[Anonymous]

Hey guys!! I’m Indian working in a CPA firm…I love my job and pretty much do what I thought I would be doing while taking the CPA exams. Recently, part of me really wants to work with other Indians (I’m not saying just Indians, but at least couple other Indians as co-workers) to feel like I belong. Everyone at my work is great, but somehow, I feel like I don’t totally connect with them and it’s making me question my future at this firm in a long term.

However, some firms that I’ve looked at it…I see very little Indians in a staff accountant roles. Is this true? Are there not too many Indians in this field? If you are Indian working in a CPA firm…please post:)

Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

This is not exactly the answer to your question, but I believe in general it's better for your career if you try to assimilate rather than do the opposite. I have lived in US for 7 years now and I can almost smile, well, kind of like Wednesday from the Addams family. Could I do it if I was working with Russians all this time? Not so sure

[San27]

As an Indian myself, I have never seen or worked with another Indian accountant. Every society event, conference, or CPE training I have been to I find myself to be the only Indian (and 1 of maybe 5 or 6 minorities in total) to be in attendance.

All done.

[Anonymous]

@anjanja: You are right, but still I can't get rid of this feeling…lol

@San: Where do you work? I'm in NJ, and I really thought I would at least see couple Indians…no luck so far:(

[San27]

@CPA628 I'm in the central Virginia area.

All done.

[Last Chance CPA]

LOL – Good thread. Right now, I am the exact opposite. I am Indian, but looking to NOT work so much with Indians in an IT environment. No disrespect to my people, I love them, but I want to work in a more “assimilated” environment. I am pretty much Americanized (not an ABCD), so I guess it makes sense. I know that there hardly any Indian attorneys, but wasn't aware about the limited number of Indian accountants?

AUD - 75
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 76

I want those initials next to my name!!!!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I see some but more female Indians, I don't see too many male Indians in this field. Most accounting jobs are filled through referrals, there being fewer Indians in the field means less established family and friend network to leverage into a job. Sad truth.

I get how you feel, I am mixed race, was born here and only speak English but I have often felt not completely belonging.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[rp 12]

Am an Indian as well. I have worked in 2 different Big4's in NJ area and have seen quite a few Indians, and Indian origin people. I have had education in India, and as well as in the US as well (2.5 years) it wasn't an easy transition but I did put in some genuine interest and time to understand the culture here – it can be sports, or other interest groups. Slowly I started networking with professionals and came as a second nature on how to find common interests with the opposite party and talk about it or even learn during our conversation. It takes time. Sometimes it works and at times it doesn't.

@CPA628 – My only advice to you will be is be yourself, and be genuine. If you want to have a conversation, and or build good working relation with your colleagues try to find a common ground/common interests so you can talk about it during lunch breaks or when working having some small talks with team members or colleagues. But the bottomline is you have to be genuine and let your personality flourish.

Hope this helps.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 67, 62, 77 (lost credit), TBA

FAR - 53, 48, 58, 62, XX

BEC - 53, XX

 

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[San27]

@Scarlet You and I are in the same situation. I consider myself “American” before I consider myself “Indian”. I am married to a Caucasian woman and was raised in an “American” household. With that being sad, I still scan the room when going to events and I am sadden that no face looks like mine.

All done.

[Anonymous]

Try the Bay Area, specifically San Jose. Lots of Indians at the Big 4 and in private. The partner on my old engagement was Indian. Really awesome guy too.

That being said, I'm an ABC (American born chinese), but I've never experienced the feelings you're having. I guess it's because I grew up in a town where I was pretty much 1 of 5 asian kids. I think I've assimilated myself pretty well and I'm able to adapt myself to any type of setting.

[Anonymous]

Lots of great feedback here!!

@Last Chance CPA: I wish I could trade spots with you, but I'm sure too much of anything is never good. My husband is in a similar position as you, and he wouldn't mind having fewer Indians. Grass is always greener on the other side.

@ScarletKnightCPA & @San27: Yup, it's not that I don't associate with other cultures, in fact, I love learning about different cultures…but it helps to have a familiar face around.

@rp 12: Great Advise, but don't get me wrong…I def. do have common stuff to talk about, and lots of small talks, no doubt. However, there's def. a difference between having an Indian co-worker who you can talk to regarding “Indian food, Indian movies, etc..” which is what I grew up with vs. working with someone who has no idea what Indian food is, if you know what I mean.

I guess I can only hope/pray that eventually, I'll be in a mixed culture environment…which includes couple Indians!:) One can dream, right?

[CPA soon]

There is 1.5 billion indians on the planet you can't be having this issue lmao

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[Anonymous]

LOL i can only imagine if a white guy posted something similar and said “I'm looking to work with more white people”

[Anonymous]

Before this post goes in a completely different direction, I want to say that this was by no means to offend anyone or any race. So please don't take it there. I just wanted to see whether Indians are in this field, because in my experience, I haven't come across many Indians in this field. That was it…please don't make it a political discussion.

[Anonymous]

I was just joking… you should have no problem if you look at other firms. My firm embraces diversity and we have all sorts of people working here.

[Missy]

I am not Indian nor do I profess to have a lot of knowledge about the culture, however my friends husband (a doctor) said he went into medicine primarily because he felt it was expected of him as an Indian. I am not trying to stereotype but agree that accounting does not seem to be a field as diverse as others and through all of my years in industry never worked with or had an auditor who was of Indian descent.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Author]

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