Sound difficult? Not so much. Rick Telberg’s Video Snacks for the AICPA remind us of the four keys to success in an accounting career. The skills that are emphasized by those polled (veteran industry professionals) are the same ones kids in grade school are learning in their first weeks back.

According to Telberg, 86% of CPAs interviewed claim that excellent interpersonal and communication skills are the most important factor in determining your success. Second to communication skills are integrity and good character. Following these skills taught in early childhood are a penchant for lifelong learning and up-to-date technical knowledge and skills. So come September, focus on honing these skills and see how they improve your job performance. Maybe your kids won’t be the only ones getting an A+.

Watch Telberg’s video, “4 Keys to Success,” here: http://www.cpa2biz.com/content/media/PRODUCER_CONTENT/generic_template_content/videosnack.jsp.

Our philosophy is “Don’t Believe the Hype.” Lots of great CPAs jump the gun and assume that no one is hiring based on news reports. The truth is that firms are always looking for top talent, whether for expansion reasons, internal promotion or relocation. Break away from the pack and go after the job you always wanted – it only means less competition for the sought after top positions. While the global economy may be slow, the Southeast is still going strong and accounting firms are looking for great leaders.

If you’re looking to advance within your firm, a few extra hours in the office or more attention to detail could set you apart from the rest for a promotion.  With current concerns over costs, employers are aware of the value that each employee offers the company and appreciate your productivity.

Be sure to focus on the long-term, but set short term goals for yourself. Don’t get frustrated if you haven’t found the right position. Set goals for yourself that will improve your skill set and make you a more desirable employee while maintaining focus on how the current economic situation can help you get to where you want to be in the future.

CPAs have to choose between public accounting and private industry.  Most CPAs from Big 4 firms initially think there only other option is private industry.  That is because they don’t always see the benefits of working at a smaller CPA firm.  There are so many quality local and regional CPA firms in the southeast.  Morgan Ross Group only serves public accountant professionals, but even within the public sphere, there are choices to be made between big and small firms. While Big 4 firms can offer great security and the respect earned from working with a recognized and established leader, there are also a great deal of benefits associated with working at smaller and local firms.

Often times working at a smaller firm offers new hires more responsibility, which can be great for those just starting their career or for those looking to learn new skills. For those further along, small offices give employees an opportunity to impact their client’s work and make changes to how their business’ are run.  They are more often viewed as a trusted business advisor by their clients.  Smaller companies can also often offer more flexibility in terms of hours and days off. Many times they are located closer to home, and provide employees with a better work-life balance.

However, this is not to say that a smaller company is definitely the way to go. There are great opportunities for advancement at larger companies too, and I personally had fulfilling experiences when I was working in the Big 4. You will be surrounded by talented colleagues and do work on projects for top clients.

The stigma associated with firms that aren’t one of the Big 4 is that they aren’t quite as good. While the prestige of working at a Big 4 firm can be great on a resume and offer valuable experience, there is much to be said for small firms too. Big 4 firms and small companies serve very different clients, but the work involved is equally stimulating. Salaries for partners at small firms rival those at Big 4, and often time with less strenuous hours. Would you rather be a big dog in a small company, or one of many at a large one?

However, financial companies also need to start thinking and planning more seriously about succession. CFOs are often not interested in discussing the future of their position as they envision themselves staying in their job for quite some time. However, Kate O’Sullivan’s article suggests that while 83% have not identified a successor, the average CFO tenure is only three to five years. This means that shifts are happening on a fairly regular basis. If the employer isn’t thinking about succession, take the assertive role and think about future opportunity. Pay attention to your colleagues’ responsibilities and demonstrate your eligibility for a promotion by learning new skills without dropping your own duties.

So instead of asking yourself who is next in line, I suggest you ask Abbott and Costello’s famous question: Who’s on first? If you position yourself for a top job from the beginning and think strategically about your future, you may be climbing the company ladder faster than you expected.