Many people think that accountants are very shy people that sit in front of a computer all day and look at spreadsheets. While we do review our fair share of number spreadsheets, those of us in audit are not and can't be the shy type. This profession teaches you that in order to get anywhere or get anything done, you need to have an aggressive attitude. People don't usually like auditors because we are reviewing their work and potentially finding problems. Therefore, clients don't usually just hand you exactly what you need to do your job. Often times they ignor you for as long as they possibly can. Due to this, I've had to develop different techniques to get the information I need.
I believe that being in audit helped me develop communication skills necessary to get ahead. I understand that I have to be outspoken and have a bull-dog type attitude.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
New Job Opportunity
It's amazing to think that I started out as a staff member of a Public Accounting firm and am now thinking of a new opportunity as a controller in one of our divisions.
My position as a internal auditor is to prepare me to one day be transferred to a division as a controller/ asst controller. Being a controller means more operational and manager responsibility, as well as a continuation of my accounting knowledge. I've had the past four years to build knowledge of accounting and to develop the skills necessary to review financial balances and processes for errors. I am excited that I now have the opportunity to grow into an operational role.
When I left public, I wanted a position that would get me more involved in a company and be able to make decisions to help that company grow. As a controller, I'll start to have that chance here. I am at the point where positions in other states are being presented to me and I am being given the opportunity to interview for them. I'll go through the process over the next couple months, and hopefully be placed with a division where my skill set matches what that particular division needs.
My position as a internal auditor is to prepare me to one day be transferred to a division as a controller/ asst controller. Being a controller means more operational and manager responsibility, as well as a continuation of my accounting knowledge. I've had the past four years to build knowledge of accounting and to develop the skills necessary to review financial balances and processes for errors. I am excited that I now have the opportunity to grow into an operational role.
When I left public, I wanted a position that would get me more involved in a company and be able to make decisions to help that company grow. As a controller, I'll start to have that chance here. I am at the point where positions in other states are being presented to me and I am being given the opportunity to interview for them. I'll go through the process over the next couple months, and hopefully be placed with a division where my skill set matches what that particular division needs.
Fun opportunities in Internal audit
Over the past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in an Area event at my company. They rented out part of a theme park and invited employees in the area to hang out for the evening. As my audit was in town, they invited me as well. It was a great opportunity to see people I had met on past audits and enjoy an amusement park.
I am in constant amazement at the different events and opportunities I have in the accounting field. During the evening event, I interacted with VP's and controllers of different company functions. It's great to have so many contacts all over the company and country. With auditing, you're interacting with so many people on a daily basis you forget how many people you are actually forming relationships with that can help you as you develop your career. This past weekend helped remind me of that.
Before entering other jobs in accounting/finance, I think it's a really good idea to go through an opportunity in external/internal auditing. There is such a huge learning curve and development of communication skills that are really important later in your career. You're constantly having to learn a different accounting rule and process and then assess if it's right or not and that helps one to quickly review a later issue and come up with a solution in a quick, effective manner. You're also constantly having to talk to people in an executive position, and this helps you develop those communication skills that will help you move up through the ranks.
I am in constant amazement at the different events and opportunities I have in the accounting field. During the evening event, I interacted with VP's and controllers of different company functions. It's great to have so many contacts all over the company and country. With auditing, you're interacting with so many people on a daily basis you forget how many people you are actually forming relationships with that can help you as you develop your career. This past weekend helped remind me of that.
Before entering other jobs in accounting/finance, I think it's a really good idea to go through an opportunity in external/internal auditing. There is such a huge learning curve and development of communication skills that are really important later in your career. You're constantly having to learn a different accounting rule and process and then assess if it's right or not and that helps one to quickly review a later issue and come up with a solution in a quick, effective manner. You're also constantly having to talk to people in an executive position, and this helps you develop those communication skills that will help you move up through the ranks.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Woman in finance
As I continue to grow into different roles in the finance profession, I start to notice that there are fewer and fewer women at the top. As a woman, I have different interests then men, thus, it's harder for me to form the bonds necessary to make contacts throughout the finance world. These contacts are important as you move up in organizations. I'm not angry or frustrated because I am moving up and being treated with respect in my profession. I just think it's important to realize that many finance positions are held by men and a woman needs to be prepared for that when they go into this profession. It will be hard, but women are slowly making their way into all sorts of upper level positions and making it easier for those of us that come later. Sometimes it just makes me work that much harder to prove I'm just as capable. :)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Being Social
When most people think of accountants, they think of a person with glasses that sits behind a desk all day crunching numbers. While that may be true in some accounting jobs, that is not the case of an internal or external auditor. This type of job requires that you be the type of person who can talk to anyone.
