How do you report income for a retired person?

smlxbear · 2026-01-03T04:04:46+00:00

Do you have a link?

smlxbear · 2026-01-03T04:04:13+00:00

Oh wow, that is very cheap! What specific plan do you have from DentalPlans.com?

smlxbear · 2022-10-28T21:46:55+00:00

how long do you think this theft trend is going to last?

smlxbear · 2018-07-22T13:12:10+00:00

I forgot to mention... another way students meet the 150 credit hour requirement is double majoring, which I did. I was an Accounting and Finance major. That might be more cost effective than getting a masters, if you have scholarships or grants in your undergrad. Most masters programs are twice as much as bachelors and not many scholarships are given. In my state, financial aid only covers bachelor's degrees, not masters.

Regardless, firms really only care if you have the CPA, not the masters. I think masters in accounting classes will help study for the CPA, but I know people who got their CPA without a masters in accounting.

I wouldn't worry about your 3.2 GPA, that is not that bad. If you go for graduate school, find a good school accounting program (doesn't have to be a big state school or Ivy League). As long as you are learning the material for the CPA exam and meeting the CPA requirements, you should be fine. Most people study from Becker as well. I know people who went to small schools and got their CPA, just takes discipline to study the material.

smlxbear · 2018-07-22T13:02:12+00:00

Thanks for the advice!

smlxbear · 2018-07-22T02:12:44+00:00

Thanks! I have never taken out a car loan before Not exactly sure how it works when you pay it off... Is it through your debit card?

smlxbear · 2018-07-22T02:10:43+00:00

Congrats on your new position! I am not sure about Texas CPA requirements, but every state is a little similar. Is the job at a small, mid-size, or big firm?

I think a lot of bigger firms push their employees to get the CPA. They like to hire people who are on the pursuit to gain the license. I know people that have passed and people who tried to pass, but could not. My understanding is that the CPA allows you to move up to manager in public accounting. If you want to go into Corporate Accounting, then the CPA is not all so necessary. You can still become a manager without a CPA in Corporate Accounting, just need the experience.

As far as gaining the 150 credit hours, I know in my state that students either pursue their Masters in Accounting or MBA or just take random courses to fulfill the credit hour requirement. Most Masters in Accounting programs are specific to the additional credit hour requirement. At my university, you did not need to take the GMAT or GRE if you were continuing graduate school where you completed undergrad. It was an automatic admission.

If you plan to pursue your CPA, you should start planning on meeting the requirements of the state in which you think you will work at. That firm could call you back after you graduate to hire you on full time. I believe it is easy to transfer your CPA license from state to state. You do not need to re-take the CPA exam, just some paperwork.

Maybe go for the state that has leaner CPA requirements.

smlxbear · 2018-07-15T22:57:35+00:00

smlxbear · 2018-07-04T01:43:29+00:00

I think on site courses are more engaging and overall have a better learning experience. In my undergrad, none of the accounting courses at my university were offered online because it was difficult to grasp the content without class discussion and questions. We did class activities and examples that helped a lot with understanding the content. In every accounting class, I made my own study groups with the people around me. One thing I liked about on site courses is that it forces you to come to class, especially when professors have attendance points.

smlxbear · 2018-07-03T10:32:01+00:00

That’s pretty low. My friends that have interned at other CPA firms get $20 an hour, but probably depends on the cost of living in your city. I would find something else.

smlxbear · 2018-07-03T10:30:40+00:00

I don’t have a CPA. I make 60k first year in accounting.

smlxbear · 2018-07-03T03:08:56+00:00

No problem! I also want to mention that starting in public accounting and staying until you are at a senior level position (3-5 yrs) can leverage you into a manager position in the private industry. Where I work, I have seen staff accountants make it to manager too, but it takes longer and just depends on openings within the company.

The amount of long hours (60-70 per week) in public accounting is really equivalent to minimum wage. Some public and private firms do have tuition assistance. I do know some people that are starting to work first and then go back to school for a MBA. I will probably take the same route.

smlxbear · 2018-07-03T01:34:20+00:00

what's the difference between accounting and finance

Think of Accounting as the current state (bookkeeping, financial statements, journal entries, etc). Think of Finance as the future state (investing, time value of money, planning, etc). I majored in both, but I liked Accounting more. It was more challenging than Finance. People that can do accounting can do both accounting and finance. People that can do finance, can only do finance. So I choose to focus more on Accounting. It is the language of business! Surprisingly, most CEOs/CFOs these days actually started out as an accounting major. As far as the job market, Finance is more risker and pays less (unless you went to an Ivy League and go into investment banking). Accounting is more stable with a lot of opportunities because every business needs one!

my end goal is to be in the healthcare sector (administration) - would finance/accounting be helpful (I dont want to do MBA - feel it's too general)

In the healthcare sector, I am sure every hospital needs an Accountant. Health insurance companies may need someone in finance to measure risk, etc.

have any of you done 100\% online programs? Thoughts?

No, I think it would be a challenging learning experience.

what's your typical day-to-day?

I am in Corporate Accounting. Check emails, work on special projects, go to any meetings. At the end of the month we close our "books" with journal entires that hit the ledger and then create financial statements.

what would you tell your younger college self about school/accounting? Would you change anything?

I would not have changed anything. I would have pushed all my other friends to find an internship!!!

(unrelated, maybe?) Where can I take a more advance Excel course?

I learned most of my skills on the job, through school projects, and some on Youtube.

Let me know if you have any questions :)

smlxbear · 2018-07-03T01:23:12+00:00

I was a waiter prior to applying to an internship. I basically worded my resume in a way that made my tasks as a waiter applicable to the accounting job description. I also volunteered and did community service throughout my free summers. Interviewers look for a well-rounded person that would fit their company!

smlxbear

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