From Student to Becoming a CPA: Navigate A Shift in Your Identity

For a young CPA, transitioning from accounting student to accountant can be a challenging experience. Along with all the professional changes that come with taking a full-time job comes a shift in identity. What we do impacts how we view ourselves, and our self-perception influences our identity. 

Along with all the newness of a career, there’s also a need to let go of our former student persona. 

That challenge is at the heart of the conversation I had with Jeff Bartsch, founder of Story Greenlight: "When you are no longer doing something that's been part of you for a long time,” he says, “you legitimately suffer grief." 

As much as we look forward to making it through school, passing the CPA exam and earning a salary, when you're no longer doing something you've done for an extended period, like studying to earn a degree and land a job in your chosen field, you may feel a loss of identity and find yourself unexpectedly grieving that loss. The demands of your new role can also exacerbate the difficulties experienced during this transition period. When you enter an entry-level position in the accounting world, you're often required to be a worker bee. In that situation, it's very easy to get caught up in daily tasks to the point where you're unable to see the larger picture, ultimately losing your sense of purpose and direction.

One way to smooth the transition from student to CPA is to change your mindset so that you feel confident and focused in your new role. Below are some actions you can take to position yourself for success.

• Understand the value of your role. Feeling demotivated or demoralized is common when your new job is very demanding. Depending on where you work, it may even feel thankless. For these reasons, it's imperative that you understand and acknowledge how important your work is to your company, regardless of whether the company explicitly acknowledges it. What you're doing is valuable, and it's crucial to consistently remind yourself of this fact so that you don't lose sight of the impact your contributions have on your firm. Doing so will help you remember your purpose and why you serve in that role. 

• Find an identity outside of your paid position. What we do for work affects how we view ourselves and choose to identify. However, having an identity outside of your job is vital because doing so will help you step away from work and give your mind a break to avoid feeling overworked and burned out. For example, do you have a favorite hobby that you pursue in your free time? I enjoy playing golf and consider it part of my identity. In recognizing this part of my identity, I'm more likely to take time out to pursue my interests, which allows me to take a mental break from work.

• Reframe Imposter Syndrome. The truth is, those of us who are ambitious and hardworking never really escape feeling inadequate. However, that's okay. Feeling like an imposter while serving in a role means you're stepping outside of your comfort zone, which we all must do to grow. Instead of running away from these feelings, try to acknowledge them and what they represent: your evolution. You can also overcome these feelings by recognizing what you do daily and how those activities align with the expectations and responsibilities associated with your position. If you're doing the work outlined for your role, chances are you belong.

"When you change your story,” Jeff says, “your entire identity changes." If you adopt the right mindset, you can effortlessly transition into your new identity as an up-and-coming CPA or Virtual CFO and perform well in that position.

For tips on becoming a Virtual CFO or firm owner, check out our community below.