Chris Bowler - Systems Manager

As you approach the end your college days and begin to embark your accounting career, your learning environment and opportunities are about to change. So here is what you can expect. There are generally two areas in the accounting profession’s post-graduate learning environment: professional certification and continuing professional education (CPE). The certification testing is very similar to your college learning environment; very prescriptive, structured, and stressful (for me personally, anyway) with a bright line with a passing grade. Once you get past your certification exams you enter into the CPE phase of your professional development. This area is a much more self-directed learning environment. There are certainly general skills to be covered; however, you also have the opportunity to dive deep into a particular area of interest to really develop your personal skills and tools. If you have some natural curiosity, it can actually be pretty fun! You might even find yourself quoted in some professional journals or industry trade magazines as subject matter expert.

College was all about getting the basics covered as a student. Now is your chance to distinguish yourself as a professional, so good luck!

Abby Davis- Tax Associate

During busy season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the all the projects that are assigned to you. You don’t know which way is up! But, one thing I have learned is that you should not be afraid to ask for help. Most likely, there are other co-workers who are more than willing to help you. I have found that asking for help can really help to manage your time when it may seem nearly impossible.

First, prioritize! Make a list of your work by due date or by client expectations. That way, you can focus on projects that need to be completed by upcoming deadlines. Discuss your projects with your in-charge, they can help when you’re not sure what is of a higher priority. Also, let someone know when and if you ever become “overloaded.” They can help reassign the project. Who knows, there may be someone else in need of work. It can save everyone time, and help you feel a lot less stressed.

So, even though busy season can be overwhelming at times, if you aren’t afraid to ask for help when you need it, it can go by much smoother. Take it from me!

Salman Hasan- Systems Associate

As a member of the Systems Group at PKM, we often have to travel to various places. And, learning how to travel well is a skill you can take with you for the rest of your life. Here are a few tips that I have learned that will help you get through the airport with ease!

1. Don’t waste time looking for parking. If you are traveling on a Sunday- there’s a good chance you may find a decent spot. If it’s a Monday, forget it. Go to the back of the lot and just walk.

2. If your trip is for a week, there is no reason you should have to check in bags. Stick to one color. You don’t need brown shoes and black shoes. Just pick one and roll with it.

3. You can save time by printing your boarding pass at home or by printing at one of the many kiosks located at the airport.

4. You can also save time by having your frequent flyer number memorized. Nothing is more irritating than a person holding up a kiosk line looking for a credit card…that person needs to read this blog entry!

5. Knowing how to get through the security line quickly can make or break your time. While in queue, use this time wisely. Begin to put all unnecessary items in either your laptop bag or your carry-on luggage. Know how many bins you need! You will need one for your laptop, one for the liquids you are carrying on and one for your shoes and coats. All shoes come off- even flip flops, it’s a rule. Don’t waste time by testing this rule. Men should look to invest in some slip on dress shoes. If you are wearing a belt, take it off, unless you know from prior experience that the belt will not make the metal detector go off. If you can consolidate your bins, do it! Keep in mind that you cannot have items on top of each other. Also keep your “liquid’s bag” in the front of your luggage, so that is easily accessible. Finally, organize the items as they go through security. This is critical- you want to get everything off the belt and back on you in the least amount of time. It helps to be focused.

Hopefully with the above tips, airport travel will be less stressful and much more efficient for yourself and others around you.

Heather Bodner- Systems Manager

As a manager at PKM one of my responsibilities is recruiting. I have the pleasure of attending lots of different recruiting events at various universities. One of the most important things I take away from recruiting events is an impression of all the students that I have met. As you have probably heard many times, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” so it’s important to make your first one great! Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to consider when at career fairs.

• Dress like a professional - Miniskirts or bright red four-inch heels may look great for going out to a party but they are probably not the best choice when meeting with potential employers. When in doubt, always learn toward the more conservative side.

• Handshakes - Remember you’re shaking hands, not arm wrestling. Try not to do any excessive shaking and don’t crush the recruiter’s hand. A firm, brief handshake will do.

