Weekend April 5, 2020

This semester I created a blog post on TAMUSA Blackboard for each student in my classes. Iasked them to post a career plan linked to their graduation date.

With the break down of the economy, this is now more important than ever. Here are a few ideas on what might be included in your career path blog post.

And a note to those with kids and family at home. Passing a certified accounting exam will be the most difficult undertaking of your life. The pass rate is the lowest of any professional exam, 50%. Pharmacy by contrast has a pass rate around  90 %.

So all the family will be taking the exam so to speak. You will need to establish a 'quiet time' when you are undisturbed and can concentrate without interruption.  I am already receiving e mails from harried Moms who are trying to balance home schooling, work from home, and college all in the same time fram.   So plan ahead!

Professor Elam

Accounting 4311, 5308,5327

Your Career Path on Your Blog at BB

I thought this was a good idea at the start of the semester when I created the blogs for all. I observe too many students needlessly procrastinating on their actual career plans. Most are simply focused on finishing school without integrating the idea of a certification into their studies.

Already I suspect 10 million are out of work. 1750 (not a misprint) families showed up at Brook City Base this week when the Food Bank set up a distribution center.   Accountants are in demand when firms are making money. When nothing is being sold, demand for accountants shrinks. So your plan is all about how YOU are going to stand out to a potential employer. So here are a few ideas, and suggestions.

Your submission does not have to be lengthy but it should be tightly focused with a timeline.

Graduation Date, Under or Graduate

What jobs have you had which relate to accounting or independent decision making?

Have you achieved certifications in MSFT Office Software, Quik Books, Six Sigma, Data Analytics, or other digital application?

Were you involved in student organizations?

Did you author an original work or publish a paper with your professor in an academic journal (wow what a great idea!!!!!)

Have you created a website, weblog, twitter or other social media that reflects your interest in accounting or finance?

Are you a student member of an accounting organization. Given the social distancing right now everyone is meeting on line, see Professorelam blog for April 16 IMA meeting.

Are you considering an accounting certification?

CPA requires 150 Hours of college and four exams.

CMA CIA EA can be taken with an undergrad degree. I have links to all these on the Professorelam..typepad.com

CMA is two exams, CIA is three.   You have a designation after passing the first part of CIA.

CFE is another option and study at tome. I suspect it is easier than the others.

If so have you joined the organization, and picked your review materials, and begun studying simultaneous with your classes?

And you can examine the laundry list of other specialty certifications, again professorelam weblog, bank examiner, divorce cert (yes there is one!) for ideas.  

Explore the internet.

Here are 34 professional certs for accounting

https://accountantsaccelerator.com/34-professional-certifications-accounting-tax-audit/

Robert Half on certifications

https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/salaries-and-skills/finance-and-accounting-certifications-employers-want-to-see

In researching this here is an organization I did not know about San Antonio Association for Financial Professionals

https://www.sanantonioafp.org/

Tuesday March 24 2020