We know you want to be someone who takes the quickest possible route to licensure. So, without further ado, here are five key traits that empower candidates to stand out from the crowd.

Irreplaceable 

Unique. Unparalleled. Priceless. Incomparable. Impossible to substitute. Do those sound like adjectives you want your company to use when talking about you? Let's discuss some ways to become that employee…

Major Changes Ahead

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) have been working on a joint initiative to change the CPA licensure process. They sought feedback from various sources and considered many alternative ideas to update the licensure process. The current model under consideration focuses on core competencies all candidates must master.

Also, the model introduces three areas of specialty, with the CPA candidate specializing in one of them. The core competencies are audit, technology, accounting, and tax, and the three specializations, also called pillars, are tax compliance and planning, information systems and controls, and business reporting and analysis.

Employers want to hire the best employees, and employees want to work for the best companies. But in many companies, there remains a disconnect between what employees are looking for and what employers are offering. In particular, many employers believe the way to both attract and retain talent is to provide more money, better benefits, or other perks. However, while compensation is a factor in employee job satisfaction, it is certainly not the only factor, nor is it even the most important factor. It goes without saying that what will satisfy one employee may not satisfy another employee. However, while there is no formula for an ideal work environment, there are several job characteristics that employers would be wise to consider.

It's tax season at work, and you are also progressing towards your CPA certification, so it's completely normal to feel some stress right now. But how much pressure are you shouldering? Is it damaging your quality of life?

Don't look back on this season of your life and realize you missed some great days because you were always stressed out.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, which seemed appropriate timing to remind CPA Candidates that your loved ones still want to feel connected with you. We know the demands of studying, busy season, and just life, in general, can make that challenging. So, what can you do to make sure you set the right expectations with your spouse, children, or other loved ones, while also receiving the support you need from them?

You may be studying for the CPA Exam, but most likely, you are simultaneously working in the accounting profession. As tax season approaches, there is undoubtedly a buzz around your office regarding taxes. And even if you are immune to filing tax returns at your job, you cannot escape filing (or at the very least, paying someone else to file) your tax return!

Technology distractions are ubiquitous these days. Studies show that many employees are working a fraction of the time they are on the clock – and technology is not just a distraction in the workplace. This issue begs the question: when you’re studying, what percentage of the time are you productively studying? Have you considered how many times you check your email or answer a text or tap your phone to see if anything popped up? And the problem is not merely the time spent on the device. The constant task-switching itself takes a toll on the effectiveness of your study time because every time you are distracted, it takes additional effort to refocus. 

Busy season is rapidly approaching, and if you're reading this, then you're either studying for the Exam, or you're preparing to start. Regardless, entering into the busy season poses some unique challenges that you'll need to analyze and overcome to continue making solid progress towards earning that license.

Congratulations on passing all of the CPA Exams, taking the ethics exam (if applicable in your jurisdiction), getting the experience necessary to become a CPA, AND successfully navigated the paperwork. You’ve earned it!!

Now that you have put in all that time, how can you make the best use of your license? Do you know what is necessary to make sure your license doesn’t lapse?