• Grooming - Besides dressing like a professional, remember to focus on your personal grooming, such as well groomed hair, conservative makeup and no unusual piercings. Believe it or not, although accountants can be a bit a crazy at times, an eyebrow, nose and/or chin rings are not very common and may give potential employers second thoughts about how you might fit in with their firm and more importantly be perceived by their clients.

• Prepare an introduction - Introduce yourself! Its sounds simple enough but you would be surprised by how many times we have to ask recruits their name, their year in the accounting program, and what type of employment they’re looking for. Come ready to talk about yourself!

• Be ready to ask questions - Don’t let the recruiters do all the talking. Do your homework and after introducing yourself be prepared to ask a few simple questions about the firm or the recruiters you’re talking to. We’ll be impressed!

Keep these tips in mind and hopefully your first impression will be a lasting one—in a good way!

Christian Albarracin- Audit Associate

One of my all time favorite holiday activities is taking in many of the great college football games that coincide with the Holidays. Usually this is just a great time for relaxing, and not one for making observations that prove to be beneficial in my everyday working life. However, this year was different. Don’t get me wrong, I am pretty good at developing creative reasons to justify increasing the amount of sports I watch, but I am not saying that watching college football will always prove to be the best use of time. But it did bring me at least one good realization this year, and that was the importance of organization.

That’s right organization, and I’m really thinking about it more from the perspective of the head football coach. Sometimes, we allow ourselves to wonder why these college coaches get paid so much money when they really only have to work on twelve to fourteen gamedays a year. But then when you start to think about all of the tasks they are responsible for: recruiting, conducting practices, watching film, reviewing training room report updates, speaking at alumni functions, conducting weekly press conferences and media briefings, ensuring that over a hundred 18 - 22 year old kids are doing the do’s (i.e. going to classes, study halls, tutors, etc.) and not doing the don’ts (you can probably think of a few), being a husband, being a father, and so on, it is hard to imagine how so many of them are able to get all of these things done efficiently. More than likely these men have surrounded themselves with excellent, trustworthy, hardworking people and have become master delegators—but I can’t help but think that they must be incredibly well organized in order to balance so many different aspects of their lives. I have no idea how they do it, but it did get me thinking the things that I can do to stay organized to help me meet my everyday responsibilities as we head into the busiest time of year in the accounting profession.

In today’s technologically advanced world, email programs such as Outlook, Lotus Notes, etc. offer great tools to help you stay organized electronically. Using Calendar, Tasks, and Notes functions allow you to easily record events, “to-do” items, and other miscellaneous information related to both your work and personal life to help you try and maintain that all important work-life balance. Nowadays, it is even common to be able to sync this information to your cell phone or pda, so that you can have it with you wherever you go. Take it from me, you might find inputting this information to be frustrating at first, but as you become well practiced in doing so, you begin to easily see the benefits. More than likely your employer will have these resources available to you, so it might not be a bad idea to begin practicing some good organizational habits now. Obviously this may not be the organizational method that bests suits your personality, but the main thing is that you find some method of preventing the madness that an unorganized life can bring. I have heard rumors that there are people out there that have absolutely no desire to be organized; however, I have found that these folks are very few and far between in our profession.

The duties of a college student can often times seem overwhelming, but this is a great time to develop or improve upon your organizational habits, so that you are better prepared to handle the increasing amount of responsibilities that come your way as you transition from college life to the “real world.”

Shannon Lambe- Marketing Assistant

The end of the semester is always a bittersweet time. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you know before you can get there, you have to endure your exams. Regardless of whether you are studying for college courses or the CPA exam—here are 10 tips that will be helpful as you prepare for any test you might take.

Arrive early. Make sure you know the location and time of your exam. Get there early to give yourself enough time to settle down before the exam starts.

Be awake for the test. Ideally, getting a good night’s rest is always encouraged before an exam; however, realistically, we all know that can’t always happen. Other options are to shower in the morning, chew gum, to have a caffeinated drink. Always be cautious when consuming caffeinated drinks, you don’t want to be jittery for the test.

