The 4 'Cs' to success: develop your career through care, communication, competence and cost.

• Author: Young, Dennis A.
• Position: PROFESSIONALISSUES

Success can be measured in many ways and, in public accounting, one of those measures is making partner. But how does one get to that level? What skills and traits do you need to become a leader?

What follows is insight I've gained about success from working more than 30 years in public accounting.

I formed my sole practitioner firm in 1977 and, through growth and mergers, it is now the core of the Northern California Economic Unit of RSM McGladrey, the fifth-largest accounting firm in the United States.

The ideas expressed here--which I classify as the "Four Cs"--are aimed at the newer members of our profession who are eager to begin their path to partnership and strengthen their leadership skills. However, I believe these four elements--care, communication, competence and cost--can be of value to all CPAs and can contribute to their success, no matter what their career path.

CARE

Public accounting firms are unique businesses where, from the first day of employment, you have the opportunity to become a co-owner if you do well and toil faithfully.

This arrangement, though, increases your--and your employer's--obligations toward each other. Senior team members and partners in the firm contribute substantial time--and money--to training you because they want you to succeed and contribute to the firm's bottom line as soon as possible.

Remember, the time they spend training you is in addition to the time they spend meeting their own job responsibilities, whether it's reviewing work, cultivating new and existing clients, serving on firm committees or participating in professional, civic and community activities.

To succeed, you have responsibility that goes beyond just showing up on time, producing excellent work and recording billable hours.

ACT LIKE AN OWNER

You are a representative of your firm to clients and others, and since you are constantly being evaluated as a potential owner, you should act like one. From the moment you are hired, begin thinking like a partner and team member. Partners and managers will generously give their time to you, but in turn they will rely on you to get the task done--on time and on budget.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING IS A BUSINESS, NOT AN ACADEMIC EXERCISE

Real people are paying real money for your skills. Don't cheat them, yourself or your co-workers.

In school, your success in tackling problems was not measured by a budget, and eventually you always were given the "correct" answer. Once you've entered public...