initiative and a desire to be self-sufficient which your boss will appreciate. Not to mention that you will retain information better if you have to seek it out. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Your returns will be closely reviewed since you're new, and you will receive guidance when you're wrong.

FAR - 79 - 07/2012
AUD - 65, 78 - 11/2012
BEC - 76 - 11/2012
REG - 78 - 01/2013
ETH - 98 - 01/2013

Material: Wiley books

[mypetmeatball]

Worst feeling ever. I do not have much to add except I felt your pain during my internship, and will feel it again when I start full-time. I'm guessing everyone goes through it and you'll look back on this and laugh soon enough.

[samdiegoCPA]

I feel for you – this is why I am SO nervous on starting my next accounting job in the next few months. I am someone who hates asking for help, so aside from the fact it's a new job and you feel you don't know anything, I hate having to ASK someone how to do something that's probably pretty easy! Ugh…

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Anonymous]

As a professional, you are accountable for your work – and part of doing your work is to obtain the needed information. This is your responsibility.

If you fail doing your work, and you get yelled at by a higher up, it will come out that you asked no questions and then you'll get yelled at even more.

ASK THE QUESTIONS. Don't blow this off.

There is no such thing as a stupid question. If they treat you badly because you ask a question, ask them “How else am I supposed to obtain the information? Psychic powers?”

I've worked in professional situations, and professionals do not treat people badly for asking questions.

SO ASK QUESTIONS.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with ask a lot of questions. I've worked for a small firm for a year. I also got thrown in there on day one with very little training. I just got handed things and was told to figure it out. Questions are fine to an extent but only when you absolutely have taken the time to try and figure it out on your own first. You'll also find some people are better with having questions thrown at them and other people don't want to hear it at all. I have a manager in my office who prefers I keep a list and sit down with her all at once. I have another manager who hates this approach and has specifically told me to just ask 1-2 questions at a time but for the most part just figure it out. Everyone is different. I think the best advice given to me was try and read people on an individual level and get to know how they want things handled. The first few months are the worst. It'll get better. Give it a year and you'll be amazed at how much you've learned and how much more comfortable you'll feel being there.

[Whatdidyou]

bobkorz's post is spot on in my experience.

I'll feel overwhelmed by a workpaper, but my seniors/2nd years are always willing to answer my questions. I had one senior, who told me that if I am spinning my wheels for over 15 minutes, ask her for help. Others may be different and want you to investigate a little more and accumulate a list.. But a good CPA firm will not let you just bullshit your way through a workpaper not understanding anything. They expect you to ask a lot of questions. And for things you do wrong, they'll leave you review notes.

Now if you work with a shitty CPA firm and a bad senior, it may be another story.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[Anonymous]

Give it 6 months and it will start to click. Accounting is heavily dependent on real world experience.

[Anonymous]

I can relate a lot with what you are saying OP. I just started at a smaller regional firm (doing mainly audit, but also some tax). I received barely any training ( only 2 days reviewing pdf and what not) and was thrown right into a client. Even though I pass the cpa exam (audit was my highest score too) I felt like I barely know how to do any of the workpapers (the audit work I do is in a specialize field so the cpa exam doesnt touch on this area of audit). This was a first year audit and there was no previous workpaper to refer too. Well after the manager started reviewing my workpaper I got talk down pretty hard too. After the talk I was actually thinking of quitting bc i didnt want to deal with someone like that. But you know, there always going to be people talking you down, you got to not give up and keep trying and learning. Anyways I figure I'm going to stick it out bc I'm picking up so much stuff and I believe in time I'll be a pro at this stuff 🙂

[Anonymous]

It may depend on your manager's style. You have to ask questions though, and get the guidance you need. Go through the work and think to yourself “what information do I need to get this done”, and prepare a list of questions based on that. When you then approach your manager, you can explain what you did, and what you need from him/her to get the work done. It's more efficient than asking a question every five minutes. But you have to ask questions and learn!

Best of luck!

[FlipACoin]

Small companies (and I'm assuming CPA firms are no different) in general tend to have informal and loosely based training programs as to where large companies tend to have structure, sign offs, videos, training and more training. It is very culture dependent regarding questions. I think some cultures would expect smart questions from a new person thrown to the wolves and would consider it a negative if you didn't ask questions. Others expect you to learn on the job and be smart enough to “figure it out”.

I would find an experienced friend (maybe somebody that's been there 1-2 years if possible). Go to lunch with them and pick their brain. Ask them about their experience and advice on the best approach. If nothing else you might perhaps find somebody who can help take you under their wing a little bit so you don't have to go to your boss with your questions…..

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

If one of my employees wasn't asking questions I would get scared. Here's what I would want to see:

Hey bluefincpa, I'm working on this compilation but I have some questions. Sure, come by before lunch, get everything together and bring last years. Now when employee comes in, he as return and it looks like he/she has exercised Ajll of his available options. He also has a notebook so he/she can take notes. We run through questions, and maybe he has to comeback once or twice more. We finish return. Then on the next return, he gets a little further without help. He offers to stay late to get his work done. As long as you're making a real solid, honest effort and are getting a little better each time. Coming in early or staying late or both to produce returns. I get paid per return I push out, not how long I stay at office. You keep making me (in turn yourself) money and its all good. Before u know it, that employee is teaching the next new guy. And the cycle goes on. But I can't stress enough….solid, honest effort and willingness to put time in to learn.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Sorry for all the blank responses.

Another thing I wanted to mention….do not be afraid to explain your feelings. Don't make it sound like you are whining though. Present it in a way that shows you're trying to improve your output. Not that you are being a wuss. Ask for constructive criticism. What else you can do to. Learn? Any other resources? Make friends with a cute senior accountant that you can ask questions. Utilize everything u can, a good boss will notice effort and see a rough piece of clay he can mold to help make $$$$$$$$$$&

[Author]

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