What To Do After CPA

Often times students wonder what to do after completing their CPAs successfully. There are a number of crucial skills that CPA finalists should have to be competitive in the accounting job market. Also, there are different professional courses that CPA students can pursue to ensure fast career growth and progression.

Data Analytics

Having basic accounting skills and knowledge is not adequate for competitiveness in the job market and career growth. It is imperative for CPA students and finalists MUST invest in data analytics skills. CPA students must be competent in data analytics tools and skills.  More specifically, CPA students should be competent in using relevant data analytics skills for different tasks including:

1. Statistical Analysis: Understanding statistical concepts and methods is fundamental for interpreting data and drawing meaningful conclusions using tools sch as Excel and R.
2. Data Cleaning and Preprocessing: Ability to clean, preprocess, and transform raw data into a usable format for analysis.
3. Data Visualization: Creating effective visualizations using different tools to communicate insights clearly.
4. Database Management: Skills in managing and querying databases using SQL or NoSQL technologies.
5. Critical Thinking: Ability to ask the right questions, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions from data.

RCM Online College offers short courses such as Excel and Advanced Excel that enable CPA students to build on their data analytics skills. The college offers these short courses at pocket friendly rate of only KSHS 1850.

Here is a sample of excel short courses lecturers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCWw9-0_r2E

Public Speaking Skills

It is imperative for CPA students to have exemplary public speaking skills. Fundamentally, public speaking is not just a valuable skill for CPAs; it is a critical tool for success in their profession, facilitating effective communication, client relations, leadership, and professional growth.

1. Presentations: CPAs often need to present financial reports, audit findings, tax strategies, and other complex information to clients. Effective public speaking ensures that these presentations are clear, concise, and persuasive, fostering trust and confidence in the CPA’s expertise.
2. Networking: CPAs frequently attend networking events, conferences, and seminars where they need to engage with colleagues, potential clients, and industry professionals. Strong public speaking skills help CPAs effectively communicate their ideas, establish rapport, and build valuable professional connections.
3. Training and Education: Many CPAs also serve as educators, whether formally through teaching roles or informally by training colleagues and clients. The ability to deliver engaging and informative presentations is essential for transferring knowledge effectively and ensuring that learners grasp complex accounting concepts.
4. Leadership: CPAs often hold leadership positions within their firms or organizations. Whether leading team meetings, presenting proposals to management, or representing their firms at industry events, strong public speaking skills are essential for inspiring and influencing others.
5. Professional Development: Continuous learning and professional development are integral to the accounting profession. CPAs who can effectively communicate their expertise through presentations, workshops, or webinars are more likely to advance in their careers and gain recognition within the industry.

RCM Online College offers students opportunities to build their public speaking skills in formal and informal setups. ENROLL TODAY

Career Progression

There is need for CPA finalists to have to acquire international accolades in order to excel in the job market. CPA equips students with essential skills that forms a basic foundation for career progression. To build on your education background there are different options that CPA students can consider including:

1. ACCA: ACCA opens international doors for CPA students. ACCA is feasible for CPA students that do not have an undergraduate degree.
2. Undergraduate students: Undergraduate students that want to advance their studies after becoming CPA finalists should venture into courses that are not related to finance or accounting. CPA equips students with basic accounting and statistical skills adequate for the job market thus it is not necessary to pursue courses for advancement on the same CPA students should change their career trajectory through investment in courses such as
3. MBA Project Management (PM) or Project management professional (PMP): accountants that study project management acquire essential skills that are essential in the modern-day workplace or businesses.
4. MBA Marketing: CPA students can pursue an MBA in marketing. A foundation in accounting enables students to excel in the marketing fields which increasingly relies on data to understand market trends.

Note: DO NOT wait until completing your CPAs to build data analytics and public speaking skills or select a feasible career path.

Visit our website at https://www.rcmonlinecollege.co.ke, email us at [email protected], call us at +254719525000, or visit us at Stanbank House, 1st floor along Moi Avenue, Nairobi for clarification