1. Select Career Opportunities
Orientation Program
Indiana University

2. Careers in Public Accounting
Firm choice
Career path

3. Firm choice
Big "4" Firms (D&T, E&Y, KPMG, PWC)
Middle tier firms (GT, BDO, Crowe, McGladrey, American Express)
Local accounting firms

4. Big "4" Firms
Large, national and multi-national firms
Primary focus is full service to the Fortune 1000, but will also have a "middle market" or entrepreneurial division
Several opportunities for career paths outside the general audit and tax path
Tax is divided between compliance and consulting
Opportunity to work overseas

5. Middle tier firms
Vary in size
Some are national and multi-national, some are regional in nature
Primary focus is full-service to middle market companies both public and private
Tax professionals will do both compliance and consulting
Opportunities exist to work outside the typical audit and tax areas, but not to the extent as at the Big 4
Opportunity to work overseas in some cases

6. Local accounting firms
Small one/two office firms
Primary focus is serving the accounting and tax needs of the local small business
Careers in the smaller firms will entail working in both tax and audit/financial accounting

7. The Career Path in Public Accounting
Assurance and Tax Professionals
Associate
Senior Associate
Manager
Senior Manager
Partner

8. Associate One to two years.
Responsible for tax return preparation and/or low risk areas of the audit engagement.
Assignments can include anything, including making copies
In the second year, responsibilities will increase and in some cases will be responsible for an engagement

9. Senior Associate After two years Senior Associate, Senior, In-charge
Responsible for planning, executing and wrapping up engagements
Main client contact and the driver of the audit/tax return process
Completion of job including financial statements
Supervise, train and review the work of associates

10. Senior Associate (continued)
Research and summarize technically complex issues
Assist manager with day to day client relations
Knows the most about the job/project

11. Manager Usually after 5 years Three basic roles: Core Business Role
Manage multiple engagements
Detail review of work papers
Day to day client relations
Train and supervise senior and staff
Research and conclude on technical issues and questions from clients

12. Manager (continued) Human Resources Role Recruiting
Advise, Mentor, Coach staff
Teach staff through continuing professional education classes

13. Manager (continued) Sales and Marketing Role
Network with referral sources: attorney’s, bankers
Participate in proposal writing and presenting
Generate leads for new business
Belong to professional organizations: AICPA, State Society’s

14. Senior Manager 8 to 10 years
Same responsibilities as manager except time split is different
More time is spent in Sales and Marketing role than any other
Senior Managers may have more administrative duties associated with how the department works as a team

15. Partner 12 to 15 years Final review of audit or tax return
Sign-off of audit report or tax return
Maintain high-level of client relations: attend Board Meetings, Audit Committee meetings
Help client with highly complex issues: strategic planning, mergers, acquisitions

16. Partner (continued) Generate client leads
Prepare proposals and lead proposal meetings
Speak at professional organizational meetings
Teach continuing professional education seminars