Productivity Q&A with Jennifer Fox
(a.k.a. Productivity Ninja)

Occupation: Productivity Ninja

Company: Think Productive North America

Location: New York

Other job titles in life: Coach, Consultant, Facilitator, HR Visionary, L&D Leader, Entrepreneur, Writer, Photographer, Athlete, Life-Long-Learner, Wife-extraordinaire, Super-Mom-of-3 

Q: What’s important about your workspace?

A; My most productive workspace is at a large coffee retailer with a certain green logo. I love the background noise, which ironically allows me great focus, the chance for frequent people-watching breaks and the feel of warm coffee in my hand as I unleash my creativity on my latest projects.

Q: Which ninja characteristic have you got nailed?

A: Unorthodoxy - my life and career path has been anything but conventional. I love the freedom that comes from knowing that there is rarely a “right” solution to a problem. Some former colleagues and I coined the phrase, “blow it up”, as our way of creating excitement and energy around looking for new ways to approach a problem.

Q: Which ninja characteristic are you still working on the most?

A: Mindfulness & Human, not Superhero. I wear many hats, the most important of which are serving those whom I love. In my effort to please and have everything taken care of, I juggle too many balls, and the one that gets dropped most is self-care. Recently, I’ve established a meditation practice and am a die-hard fitbit tracker, so Zen-Like Calm Ninja would be proud.

Q: Which five apps could you not live without?

A: I admit to having to pick up my phone to answer this question. OmniFocus for all task and project management, WhatsApp to communicate with my tribe of friends, AmazonMusic to keep a song in my heart, Instagram for my social media fix and Starbucks for my coffee addiction. (see workspace answer above!)

Q: What’s your favorite piece of stationery?

A: Much to the chagrin of my 8-year old who thinks I am “SO boring”, I only use Black and Red Spiral bound notebooks. There is nothing like starting a new one, creating to-do lists with check boxes next to them and doodling with my mechanical pencil (never a pen). I also love journals and have more than I care to admit that have months or years in between entries.

Q: When in the day do you have the most proactive attention?

A: Mid-morning, after the kids have been taken care of and my house is (mostly) in order.

Q: What’s your trick for when you’re tired or struggling with attention in the day?

A: Taking a break to clean something, or do a menial task that I can complete. Checking a box brings great satisfaction and gives me momentum to focus again. Also, changing my work environment. I’ve even been known to drive to a different Starbucks down the street to change my office space!

Q: What’s your best advice for reducing stress?

A: Find humor and insights everywhere. Luckily, I have 3 amazing little people who provide non-stop entertainment. I also try to be on the lookout for things that make me think, smile, wonder. I can presence myself in the middle of Manhattan just by focusing on something that peaks my curiosity. The Breathe app provides me with frequent reminders to do just that, and I love Insight Timer for guided meditation to unwind at the end of the day, though I rarely make it past the 5-minute mark.

Q: What’s your email regime?

A: Confession: prior to becoming a Productivity Ninja my regime was to keep everything, and hope that Google continued to raise the inbox limit. Having been introduced to Inbox Zero, I’ll never look back. It’s not easy to break old habits, but seeing the whitespace on my screen is the equivalent to a clear desk.

Q: What’s your favorite way to take a break in the middle of the day?

A: I would be lying if I didn’t say coffee, but I’ll add connecting with someone in a casual way: friends, family, co-workers, even the cashier at Chipotle can give me the energy I need.

Q: What’s the secret to your productivity?

A: I started using the hashtag #GSD when I discovered hashtags were no longer pound signs (dating myself, but I know many of you can relate). It stands for Get S*§% Done, and it’s my M.O. at work, home and life. I am results-driven, sometimes to a fault, but have found that it has allowed me to raise my game in every area of life. Sometimes it’s just taking the first step towards a big project, other times it’s going all-in to complete a project all at once. Being productive makes me feel great and inspires others around me to achieve their own potential.

