Becoming a CPA
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Transcript Becoming a CPA
Becoming a Certified Public
Accountant
Presenter Name | Title
Date
What is a CPA?
Certified Public Accountants (CPA) are innovative
and strategic thinkers who are well respected for
their integrity and commitment to excellence.
CPAS provide a number of valuable, useful services for
> Consumers
> Business owners
> Government agencies
> Nonprofit organizations
Benefits of Becoming a CPA
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CPAs are in demand
Very challenging
People-oriented profession
Highly respected profession
Income and growth potential
Job satisfaction
Unlimited opportunities
About CPA Services
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Tax Services
Accounting and Assurance Services
Financial Services
Business and Management Consulting
• Litigation Services
What’s Hot in Accounting
Assurance Services
• Includes auditing and other exciting services:
WebTrust Services
CPA SysTrust
CPA Performance Review
Elder Care Services
What’s Hot in Accounting
Consulting Services
• Individuals, businesses, financial institutions,
non-profits and government agencies need CPAs
to offer objective advice and assistance
Assistance to clients in securing loans
Budgeting
Business planning
Business valuation
Financial ratio analysis
Cash and inventory management
What’s Hot in Accounting
Information Technology (IT) Services
• Exploding IT growth has created huge
opportunities for CPAs with strong computer skills
to design and implement advanced systems to fit
an organization’s needs
Internet security
Cloud computing
Programming
Software development
What’s Hot in Accounting
Forensic Accounting
• Forensic accountants combine their knowledge of
accounting and finance with law and investigative
techniques to determine whether an activity is
illegal.
White-collar crimes
Security fraud
Embezzlement
Bankruptcy and contract disputes
Money laundering and organized crime
What’s Hot in Accounting
Environmental Accounting
• An environmental accountant analyzes external and
internal costs of what happens to the environment.
National focus — Analyze situations with national
impact, speak to key private and government
decision-makers
Private focus — Evaluate the costs of cutting pollution,
including adding in benefits of tax relief for following
government regulations or tax credits for utilizing
government-approved equipment or methods
Government and regulatory — Make new
regulations and enforce existing ones
What’s Hot in Accounting
International Accounting
• In today’s global economy, CPAs with an
understanding and mastery of international trade
laws and regulations are in great demand
Global companies
Cultural differences
Travel or live in another country
What’s Hot in Accounting
Tax and Financial Planning
• CPAs help individuals and companies with
financial planning, investments, taxes, mergers
and acquisitions and much more.
Saving and investing
Real estate
Financial reporting
Litigation
Clients in sports, entertainment, fashion
and more
Where CPAs Work: Public Practice
Staff Accountant (entry-level)
• $33,500 – $46,250
Senior Accountant (1 – 3 years experience)
• $38,000 – $57,750
Manager (3 – 10 years experience)
• $56,000 – $97,000
Partner (7 – 15 years experience)
• $100,000 and up
Source: American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
Where CPAs Work: Business/Industry
Credit and Collection
• $28,000 – $88,750
Financial Analyst
• $45,750 – $66,250
Tax Manager/Specialist
• $74,750 – $102,000
Controller
• $80,500 – $182,000
Global Controller, Candy
Company
• $149,325 – $198,000
Treasurer
• $92,750 – $400,000+
Chief Financial Officer
• $94,250 – $386,750
Source: American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
Where CPAs Work: Specializations
Internal Revenue Agent
• $53,000 – $100,000
IT Auditor
• $46,750 – $128,250
Forensic Accountant
• $59,000 – $93,250
Professor
• $90,000 – $150,000
Environmental Accountant
• $80,500 – $182,000
Source: American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
How do I become a CPA?
• Requirements differ from state to state
• Three major requirements in Virginia:
Complete a 150-hour degree program in
accounting at an accredited college or university
Pass the Uniform CPA Examination
Attain more than one year of professional work
experience in accounting
How do I become a CPA?
High School Preparation
• Choose relevant courses such as:
Bookkeeping/accounting
Written communications
Oral communications
Computer applications
Other business courses
How do I become a CPA?
High School Preparation
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Research colleges and universities
Visit office of CPA or accounting professional
Speak to a member of the VSCPA
Join clubs and participate in professional
programs
What is the Virginia Society of
Certified Public Accountants?
VSCPA is:
• The professional membership association for
CPAs in Virginia
• 11,000 members
Public accounting (43 percent)
Industry (21.2 percent)
Government (4.2 percent)
Education (12.2 percent)
VSCPA Mission
To enhance the success of all
CPAs by:
Communicating information and vision
Promoting professionalism
Advocating members’ interests
National Level
American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA)
• At the national level, CPAs can belong to the
AICPA
• 386,000 members
• CPAs can choose to belong to the AICPA and/or
VSCPA, but is not a mandatory requirement
• Each state has its own CPA association
Student & Educator
Resources
The VSCPA is committed to:
• Supporting initiatives and programs that promote
recruitment and retention of highly qualified
candidates to the CPA profession
• Fostering relationships with students and
educators from grade school to college/university
• Serving as a resource for students and educators
Careers in Accounting
Programs and Initiatives
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September named Careers in Accounting Month
Award of Achievement
Speakers Bureau
Scholarships
Networking & social media
Additional student resources
Careers in Accounting Month
September
• Special highlights in Disclosures bimonthly
magazine and Footnote e-newsletter
• Chapter participation at student night events
• Career Fairs
• CPA visits to high schools
Award of Achievement
• Program that recognizes outstanding accounting
students nominated by their educators at Virginia
high schools
• Only one student can be nominated per school each
year
• Nominations due in March
• CPAs can present the award during spring awards
ceremonies
Speakers Bureau
• Visit from a CPA
• CPAs can speak at career fairs and in classrooms
• Variety of topics for all levels
What CPAs do
Careers in accounting
Financial planning
Financial literacy
Scholarships
The VSCPA Educational Foundation awards nearly
$44,000 in scholarships each year:
• Mission: To inspire and support future CPAs
• General: Undergraduate, graduate, minority and
doctoral categories
• Named scholarships: 12 awards
• Applications are available online beginning each
year in the fall
• Deadline to apply is April 1, 2013
Website/Social Media
Enhancements
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Disclosures magazine
Weekly Federal Taxation Update podcasts
VSCPA blog: www.cpacafe.com
Social networking groups on LinkedIn, Facebook,
Twitter (@VSCPANews)
• VSCPA YouTube Channel
• And more! Visit www.vscpa.com
Additional Student
Resources
FinancialFitness.org
• Financial articles and publications
• Budgeting guide and quizzes
• Ask a CPA Email program
VSCPA.com
• Become a CPA — information about the
profession
• List of Virginia colleges and universities with
accounting programs
• CPA Exam information
• Links to online resources
Additional Student
Resources
AICPA – Accounting Websites
StartHereGoPlaces.com
• Build your own virtual accountant
www.aicpa.com/BecomeACPA
• CPA Exam information
• Scholarships
ThisWaytoCPA.com
• Online community for future CPAs
Questions?