Eat a small breakfast. You’ll want to minimize any possible distractions during the test. It’ll be more difficult to concentrate if you’re hungry. Don’t eat anything that may upset your stomach.

Bring extra writing utensils. You never know when your pencil’s going to break or run out of lead or your pen’s going to run out of ink.

Bring all essential test materials. There’s nothing worse than forgetting to bring a calculator or notes to an exam. Professors usually won’t have extras or allow you to share with another classmate.

Go to the bathroom. Self-explanatory. This is another precaution to minimize distractions during the test.

Wear comfortable clothes. You’ll want to be comfortable taking the test. Popular choices are sweatpants and hoodies.

Bring any necessities. Bring a water bottle, tissues, cough drops, etc.

Look over your notes. Review important information again before the test to refresh your memory.

And always remember it’s just a test— you studied hard and have confidence in yourself.

For more college survival tips like these visit: http://www.collegetips.com/

Candice Gaston- Audit Senior

Who knew an etiquette dinner in the Fall of 2004 would result in finding my “perfect fit” firm? As an officer of Beta Alpha Psi at the University of Georgia, I was asked to accompany the current fall Beta Alpha Psi initiates to an etiquette dinner sponsored by a firm out of Atlanta. I had never heard of the firm sponsoring the dinner, but I was open minded as I was about to start the interviewing process. At the dinner, I met Tim Keadle, a partner of this firm, and learned this firm specialized in the audits of financial institutions. Perfect! I had previously worked in several banks part-time in High School and College and thoroughly enjoyed my time. I went through the interview process, and thankfully, landed an internship offer. I was pumped!

My internship was great and I really learned a lot. The internship was during the busy season of 2005, and I spent my time working on Cash, Fixed Assets, Payroll, Investments, Deposits, and other areas of the year-end external audits of various bank clients. Not only was the work enjoyable, the people of PKM were awesome! From staff to partners, all individuals in the firm genuinely liked their job and liked their co-workers! My internship led to a full-time offer, which naturally, I accepted on the spot!

After wrapping up my Masters degree at UGA, I started full time with PKM in July of 2006. Since starting, I have worked my way through the staff and associate position to my current position as a Senior Auditor. It has been an amazing three years, and I’m continually learning and evolving. I still enjoy all the people in the firm that I get to work with! What a concept!

What are three quick tips the average student can take away from my experience?

1. Keep an open mind during the recruiting process! I didn’t have to go to the Etiquette dinner, but I was invited, and I went - and I haven’t been disappointed in that decision! Make sure to not pigeon-hole your mind to only the big firms you have heard about in class or on the hat of your favorite golfer!

2. Internships can open the door to a full-time position and career. Try to participate in one or more internships during your college career. Go through the internship interview process with a long-term thought (i.e.-I’m interviewing with this firm as a place that I could potentially work my way through to Partner level.)

3. Once you start full-time with a firm, keep learning! The learning process doesn’t end when you leave your respective institution! I asked (and continue to ask) a TON of questions. When you first start at a firm, this is an amazing time to ask all the questions you can and soak up the knowledge of your in-charges and your partners!

Who knew a simple dinner about etiquette tips would lead to a thriving career with a firm I truly love?!

Kristel Imeraj- Audit Staff

It’ s summer time, but let’s be honest who really wants to lounge by the pool all day when instead you could be gaining valuable work experience through an internship? Nowadays, having a degree is almost the bare minimum for obtaining an ideal job. Having work experience is critical, and one of the best ways to gain that experience is through an internship.

Once you decide to commit your time to an internship, and actually land the internship, make sure you make the most out of your experience. Dr. Randall S. Hansen, founder of the web site “Quintessential Careers” has come up with a list of key internship Do’s & Don’ts to follow for a career in any field.