About the Author: Jennifer Fox is a Productivity Ninja in the Greater New York area. Meet her in person at the 2018 TSCPA Women’s Career Summit or follow her on Twitter at @ThinkProdUSA. Register for the TSCPA Women's Career Summit  at www.tscpa.com/women2018

Seeking Feedback:

What Should You Start. Stop. Continue Doing?

By Brittney Dickens, CPA
Senior Tax Accountant, LBMC

Now that Busy Season is behind us, hopefully everyone is taking time off to relax and rejuvenate. However, I have learned that this is also the perfect time to actively seek feedback. Asking for feedback is one of the best ways to feel in control of your work, get an accurate idea of what is expected of you, and judge how you can improve even further. Although feedback is essential for our professional growth, asking for feedback can be a bit intimidating.

One way that I’ve found to effectively seek feedback is to set up a Start/Stop/Continue Meeting with your manager. Start/Stop/Continue meetings create an open feedback platform that encourages a quick and timely evaluation.

1. First, let the other person know you would like feedback by sending a meeting request with “Start/Stop/Continue” in the subject.

2. To help the other person prepare for the meeting, be specific about what you would like feedback on by preparing a set of questions, such as:

START	STOP	CONTINUE
What should I start doing?	What should I stop doing?	What am I doing well that I should continue to do?
What are some things that are not being done, but should be done?	What are things that impede my productivity?	What are things that you want me to keep up?

3. During the meeting, be sure to document responses.

4. Then, set goals with your manager for positive change.

Once you've interpreted the feedback, move forward to make a difference! Acting on the feedback gathered by adjusting our behaviors, attitudes and approaches to improve our perceptions in the workplace is the key to success. But how will we know if those adjustments are resulting in positive growth? Ask for more feedback. I believe it should be an ongoing process that becomes part of our regular business routine. Now go take action!

Busy Opportunity Season: You got this!

By Paula Novak, CPA

"Busy Season." We've all heard about it. Lived it. Survived it even, some might say. Regardless of your previous sentiments towards this merriment season, as CPAs, "Busy Seasons" are here to stay, so I say: Let's slay this beast! Gathered from experienced employees of LBMC and members of the TSCPA, here are 3 tips to help manage stress through this exciting time:

1. Change Your Train of Thought: I've come to the conclusion that those that stay in this profession, secretly live for busy season. For 7-8 months of every year, you train yourself both technically and professionally for these 4-5 months. What things did you do better, faster, more effectively this year? How much less did you find yourself worrying about the small stuff? Think of "busy season" like marathons, or even self-created tests. You chose to run in the marathon, or to self-create this test, for a reason. Because you know the end reward leaves you feeling albeit exhausted, exhilarated and excited!

2. Treat 'Yo Self: Okay, so technically this came from Donna and Tom off of Parks and Recreation; however, it's a phrase that has been known to float around during this time of year. This one seems pretty easy to accomplish, yet it's so easy to mess up. Here's the catch, when you "treat yourself" to 10 minutes of ESPN or Pinterest, remind yourself that you're not doing anything wrong! It's okay to allow yourself a little indulgence every day. Now, I'm not saying to indulge 10 minutes of every hour, but yes, if you want to have a pudding cup and unplug for 5 minutes every afternoon, I say J-E-L-L-O!

3. Fuel Up: Always have a snack on hand and a bottle of water. I personally love KIND bars-they’re easy, small, and can hold me over between meals. Your body is a vehicle for your brain to function. So when you start to feel anxious, or get the crazy eyes, grab a snack! You’ll slowly start to see the red line go up as the gas light turns off refueling that thinking tank of yours!

Time Management Tips: Working Efficiently & Effectively this Busy Season - A Staff Person's Perspective

By: Eamonn McElroy, Tax Associate at CBIZ MHM, LLC

What season comes after the holiday season?  Busy season!

