1. Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
WICPA
Accounting Careers

2. Overview Speaker name Company Background WICPA member
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Overview
Speaker name
Company
Background
WICPA member
Please insert your name and company here.

3. Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
About the WICPA
Premier professional membership association in WI for CPAs, accounting/business professionals & students
Nearly 7,700 members
Serves as your go-to-resource to help you succeed in your career and stay connected to the profession
No matter what stage you’re at in your education or career, the WICPA provides support and guidance every step of the way

4. Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
WICPA Mission
The WICPA serves the diverse needs of our members; enhances professional competency; promotes the value of members and the profession; advocates on behalf of the profession; and builds community among members.

5. Let’s Introduce Ourselves
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Your name
Why are you interested in
accounting?
What do you plan to do with
an accounting degree?
Let’s Introduce Ourselves

6. Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Fact or Fiction
You have to be a great math student to be an accountant.
An accounting degree can lead you to a career in sports, music or entertainment.
With an accounting job, you are stuck behind a desk all day counting beans.
CPAs are crime fighters.
CPAs either work for the IRS or prepare tax returns.
Answers:
Fiction – You need to be comfortable with numbers, computer programs really do all the “math” work for you. Tools such as Excel, Access, Quickbooks, Peachtree and specialized tax software do most of the “math”. It’s the input of information that accountants are concerned with.
Fact – CPAs are needed in nearly every industry, including sports, music, and entertainment. You may not be the athlete on the field, but you could be the CPA who provides management with the information they need to determine the salaries of those athletes. You maybe the Accountant at a golf course in the Dells.
Fiction – While Accountants generally work in an office environment, the stereotypical Accountant sitting in the corner working by themselves every day is complete fiction. Accountants are problem solvers in the organization and their input is needed in decision making. An Accountant’s day can be spent touring facilities, meeting with clients, bankers, or lawyers, or consulting with management on company issues.
Fact – Due to an Accountant’s familiarity with the numbers of the company, they are perfectly positioned to detect potential fraud and notify the appropriate sources. CPAs are also hired by the FBI to investigate white collar crime. In our offices, we have a Certified Fraud Examiner on staff and we just recently started a Fraud Tip Hotline, where anyone can call to report fraud, waste, or abuse.
Fiction – This is a stereotype. There are many different career paths and industries in which accountants work. We’ll talk about some of them next.

7. Who are CPAs? Certified Public Accountants = Professionals
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Certified Public Accountants =
Professionals
Trusted business advisors
Technology specialists
Project managers
Analysts & decision makers
Strategic thinkers
Problem solvers
Ethical
Team oriented
Educators
Who are CPAs?

8. CPAs Licensed by a State Board of Accountancy
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
CPAs
Licensed by a State Board of Accountancy
Governed by a Code of Professional Conduct
Must adhere to technical standards
Maintain a high level of independence, objectivity and integrity

9. How to Become a CPA Complete 150 semester units
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
How to Become a CPA
Complete 150 semester units
Minimum degree bachelor
Pass CPA Exam
Professional work experience

10. Career Paths Public accounting Corporate/industry accounting
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Career Paths
Public accounting
Corporate/industry accounting
Business entrepreneur
Government
Non-profit
Education/teaching

11. Public Accounting On the Job What’s in it for You?
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Public Accounting
On the Job
Reviewing financial statements
Assessing risk
Testing systems
Evaluating assets
Tax planning
Performance measurement
Analyzing operations
Financial planning
Benchmarking
Teaching/researching
What’s in it for You?
Internships
Challenging & rewarding work
Numerous career paths
Broad industry exposure
Global assignments
Continuous learning
Performance-based salary
Competitive benefits
Working with talented people
Diverse workforce

12. Corporate/Industry Accounting
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Corporate/Industry Accounting
Work for a company (Small to Large)
Roles include:
Prepare financial statements
Manage company financing & investing activities
Audit internal financial/operating systems
Analyze & report on financial & non-financial data
Identify ways to improve financial performance
Assess tax requirements and alternatives
Rise to top level management
CEO or CFO
Controller
Director

13. Business Entrepreneur
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Business Entrepreneur
Countless opportunities…what you make of it!
High Risk = High Reward

14. Government Opportunities
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Government Opportunities
Federal (FBI, IRS, Treasury, General Accounting Office)
Investigating white-collar crime
Conducting financial statement audits
Performing analysis & research
Dealing with tax legislation
State & Local (School districts, DFI, DOR)
Conduct audits
Compile financial statements
Deal with state tax legislation
Audits at All Levels of Government (FDIC, OCC, SEC, Internal)
Performance (evaluate an organization’s operations)
Financial (examine financial statement)
Compliance (id deviations from laws/regs)
Investigative (investigate improper activities)

15. Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Nonprofit
Perform cost benefit analysis – Are expenses exceeding revenues?
Advise on budgeting & tax matters
Prepare financial data to aid in raising & disbursing funds
Setup internal control process
Find fraud

16. Education Accounting Faculty Teach Conduct research
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Education
Accounting Faculty
Teach
Conduct research
Public articles/books
Serve as business consultant/expert
Typical Career Track
Assistant (0-6 years)
Associate (with tenure in 7th year)
Full professor (10-12 years)

17. Which Path is Right for You
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Which Path is Right for You
Think about what you want from a career
Talk to family, friends, teachers, and accountants
Get involved with school organizations
Consider an internship and/or job shadow

18. CPAs in High Demand Job security and growth
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
CPAs in High Demand
Job security and growth
11% increase in demand projected through 2024
According to the AICPA, 75% of today’s CPAs will retire over the next 15 years

19. Benefits of Accounting Career
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Benefits of Accounting Career
Demand is high
Most desired business credential
People oriented profession
Highly respected
Income potential
Job satisfaction
Always learning
Unlimited opportunities

20. Preparation for Students
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Preparation for Students
Choose relevant courses
Accounting
Computer Applications
Economics
Written Communications
Oral Communications
Research & apply to colleges
Visit an accounting practice
Speak to a WICPA member
Participate in a job shadow program/internship

21. Get More Information WICPA – join membership in college AICPA
Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Get More Information
WICPA – join membership in college
AICPA
StartHereGoPlaces.com
Career centers & fairs
Accounting firms
High school
Colleges & universities
State boards of accountancy

22. Wisconsin Institute of CPAs
wicpa.org
Connect With the WICPA