The job of an auditor is to get the information they need from people in order to ensure the company is reporting numbers and processes correctly. We talk to purchasing, sales, finance, executives, advertising, etc. There is not an area of a company that we do not come into contact with. As there are different types of people in all of these positions, an auditor needs to be able to relate to all.
I've found that if you talk to a client or another department, it always helps to start the conversation about something outside of work that you both can relate to. Whether it's sports, people's children, a show that was on the night before, etc. If you come off as friendly, they are more likely to help you get what you need. It also helps because you can make a lot of great contacts this way and maybe a friend or two before you're done.
So if you are interested in accounting, but are afraid of the types of jobs and the stigma attached, remember that auditing is very different. You're social everyday, make great connections and have great opportunities in your career.
Until next time!
The job of an auditor is to get the information they need from people in order to ensure the company is reporting numbers and processes correctly. We talk to purchasing, sales, finance, executives, advertising, etc. There is not an area of a company that we do not come into contact with. As there are different types of people in all of these positions, an auditor needs to be able to relate to all.
I've found that if you talk to a client or another department, it always helps to start the conversation about something outside of work that you both can relate to. Whether it's sports, people's children, a show that was on the night before, etc. If you come off as friendly, they are more likely to help you get what you need. It also helps because you can make a lot of great contacts this way and maybe a friend or two before you're done.
So if you are interested in accounting, but are afraid of the types of jobs and the stigma attached, remember that auditing is very different. You're social everyday, make great connections and have great opportunities in your career.
Until next time!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Home Office
Today is an end to our first week back in the office after a two-week audit in the field. It's quarter time, so we've been getting special projects from different areas in the company to complete before it's given to our external auditors. This is a nice break from what we do in the field and it gives us a higher level view of the company. We get to touch on so many different aspects of operations and finance that we really do learn a lot about our industry. We're also smack in the middle of doing our Home Office Sarbanes Cycles. This probably sounds a lot like Public Accounting, which it is. This role that I'm in is a good transition from Public accounting to an operational role. I'm still auditing but gaining experience in running a business so that i can make that transition to get more involved in making decisions that will affect company performance.
What is hard about my job is getting everything done at home that I need to get done. I only have 50% of my time at home so I have to fit everything in. When you are applying for jobs, ensure you ask the questions on how much you have to travel and really think of the impact on your life before you accept the job. I think it's fantastic, but you do give up a lot to travel. Delays, missing events at home, lost family time, etc. I do think it's worth it. My company is great about giving me flexibility when I'm home to make all those appointments and have time with family and friends. It's always good to find a company that is willing to work with your personal life when you have to travel a lot.
What is hard about my job is getting everything done at home that I need to get done. I only have 50% of my time at home so I have to fit everything in. When you are applying for jobs, ensure you ask the questions on how much you have to travel and really think of the impact on your life before you accept the job. I think it's fantastic, but you do give up a lot to travel. Delays, missing events at home, lost family time, etc. I do think it's worth it. My company is great about giving me flexibility when I'm home to make all those appointments and have time with family and friends. It's always good to find a company that is willing to work with your personal life when you have to travel a lot.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
End of a Two Week Audit
It's currently Thursday of week two of the audit for the Dallas Division location. Usually over the two week audit we test both financial and operational processes at the division. We have exposure to the president and all of the other executives at a certain division. It's nice to talk to these people because they are the ones that run the company and have really intesting backgrounds as to how they ended up at Pulte. It also gives you contacts for later in your career. A really good perk of this job, is that I am constantly making contacts in all parts of the country. Nice for when I decide to move out of Michigan.
I think that these internal audits are a lot different and better than anything I did in Public. For one, we work for the same company as the division we are visiting, thus, it's more of a team atmosphere. It's nice that the divisions like when audit comes as it gives them a fresh perspective to their business. Our group is very respected in the company and the divisions really value our opinions. That's a satisfaction that I never had in public accounting. In the job I am in now, I can see the results of what I suggest and know that I have an impact on the company.
I think that these internal audits are a lot different and better than anything I did in Public. For one, we work for the same company as the division we are visiting, thus, it's more of a team atmosphere. It's nice that the divisions like when audit comes as it gives them a fresh perspective to their business. Our group is very respected in the company and the divisions really value our opinions. That's a satisfaction that I never had in public accounting. In the job I am in now, I can see the results of what I suggest and know that I have an impact on the company.
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