Any accountants out there

[Toolin Around]

I going back to uni and was looking at accounting. Any out there that would like to give me a bit of insite into your world I would be very appreciative.

[Coldamus]

I think Sturdee is one. I was in chartered and public accounting for many years, then moved to corporate accounting and then gradually into programming and I.T.

The greatest and (to me at least) only benefit of having accounting qualifications is the ease of finding work.
In chartered and public accounting particularly, there is always plenty of demand.

I tried going back to chartered accounting but after the freedom of commerce, I found the profession too regimented, stifling and restrictive. I can no longer handle the lack of freedom and now just do part time bookwork between programming jobs and anything else I can find.

It doesn't have to be stifling - it depends on the firm. For example I once worked for a public accounting firm in the Surry Hills area of Sydney. We specialised in accounting for cash businesses and those with incomplete or non-existing records. Being close to the Cross, our clientele included numerous brothels, SP bookies, illegal casinos, police, horse racing trainers, jockeys, journalists, etc. as well as the "Mr Big" of that time and other "colourful" identities.

The stereotype of accounting being dull and boring doesn't necessarily apply.

As the newest staff member with my own client list, the firm used to allocate to me all of the new clients who came in for an interview. So one day , when I saw a strangely dressed fellow waiting at reception wearing a pink suit and carrying a ladies handbag, I tried to make myself scarce. However the receptionist found me and there was no way out of it.

I invited the chap into my office. He told me he wanted his tax return done, so I took out a form and started to draft it for him. I asked his name.

"Susan Elisabeth Smythe." he said (name changed for anonymity). Not batting an eyelid, I wrote it down and asked his occupation.

"Female impersonator." he said. I thought "Ooh, we've got a right one here!" but wrote it down anyway.

It turned out he wasn't kidding and started taking off his shirt and singlet to show me the operating scars where he'd had breast implants and later had them removed.

At this point the interview started to disintegrate as I could not get a consistent account of his occupation and work history. It seemed he had indeed been a female impersonator but also claimed to be a counsellor for a local welfare group, among other things. I recognised the name of the welfare group as one that helps drug users and realised he was one of their "clients".

This explained some of his irrational behaviour. Between answering questions, he had been showing me how to balance a sheet of A4 paper vertically on his nose and was actually doing so quite well.

A quick phone call from another room confirmed my suspicions so the next problem was how to finish off the interview. We weren't getting anywhere with the tax return. He'd put his singlet and shirt back on but at one point started undoing his trousers. This was getting embarrassing.

I asked the senior partner for advice and he said the chap was obviously worried about his tax, so just get him to sign a blank tax form and ask him to come back later.

He was spot on. I did that and the fellow went away happy. He never did come back though.

I learned one important thing that day. The secret to balancing a piece of paper on your nose is to put a slight curve in it first. I've never been able to do it as well as he did though.

I would love to write a book "Confessions of a Tax Accountant" but if it included the juicy bits I'd need a bulletproof Mercedes - not worth it.

regards
Coldamus

[Toolin Around]

Hmmm note to self... Don't ask transvestites to show you their scars, no matter how curios you are;)


I guess what I'm looking for is are you satisfied in your career choice. What sort of salary can one expect as they climb and gain experience. Is it a difficult process obtaining your CPA/CA status. Are Australian accountants able to find work in other countries; the real question here is are their qualifications recognized internationally... My wife and I feel this will be the place we plan to live out our lives but we want to live for short periods (year or two) in other places such as England, Hawaii... Also cause we decided to do the vagabond life we will most likely have to work well beyond the regular retirement age and I thought it might be one of those sorts of careers that would allow me to do that.

[Coldamus]

I guess what I'm looking for is are you satisfied in your career choice.
No, I should have been a carpenter/builder!


What sort of salary can one expect as they climb and gain experience.
Probably above average. Limited only by your ability.


