Accounting Professional Interview

Accountants offer a wide array of business and accounting services including public, management and government accounting, as well as internal auditing.

In each of these major fields, accountants and auditors prepare, analyze, and verify financial documents in order to provide vital and accurate information to clients.

Read our interview with a professional in the field and learn what degree you'll need to earn in order to become an accountant.

Interviewee

Name: Mary Ann M.
Title: Staff Accountant, Audit Department
Degree: MBA (2002) - Finance and Accounting Concentration

What does a staff accountant do?

In my accounting administration's audit department, I audit financial statements and employee benefit plans. In addition to auditing, I do tax returns for corporations, partnerships, and individuals, and I compile financial statements.

Why did you decide to go into accounting?

I chose a career in accounting for two reasons. First, I took an accounting class in school and loved it. Second, I interviewed a few CPAs and learned that a career in accounting would allow me to take time during the off-peak season to travel and do the activities I enjoy away from work.

How did you get started in accounting?

I wanted to get my CPA license and to do so I needed to have 5 years of schooling. My undergraduate degree wasn't enough. So, I enrolled in graduate school for several reasons, one of which was to satisfy the CPA education requirement. While in graduate school, I took the CPA exam and taught undergraduate accounting classes. Now, my employer is helping me complete my final requirement to get my CPA license, which is to work for 2000 hours in accounting.

What do you like best about being an accountant?

The best part of being an accountant is that I am doing what I love to do-and I get to travel out of the office to meet interesting clients while I am doing it.

What are some of your accomplishments?

Our firm participated in a challenge among other local accounting firms to raise money for the food bank. As chairman, I led the fundraising efforts in our firm and we raised more money than any other accounting firm.

What do you wish you'd known?

I had no idea that graduate business school offered more than just an education. Take advantage of all the programs that business school has to offer. Use the business career center to practice your interviewing skills and fine-tune your resume. Network with your classmates, alumni, visiting speakers, etc.

Join the clubs that interest you. Participate in contests to improve your analytical and presentation skills. You are in school for a limited time so try a little of everything while you are there. Who knows, you might find something new that you never knew you liked!