Some of the most important pieces of advice he offers is “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” This is one of the most important tips I would give to any intern. If you don’t understand something, ask. If you just want to know why something works the way it does, ask. If you really like your supervisor’s pens and want to know where they’re from, ask! If you don’t ask questions, you will miss out on valuable information that may be critical to performing your job, or may help you excel and stand out from the others. Another internship “Don’t” is “Don’t burn any bridges.” Even if your internship does not work out the way you would have liked. Let’s say, no one talks to you. For the months of June through August you sat in a dim-lit room and made an excess of photo copies all day. Whatever you do, never bash your internship or appear ungrateful. Just because your internship did not go the way you would have liked, you still want these people to have good things to say about you for recommendations, or for all you know, they may have connections to someone that could help you obtain the job of your dreams. Finally, some of the most important “Do’s” for any internship is “do be open to learning new skills and methodologies” and “do get as much exposure through the internship organization as possible.” When you are open to learning new things or venturing to unfamiliar territory, you have the best chance of finding what you truly excel at. Make sure you meet as many people as possible and be open to trying different jobs at the organization, you might be surprised by what you find.

Click here for the complete list of internship Do’s & Don’ts, or to read some of Hansen’s other articles.

Shannon Lambe- Marketing Assistant

Summer is finally here. You’re finished with your exams and all of your friends are debating which beach they want to go to for the summer. Obviously while they are weighing the pros and cons of Panama City against South Padre Island you are trying to decide if a career in Public Accounting may be right for you. You are great at math and have an awkwardly strong passion for numbers, but for some reason have just never thought of trying a class in Accounting. There is no better way to get a taste of a subject than by taking an introductory level course during the summer. Summer courses are great for a ton of reasons:

First of all, the classes are going to be small. Summer courses will have varying class size depending on which school you attend. In some cases, classes can have as few as five students in them! This can see overwhelming at first, but in reality works to your benefit. You will inevitably receive special attention from the professor and they will be better able to hone in on the areas you want to have covered. Also, this is a great chance for you to bond with your classmates. Small classes enable you to develop stronger relationships with your peers, who will in turn be more inclined to work with you or help you study when you’re in the weeds.

Summer courses only last a relatively short period of time. An entire semester worth of material is covered in as little as 6-8 weeks. This is the perfect opportunity to try out a class you are not one hundred percent sure about. It will give you enough time to become acquainted with the material, yet at the same time, if you end up hating it, you only have to deal with it for a couple of months. Seems like a win-win situation to me.

OK, we all know that summer is supposed to be a time to relax and have fun, but think about it this way—you may miss out on one or two concerts, baseball games, or trips to the lake in the summer but you definitely won’t miss out on everything. By taking classes during the summer session, you have the potential to significantly lighten your course load in the fall. It is often a much smarter decision to spread out your courses. This way you are able to really focus your attention on the classes that you are taking, and have a better chance of doing well. So, even though taking classes in the summer time may feel like a drag, it will pay off when you aren’t missing a single football game in the fall or pulling all nighters trying to study for all of your classes at once.

So, whether it is to get a feel for a class you never thought of taking or to lighten up your normal class schedule, taking a summer class is always a good thing to consider. If nothing else, it can even help you save money and graduate early, so you can get a head start on your possible career as a CPA!

Kelly Newman- Tax Associate

Many have asked whether or not Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is still relevant to the Accounting Profession. According to an article in the CPA Journal written by William Stephens, BAP “has been and will always continue to be, an essential element in the preparation of accounting students to take an immediate, active, and contributing role in the profession and organization which they join.” Over the years it seems as though the Accounting recruiting model has changed quite a bit. Nowadays, “many Accounting students are committing to an internship in their junior year of college, with a successful internship often leading to a permanent job. Thus, at the very time when students used to be joining BAP, they already have serious job prospects.”