Is it a difficult process obtaining your CPA/CA status.
Yes, but less so than it was in my day when the Institute ran all of its own exams from start to finish. Go here for info on how it works now: http://www.icaa.org.au/


Are Australian accountants able to find work in other countries; the real question here is are their qualifications recognized internationally...
Yes. You may have to pass local exams to get full accreditation but should get good exemptions for Australian qualifications.

The laws and practicalities of other countries differ from ours, particularly tax laws, so you are not likely to command as high a salary as a local until you've gained local experience. On the other hand, if you become an expert on international tax, the sky is the limit.

The physical demands of the profession are low, so there is no reason why you can't go past normal retiring age. I certainly intend to do so, even if in another field.

It will be much easier if you become self-employed. Accountants are not exempt from the employer attitude that anyone over 30 is "past it". Your defence against that is to stay current with your knowledge. If you are good enough, you won't have a problem, but don't expect to be able to "drop out" for a few years and then come back. If you do, employers won't want to know you and you will have to accept menial, boring jobs well below your ability.

regards
Coldamus

[Lignum]

What a shame a craftsman of your skill level apears to be wanting to persue another career path :(

[Sturdee]

I going back to uni and was looking at accounting. Any out there that would like to give me a bit of insite into your world I would be very appreciative.

I'm reluctant to offer advice because, whilst it is an interesting and rewarding career, it is only really suited to a few select people who enjoy puzzles and number crunching. Many who enter the profession are not really suited and regret having taken it up.

From what you have told in your further posts, wanting to take time of to travel etc, you would be better learning a trade that will always be in demand and have not such continuing development requirements to stay up to date in relation to tax.

BTW Coldamus, when I was a young lad and still working in a bank I was working in St. Kilda ( your Cross equivalent ) and I also got to know lots of working girls who used to bank their takings.

Good looking chicks they were too. Some were saving up to buy a house others were helping to earn the money to pay for their kids private schooling but all had interesting stories to tell. Monday mornings was particularly busy.:D Must have been our fate to get to know all kinds of workers. :D

Peter.

[Auld Bassoon]

police :eek: [/B], horse racing trainers, jockeys, journalists, etc. as well as the "Mr Big" of that time and other "colourful" identities.

Coldamus

Quite a colourful story too :)

[Toolin Around]

I'm reluctant to offer advice because, whilst it is an interesting and rewarding career, it is only really suited to a few select people who enjoy puzzles and number crunching. Many who enter the profession are not really suited and regret having taken it up.

From what you have told in your further posts, wanting to take time of to travel etc, you would be better learning a trade that will always be in demand and have not such continuing development requirements to stay up to date in relation to tax.

Peter.

Thanx for your comments I appreciate your opinion(s). You have me thinking as to whether I'm would want to do such a job... If I wore the cloths of a younger man I (I've been listening to Billy Joel lately) would probably agree. I would most likely be trying to pursue some sort of adrenaline junkie job. But as I have gotten older I have come to value financial security and stability more than thrills. I've known a few accountants over the years and all may not have the most exciting jobs but they all seem happy with what they do, financially secure and appear set on doing accounting till they retire, something I can't say for what I do know. I also believe that even if I were to find that I don't want to be an accountant it will be a far better stepping stone to something I may like more than what I presently do. What I have planned is a double business degree in accounting and management. The uni has given me credit for the first year of a BSc also so I'm weighing out as to whether I should finish that off also.

[Toolin Around]

What a shame a craftsman of your skill level apears to be wanting to persue another career path :(

Not a chance of that mate. You can take the boy out of the woodshop but you can't take the woodshop out of the boy. If anything it will drive me to be far more creative with the stuff I want to do.

[Lignum]

Good to hear:D The quality of your work is right up their with the best and it will be great to see the creative side come out when the financial side isnt the primary concern:)

[echnidna]

So TA, are you going on the seminar circuit to teach woodies how to make money?

[Toolin Around]

So TA, are you going on the seminar circuit to teach woodies how to make money?


Not if I have to lead by example:D