AT Think

All work and no play make Accounting Tomorrow's staff dull ladies.

Let's be real: women have always been trailblazers when it comes to their careers because they've had to be. Still, even as we usher in 2009, acknowledgement has not always been given to those deserving. The California Society of CPAs [CalCPA) reminds us of the importance of honoring those in the profession with added spark.

I’ve heard at least half a dozen people complain about their lack of a holiday party this year.

I've heard at least half a dozen people complain about their lack of a holiday party this year.

A young accountant spends a week at his new office with the retiring accountant he is replacing.

A young accountant spends a week at his new office with the retiring accountant he is replacing. Each and every morning as the more experienced accountant begins the day, he opens his desk drawer, takes out a worn envelope, removes a yellowing sheet of paper, reads it, nods his head, looks around the room with renewed vigor, returns the envelope to the drawer, and then begins his day's work. After he retires, the new accountant can hardly wait to read for himself the message contained in the envelope in the drawer, particularly since he feels so inadequate in replacing the far wiser and more highly esteemed accountant. Surely, he thinks to himself, it must contain the great secret to his success, a wondrous treasure of inspiration and motivation. His fingers tremble anxiously as he removes the mysterious envelope from the drawer and reads the following message: "Debits in the column toward the file cabinet. Credits in the column toward the window."

Are you trying to establish a mentoring program within your firm that sticks? Consider these words of wisdom from a CPA based in New York who co-founded a mentoring initiative that is celebrating 10 years.

Are you trying to establish a mentoring program within your firm that sticks? Consider these words of wisdom from a CPA based in New York who co-founded a mentoring initiative that is celebrating 10 years.

It’s one thing to be a leader within your firm, however, it’s quite another to also be a leader within your community.

It's one thing to be a leader within your firm, however, it's quite another to also be a leader within your community. Two young professionals from the Virginia–based Beers + Cutler are well on their way to showcasing both skills.