I chose Armanino over several other offers because I was impressed by the people and the entrepreneurial culture. The firm has a young, startup mentality and a laid-back atmosphere. I could tell that everyone works hard but also has fun.
I decided to leave public accounting to work in-house in the technology industry. That turned out to be a mistake, because I really missed the variety and complexity of audit work. On the plus side, I never have to wonder if I’d be happier on the corporate side. It was a hard to decision to leave public accounting, but an easy decision to come back to it.
My one-year-old and my three-year-old do, quite literally.
I like to be out in the field with my team as much as possible, so I can answer their questions and review their work in real time. This results in a more efficient audit and benefits both the team and the client. Being in the field also allows me to learn about and help resolve any client issues in a timely manner.
My parents. They both worked full-time jobs, but they always had time for my sister and me, and they made sure they never missed a sporting or school event. They showed me the importance of not only hard work, but also family. My dad is the hardest working person I know, and I'd like to think that I inherited some of this work ethic.
Take time to really learn your client’s industry, so you understand their challenges and can advise them on the issues that are most important to them. Once you have this knowledge, you can make a bigger impact on their business and become a trusted advisor. Also, complete your CPA exams as early in your career as possible. The longer you wait, the more responsibilities you will get, and the harder it will be to make time to study.
