What will I be doing in my first three years at HCS?
Starting your career, while exciting, can be intimidating. Choosing the right firm is essential. At HCS your work will test your knowledge, but you will not be expected to know everything at once. Each new staff is assigned a mentor and partner to whom they can go to for help.
The First Year
During your first year you will gain a basic knowledge of the various software programs we use to prepare tax returns, work on audit engagements, and research accounting topics. You will be assigned simple to moderate tax returns for all types of entities. As you go out on audit engagements, you will be assigned various parts of the audit, which may include drafting the financial statements. Early in your first year you will have many opportunities to work one-on-one with clients. Doing all of this will require you to develop time management skills. You’re also encouraged to pass the CPA exam. Doing both tax and audit work during your early years exposes you to a breadth of issues and expands your expertise.
The Second Year
During your second year you will continue to refine your skills and gain experience. You will be expected to assist interns and first-year staff in using the various software programs. You may find yourself crossing over between audit and tax less frequently. As you begin to specialize, your tax responsibilities will increase to completing moderate to advanced tax returns and reviewing simple tax returns. Auditor’s responsibilities will expand to more parts of the audit, including reviewing lower-risk areas and providing risk assessments for other parts of the audit. Having worked with clients for a full year will help you develop good client relationships and the ability to attract and manage new clients.
The Third Year
After spending two years developing your accounting skills and business knowledge, you will move to managing clients, jobs, and staff. You will have become an expert in using the software programs such that you will provide training to the firm. Furthermore, your advanced accounting knowledge will allow you to teach CPE subjects for the benefit of other firm employees. You will be assigned complex tax returns, and will be expected to review a wide range of tax returns. Your audit responsibilities will expand to planning and supervising audit engagements and reviewing high-risk areas of the audit. After three years of experience, you will be better able to develop clientele and to build a strong network of business relationships.