Expectations
When I accepted the audit associate position at Selden Fox, I felt that I had a good understanding of what I would be doing. I knew I would be in the rotational program providing me experience with tax work, accounting solutions work, and audits. I expected that I would be at client sites assisting with audits, although I was not certain exactly what I would be responsible for.
Rotational Program and Beyond
My first year at Selden fox has exceeded all of my expectations. I have done more than I would have thought I would be asked to do. I started in our rotational program where I spent time in each of the firm’s three departments: Accounting Solutions, Audit, and Tax. My expectations were blown away with the knowledge that I gained during the rotational program.
I started in the accounting solutions department where I was assigned many different tasks. Most of the work that I assisted on dealt with the many intricacies of QuickBooks. Whether that be entering invoices, recording payment, bank reconciliations, or month end close work. Additionally, at year-end I assisted in preparing W-2s, Federal and Illinois 941s and 1099s. The time I spent with accounting solutions gave me a better understanding of how clients’ books are kept, so when I was assigned to an audit I had a better understanding of what the client was doing and how to best help them.
Next, I was with the tax department, where I assisted on 1040s and a few 1041s. These returns had many different details that I had not seen in the classroom or during my internship experience (at a different organization). Exposure to more complex returns opened the door for learning and applying that newfound knowledge to future returns.
The audit department is where the rotational program ended, but it did not give me reason to not forget everything I had learned from the other departments. When I first started on audit engagements, I only worked in a couple of areas at each client. Now with more experience, I am working on more complex areas that I was scared to even think about doing when I started. In some cases, after just a year, I am doing a majority of the audit fieldwork, way beyond my expectations when I first started.
Challenges/Future
With only a year under my belt at Selden Fox I feel that I have been challenged and given responsibilities that I was able to handle. There were times I was not completely ready for what was given to me, but the firm was confident in me and my abilities, and I rose to the challenge. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me at Selden Fox. I may not know what it is, but I know it will be a successful one.
Article by David Lowe who joined Selden Fox in 2018 as an associate auditor.