Over the last decade, more and more students have realized that having BAP on their resume is not the end all be all of being an attractive recruit—this makes them academically appealing to employers, however does not ensure that they have all the other sought after qualifications. So then Why is BAP Still relevant, why does it continue to receive support, and why should you join? Well, whether you want to believe it or not, BAP members really are distinguishable from many other quality graduates. According to Stephens, “BAP continues to assume a vital role in developing young men and women into active and contributing professionals who have the skills needed to make an immediate impact upon graduation, far beyond mere accounting, finance and information systems technical skills.” BAP manages to do this by building a bridge from the academic to the professional world:

B- Building Relationships with Peers and Professionals

R- Recognizing & Rewarding Scholastic Success

I- Instilling Commitment to Lifelong Professional Development

D-Developing Leadership Skills

G- Giving Back to the Community Through Service

E -Encouraging Ethical Behavior

So, even though you will most likely have no problem securing a job post-graduation without a BAP membership, it is still a great idea to join. Not only will it better prepare you to enter the real world, but offers valuable experiences to better yourself personally as well. For an in depth look at Stephens’s entire article http://findarticles.com/p/articles/miqa5346/is200711/ai_n21298625/ or if you are interested in joining BAP check out their website http://www.bap.org/ or stop in for a visit at the chapter at your school!

Lindsay Newman- Audit Staff

With busy season winding down, employees may be finding themselves in the office with seemingly “nothing to do.” Well, don’t you worry, because working in an accounting firm will never leave you playing Spider Solitaire or perusing YouTube for hours on end; well, maybe it will, but if that’s the case don’t expect that you will be working there for too long. As an accountant, you can ALWAYS find something productive to do to occupy your time.

Now first, before you come to the conclusion that you do indeed have free time, make sure you check all current jobs for review notes or any open items. Always offer help to other colleagues. Not only will it help with the cohesion of employees in the firm, but you are inevitably going to find yourself in the weeds somewhere down the road and when you do, people will be much more willing to offer you help. Remember that Golden Rule!

Lending help to others also offers you exposure to many different kind of jobs. It allows you to test the waters in areas which you may have otherwise never been subjected. You can gain valuable experience from working with different clients and in different fields by helping to wrap up jobs that are open or assisting in the planning phases of an audit.

Most firms offer many opportunities for furthering education or CPE. Courses on insurance, banking, standards, etc, are available through self study sessions and webinars. These classes can be taken on your work computer at your desk or in a conference room with a group of colleagues. This option is a great way to spend your free time since the state of Georgia requires 80 hours of CPE training every two years for CPAs.

Research is another great way to spend free time in the office. Firms are always trying to acquire new clients, so researching prospects or putting together summaries of new standards that are applicable to our clients is a great way to contribute. Technical reading is another form of research that can occupy your time. Catch up on the latest provisions or review past standards to get a better grasp on the concepts.

So, no chargeable work can be found. You’ve asked everyone in the firm if they need help. You even offered to staple packets together and lick envelopes, but everyone has turned you down. Since all your other options have been exhausted, take that time to study for the CPA exam! Becoming a CPA is important to any person in the field of accounting; it is the next step in furthering your career.

Ryan Barrow - Audit Staff

Have you ever felt like you were just another face in the crowd at a recruiting event? Ever wonder if there is anything that you can do to distinguish yourself from other students when meeting firms? Great news! There are a few things that you can do to make that lasting impression that you so strive for.

For starters, make sure that you are confident and SMILE! Approaching a firm representative with a smile and knowledge of the firm goes a long way in making that lasting impression. Be sure to be prepared with intriguing questions that adequately communicate your interest. Ask about the firm culture and the people. Ask about the firm’s work/life balance. It is important to realize that most people choose their employer based on the firm’s culture and people, so be sure to ask!

Finally, follow up with the people you meet at any firm function. This may be the most important thing that you can do to make a lasting impression. Just the other day, I received a handwritten thank you note from a student that I met at a career fair. This shows initiative and is a really good idea! At the same time, do not feel as if you must handwrite a thank you note, a simple email will do.

Follow these pointers at your next recruiting event, and make that lasting impression that you are looking for!

