Lost in Numbers: A Non-CPA's Adventures Inside a CPA Firm
4 Minute Read
Discover what it’s like to step into the world of accounting with zero tax experience. A communication and project manager at Cornerstone CPA shares her eye-opening first 30 days inside a CPA firm.
Introduction
Before you ask—no, I am not the one filing your taxes. What I am doing is recounting the surprising and often hilarious adventure that was my first 30 days working at Cornerstone CPA as the Communications and Project Manager. With no background in tax or accounting, I came in fresh—perhaps too fresh—and left each day with a brain full of W-4s, 1099s, and capital gains talk I never saw coming.
The Beginning of the Journey
Armed with a degree in Communication and experience in customer service, I thought I had a decent grasp of what professional life could throw at me. Taxes? My exposure was limited to sales tax, TurboTax W-2 filing, and the joy of paying property taxes to the county. Walking into a room full of accountants discussing 1099-INTs and K-1s? That was a whole new world.
My Preconceived Notions: Hollywood Lied
I’ll admit it—I bought into the stereotype. I imagined accountants working in dim offices, hunched over stacks of paper, speaking only to their calculators. Maybe they took lunch breaks... if pizza crust and cold coffee count.
But reality had a plot twist.
The Reality: Warmth, Wit, and Deep Client Care
At Cornerstone CPA, the people are nothing like the lifeless number-pushers I had imagined. They’re full of personality, deeply care for their clients, and know that behind every spreadsheet is someone’s story. Whether it’s a newlywed couple filing together for the first time or a family handling estate taxes, they approach each case with empathy and precision.
And me? I’ve been doing everything from onboarding clients onto new payroll systems and scanning documents to learning tax software and creating communication systems for faster, smoother processes.
The Lessons (and Laughs) So Far
If you’re considering joining a CPA firm without a CPA license, here are my top survival tips:
Ask Questions. Seriously—no one expects you to know what a Form 8821 is (yet). Ask anyway.
Snack Like a Pro. Working lunches are a thing, so keep granola bars within reach.
Worship the Coffee Machine. You’ll understand why soon enough.
Take Breaks. Step away from the screen—you’re not solving the national deficit (even if it feels like it).
Final Thoughts
Working at Cornerstone CPA has shattered my assumptions. Accountants are people too—people with pets, favorite sports teams, hobbies, and senses of humor. They’ve shown me that numbers can tell stories, and behind those stories are real lives, with all the nuance and messiness that make the work rewarding.
If you ever get the chance to sit down with your accountant and hear more than just your tax liability—you absolutely should. You might just walk away as surprised and grateful as I did.
Till next time,
The Non-CPA
