Advice for a Successful Career in the Accounting Profession

Why I Wrote This Book(And How to Get the Most Out of It)

There are thousands of accounting books in circulation and more get written each year. Most are technical in nature. Textbooks used by college and university students discuss accounting theory and teach the “debits and credits.” Professional literature, such as that published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) detail the accounting and auditing standards. The Internal Revenue Code and related interpretations and regulations describe tax rules. Consultants and advisors offer insights on emerging business trends. Academics publish their research and practitioners write articles sharing their experience.

Given this vast body of knowledge, did we really need one more accounting book?

I concluded the answer to that question was yes. During my time as Executive in Residence at Rowan University, I’ve met dozens of accounting students who have many questions about the profession they are planning to enter. And, while working at KPMG, I met hundreds of early‐career professionals eager for advice and suggestions on how to achieve a successful accounting career.

This book was written principally for those two groups. I hope that students majoring in accounting and professionals in the early stages of their careers will benefit. While people embark on their academic and professional careers at a variety of ages, many of the people this book aims to help will be ...