CPA Exam Review News Blog

Saving and investing is something new professionals have heard a lot about, but often the same way they know their uncle is really into Pickleball. Putting money into other companies seems crazy when you're still in the world of student loans, don't have a home yet, and are still trying to get on your feet.

The problem with this attitude is how it turns into a habit which lasts too long into a professional's life. There is never a time it's "too late" to start saving, but starting to build your wealth is a lot easier if you start before you turn 30, even if it's not a lot. So today we're going to look at five apps that help the beginning investor save.

Imagine you're in charge of laying the foundation for the house you plan on living in for the rest of your life. You would want to guess at the process or ask someone else how they did it years ago on different bedrock and climate, hoping the same works for you. You'd want the most up-to-date methods, help, and plans. You'd want blueprints...

Will you make more money by taking a new position with higher pay at another company? Job swapping is more common than ever and the professional game of "bigger and better" is becoming the norm. While no one expects loyalty, and while loyalty doesn't mean the same stability as it once did, can sticking it out with a company benefit you more in the long run than chasing a higher check right now? The answer is not a clear yes or no, but you can take a look at a few factors to help you determine which answer is right for you.

The CPA exam is constantly changing to ensure that a newly-licensed CPA has the required knowledge and skills to operate in a modern accounting environment. It is a time of advancements in technology and automation and Mike Decker, the Vice President of Examinations for the AICPA and his team of 70 staff are responsible for continuously improving the exam to meet the needs of stakeholders across the country. But what does that mean for candidates? Are there further changes on the horizon that candidates need to be aware of?

Being a young accountant means having one of the widest fields of career potential in front of you. The profession is in high demand, but supply, especially of CPAs, is struggling to keep up. This favorable job market doesn't mean you should sit back and relax, but rather be ready and treat opportunity as if it were always around the corner. You should be professional to the standard of seasoned pro's, bring the energy of someone new to the industry, and able to meet every expectation as times and common practices have changed. This means your LinkedIn, handshake, Twitter, business card, and Instagram pages should all be kept to a professional standard as they will be scrutinized. The worst thing you can do is impress online and disappoint in person. Keeping everyone happy and making genuine connections can feel intimidating and taxing, but it is possible and worth it.

Busy season has ended which is supposed to make it feel like you have all the free time in the world now, right? Then why does it feel like your responsibilities are stacking up and growing out of control?

The simple answer might be because you are letting them.

In the same way athletes gain weight after their season is over, accountants risk falling behind their work after busy season. The day to day goes from forced productivity, to a more lackadaisy office culture. Since the amount you have to do drops so drastically, the urgency to do work decreases too. Since 24 hours is feeling like a lot more without the busy season pressure, you start putting off responsibilities. It doesn't seem like a big deal and before you know it, you're behind.

So you just got married – now what?

Congratulations! It is such an exciting time of life. College parties turn into Sunday morning brunches, late Friday nights out turn into coffee dates on Saturday and suddenly everyone around you is getting married, sitting the CPA Exam and having children. Now it is your turn – so what should you be thinking about and what are some of the taxation implications. You are a CPA candidate, so this is right up your alley.

Everyone has heard and most of us regularly keep a "To Do" list. Their detailed tasks sit line by line on folded up sheets of paper in pockets and in the notes sections of our phones. We cross them off and in doing so, feel a sense of accomplishment. One thing we don't give ourselves credit for is the very thing which gets in the way of crossing more of those "To Do" items off.

If the thought of a five hour work day in the corporate world of business seems impossible, you should really take a look at what Collins SBA of Tasmania is doing to shake the industry norm. A simple look at their website shows a slightly different face than you'd expect from a Financial Advisory company. They don't mince words about their alternative approach either - along with titles of "advisor" or "director" are Hiker, Diver, Coach, Architect, and Cook. This simple recognition about some of the people who make up the company gives you an inside look at how the company views their employees.

There's a lot to learn in the process of becoming a CPA and getting your license depends on more than just sitting for the exam. There may even be some differences depending on what state you are in. Before we dig into the details, let's cover some of the basics.