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Career Development Plan

My purpose or
lifes vision is:
My long-term
career goal is
(to be completed
within 6 months to
1 year):

My lifes vision is to be a Certified Public Accountant working in the public accounting profession.
S Become a Certified Public Accountant
M by obtaining my CPA license
A which consists of passing the four sections of the CPA exam, completing 150 credit hours, and gaining one year
of relevant work experience

R so that I can gain access to more diverse jobs and advancement opportunities
T by August of 2017
My short-term
career goal is (to
be completed
within 3 6
months):

S Begin working for a CPA firm in or around Washington, D.C.


M by signing a full-time offer
A which I will find by following up with job leads and reaching out to my contacts in the area
R so that I can start gaining necessary work experience in the accounting field
T by September 2016

My career goals
align with my
purpose/lifes
vision because:

BA 420, May 2014

*This short-term career goal has been updated as my previous short-term goal (finding a summer internship) has
been accomplished.
Both goals are essential to becoming a CPA. Meeting the requirements for the CPA license is difficult, and my longterm goal ensures I stay focused on accomplishing what needs to be done before life, family, and work get in the
way. My short-term goal is also very relevant because it will ensure I break into the accounting profession soon after
graduation. I have set my short -term goal to specifically include a CPA firm and not just any accounting or bookkeeping job so that I can earn the necessary work experience for the CPA license and also get an idea of what life as
a CPA is like before I even get my certification. This will allow me to see if being a CPA is really what I want to do
with my life.

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My highest point of
contribution is:

BA 420, May 2014

Finding a paid summer internship that counts toward my graduation requirement and continues to provide me with
valuable hands-on experience in corporate accounting and the chance to develop a connection with a network of
CPAs and controllers.

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Compare where you are today against where you desire to be. Identify strategies to close any gaps that exist, and what you will
do to hold yourself accountable. Revisit your plan frequently to celebrate your successes and make adjustments where needed.
My current education is
(include relevant certifications):
Undergraduate degree in
accounting in progress

Undergraduate degree in
accounting in progress, which will
be completed with 140 credit
hours, 24 of which are in
accounting

My current skills are


(list your top 5 transferable skills):
1. Organizing

2. Speaking effectively

3. Analyzing data

4. Setting priorities
5. Working in a team

BA 420, May 2014

Actions I will take to close gaps:


I have already registered for the four
remaining classes needed to
graduate; I need to put in the
necessary time and effort to
complete these courses
I will complete 12 more accounting
credits (4 additional classes) which
will exceed the 150 total credit hours
and meet the 36 accounting credits.
I will take two in fall 2016 and the
remaining two in summer of 2017

Actions I will take to close gaps:


Chose two additional accounting
courses that emphasis these skills,
such as advanced financial and
managerial accounting courses
Complete business writing course;
seek feedback from supervisor about
written reports I submit
Use Excel for all or most workrelated projects this summer; enroll
in Excel course through Chester
Country Night School by end of
summer if skills are still lacking
Develop three work-related goals for
my summer internship
Find a full-time position postgraduation that promotes contact

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By this date
(Achieved? Y/N):
August 2016

Required education is
(include relevant certifications):
Undergraduate degree in accounting

August 2017

150 credit hours (undergraduate or


graduate level courses), of which 36
must be in accounting

By this date
(Achieved? Y/N):
Summer 2017

Required skills are:


Financial/operational reporting

August 2016

Excellent written communication skills

December 2016

Excel/spreadsheet mastery

June 2016

Setting goals

September
2016

Building client relations

My current work values are:


1. Economic return
2. Way of life

3. Altruism

between junior associates and


clients; seek a mentor at firm who
can help guide me through process
Actions I will take to close gaps:
Set minimum salary and benefits
requirements for job offers
In short-term, apply to firms with
decentralized, less hierarchical
structures; in long-term, seek out
management/supervisory role
Apply to firms that permit/encourage
pro bono services or other careerrelated volunteerism

By this date
(Achieved? Y/N):
June 2016

Jobs / organizations with similar


values:
Bond Beebe

September
2016 for shortterm; December
2021 for longterm
August 2016

Vanguard

Grant Thornton

1-year success achieved /


adjustments needed:

By May of 2017 I will be working in a public accounting firm in D.C.

5-year success achieved /


adjustments needed:

In five years, I will be a CPA working in a public accounting firm in D.C. and be managing either the
audit or tax department.

BA 420, May 2014

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