本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛1. About study
It took me 3 years to work on my B.comm including 17 required courses by the institution. The 1 year saved from my undergraduate was spent on the MAcc at BrockU. There is no direct help on getting the CA from MAcc, however this program demands the case writing and technical research skills which helps me preparing and passing the SOA and UFE. Also, the real work at public practices often involves lots of research. I believe I have gained certain benefits from MAcc in this area. Last but not least, I did take some advantage from the MAcc title when looking for jobs. Overall, it is not difficult to have 17credits, but the important thing is to have a sound accounting knowledge at this stage, which will save lots of effort later on, at least this is the case for myself.
2. About job search
Since the beginning of the second semester of MAcc, I started job research. I did not have any related working experience before. But I didn’t see this is a disadvantage, as the CA firms are recruiting CA students at school. A fresh person is indeed more possible and easier to be trained by firms. The big 4, BDO and GT came to the university since September each year, I got chances of interview from half of them. Usually, these firms will hold an information section first. My suggestion is must go to these information sections, as they will only pick these attendance for interview. 99% of the first interview with large firms is behavior interviews. Each one should practice before the interview and prepare some answer for common questions. There are many information abut behavior question in the interview on the internet. The questions I was asked are more related with how to solve team conflict, how to solve a real working problem, how to manage time, how to handle multi projects at same time, ect.
The large firms usually have websites with career section. Frequently checking their website for new opening doesn’t take too much effort and may land you to a future position. Another website I often checked is Workopolis. Usually small firms post opening there. My 2 jobs are all found there.
3. about working at small firm
The biggest difference between small and large firm is that I am involving all kind projects within the public practices. Most time of non-business season, I am working on review and NTR independently, mainly review and reviewed directly by partners. All these engagements include the tax return I have to prepare. The first CA firm I work at has more than 300 personal returns. I did more 100 in the first year. Most of personal returns are for the owners of firm’s corporation clients. Usually their returns are more complicated as involving business income, investment income, capital gain/loss, other property income, foreign income and shareholder benefits etc. Also, personal tax plan may be needed when client requests which is the best way to compensation theirself by their companies or inquiry the tax consequence for some transactions between them and their companies, or other estate plans.
From Nov to next year’s Apr is busy season, like large firms, the majority of working in business season is auditing. What is different is that I will perform various procedures in different auditing engagements from risk assessment to actual field work for each section, even the audit planning if a small simply audit. My first audit is completely done by myself. It was such as challenge for me as no experience what so ever. However, this is a very effective learning process if you put maximal efforts and commitments to complete it.
Other duties include GST returns and other special engagement per client’s request.
Doing difference projects covering all accounting areas is considered a very large benefit of working at small firms. It not only keeps me feeling involved in the work and encouraged but also helps me building sufficient and comprehensive working experience. There are more opportunities for me to apply that knowledge I learned from school and understand their implication in return. What is more important is performing various tasks often make me realize which knowledge I am weak at or already forgot.
To be continued...更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net