What’s Behind Door Number Three?

Are you trying to decide whether to pursue a career in Tax or Audit, but neither one seems to be quite right for you? I was in the same position when I heard about a third option – Accounting and Advisory Services! What is it? Great question – keep reading to find out…

The BIG FOUR call it “Advisory,” and other firms may have varying names for what Smith and Howard simply calls “A+A” – Accounting and Advisory Services. The fastest way to describe what we do on a daily basis is to tell you what it’s not. It’s not income tax; and it’s not audit, attestation, or assurance. Basically, it’s everything else that falls outside those two big buckets!

Each practice has a busy season, and everyone is busy during the first quarter of the year. Tax for State and Federal Income Tax Returns; Audit/Assurance for year-end financial statement audits and reviews; and A+A for year-end bookkeeping, payroll taxes, business licenses, and business personal property tax returns. It’s kind of amazing to think about all the small – but important! –reports and forms businesses have to complete on a yearly basis for local governments, and A+A helps clients stay compliant with all of them.

What about the rest of the year? Trust me, there’s plenty to keep the A+A department working year-round, including bookkeeping, sales tax compliance, compilations, SOC engagements, due diligence projects and various sales and local tax projects – just to name a few things.

If you have questions about careers in A+A or want to talk to someone within the department about why they chose the A+A path, please reach out to us. We’re here to help you find the best fit for your skills and career goals.

– Beth Margedant, Accounting and Advisory Senior