Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting data, networks, devices and systems from unauthorized access, theft or damage. It is a constantly evolving field that requires businesses and individuals to stay alert and informed of the latest threats and solutions. In...
The Balancing Act
Weinstein Spira Blog
Weinstein Spira’s blog, The Balancing Act, provides helpful information on technical accounting and CPA firm culture.
Top Categories: Culture Tax Audit Our Team Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Posts in the category of
Culture
Strengthening Workplace Relationships Through Charitable Giving
Working in public accounting with its periodic stressful times, I have found that it is important to find moments to engage as a team outside of the office. Since joining the firm, I noticed that we had paused participation in charitable events due to the pandemic....
Tips For Staying Organized This Holiday Season
The holiday season, with its joyous celebrations and festivities, can also bring a whirlwind of chaos and stress. From planning family gatherings to buying gifts and decorating your house, its easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, with a little bit of preparation and...
Why College Campus Recruiting is Important
Recruiting on college campuses is one of the best ways a firm can discover potential interns and staff early in their careers, as well as help provide a path for young professionals to follow. Meeting students on different campuses offers recruiters an opportunity to...
Utilizing A Competency Roadmap To Set Expectations
Everyone knows that accountants love structure. A competency roadmap provides that and so much more by delivering precise expectations specifically tailored to every level within an organization. This tool can be utilized in various ways such as understanding and...
Tips for Crafting an Effective Resume
In a world of resume advice, there is an abundance of helpful tips and guidance from various sources such as recruiters, HR departments, placement offices, friends and family. However, it is essential to prioritize your own comfort and confidence when creating your...
Supporting Employees on Their CPA Exam Journey
The Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam (CPA exam) is a rigorous and challenging test that accountants must pass to obtain their CPA license. It requires extensive knowledge, dedication and commitment to prepare for and to pass. For decades, public accounting...
Important Aspects of Your Financial Health
Whether you are just out of school or nearing retirement, a periodic review and update of all aspects of your short-term and long-term financial health is important. When my mother was turning 90, her doctor noticed in an X-ray, a spot on her lungs. The cancer doctor...
Ownership at the Workplace: Empowering Employees to Drive Success
In today's fast-paced business world, companies are always looking for ways to improve their productivity and bottom line. One effective approach is cultivating a culture of ownership at the workplace. When employees feel that they have a stake in the success of their...
The Importance of Mental Health On and Off the Clock
It is no secret that mental health is essential to our overall well-being. Taking care of ourselves both physically and mentally is vital, especially in the workplace where mental health can easily take a back seat to work demands. However, taking the time to care for...
All Things Social Unites Hybrid Colleagues
Did you join a company during the pandemic when everyone was working from home? Are you still finding it hard to meet all your colleagues due to different hybrid work schedules? With some people only coming into the office twice a week, it’s possible you may not see...
The Great Tax Sunset: How To Prepare
In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was passed by Congress and signed by former President Donald Trump. This legislation reduced personal, corporate and estate taxes. Although many corporate tax changes were made permanent, most individual changes will...
International Women’s Day: Balancing Life as a Mom in the Workforce
Flexibility and adaptability to change is key when you’re a mom. I will share a bit about my experience and some tips that have helped me navigate working a full-time job in public accounting and being a parent. I’ve stopped trying to be a “super mom.” That is an...
Importance of Competency Models in Public Accounting
Weinstein Spira’s Culture of Ownership Committee was created with the primary goal of accelerating and supporting our people’s growth and potential. The Committee was recently tasked with establishing a competency roadmap for each department (audit, tax and...
7 Re-Studying Tips After Failing the CPA Exam
Are you facing another round of CPA exams? Don’t know where to begin? Having personally gone through the process multiple times, I know it can seem like an uphill battle, and feel as if you are alone on the field. But there are strategies, resources and other people...
The Importance of a Holiday Shutdown
A holiday shutdown is when a business closes shop during a holiday and for a specified period—employees do not work, and business operations cease. Holiday closures during the last week of the year, a time where many businesses close for Christmas and the New Year,...
How to Navigate a Blended Work Environment as a New Hire
Traditionally, starting a new job has never been an easy undertaking. After COVID-19, many companies have transitioned to a hybrid working schedule, where employees are working both remotely and in-person. This change in dynamics makes it more difficult for new...
4 Time Management Tips to Help you Study for the CPA Exam
Studying for the CPA exam at any point in your career is not an easy task to accomplish. Whether you just graduated college or have been working in the corporate world for years, it can be tough to manage and find the time to effectively prepare for the exam. As a mom...
Want Advancement? Work on Your Writing.
Accountants primary focus is often numbers, of course, but strong writing skills are critical to your advancement. Here’s why: 1. Basic communication calls for clear writing Most accountants dedicate a significant amount of time to writing emails and other...
My Transition from a Big 4 Firm to a Mid-Tier Accounting Firm
Since I joined Weinstein Spira in November 2020, I have had several colleagues ask how my work at our firm compares to my experience at a Big 4 public accounting firm. In this blog, I will share what I believe are the seven primary differences between working in audit...
Owning Your Communication Style
You have heard it a thousand times— “communication is important.” But communication styles, like pant styles, vary among generations, genders, and level of authority. Most people think they are expressing their thoughts in a way that everyone understands,...
Top Three Reasons to Pass the CPA Exam
Almost every accounting professional has considered taking the CPA exam, but the time, energy and stress that comes with passing all four sections can make it easy to push aside. Studying for the exam is a challenge but it’s also a marker of your competence, work...
The Benefits of a Summer Accounting Internship
In the accounting world, spring internships are typically what you hear about the most. However, I did my internship in the summer of my junior year of college and found it to be very advantageous for several reasons. In this blog post, I will share that less-traveled...
A Day in the Life of an Accountant
What is the typical day like for a staff accountant at Weinstein Spira? I am glad you asked! As a staff accountant who rotates between tax and audit, I can speak about my typical day, noting that things vary depending on the season and whether I am working from home...