John Payne - Audit Staff

Fall is just around the corner: fraternity parties, early morning tailgates and football Saturdays, but in the public accounting world it is recruiting season. Public accounting is a unique field regarding the hiring process. Rising juniors and seniors often live life aimlessly from weekend to weekend assuming that any major will guarantee them a position in the workforce. In reality, finding a secure, promising job after graduating is challenging. Accounting majors are blessed with the opportunity to weigh their career options before graduation. During the recruiting process not only do you learn about the public accounting firms, but you learn about yourself. Not many undergraduate students are given the chance to acquire an internship, especially one that results in a paycheck. My internship with PKM was rewarding in many ways. Along with the technical side of accounting, I learned how to adapt to the working lifestyle, manage time efficiently, and represent an organization. With that being said, I would strongly urge every accounting major to participate in an internship.

Five Tips to Remember for a Recruit

• Schedule as many interviews as possible, the more options the better.
• Ask the firm as many questions as they ask you. They should impress you as much as you impress them.
• Understand that no one expects you to be an accounting whiz; it is your eagerness to learn that should stand out.
• Don’t get stressed out, have fun with recruitment.
• Smile, be polite, and be yourself at all times.

Hopefully my five tips will help you throughout the recruiting process. There is a firm for everyone so have a stress free approach and keep an open mind. Being recruited is fun and also educational. Just remember it is not a life or death situation. You experience a public accounting job for a few months and get to go back to college and apply the knowledge you acquired, maybe even impress your professors with some accounting jargon. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.- Coach Vince Lombardi

Alison Derringer - Tax Intern

This summer there were 5 interns at PKM - Four in Audit and one in Tax. After collaboration we came up with some things new interns might want to know when coming to PKM. Hope this helps!

In General…

• You probably don’t know much or anything about what you are doing and everyone expects that, so always ask lots of questions instead of guessing.
• During training be extremely weary of sudden changes in your schedule such as flights out the next day and being double booked… it’s most likely a prank to see how you will respond!
• If you set your voice mail, don’t get creative with your access code, because you might forget it. You would need to contact Kim, who would contact the phone company and they will set your phone. It might take up to two weeks before you can retain access to your messages.
• Always lock your computer when stepping away. There are some pranksters at the office.
• Be prepared to speak in front of the entire firm at the intern dinner. You will be called out and stories will be told on any mishap you encountered!
• Don’t eat breakfast before you get to the office on Friday mornings because there is Krispy Kreme in the break room. Gaining weight during your internship will happen, just accept it!
• It might be a good idea to have a comfortable pair of shoes in your desk drawer. It is not fun walking down 18 flights of stairs in heels during a fire drill.

Audit Tips

• When talking with a client, act like you know what you are talking about, even if you don’t because confidence speaks louder than words.
• When doing a cash count, always take your calculator, pen and paper with you.
• Know what bait money and dye packs are and be careful handling them during cash counts! Bait money is strapped cash that is attached to an alarm in each teller drawer in case the bank is robbed. A Dye pack consists of strapped currency where the top two and last two bills are real currency and the middle bills are decoys that are filled with dye and explode when taken outside the bank.
• When you see the letters NCN, this means, “Not considered necessary”.
• When working with Candice, you must love Dolly Parton.
• All in-charges are different so be prepared to adapt to their style. For example, Candice has many unique phrases that you may have to ask for clarification on. (Scrolli-oli-oli means scroll down).
• Make sure you get rest before you travel to Cullman, Alabama because the client enjoys entertaining practically every day and night.
• Submit your time and expense report ahead of time whenever possible. When on an out-of-town engagement, you might have limited Internet access or the server might be down. It would be a good idea to have Margaret’s phone numbers on speed dial in your cell phone. Don’t get frustrated the first time you complete your time and expense report - it is confusing! Everyone is willing to help if you have any questions.

Tax Tips

• There might be days when you have nothing to do, enjoy them because when you cannot get your tax return to balance you will wish you had nothing to do.
• If you see a good snack in the break room, grab it, because if you don’t - someone else will.
• You can work on a couple of clients per day so make sure you keep up with your time. Also, if you are using the timer function in Practice Solution, make sure you stop it before going to lunch!