Managing your time and how you work during busy season is really about more than saving hours; it will help to reduce stress and increase productivity.  Here are a few practices that help me manage my time during busy season and could prove useful to you:

• Delegate as much as possible to free yourself for higher value activities.  Delegate what you can to administrative staff, interns, and sometimes staff less experienced than you (especially if they’re looking for work).  Examples include: scanning documents, rolling forward data, and preparing technical items which are both routine and easy in nature.

• Know thy hotkeys.  As accountants, we live in excel.  The time saved by using hotkeys may seem miniscule but can pay dividends over the long-term.  Useful hotkeys range from the commonly known “Ctrl+C” to copy and “Ctrl+V” to paste, to the lesser known but just as useful “Alt+=” to generate the sum function, and finally to holding “Shift+Ctrl” and using the arrow keys to select a large amount of numbers.

• Use calendars, alarms, & flags if they’re available to you.  Microsoft Outlook has a variety of features which aid in managing workflow and helping stay on target for deadlines.  The calendar allows you to create appointments and “alarms” associated with them which are useful reminders.  Additionally, calendars can be shared among team members to help coordinate timing expectations.  Lastly, the mail feature of Outlook can be used to keep emails organized by using flags and color coding.

• Be mindful of the clock, but don’t be controlled by it.  Keep an eye on the clock, but don’t stress if you sometimes go over budget on a project assigned to you.  The ultimate goal is always to deliver the highest quality product to the client within our budget constraints.  If you’re halfway through a project and begin to anticipate that the budget may not be enough, make it a point to communicate with the person in charge of the project to devise a plan for the best way to proceed.

• Lastly, know yourself.  Work when you’re most effective.  Some people like to come in at seven o’clock every morning and get an hour or two of quiet work in before everyone shows up.  Some people like to come in at nine o’clock and work later because they’re more effective in the afternoon and evening.  Know what works for you!  If you work better taking a quick and small thirty minute lunch during busy season, do that.  If a full hour allows you to relax more and revisit your workflow rejuvenated, do that instead. 

Do you have any busy season tips, or any processes that would improve efficiency and effectiveness?  Share in the comment box below!

How do you use your CPA skills in a non-CPA context?

Lauren Moore, CPA
Elliott Davis Decosimo

CPAs generally need to have strong communication and leadership skills. Because of the skills and relationships I have developed through serving clients and working as a CPA, I have been able to become more involved and really make a positive impact on my community, while continuing to further my professional and personal network. Although my communication skills have helped me get plugged in to the community, I have also been known to kill a good conversation with my family and friends with my boring accounting lingo!

Mark Plumlee, CPA
Community Health Systems

I believe there’s a general misconception about what it means to be a CPA. Many people associate our designation with tax return preparation or providing an audit opinion on a set of financial statements for a publicly traded company. While many of us have served in this capacity, and some of us still do, I believe we use our skills beyond those particular functions. I use mine in order to serve as a treasurer for a home owners’ association, help friends and family members evaluate personal and professional financial goals, and encourage students who are interested in pursuing the designation.

Tina Luffman, CPA
Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy
Being a CPA has taught me many things about people and life. As a CPA, I am privy to very sensitive and personal information about my clients, and that has taught me the importance of planning for the future. When I first began my career I thought if I worked hard and earned a lot of money, success and wealth would follow, but I have seen people who work harder and earn more than me fail. The common denominator among those people was failure to have a plan. Financial planning and personal goal-setting are essential to success. If you don’t set goals or have a plan for reaching those goals, then you have set yourself up for failure. I think CPA skills can be utilized in all areas of life, and we can use those skills to educate other non-CPAs. It’s not about debits and credits, but more about creating an organized road map to help others reach their goals.

Q: When contemplating a job change, how do you ensure that you make the change at the right time and that you make the right choice for you? What are some tips for landing a job compatible with your passions and interests?

