Do you make sure they're tied to the buoy with the lanyard so you can just pull up the rope? I'm new and I haven't gone as deep as a lot of people. I don't think I've gone deeper than 10 meters. I've only taken 2 classes and I have AIDA 1.
As a kid, I used to go on the internet a lot and play video games. I used to love going down rabbit holes and researching random stuff that interested me. Like Central Asia, different Muslim nationalities, Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy, etc. literally anything. Just gathering information. I had a bad relationship with my Dad, but the one time we ever talked without him just giving me orders was at the dinner table he would tell us about politics, history, etc. and we would debate. It became a thing for me to research things and then present them when debating my Dad.
I had a chaotic household and two parents who didn't like each other. Family members who were always screaming and had no intention of actually resolving anything. I ended up taking the role of peacemaker from a young age. and I've emulated that dynamic in other interactions outside my family my entire life.
I learned how to develop a craft. I got really interested in guitar, martial arts, breakdancing, and I learned how to go through that trial-and-error process of "absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own". I got used to the disappointment along the way when you fail and learn from your mistakes.
I developed people skills as well from growing up in a chaotic household. I was a kid and always looked for a family unit outside my actual family. I was a class clown in school and I learned how to make people laugh and build rapport.
I have (diagnosed) OCD, PTSD, and depression. I've always been very aware of my own thoughts since I was young. I've been forced to deal with the worst parts of my personality and crisis moments.
Fast forward today at 32 years old, It all added up. I finally landed my first career job. I know how to teach myself an entirely new profession that involves a lot of human interaction. I know how to mediate conflict and de-escalate situations. I have the ability to force myself to sit down and figure something out. I have the ability to stay focused and problem solve under pressure. I know how to research an issue at work and present it in a persuasive way. Kind of like when I was a kid having dinner with my family. Presenting random stuff I had researched from just going anywhere online. Kind of like when I was training MMA so intensively and I would shadow box in my room while watching fights and youtube videos.
If I want some extra time to pay a delinquent bill or whatever, I know how to identify how the representative is feeling and how I should present myself so they give me a little more time. How I can help them problem solve to make their job easier. It's kind of like having to de-escalate my family's fights.
I've made friends with people who were like me in one way or another. People who could give me guidance or assistance. Just from my experience being a dumb kid making jokes about genitals and racial stereotypes. Be it with nerds or tatted fools who would cut class to skate. Somehow, that's a skillset too.
It's interesting getting older and finally feeling visible after all the therapy, life experiences, and meditation. I exist and I have actually acquired some things that provide me usage. I've felt so lost all my life. Now, I'm trying to be who I needed when I was younger and felt like I had no control over anything. I hope Allah will continue to watch over me and keep my family safe.
I'm an IRS auditor, for context. I'm new. I'm struggling with getting my point across in a way that doesn't jeopardize the relationship with the POA/taxpayer. POA (Tax Accountant representing the taxpayer before the IRS) obviously wants to use delay tactics and I have to be able to navigate those tactfully. I can't get myself and my Team in legal trouble and I can't be rude/abusive. But I do have to get things done, meet deadlines and get results.
1) "It doesn't sound like there should be any technical difficulties. Uploading documents and being available on Microsoft Teams sounds pretty straight forward."
2) "Yes, I'm questioning your integrity because based on your track record and the facts I just laid out, I have good reason to. I think my question is warranted for the purposes of this audit."
3) "You don't sound like you have a legit reason to not let me come over to the office. I'm going to sit in a room and pop in occasionally to ask for documents. You just have to message your client and get back to me. This isn't going to actually impede anything else you're doing that day."
I have a Bachelor's in Economics, an Associate's in Accounting, a year and a half of tax audit experience at the IRS, and I had an internship as a data analyst for about half a year. I have some basic Excel/SQL/Python skills.
Would passing CFA Level 1 or 2 help at all? Is this a field where the university pedigree matters that much? I went to a State university here in California.
I'm a tax auditor and I'm debating whether I want to stay in tax or transition over to FP&A, which is more interesting to me and the reason I have a BA in Economics.
I made a thread on this a while back and basically it sounds like working in tax is more stable but FP&A has more earning potential.
From what I understand, the main thing is how well you understand a product and the relevant markets and credentials like CPA or CFA don't matter as much.
However, it does seem like a lot of people in FP&A have a CPA license. And CPA at least seems to provide pretty good stability for people in accounting/audit/tax.
I really want to work in FP&A, but stability is important for me. Do you get any sort of stability at all with a CPA in FP&A? Even if it's not the most optimal positions? How can you keep employment stable? Is it certain industries/products to specialize in? Like healthcare? Having certain companies on your resume? Etc.?
Only a dumbfuck would see evidence of person B being a dickhead and then accuse person A of being a dickhead instead. Fucking idiots. Fuck the internet.
I'm at a crossroads between Tax and FP&A (I live in Silicon Valley, HCOL area with huge emphasis on Tech). Tax seems to be the largely more stable option, but FP&A in terms of subject matter interests me more and seems to pay better. That's what FP&A has over Tax for me personally. But I don't have actual experience in FP&A.
So what are the most stressful parts of FP&A? Is it when the company incurs losses and you are forced to take all the blame? Is it outbound relations? Relations with higher level management? I've noticed that where I live, there are generally not that many openings in FP&A. I basically want to take off the rose-colored lenses and make a calculated career-defining decision. Because I have gotten panic attacks working for the IRS. The mental part is a legitimate concern for me when it comes to career.
I understand this question may be a bit personal. I'm not forcing anyone to answer, but I would definitely appreciate any genuine answers as I'm debating with myself what I'm going to be doing for the rest of my life to keep a roof over my head. I'm not trying to imply that one is less stressful than the other or that one profession works harder. That's subjective. It's just me making a decision based on my personal preference vs the facts.
Thanks
How are the job opportunities and income potential in each career in Silicon Valley? (San Francisco Bay Area basically). This area has extreme HCOL largely driven by Tech companies like Google/Meta, various start ups and Big 4 companies that handle their audit needs.
I have a BA in Economics, Associate's in Accounting, 1.5 years worth of experience auditing high net worth individuals at the IRS.
How many jobs are there in Tax vs FP&A around here (or in general)? How is income mobility in both? How is employment stability? Tech is historically pretty volatile, but to be honest, it doesn't SEEM like CPA firms around here tend to approach a similar compensation level to established Tech companies. But I'm very new so I'm not actually sure. That's just my impression.
It seems that the longer you stay in Tax, the harder it is to leave Tax. My choice in FP&A is largely personal preference to be honest, but I wanted to ask people's input on Salary and stability between Tax and FP&A. The practical stuff. I'm debating career directions right now.
Thoughts?