[Mosborne2192]

I work for a small accounting firm with about 30 people. I’ve been there about 6 months doing tax, and I still feel like I barely know what I’m doing. It took me forever to just learn how to use the software programs. I feel like I make such stupid mistakes and am starting to wonder if I’ll ever get this or if public accounting just isn’t for me.. The learning curve is just so steep and it’s nothing like what I learned in college.. Anyone else feel the same way?

AUD - 81
FAR - 74, 75

[PublicGuy]

That's just how it is. It takes about a year to really start getting a feel for the whole process.

I think the key is to ask questions. That's how you learn. I know it's generic advise, but lots of people dont.

[Tncincy]

Just take your time. The process takes time, even if you have experience. Build a relationship/friendship with someone and lean on them to help you when you feel over whelmed. It takes time don't quit just yet.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

What tax program r u using? Are u doing corps or Indic. My advice is to take the time to understand every entry u r making on the return. Even though it will take extra time on a return. On complicated returns u have to understand everything u r inputting or u will get lost really fast. Don't try to look in the file and try to copy what happened last year. U will get lost and not be able to answer questions about the return. U really have to think through every move and know what it is affecting. Also never start a return without reconciling the books to the prior year return to establish a proper starting point. In my experience the schedule L and m 1 will make or break ur return if we r talking corp returns here.

[Vinnie Delpino]

One day it just clicked for me. I think it's all about understanding how all the moving parts work together. My firm uses ProSeries and sometimes I still have to figure out how to input information in the software. Knowing the impact of including that information on the clients tax return beforehand makes troubleshooting easier. You can identify errors on the fly by reasoning through it in your head or on paper. If you're completely relying on the software you're bound to submit some bad returns for review.

By your second tax season you'll be noticeably better. By your third you'll be a superstar.

FAR- 88

[Jdn9201]

Don't quit – everyone goes through what you are going through. I would say ask questions – the only stupid one is the one not asked. Review the PY files but don't just copy like a robot. You have to recognize when you can rely on PY and when circumstances change that dictate a change to how PY was done. Tying out beginning balances to ending balances of PY is also helpful. I started out in industry, but went through a similar experience to you. I'm not sure if you are like this, but school had always come easy to me – even accounting. It's very hard to deal with not understanding something when it's always come easy to you. As you are finding out, working in the real world with accounting has little to do with how it's experienced in a classroom. Ask a ton of questions and do your best, but recognize what you are feeling is normal. It took me a good 2 years to go through tax season and year end close to get a grip as to what is going on, and 10 years later I'm still learning. You'll be fine.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[RSBro]

My dad had a tax firm growing up so I was constantly around the concepts and materials. I learned QuickBooks when I was 13 and have been in the ‘industry' doing bank recs and the like since that time so it was easy for me after school.

What seems to be your issue? It does take a while for you to look at a return and know it's just ‘right'. Even after doing this for 7 years I still have to make sure a lot of the time, especially now that I work for myself. Don't beat yourself up too much. I know people who are Managers who still don't understand journal entries correctly and EVERYone has issues with retained earnings rolling lol. Because it's never right… It just takes time.

REG - ('11) 71, ('12) 71 - Becker
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD
FAR - ('16) 54 - Becker

[Jay]

C9p9a9 is absolutely right.

I work in a small office of 5 people so when I first started doing the returns, they were always reviewed and my mistakes were pointed out to me and I learned not to make the same mistake twice. I double check all my entries and every return gets checked once again by someone else. I won't say we don't make mistakes, but I will say that's it's rare.

Something people don't often tell you but you need to take notes. I have a file for every type of return and I add notes when I learn something new or notes on a process. If you write these things out, you always have something to refer to.

Like others have said, Make sure your opening balance matches the previous year end balance. Review the previous year to help guide you on the new year and if you are doing a brand new return, make sure to get the previous year return and that the Depreciation Schedule is there, if it's not, you may have some trouble.

I'd say it takes a full season to become decent and 2 seasons to become better than average. Returns that took me 1hr in my first season, I can now finish in 10min. It's all about experience and retaining/gaining good habits and dropping the bad habits.

Good luck!

The CPA journey is truly a nightmare.

REG 82 (08/08/15)

[Author]

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