Job changes are complex and should always be carefully thought out and researched.  In terms of the timing, we believe that the best time to evaluate a new opportunity is when you are already employed (and hopefully not completely miserable in your current role).  People make better decisions if they are not already desperate to make a job change. When evaluating a new opportunity, you should research and interview the company you are considering as much as they are interviewing and researching you.  Try to talk to people who have worked there previously to get multiple perspectives on what the company is truly like on the inside. Above all, you should strive to make sure there is a strong cultural match that aligns with what you believe and value.  We never recommend taking a new position just for the money.  Money can be part of the equation, but it should never be the sole reason for making a career move.  Don't be afraid to do some self-reflection and self-assessment to ensure the new role is in fact in line with your passion and interests or you may find yourself unhappy again as soon as the "honeymoon" phase ends.

Christine Bell, MBA, CPA | Professional Recruiter/Shareholder | BGT Recruiting & Consulting, Inc. | Knoxville, Tenn.

Discover Accounting Program at Lipscomb University

The Discover Accounting Program came to Nashville at Lipscomb University on Sept. 21. With more than 100 students in attendance from 10 different schools, it was the biggest event yet!

Jenneen Kaufman, CPA and CFO for the Tennessee Titans
presented on the different career options for accountants.

Dr. Perry Moore, CPA, kicked off the day with a fun icebreaker that got all the students up and moving. It was a great way to begin the day with lots of engagement.

Jenneen Kaufman, CFO for the Tennessee Titans, challenged the students’ preconceived stereotypes of accountants. As a woman in the NFL, she isn't your typical CPA. Working in the male-dominated world of sports, she not only follows the teams plays, but also manages their finances.

Accountants are also one of the most trusted professions out there. Jamie Hart, CPA, an auditor with LBMC, spoke about the importance of ethics in the profession and even had the students role-play as if they were CPAs having to testify in court over a business dispute.

Jamie Hart, CPA with LBMC talked about being an auditor.

"Has anyone ever testified under oath? Imagine putting your CPA license on the line. You’re an expert now with your CPA and believe it or not, juries and judges make decisions on what you say and you do because you’re a forensic CPA."

Students used Kindle Fires to discover what type of accounting best suited their personalities with an online quiz through the AICPA's Start Here Go Places website. With over 68 different job titles, each student was matched up to an accounting career that best suited them.

Knowing whether they were geared for a future in tax or audit, public or private practice, the students then were able to go around the room to talk with a host of different CPAs from different areas of practice. A big thanks to Brittany Boyer, Director of Financial Reporting at Surgery Partners; Kathryn Grant and Kevin Gentry with KraftCPAs PLLC; Jamie Hart with LBMC; and Jennifer Sturgeon, Controller at Frasier, Dean and Howard, PLLC.

Brittany Boyer, Director of Financial Reporting, Surgery Parnters	Kathryn Grant, Supervisor, Assurance Services, KraftCPAs PLLC	Kevin Gentry, Supervisor, Risk  Assurance & Advisory Services, KraftCPAs PLLC
Jennifer Sturgeon, Controller, Frasier, Dean and Howard, PLLC	 Jamie Hart, Auditor, LBMC

Karla Chavez, Lipscomb Recruiter

Karla Chavez, recruiter with Lipscomb University did a great job of explaining what students should focus on now, while still in high school, to help get them accepted to the college of their dreams. She also covered ways to save for college and tips on how to make college more affordable, like taking advantage of the Tennessee Promise program, where students can attend their first two years of college for free at community colleges. Her presentation was followed by a campus tour.

Hannah Simmons & Christopher Avrit, TSCPA Scholarship
Winners Lipscomb Accounting Majors

Lipscomb accounting majors, Christopher Avrit and Hannah Simmons shared their experiences as college students, what drew them to accounting and how they both won scholarships from the TSCPA. The students were full of questions about college life and what classes they should take in order to prepare for the CPA exam.

Leisa Gill, Director of Marketing, LBMC

Social media can be a wonderful tool, when used appropriately. Leisa Gill, Director of Marketing with LBMC, provided students with the do's and don'ts of social media. Many students aren't aware that their social media profiles are often reviewed by recruiters for jobs they are applying for. With a word to the wise, Gill shared some of the greatest social media blunders of all time, along with some great advise on how to build a social media presence that can actually help students achieve their goals.