Jake Nadlicki - Audit Associate

We all know that employers are looking for great employees that will further the success of their companies, but that doesn’t mean they are looking for the “me first” and “star” mentality. In a February article from BusinessWeek, William C. Taylor focuses on the young and fresh talent that is looking to enter the workforce and gives them a little advice.

Taylor states, “The point of this exercise is not to land the fattest signing bonus or sign up with the ‘cool’ company of the moment. The point of this exercise is to do work you care about in a company that matters… achieving that goal means dialing down your short-term ambitions and recognizing the power of ‘humbition.’”

Now what exactly is this “humbition” he is speaking of? Jane Harper, a nearly 30-year veteran of IBM, explains it as: the subtle blend of humility and ambition that drives the most successful leaders—an antidote to the know-it-all hubris that affects so many business stars.

The article goes on to state, “I always urge new people not to worry about ‘getting credit or taking credit’ for great work. If they’re making bold moves, and developing good relationships, they will get more opportunities to grow and succeed. Don’t waste energy on worrying about whether everything you do gets noticed. It does.”

Cayci Moon - Audit Intern

I am the queen of doing silly things, especially when I get nervous. Here are a few of my blunders I had during my internship with PKM. These are to help so you do not have to ask the “silly” questions or sit and wonder what these crazy abbreviations are! I have spent the last two months here at PKM doing an audit internship and I am excited to go back to school and incorporate all my newly learned “audit jargon” into my daily vocabulary!

Things I wish I knew before I started

1. You do not have to ask to go to the bathroom (and believe it or not you can go anytime you want!)
2. P/f/w - pass further work
3. P/d/w- per discussion with
4. I/c/w - in connection with
5. Bus - is an abbreviation for business not a BUS (i.e. more than likely a bank will not have an “entertainment bus”).
6. Know the order of balance sheets and income statements.
7. Nonstandard Journal entry testing is not a gift.
8. Traffic is not the end of the world.
9. “It” happens.
10. If you act like you know what you are talking about, 9 times out of 10 the client will have no clue you are clueless, and visual samples of what you want are always helpful.
11. It is far better to be over dressed than to show up underdressed.
12. You will get fat during busy season.
13. Get everything you need from the client before you leave fieldwork, they tend to be a little slower through email than when you are in their office.
14. GOOGLE everything, it will help to keep you from asking a “silly” question.
15. When you go to talk to a client always take a pen and paper, I got the deer in the headlights look and sweating panic attack when a CFO starting spatting off a monologue about this account detail, knowing there was no way I was going to be able to remember it all!

Laura Snyder - Director of Marketing

Most experts agree that more than 90% of communications is non-verbal. While WHAT you say is obviously very important, HOW you say it is much more powerful. Misunderstandings often occur as a result of inappropriate and/or misinterpreted non-verbal cues. It is vital to understand the role non-verbal communication plays, both in knowing what others are really thinking, and what your own cues tell them about you. Non-verbal signals tell you what others think and feel. If you do not take into account non-verbal language, then you ignore over 90% of what they are saying.

Things to keep in mind: - Facial expression: the face can tell you whether someone is happy, surprised, sad, angry, afraid or disgusted. While they may try to hide these emotions with words, they are “leaked” through the face.

• Eye contact: the eyes communicate intimacy, interest and threat. To show someone you are interested in what they are telling you, be sure to maintain eye contact.

• Gesture: involuntary gestures such as touching the face, scratching, gripping the hands together, or putting the hands near the mouth often indicate intense emotions such as depression, elation or anxiety.

• Posture: posture conveys emotion, social relationship and social status.

• Touch: touch can be a valuable means of reassurance and of demonstrating understanding.

• Proximity: humans are highly territorial and have four spatial proximity zones: intimate, personal, social and public.

If you keep these things in mind, you will better understand others and be sure that you aren’t sending the wrong signals, particularly durning the interview process.