Training

The philosophy passionately cultivated by our Managing Shareholder and embraced by our entire firm is that Wilkin & Guttenplan’s people are our most precious resource. That's why we invest heavily in a formal, carefully structured training program. "On the job training" is valuable, but it's only one aspect of your education here. We combine practical, job-based learning with a comprehensive classroom-style curriculum to provide you with the accounting knowledge and supporting technical (and as you advance, more sophisticated leadership, managerial and functional) skills to broaden your knowledge and experience. In addition, as you continue in your career, a developmental coach will work with you to create a tailored program that carefully considers your interests and charts a course for growth that works for you, and in turn, for the firm.

• Intern
• First Year
• Advanced
  (after 1 year with the firm—which is when the training becomes more tailored and personalized.)

Intern

• Introduction to our firm, departments and various services offered
• Accounting software applications and their usage
• Audit procedures and preparation of work papers
• Financial statement preparation
• Tax matters

In addition to your formal orientation, you will receive continual "on the job" training and feedback from the accounting staff members who will be supervising you. Someone will always be there for your questions, and the answers will be given in a friendly and supportive manner. You will also be assigned a "buddy", to enable you to begin developing a relationship with this person as a potential mentor, resource, etc. It's a key to our philosophy that "you are never just left on your own" at Wilkin & Guttenplan.

First Year

1. New Staff Orientation: It's the focus of your first week at Wilkin & Guttenplan, and is moderated by shareholders and managers as well as other accounting staff. It's very similar to the initial training provided to our interns, comprised of:
   • Making the transition from being a student to becoming an accounting professional and business advisor
   • Introduction to our firm, departments and various services offered
   • Accounting software applications and their usage
   • Audit procedures and preparation of work papers
   • Financial statement preparation
   • Tax matters
2. Monthly Staff meetings: Each month, our entire staff meets for approximately 2 hours. The first ½ hour is devoted to administrative issues and this portion of the meeting is led by our managing shareholder. The remainder of the meeting is devoted to keeping you up to date on auditing, accounting, tax and other relevant issues. This information is often presented by staff members, to help them sharpen their presentation skills while disseminating timely and relevant information.
3. Annual Audit and Accounting Update: Each fall, the firm presents a full day of audit and accounting training. Topics include new auditing and accounting standards and the firm’s procedures for implementing them.
4. Annual Hot Tax Topics Update: Generally, at the beginning of the year, there will be a comprehensive training program on timely tax topics affecting individuals, corporations, partnerships and not-for-profit organizations. Such topics typically include federal and state tax filings, payroll taxes, sales taxes, tax credits and miscellaneous compliance issues. This concentrated annual update supplements the communication that you will receive throughout the year on tax changes and developments. We want to ensure you have all the necessary tools and knowledge to perform effectively.
5. Year 2 Preparatory training: At the end of the first busy season, you will attend a 3 day off-site training program to provide you with the tools, knowledge and confidence to make the transition from entry-level accountant to be able to take on greater responsibilities within the firm.
6. On the Job Training: We stress that a key benefit of working at our firm is the speed with which you'll get to see the "big picture", through continuous exposure to various facets of our clients' operations. You'll do this while honing your technical skills and knowledge in auditing, tax, payroll, and consulting assignments such as financial forecasting, evaluating internal controls, etc. But be assured; even as you continue to progress at our firm, you are never left on your own. You will receive continuous supervision and coaching to teach you how to properly apply what you’ve learned to manage a complete client engagement. This highly supportive approach to practical learning enables you to make an impact on our clients and grow professionally in a relatively short period of time.

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Advanced

You should be confident that Wilkin & Guttenplan will provide you with a comprehensive, disciplined and systematic approach to your development. We continually evaluate and evolve our training to ensure that you receive not just the training you need, but the skills and knowledge you want. For every type of "classroom" we use, you can be sure it will be the optimal educational setting to position you for success. That's our commitment to providing you with career-long training to help you achieve your professional and personal potential.

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