With nine more events scheduled through Nov. 9, TSCPA is working to bring an interest in accounting to more than 1,000 high school students across Tennessee. Attendance is free for high school students and their teachers, but space is limited.

The upcoming dates and locations are as follows:

Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City: Oct. 2
Christian Brothers University, Memphis: Oct. 10
Lee University, Cleveland: Oct. 20
Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville: Oct. 23
King University, Bristol: Oct. 25
University of Tennessee at Martin: Nov. 7
Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville: Nov.9

If you are interested in becoming involved or becoming a sponsor, please contact Aleshia Garrett at agarrett@tscpa.com, 615/377-3825 or discover more at tscpa.com/discoveraccounting.

These events were made possible by contributions from the following sponsors:

GOLD SPONSORSHIP

SILVER SPONSORSHIPS

Carr Rigs & Ingram

KraftCPAs, PLLC
Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC

BRONZE SPONSORSHIPS

CBIZ MHM
Dent K. Burke Associates, P.C.
Frasier, Dean & Howard, PLLC
HORNE LLP
Pugh CPAs
Regions Bank
Roderfer Moss & Co., PLLC
WSW CPAs

Discover Accounting Program at Carson-Newman University

On the road again, The Discover Accounting Program wound it's ways through the mountains of East Tennessee to Jefferson City for the Oct. 2 event at Carson-Newman University. Students from Morristown Hamblen West High School braved the rainy weather to share in the fun of learning about a future in accounting.

With eight more events scheduled through Nov. 9, TSCPA is working to bring an interest in accounting to more than 1,000 high school students across Tennessee. Attendance is free for high school students and their teachers, but space is limited.

The upcoming dates and locations are as follows:

Christian Brothers University, Memphis: Oct. 10
Lee University, Cleveland: Oct. 20
Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville: Oct. 23
King University, Bristol: Oct. 25
University of Tennessee at Martin: Nov. 7
Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville: Nov.9

If you are interested in becoming involved or becoming a sponsor, please contact Aleshia Garrett at agarrett@tscpa.com, 615/377-3825 or discover more at tscpa.com/discoveraccounting.

These events were made possible by contributions from the following sponsors:

GOLD SPONSORSHIP

SILVER SPONSORSHIPS

Carr Rigs & Ingram

KraftCPAs, PLLC
Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC

BRONZE SPONSORSHIPS

CBIZ MHM
Dent K. Burke Associates, P.C.
Frasier, Dean & Howard, PLLC
HORNE LLP
Pugh CPAs
Regions Bank
Roderfer Moss & Co., PLLC
WSW CPAs

Discover Accounting Program Shattering Stereotypes for Tennessee High School Students

On Sept. 2, TSCPA launched the first of 10 Discover Accounting Programs to be held across the state this fall. The event was held at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn., and drew more than 40 students from area high schools to learn more about a career in accounting.

Dr. Michelle Freeman
Professor of Accountancy at East Tennessee State University

Michelle Freeman, professor of accountancy at ETSU, kicked off the day challenging the students’ preconceived stereotypes of accountants. Freeman taught the students about the different types of accountants and the many career paths available to those pursuing a degree in accounting and passing the CPA exam.

“Because accounting is the language of business, it’s one of the most adaptable business degrees you can obtain. With an accounting degree, you can really go into any type of business and understand exactly how that company works, judge how successful it is and project where it’s future will be based on different options,” Freeman said.

Kevin Peters, CPA
Partner at Blackburn, Childers, & Stegall, PLC

Accountants are also one of the most trusted professions out there. Kevin Peters, CPA, a partner with Blackburn, Childers & Stegall, PLC, shared stories of his experiences as an auditor.

