You are on the verge of entering the public accounting profession (or private, governmental, or not-for-profit sectors), a challenging, but rewarding field. While a pivotal skillset in your career will be application of financial accounting research (thank goodness you are in this class!), another critical component of your career success will be earning the CPA license within the first few years of being in the profession.

a. Changes that are currently being discussed with regard to the CPA and what stage said changes are in currently. You should look up articles in The CPA Journal and Journal of Accountancy, as well as visit the NASBA website for information on this.

b. A written plan of your path to CPA licensure, including, but not limited to, 150-hour options, when and how you will take the CPA exam, and what firm (i.e., Mazars, EisnerAmper, etc.) and area (i.e., audit, tax, advisory, etc.) you wish to work in for one year in order to complete the licensure process.

c. In your 10-year career plan, are there any other certifications you would like to earn (i.e., CFE, CIA, CMA, etc.). If so, why? If not, why?

d. If you plan on beginning your career in public accounting, in an ideal world, do you think you would like to stay in public accounting or branch out into other areas, such as accounting education, governmental/not-for-profit accounting, or private accounting?

e. If you do not plan on pursuing your CPA license or beginning your career in public accounting, please describe why this is the case and what your plans are. If you have answered a through d already, this question does not apply to your submission.