How to Succeed at Your First Job

by Samantha Schmitt, CPA – December 4, 2024

"Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Work, continuous work and hard work is the only way to accomplish results that last." - Hamilton Holt, American author

Starting a new job, let alone your first job in the accounting profession, can be overwhelming and nerve wracking especially when all you've known is going to school, doing homework, studying and taking exams. This transition in life can be difficult for some individuals, however one can succeed in this new endeavor through the following skills and actions: take notes, ask questions, communicate, be organized, exhibit teamwork and be proactive. Let s dive into each skill/action and how you can use them in your day-to-day job to be able to be successful in your career.

Take Notes

When being assigned to a task, jot down notes on what you're being asked to complete so that you can easily reference it. Additionally, as you're being assigned a task, it's important to understand what you're doing and why you're doing it.

Try to look at the big picture so that you don't miss something important.

Ask Questions

As you're working on an assignment, compile your questions and set aside time to discuss these questions with your manager. Asking questions shows initiative. However, first give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to figure out the issue independently. If you still can't resolve the issue, present what you've uncovered to your manager (e.g., Is it a formula issue? Did the client provide the wrong support for the wrong selection?).

Another important tip is to self review. Once you've completed a task, be sure to check the work you did. For example: Did you fill out every testing attribute within the workpaper? Are the formulas calculating properly? Does everything conceptually/analytically make sense?

Communicate Often and Be Organized

Communication and organization are imperative to succeed in the accounting profession because you can be assigned to multiple engagements and work with several individuals at the same time. It s important to find out due dates from your managers when a task is assigned so you can plan your schedule accordingly to com plete the tasks in a timely manner. If there are conflicts, communicate with those you are working with so they can assist you in determining what should be prioritized.

Additionally, having a to-do list for each job, in OneNote or Excel for example, can help you stay organized and manage your time efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, compiling an organized list of outstanding items for a client will help ensure that all items are being addressed and resolved with the client.

Exhibit Teamwork and be Proactive

Lastly, in any profession, it's great to be a team player and be proactive. When you've completed a task, see what else can be done. Being proactive shows you are willing to learn and be a team player to see the project through to the end. It will also help you stand out compared to your peers because the more experience and exposure you get, the more knowledge you'll gain. Additionally, you want to be proactive in following up on items you worked on. Just because you worked on the testing, doesn't mean that it ends there. Check to see if any review comments were left on the work you performed and address those comments. If you had open items with a client, did you follow up with them periodically?

Putting reminders on your calendar is another trick to help you to follow up with clients on outstanding items. You are responsible for seeing through the items you worked on, and you shouldn't leave the team hanging. As the saying goes, "there is no I in team."

All in all, it is your future and your career. Strive to be the best you can be and take in all the new experiences you are dealt. It's ok to make mistakes as long as you learn and grow from them.