“There have been times when I’ve been doing an audit and discovered someone in the company was stealing. They may be the nicest person in the world but with enough situational pressures and an open opportunity, many people falter,” Peters said. “As an accountant, people don’t think about us having people skills, but it’s one of the skills we use most often. We don’t just work with numbers, we’re working with people.”

Jonathan Bailey, MAcc, CGMA, CPA
Tax Manager at General Shale

Jonathan Bailey, MAcc, CGMA, CPA, Tax Manager with General Shale, and Jamie Ketron, CGMA, CPA, Auditor with Cherry Bekaert, teamed up to talk about the differences in their jobs, what helped them decide to go into accounting and why they love what they do. Travel and working at remote locations was a big part of what fuels their passion for accounting, but they also love working with people and providing help and insight into the often complicated government regulations.

Jamie Ketron, CGMA, CPA
Auditor at Cherry Bekaert

“It was also a very secure career choice that pays very well,” said Ketron. “When you graduate with an accounting degree, there is no lack of job opportunities. And if you get your CPA certification, the options are limitless.”

However, Chad Kisner, CISA, CITP, CPA, a partner with Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, PLC, cautioned students about what they post on social media. “Recruiters will look at your social media profiles,” he warned. “If it’s something you wouldn’t want your parents to see, don’t do it.”

Social media can help or hurt a student’s future career plans, and this is a critical lesson that high school students need to understand sooner rather than later.

Dr. Mark Steadman, ETSU professor of accounting, did a fantastic job of helping the students understand the perils of financial debt as a student and smart ways to avoid it.

Chad Kisner, CISA, CITP, CPA
Partner at Backburn, Childers & Steagall, PLC

The event wrapped up with Ben Daugherty, one of the college recruiters, and Alyssa Reed, an ETSU accounting student, helping the students to better understand how to prepare for college, how to choose the right school and ways to apply for scholarships.

Students attending said they learned more about accounting as a career option and more about going to and applying for college. One student said, “It gave great insight and showed that the stereotypes aren’t the case.”

With nine more events scheduled through Nov. 9, TSCPA is working to bring an interest in accounting to more than 1,000 high school students across Tennessee. Attendance is free for high school students and their teachers, but space is limited.


The upcoming dates and locations are as follows:
Lipscomb University, Nashville: Sept. 21
Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City: Oct. 2
Christian Brothers University, Memphis: Oct. 10
Lee University, Cleveland: Oct. 20
Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville: Oct. 23
King University, Bristol: Oct. 25
University of Tennessee at Martin: Nov. 7
Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville: Nov.9

If you are interested in becoming involved or becoming a sponsor, please contact Aleshia Garrett at agarrett@tscpa.com, 615/377-3825 or discover more at tscpa.com/discoveraccounting.

These events were made possible by contributions from the following sponsors:

GOLD SPONSORSHIP

SILVER SPONSORSHIPS

Carr Rigs & Ingram

KraftCPAs, PLLC
Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC

BRONZE SPONSORSHIPS

CBIZ MHM
Dent K. Burke Associates, P.C.
Frasier, Dean & Howard, PLLC
HORNE LLP
Pugh CPAs
Regions Bank
Roderfer Moss & Co., PLLC
WSW CPAs

Meet a Young CPA

Meet TSCPA Member Clay Crockett!

Job: Supervisor - Tax
Company: HORNE LLP
City: Jackson, Tenn.

How and why did you become involved with TSCPA?
I became a TSCPA member as soon as I started my first job in public accounting. I quickly realized how valuable a resource membership is. Specifically, I find great value in the CPE offered by the Society, the publications that keep us aware of current issues and the advocacy the Society takes on for the profession.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to other young CPAs and/or those that are just passing the exam, getting ready to embark in their career?
My advice is to find your passion. I'm so fortunate to have found mine. Doing what you enjoy makes your time at work so fulfilling. Also, for anyone who hasn't passed the exam, my advice is to do so as soon as possible. It takes true dedication to pass the exam, but the rewards of passing are great.

