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Newbie Question

Hello-

I am interested in pursuing a career in accounting...I just wanted some advice....my story is that I own two successful retail stores yet I want to do something interesting and travel. I am studying arabic ( my "native" language) and also taking courses in accounting online....I need basically 7 courses to qualify for the CPA exam. Two of the courses I am taking now...I am thinking I can also study for the CPA exam while I am taking the courses specific to the portions of the exam to keep it fresh.

Anyway, I just want some advice on what to expect if I go into accounting at the entry level after I pass my exam....for instance, would my experience as a retail store chain owner carry me with companies or firms? Would it be a good idea for me to gain some experience or coursework in accounting information systems? Are there any books out there I can read on specific popular systems, such as SAP?

My end goal is most likely to gain employment overseas for a US firm HQed abroad in the middle east. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks J.J.

Reply to
jcl
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wrote

That you have apoparent experience in the "real world" should carry you a lot. Having that insight allows you to better understand teh needs of the retail client for example, and should carry over into other businesses as well.

Small businesses predominantly use Quickbooks or Peachtree. If you're thinking small firm, get familiar with those programs. If you're aiming up a bit in firm size, it's a crap shoot as to what their clients use, as some may be industry specific or proprietary programs.

No telling what they use in other countries.

It might be helpful gaining some experience here in the early years.

Reply to
Paul Thomas, CPA

How far along are you in your accounting studies? If you understand, as a concept, accounting systems you prob understand what SAP might create software for. If you are doing well with your own business why are you considering this?

While I do think your post is a joke, it is thought provoking. How good are the s and p's internal control systems?

Reply to
Brian

Hi Paul and Brian-

Thanks for your reply and helpful advice. I do have quite a bit of experience using quickbooks over the past 5 years. I am choosing accounting because the undergrad school i went to (uc davis) did not offer accounting as a major, but a less specific field, Managerial Economics. I took two accounting courses (basic fin and man accy) and found them the most interesting. Currently I am taking through indiana university's correspondance school Intermediate Accy and Personal Taxation.

What sort of work do you do in accounting? Do you work for small biz or for large corp? and what sort of software systems do you work with? Is peachtree dying out? Also, is accounting a profession that is slowly being offshored to india and asia?

Reply to
jcl

Brian-

Not sure what you mean by S and P's internal control systems....i think "internal controls" refer to accounting policies that companies set up culturally within their own sphere as well as a set of best practices in terms of accounting. Am I correct? My post is not a joke by any means, just looking for helpful and kind advice..have any for me?

Take Care J.J.

Reply to
jcl

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