As I was preparing to deliver a keynote at the University of Scranton Accounting Department’s Accounting Celebration, I started thinking about what I most wish every graduate knew on day one of their new and exciting careers. In this season of graduations, I want to share a few pieces of practical advice with all those entering the accounting profession because the early habits you build now will shape the opportunities you earn later.
I spend a lot of time talking with firms, educators, and young professionals. They know what works and what doesn’t. So, I’ll share the top four tips that I’ve been hearing. These “secrets” to early-career success are actually fairly simple ideas, but if practiced consistently they will take you far.
The accounting profession is one of constant engagement. Communication is vital, and working with others elevates everybody’s success. Accounting is very much a team sport. The sooner you invest in the accounting community, the faster you’ll grow. Here are a few easy starters:
I truly believe there has never been a more exciting time to enter the profession. And if you really want to take your accounting careers to the next level, becoming a CPA is the way to get there. CPAs power trust, growth, and opportunity—from Wall Street to Main Street. Whatever your interests, this profession will meet you there and take you farther than you could imagine. Right now, there are three pathways to CPA licensure in Pennsylvania thanks to PICPA’s advocacy and the work of many dedicated members of our organization. These pathways exist because we recognize that the profession is stronger when more people can enter it.
Since the effective date of the changes, June 30, 2025, about 350 people have been licensed through the new bachelor’s degree pathway in Pennsylvania. For recent accounting graduates who want the success the CPA credential offers, my best advice is simple: sit for the CPA Exam as soon as you reach the 120 college credit mark. Whether you work in audit, tax, advisory, government, nonprofit, or something we haven’t even named yet, CPAs are the people others turn to when decisions actually matter. The world needs trust, and that’s our superpower.
Undergraduate enrollment in accounting programs is up three years in a row, and the number of exam candidates and exam passers is at the highest rate in a decade. The pipeline is strengthening, and new accounting graduates are stepping into the profession at a moment of real momentum.
The accounting profession changed my life and my family’s life in ways I never could have imagined when I was starting out. Sooner than you think, you’ll be the person others rely on for judgment and trust. The decisions you make will shape families, organizations, and communities. I hope this profession challenges you, supports you, and opens doors you didn’t even know to look for.
This blog was inspired by the keynote I delivered at the University of Scranton when I received the John P. McLean Leadership Award in April 2026. I want to thank the University of Scranton, particularly Dr. Douglas Boyle and the accounting department for the recognition and Dr. Ashley Stampone for her years of service supporting the profession through all her outstanding work with the PICPA.
The University of Scranton community has helped shape so many outstanding CPAs. I remember what it felt like to sit at graduation, excited and uncertain at the same time. Just know that your career in accounting is wide open, and your effort and drive will bring you to heights you’ve scarcely imagined.
Jennifer Cryder, CPA, is CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants PICPA in Philadelphia. She was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today. She can be reached at jcryder@picpa.org.
This article is provided as a complimentary resource by PICPA and Jennifer Cryder. Statements of fact and opinion are the authors’ responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of CPA Crossings officers or members. The information contained herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For actionable advice, you must engage or consult with a qualified professional.