Career Investigation Essay

My ideal locomote is in invoice. I hold back de statusined that this report is best suited for me finished c ber assessment tests, l enlightening styles assessments and by actu eithery produceing in this orbit for some(prenominal) yrs. I have been interested in chronicle since winning my first be class in high school. It was then that I found that non only was I good at bookkeeping but as well as enjoyed it. From my L ex whizrateing Style Graph (Toft, 2006) I detect that I equally reflect two learning styles Why? direction and What if? mode. My knack for on a lower floorstanding people and ability to recognize hassles are strengths I posses in the Why? mode. On the early(a) side of the graph my social movement to get things done and my leadership capabilities are both examples of the What if mode.This coincides with the results of my VAK assessment (Chislett & Chapman, 2006) that shows I prefer to learn by actually doing rather than by seeing. both learning s tyles are advantageous in the invoice field because problem solving is fundamental to balancing spreadsheets. I ascertained from the Jung Type privateity Test (Human Metrics, , 2005) that my personality type was ENFP. This test con quicks that I am liable(p) at multitasking and have abundant people skills. This again is very helpful in all aspects of an accounting career. While my past companionship as a waitress and other food service bureaus may not be directly related to accounting, it taught me more(prenominal) conveyable skills. Some of these are multitasking, keyening and prioritizing.I also developed other transferable skills incumbent in the accounting field while working as a night auditor. Not only did I learn actual hands-on accounting, but also cultivated my problem-solving skills. It was my responsibility to find any accounting mistakes and coiffure them each night. I enjoyed this part of my job so such(prenominal), on slow nights I would hope that someo ne on a preliminary shift made a mistake vertical so I could find and correct it.Eventually, my manager began coming to me to troubleshoot errors for her. I feel a job as a Certified prevalent comptroller would be a perfect career choice for me because it would utilize legion(predicate) of my transferable skills. I could also draw on ingest already gained as a bookkeeper, retail office manager, and submitly as an accounting assistant. My work ethic of staying until the job is done along with my enjoyment in troubleshooting would be a tremendous as come down as a certified public accountant as well. Career ProfileThe jobs available to me at my current level of tuition and assure are limited to the data portal and bookkeeping aspects of accounting. My grow to date has taken me about as far as I can get in this field of accounting. Now, I must earn a degree to advance any further. However, once I earn my bachelors degree in accounting and obtain my unavoidable Certified Pub lic Accountant license, umpteen more job opportunities entrust be available to me. Some of these jobs would include Internal Auditor, Controller, and Management Accountant or, with enough experience, even a Vice President of Finance. A rophy is depending on the size of the ships company I work for and the area of accounting I choose. At this point my goal is to work for a larger public accounting firm to acquire experience in many aspects of public accounting. I am particularly interested in forensic accounting and internal auditing.While working for a public accounting firm as a CPA I could earn from $34,000 to $95,000 per year according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). But, considering my facts of life level and my experience I would probably earn more in the mid orbital cavity of $43,500 upwards to $72,000. My duties would be dependent on the actual position I hold but could include tax preparation, consulting, auditing, verification of client companys records and even preparing financial statements for clients.In an entry level position at a public accounting firm the skill set I have already acquired depart be very useful. My experience in bookkeeping as an accounting assistant at present allow help prepare me for the data entry assignments usually associated with entry level positions. As my position progresses within the firm, I will be relying more on the k at a timeledge I learn while earning my degree. peerless of the advantages to being a CPA within a large firm is that you have the opportunity to work in many areas of accounting for many varied company clients. This will give me a multifaceted experience level not easily obtained while working independently or for a smaller firm. I hope to have the opportunity to do some forensic accounting work where I would prove hazard embezzlement within a clients company (S. Westfield, personal interview, August 1, 2008).Some of the most prevalent disadvantages to an occupation in this field are the hours necessary. As a CPA with a large accounting firm I would expect a typical work calendar week of 40 to 50 hours. But, during the tax season, January through April, it could be as many as 70 hours per week (S. Westfield, personal interview, August 1, 2008). Since I have already been employed within the accounting industry for some date straightway, my family and I are used to the long hours and fluctuation during busy times.I am considering seeking employment opportunities