What is your secret to surviving busy season?
I'm most productive early in the morning. I like to get to the office early and get things accomplished before the phone starts ringing. I make it a priority to spend quality time with my family in the evening. Also, a walk at lunch really helps to clear my mind.

What motivates you?
I'm motivated by my work. I take great pleasure knowing my team and I have done exceptional work for our clients. Also, I treat every day as a "school day." Learning something new keeps things fresh and interesting.

How do you unwind outside of work?
I most enjoy spending time with my wife, Brittany, and 3-year-old daughter, Hannah. We all love to go camping, which allows us quality time together and a time to make lasting memories. I also enjoy woodworking and any other hands-on project.

Meet a Young CPA

Meet TSCPA Member Erin Lotz!

Job: Financial Analyst II
Company: ServiceMaster
City: Memphis, Tenn.

Why did you become a CPA?
The accounting professors at the University of Mississippi helped me realize early on the importance of earning the CPA designation in order to set your career apart from your peers, demonstrate your commitment to the profession and for continuous professional development. I am so happy I took their advice to pursue a CPA license, as it has opened many doors in my career and has provided the educational foundation and experiences that allow me to bring value to a variety of organizations.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to other young CPAs and/or those that are just passing the exam, getting ready to embark on their career?
Take ownership of your career and persistently challenge yourself and your team to improve performance. Prioritize projects. A simple "to do" list is an important first step. Complete high priority projects early in the day during your peak of energy.

What is on your desk right now?
My morning Diet Coke, daily "to-do" list and the latest issue of the Tennessee CPA Journal..

What/Who motivates you?
My fiancé, family and future family, and passion for helping others is what drives me every day.

How do you unwind outside of work?
Dates with my fiancé, exercise and weekend road trips.

Ask an Expert

Q: Right now, I’m struggling with what to do so far as additional certifications go. I’ve got the CPA down, but I’m still in the school/study mindset and want to take advantage of my free time. The only problem is that I don’t know what to look at (e.g. CMA, CIA, CFE, etc.) since I’ve only just started my career and don’t know where I want to end up. I don’t have the money for MBA/MAc at the moment, but it’s also on the to-do list. Where should I start?

A: First off, congratulations on passing your CPA exam so quickly. This is a great accomplishment that will prove to be beneficial for you. When a company/firm is looking to hire someone with a certification, 98 percent of the time that are requesting a CPA.  

As far as other credentials go, I suggest that you assess what direction you want to take your career, and consider specialty designations based on the direction you choose. For example, if you want to pursue Internal Audit or Forensics then you might consider sitting for the CIA or CFE. However, if you aren’t heading in that direction, I wouldn’t waste your time or money. Forensics is something that a lot of people like the sound of, but the opportunities to do that work are fewer (specialized field) than traditional accounting/audit. You will need to network with forensic professionals already doing the work to get an opportunity in that field.

In regards to the CMA, unless you are in a heavy manufacturing/cost environment there is no need for a CMA. In my past experience with working with manufacturing clients looking for cost experience, the majority of the hiring managers still desire a CPA over a CMA.   

When considering going back to school, I would make sure you have a plan before you spend the money for another degree. The majority of individuals that get their MAcc do so to get the required 150 hours, myself included. If I were in your shoes and choosing a graduate degree, I would choose an MBA with the caveat that I would only go back to MBA school if your desire is to be outside a traditional accounting/auditing profession. If you have an interest in the finance side of the world that is where an MBA can become more valuable.

My advice to you would be now that your CPA is under your belt, work the long hours to start establishing a career over the next three-four years and then reassess what you want to do, and keep in mind that your career aspirations can change over time.

About the Expert: Kyle Allen, CPA, is a partner at Vaco Resources in Brentwood, Tenn. He can be reached at
kallen@vaco.com.

Do you have a question that you haven’t found the answer to as it relates to your career? No need to look further for the answer! Submit your question via email to Katie Cheek at kcheek@tscpa.com, and we will ask an expert.