Public Accounting to Law School to Legal Employment Forum

[thepunisher24]

As there seems to be several of us here trying to make/are in the process of making/that have made the jump from public accounting to law school, and eventually from law school into the legal world, I figured it might be a good idea to have a thread dedicated to this topic.

For those of you in this situation, I have several questions.

- How difficult has the transition been from the mindset promoted by public accounting firms to the mindset of "thinking like a lawyer"?
- If I am still currently employed in public accounting, what skills should I be developing now to make this transition easier?
- In your opinion, how have firms at OCI considered your previous work experience in accounting?
- How much of an advantage, if any, will an individual with a CPA license have over one without?
- Major similarites between public accounting and law? Major differences?
- What types of law seem to mesh well with the skills developed as a public accountant?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, these are just the few that stand out right now. I figure I've been drawing from the resources on this site for quite awhile now, it's about time I tried to give something back.

This thread might catch on, it might not, I just think it would be good to consolidate all the CPA/Big Four/Public Accounting topics into one place since I've received a few PMs about it in the past, and have an interest in it myself coming from this background.

[DGLitcH]

If your focus as a CPA was in tax, no doubt being a tax lawyer should a easy transition in terms of familiarity.

[ixpresxi]

bump

[thepunisher24]

If your focus as a CPA was in tax, no doubt being a tax lawyer should a easy transition in terms of familiarity.

That's true, but I was more thinking public auditing. Tax answers would fit in this topic also though.

[TUP]

0L with big 4 experience and a CPA here ... Hoping there aren't many similarities.

[thepunisher24]

0L with big 4 experience and a CPA here ... Hoping there aren't many similarities.

Haha I agree with you there, just hoping that this experience will benefit us somehow. Hopefully someone that's actually been through it will be able to provide us with some insight.

[TUP]

0L with big 4 experience and a CPA here ... Hoping there aren't many similarities.

Haha I agree with you there, just hoping that this experience will benefit us somehow. Hopefully someone that's actually been through it will be able to provide us with some insight.

I was also audit and the financial statement knowledge we gained has to help for corporate transactional and probably white collar related criminal law. Outside of that I don't think it would be worth more than any other solid corporate work experience.

I have noticed the Inactive CPA designation in bios for some corporate transactional attorneys, and I would think it's valuable from a client relationship standpoint if nothing else.

Another advantage is having experienced numerous 60-70 hour weeks as an auditor, which is useful when considering one's career path.

That's just my view as a 0L that hasn't even taken the LSAT, though. There must be at least a few law students or attorneys out there with accounting experience that have some input.

[NY86]

Hello all. I am in a similar situation as you where I am currently in public accounting and looking to go to law school. I have experience in both tax and audit and I think that tax law is a career that would fit my interests. I am set to take the LSAT this June 2010.

[maks]

Hello,

I see that this post is a few years old. Hopefully all who posted earlier were able to start and finish law school. Currently in public acct. & will be taking LSAT in Dec. I have experience with both tax and audit.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!