at several local companies. single such company is based in Ionia, Michigan with a send office in Ada, Michigan. Both of these offices are within ten miles of my home. This is a smaller firm but I have worked for one of their clients in the past and have had the opportunity to get to fare and work with several members of their staff. Another potential employer is Plante Moran. This is a much larger firm with offices in Western Michigan as well. Plante Moran was named t o Fortune Magazines list of 100 Best companies to work for for the tenth consecutive year (Plante Moran, 2008). Finally, I am considering advancement within the company I am shortly working for, The Hanover Group. They have offices all over the country with major condense in Howell, Michigan as well as my current stance in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Education PlanCourses Required I intention to take only two courses per semester for the following year because of personal circumstances. I think this is the best course of action to balance my education with other aspects of my life at this time. If the opportunity arises where it is not absolutely necessary for me to work full time, I would like to take on more of a course load. Until that happens, I am content to take my time so as to ensure a happy balance with my family, career and studies.The courses I think will be more difficult and less excite for me are the mathematics and composition classes. It may seem funny that a person so interested in accounting would shy outdoor(a) from math classes, but I have never had the opportunity to prove algebra. I know that if I have trouble with my math courses there is free tutoring available through the Library Information Commons on campus. I am also anxious about the composition courses for much of the same reasons. I have never had to do a term paper. I have always had trouble getting the first skeleton down on paper, but do well at cogent evidence reading and editing. I think I have started to overcome this halt by composing on the computer. I can type and correct much faster than I can write. I am now able to get my thoughts down on paper before they vibrate away. Plus, editing is now a breeze. Davenport DUESAll of the Davenport University DUES skills are important to all careers. In the accounting fields, in particular, honesty and integrity are essential. If you are advising a client on financial matters, you must be above reproach. You must also be ab le to think globally because seldom are financial matters just a local concern. Teamwork is also some other important skill for an accountant, even if self-employed. Your client and you make up a team and if you can not work together with your client, you will not be able to keep that client. In this growing technological world, the accounting industry is keeping pace. Today most accounting is done through computers and being knowledgeable of the current accounting software is imperative. Educational Goals beyond CollegeAfter obtaining my Associates degree in Accounting, I plan to work on my bachelors degree and then become a licenced CPA. I have found that to become a accredited CPA in Michigan I will need to successfully issue a four part Accountants examination administered by the National tie beam of State Board of Accountancy (CPA exam dates, 2008) as well as meet certain licensing requirements. The requirements to apply for the CPA examination are just part of what is req uired to obtain a CPA license. I will also need work experience of at least one year in a responsible audit position for a CPA firm or a governmental agency under direction of a licensed CPA, (Michigan Department of Economic Growth, 2008, para 3). terminalI have learned many things during this project, most of which came from the research I did on the various career choices available in accounting. After oratory with a professional in this field, (S Westfield, personal communication, July, 2008), I have now decided that I aspire to be a Certified Public Accountant. While researching the requirements to be licensed as a CPA in Michigan, I found that they are more involved and time overpowering than I had first imagined.This career goal will require more time than originally anticipated but, has the potential to be even more financially rewarding that I first thought. I look preceding(prenominal) to seeing this career dream become a reality. I also learned from the required caree r and learning assessments that I have, in fact, chosen the correct career path for me. My identified transferable skills, some of which are problem solving and organizing, will be very useful in my chosen career goal of becoming a CPA. This project has also helped me see some of the areas I need to improve such as in note taking and developing enhanced memory skills. heraldic bearing StatementMy mission is to fully utilize my many transferable skills, previous work experiences as well as my current and future education to become a self-employed Certified Public Accountant. Through achieving my short-term goal of earning my bachelors degree in accounting, I will have accomplished the first half of the requirements necessary. My mid-range goal is to become licensed as a CPA. Finally, with the experience attained while becoming licensed, I will establish my own small CPA firm. I know that by applying myself and staying focused I will be able to reach this goal before I retire.