This document discusses the differences between careers in tax accounting and audit and helps the reader determine which path may be a better fit based on their work style, how they define business relationships, and career aspirations. It also describes a program at Weinstein Spira accounting firm that allows new hires to try both tax and audit through rotations early in their career to help decide on a long-term focus. The firm culture emphasizes teams, work-life balance, and defined career paths.

1. tax or audit
how to choose
February 2014
Careers in public accounting

2. tax or audit? it’s a big decision

3. don’tchoose your career
based on a gradein a class

4. choosea path that
fits your life, your goals,
your dreams

5. what is your work style?

6. are you:
flexible
a good writer
willing to travel
precise
a big picture person
an excel guru
comfortable with change you may like audit

7. are you:
consistent
analytical
precise
in love with data
an information junkie
a creative thinker
good at finding solutions you may like tax

8. how do you define your business relationships?

9. tax accountants work individually.
they interact with their peersin the office.
their schedule is flexiblewhich can be easier
on their personal relationships.

10. Auditors work as a team.
They interact with their clientsat their
offices.
their schedule changesall the time which
can make for an exciting life.

11. tax accountants grow very close to their clients and eventually
become their advocates and advisors
the relationship is about trust and competence.

12. auditors interact with clients constantly. They learn all about their
business but must maintain the distance necessary to ensure impartiality.
the relationship is about balanceand knowledge.

13. and what if you don’t make partner?

14. audit offers a path toward becoming
a comptroller, CFOor CEO

15. tax offers a path toward becoming a tax director
or starting your own firm

16. what if you still don’t know?

17. try both

18. WEINSTEIN SPIRA is ranked
5th accounting firm headquartered in Houston, 18th overall
4% annual revenue growth
we serve Closely-held businesses and high net-worth individuals
our clients include hotels, restaurants, manufacturing, oil-field services,
professional services, retail, financial services
50% of staff hired out of college, 50% hired with experience

19. we offer a unique Tax-audit rotation program
our interns spent 4 weeks in tax and 4 weeks in audit.
our first-year staff have the option of spending 6 months in tax and
six month in audit prior to deciding on a long-term focus.
our Compensation is competitive
• Base salary aligned with Big 4
• Paid overtime
our corporate culture is outstanding
• Teams
• coaches and mentors
• Work-life balance
• Defined career paths

20. Our ideal candidate
3.50 GPA or higher
accounting major
excellent communicator
different (outside hobbies, passions, work
experience, aspirations)

21. apply today:
www.weinsteinspira.com/careers

22. relationships count.
mms@weinsteinspira.com