#pln7

[peoriaauditclass]

Staying Current

I plan on staying current by reading different blogs about accounting. I feel this is a great way to stay current because they are able to be updated daily. It would so convenient to just check the blog once a day during my lunch break at work. I also like how you are able to post many different ways in a blog. You don't always have to read texts to gain information. You are able to watch videos, post different pictures, and even post chats. This gives you more variety in staying current rather than just reading paragraph after paragraph. Another way I plan to stay current is by reading different accounting journals. I probably would not check these daily as they are usually updated monthly. This is a great way to read more in depth about the different changes coming along. This would be how I plan on staying current in the accounting world.

[peoriaauditclass]

This picture doesn't relate entirely to staying current but it was too funny not to post.  Anyhow, I plan to use a variety of texts, media, and of course updated accounting literature to stay current.  I also intend to maximize the availability of current CPA courses, CFE courses, and other auditing and accounting courses.  I may also continue my education after I get my bachelors degree.  

[peoriaauditclass]

I have three methods that I plant to use in order to stay current in accounting. The first is to develop and RSS feed for several useful accounting sites, starting with AICPA. The RSS feeds will provide a central location for checking on updates, without having to visit multiple sites a day.

The second method is by subscribing to a few select professional journals. I still appreciate and learn well from print media. Additionally, I believe it was mentioned in class that the quizzes in some of these journals can count as CPE credit.

I also plan to take advantage of the AICPA's social media offerrings. The AICPA is on LinkedIN, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. I have no intention of using YouTube or Twitter, and no interest in adding the AICPA on Facebook. However, it seems perfectly relevant to subscribe to professional social network on a site like LinkedIn, which is focused on professional networking.

Additionally, I expect that maintaining forty hours per year in CPE should help with staying current.

[peoriaauditclass]

How Will I Stay Current

I will probably look through a few blogs that I find are trustworthy and I enjoy reading as well as subscribing to a few newsletters to have important information and updates emailed to me.  I will definitely check in on a regular basis with a few of the rule making bodies’ websites, such as the AICPA, since they usually have a place for new rules, laws, or other important information.  Like in any other profession you will always need to learn new things, so I may take a few courses or workshops over the years.  If there is anything I am still unsure of, there are many people I can ask for help or advice, and answers can easily be found through Google.  That is how I plan to stay current.

[peoriaauditclass]

I plan to stay current in accounting &/or auditing by looking at the FASB website & checking out different blogs.  This field changes day-to-day it seems like.  I also hope to get a job in the accounting field which will help keep me updated.  One blog I will check out is the Professor's.  I will probably subscribe to a couple newsletters.  I can also stay up-to-date through the accounting group on LinkedIn which I joined about a month ago.  I will also check Google on a regular basis for federal changes as well as individual state changes.  I will look at states besides Illinois just to get a taste for the different rules & regulations.  The media format I learn best from is text.  While video, pictures & audio might all help me understand the concept better, I learn better from being able to actually read the information.

[peoriaauditclass]

In order to stay current it is important to develop a discipline of lifelong learning and practice your trade. As you can see from the picture above I have token a very lucrative position with Folgers Coffee Co. as their bean counter. All joking aside, to keep up with the always evolving accounting profession one will need to take extra measures.

I have found that social media has made a relatively challenging task into one that can be managed by a few clicks. LinkedIn has a few groups that I like to follow, but surprisingly Facebook is the one I like the most. By simply liking a group you can get updates on events and current happenings.

Check out;

AICPA

CPAexcel CPA Review

CGMA

Becker's CPA Exam Review

AICPA Young Professionals

In researching information about the CPA exam I found that students can join the AICPA for free as a student affiliate. I saw this as an opportunity I couldn't pass on. The student affiliate gave me access to discussion boards, e-mail updates, lists of conferences, and discounts on special offers, amongst others.

This is not an all-encompassing list, but it’s a start to a lifelong learning attitude.