Simply stated an office tour is an outstanding opportunity to have an inside look at the public accounting firms, talk to professional CPAs and have a chance to mingle with established professionals in your future career path. You can also expect a short presentation about the firm which will likely include an overview of the firm, the experience you can expect from going through your preparation with them and possible future career opportunities. You will meet and hear from varying roles and will leave with a broader understanding of what lies ahead from Human Resources, Staff Accountant, Manager and Managing Partner perspectives.

Here are some things to consider before attending office hours:

1. Preparation

Perform quality research so your conversation displays knowledge. Your professionalism will be seen by an introduction that attracts them to you followed by initiating quality conversations that do more than impress them with your planned and pressed formal attire. As you plan your presentation, also plan your reaction so that they can see you are engaged and enthusiastic about your time with them and the information they share with you. Make plans to be impressed by utilizing your listening skills and planning active responses. Of course, throughout the event, you should get and give business cards and records notes worth remembering to use in your future follow up, networking, cover letters and interviews.

2. Define Your Personal Brand

Quite simply, your brand is your skills, strengths and abilities that are seen and heard through your written and verbal communication. Create wording that is relevant to the needs of the field and the employer rather than terms that may be from your previous experience and education that have no transferrable relevance. As well, differentiating yourself from others will happen as you show specific interest by targeting, individualizing your wording for each company you are meeting with. All questions and discussions should be kept brief but be sure to include a balance of skills, firm inquiries and areas of personal interest. Once defining your brand and preparing well, you can display a quiet confidence which will have an impact of its own.

3. Prepare to Talk Their Talk

Find out what you can beforehand but be sure to look for ways to discover some of the following:

• What do they do?
• What departments or service lines do they have?
• Which industries do they focus on or specialize in?
• In what locations do they operate? How many employees do they have in their teams? What are their annual revenues?
• Where are they located , nationally and internationally?
• How do they describe their organizational culture? What are their values or mission? Do any of these align with yours?
• What are the names of their partners locally and nationally? Who are the key players in campus recruitment activities?
• Who are their primary competitors and what are the current trends in the industry?
• What is the topic of recent media reports and articles about their firm and why?
• Review any active postings from COOL from this firm and notice the skills and attributes they mention show emphasis with and ask about it?
• Review the social media presence of the firm, follow them and interact with them before and during conversations around their social media content?
• Tell them what in your research piqued your interest about this firm/company?

4. Know the CPA Firm Position Structure

• Partner / Associate Partner
• Senior Manager, Manager
• Senior Accountant / Associate
• Staff Accountant / Associate
• Summer Intern / Co-op Student

5. Perform Great Research

• Company website
• LinkedIn company and staff profiles
• Business media articles
• Google everything and anything you can think of
• WorkBC website
• Review job postings to review their wording, qualifications sought and additional areas of value
• Talk to Professors
• Leverage your current network
• Locate and connect with Sauder and your undergrad Alumni

6. Ask Good Questions

• What do Staff Accountants do?
• What does a typical work week look like?
• What is the company’s management style?
• What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
• What are areas of your job you like the most/least?
• What are some of the most challenging/rewarding aspects of client engagement?
• How to you build community with staff?
• Can you tell me more about your mentoring process?
• How is your firm involved in the community?
• What do you do when you are not working?

7. Avoid Bad Questions

• How many days of sick leave will I have?
• What’s the company’s mission statement?
• What are your values?
• How much would my salary be?
• Do I get to keep the frequent flyer points on company trips?
• How many people are you interviewing/hiring?
• Do you think I am a fit for the job/firm?
• How long would it take me to get to Partner?
• Do you really have to work all those long hours?

8. On “The Day Of”…Consider

• Planning an early arrival time
• Realizing the waiting area is an area being observed and make the best of it
• When you are with staff focus to remain focused and engaged
• You must act to be noticed
• Being personable by showing interest in things not related to accounting
• Performing immediate follow up

9. Make An Impression

Prove your awareness of the company and exhibit knowledge in the people. Every question you ask sends a message and will cause you to stand out. Be sure to display specific interest in the “company” and in the people you meet. As you talk to everyone portray confidence and remain engaged. Finally, determine the content and the rapid response of your follow up. These are the kind of impressions that are lasting.

Good luck!

Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and the DAP Career Coach. He also collaborates with the Business Career Center to support BCom career initiatives from time to time. Be sure to attend all the CPA Recruiting workshops which are posted on COOL for registration. Russell is also available to DAP students for online coaching appointments and in-person coaching when posted in COOL. For an online appointment email Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.