Advice for a Successful Career in the Accounting Profession (First Edition)
Practical guidance to optimize the benefits of your accounting degree—no matter what stage of your career!
Originally conceived and designed to provide helpful advice to college and university accounting majors and early-career professionals, this book evolved into a valuable resource for those groups as well as others who may be further along in their accounting careers.
Subjects Covered
Why Accounting is a Great Profession
Accounting is a rewarding profession that offers financial security, personal and professional growth, and diverse career opportunities, all while providing a fulfilling sense of purpose.
Work Life Balance and Avoiding Burnout
You can achieve a successful accounting career without sacrificing a rewarding personal and family life. While periods of burnout and feeling overwhelmed are inevitable, you can minimize and manage these challenges by taking proactive steps.
Communication and Technical Skills
Successful accountants need to be able to communicate well, both when speaking and in writing. Invest the time to develop your communication skills. Your technical skills are the currency that will finance your professional career. Commit to constantly developing and enhancing them and adopt a philosophy of continuous life-long learning and improvement.
Having a Value-Creation Mindset
Every daily interaction serves as a continuous opportunity to either add or subtract value from a situation. Being consistently mindful of this reality is crucial, as your long-term success is ultimately determined by your ability to contribute meaningfully. Essentially, the more value you actively create and bring to the table, the greater your overall success will be.
What People Are Saying
"I can think of no one better than Jerry Maginnis to write an educational and motivational book like this one. Since we first met, it’s been clear to me that he has set the standard for success in the accounting profession and, more important, for an unceasing dedication to encouraging and mentoring young people to follow in his footsteps. This practical and fun-to-read book is a gift to aspiring accounting students and, especially, to people who choose to enter the accounting profession. It should be a must-read for all of them."
— Jack Brennan, Chairman Emeritus, Vanguard; former Chairman, the Financial Accounting Foundation“This book is ideal for aspiring and early-career accounting professionals and their advisors, supervisors, and mentors. Jerry has done a terrific job of organizing and highlighting key practical points and essential advice for success. I am confident that this book will help provide access and opportunity to many students and early-career professionals who will lead the accounting profession in the future."
— Jeanette Franzel, CPA, Board Member and Executive Advisor"Jerry Maginnis has a wealth of experience and his willingness and commitment to create this book to share the benefits of that experience is impressive. I recommend it for anyone considering a career in accounting as well as current public and private accountants of all ages. This smartly laid out book is not only a good read but can also serve as a handy reference tool for accounting students and professionals. It’s a must have for any accountant’s bookshelf!"
— John Nickolas, Chief Financial Officer, Philadelphia Phillies