Transitioning from public accounting to a corporate finance role is exciting…but it can also come with a few learning curves. Whether you’re weighing the leap into corporate finance or already settling into a new job, here are a few things you should know.
#1: Your employer might not understand what it means to maintain your CPA license.
Your employer hired you for skills and financial savvy. While they might understand being a CPA means you’re at the top tier of accounting talent, they might not understand what being a CPA entails.
This is especially true when it comes to the ongoing cost of CPE, the time required for professional development, and the general processes of maintaining and renewing your license.
“Managing your own CPE is an exciting opportunity to take a ‘choose your own adventure’ approach to learning. You’re fully in the driver’s seat to seek options that align with your needs and goals.”
You’ll need to work on becoming a strong self-advocate in order to thrive. Remember the value you offer and maintain an open dialogue with your leadership about how the license is a benefit. Keep them up-to-date on your license status, and engage in thoughtful conversations about how they can help support you as you work to maintain your license.
How INCPAS can help:
- We get it — conversations with your boss about money can be tricky. INCPAS takes some of the heavy lifting off your plate with our employer letter template, which helps you make the case for an INCPAS membership. It also helps you open the dialogue about beneficial opportunities for your career.
#2: Your CPE is in your hands.
Accepting a corporate finance role means saying goodbye to having someone at your firm manage your CPE.
“You’ll need to be a strong self-advocate in order to thrive — keep an open dialogue with your leadership about how the CPA license is a benefit.”
While this can feel like a chore at first, it’s also an exciting opportunity to take a “choose your own adventure” approach to your learning. You’re fully in the driver’s seat to seek options that align with your needs and goals. It also allows you to explore new paths and opportunities that interest you.
How INCPAS can help:
- Free CPE. Your INCPAS membership comes with 20 hours of free CPE each year. That’s 60 hours for each reporting cycle and a perk that translates to money in your (or your employer’s) pocket.
- My CPE Tracker. Your INCPAS member dashboard includes a convenient tracker that lists all the CPE you’ve completed through INCPAS.
- FlexPass. Buy now, schedule later and save! Available in 24-hour and 40-hour package options, FlexPass lets you buy CPE hours through INCPAS in advance and schedule courses later at your convenience. Use toward conferences, webinars, on-demand courses and more.
- Flexible Learning. INCPAS’ extensive CPE catalog includes online and in-person options, one-hour webinars, full-day conferences and more. Whatever your preference, there’s an option that will fit.
#3: Your professional development needs can look different.
Every CPA can benefit from refining a mix of technical and soft skills. A corporate finance role, however, often calls for a different mix of skill development.
First, you’ll need to spend time building industry-specific knowledge to support your organization. Depending on your exact role, you might also need to focus on specific soft skills like giving effective presentations and communication skills to help you discuss financial topics with a wide range of audiences.
How INCPAS can help:
- Soft Skill CPE. INCPAS offers a range of personal development-related CPE, including topics like navigating conflict, working with different personality types, improving delegation skills and more.
- Conferences. Society conferences like the Corporate Finance Forum are designed to cover the latest trends, skills and updates you need to thrive in your role.
- Broad Topics. Technical CPE doesn’t just mean tax and audit! Explore topics like AI and other technologies, financial forecasting, general business and other subjects that keep you up-to-date on finance, business and beyond.
#4: You might spend your day surrounded by non-CPAs and accounting professionals.
Many corporate finance professionals can feel like they’re an island in their organization. This is especially true if you’re at a small company where the finance team might be just you or you and a few other people.
“You might have fewer people to bounce ideas off of, talk through problems with and gain mentorship from. Make connecting with other INCPAS members a priority to expand your network!”
While being in this situation can come with perks, it can also mean you’re less connected to the general profession. This means you might have fewer people to bounce ideas off of, talk through problems with and gain mentorship from. Make connecting with others a priority to expand your network!
How INCPAS can help:
- Membership is a lifeline to the profession. INCPAS is here to keep you up-to-date on critical developments about the CPA license, legislation that can impact your role, the talent pipeline and more.
- Connect. Whether you want to connect in person or online, INCPAS is here to help you meet others who do what you do. Attend networking events (non-members welcome!), join the Corporate Finance member section or explore the INCPAS online community to build your network.
No matter what organization and role you find yourself in, INCPAS is your partner in navigating your unique career as a CPA!