New addition to the blog

Hello, my name is Caleb Dean, and I'm a committee member of the TSCPA's Young CPA's and Emerging Professionals committee. I'm new here to the blog, but I thought that I would take the opportunity to introduce myself before I start posting my blog entries.

First, I want to thank Michael Brown for creating this blog and putting effort forth to keep it going. For those of you who are new to this blog, WELCOME!

So here are some tidbits of information about me. I'm a relatively new CPA - obtained my official license in September 2008. It was a proud moment for me as I never thought I would be a CPA. I remember the horror stories that I heard from every individual that has taken the CPA exam. All you hear about are the low passing percentages around 40 percent - so then you start thinking, approximately 60 percent do not pass. As the Accountant stereotype requires, my analytical side feared I wouldn’t ever be able to pass, but I did. The point of me mentioning this is that if you study hard for the exam, then you can pass it.

I am married to a wonderful blessing from God, and we've been married for one year and a few weeks. Also, we just bought our first home a couple of months ago and are enjoying the experience of being home owners. However, I will add that there are many hidden costs in being a home owner that very few people think about, and, if you don't know of these hidden costs, then it could make a significant impact to your discretionary spending once becoming a home owner.

I work for a Big 4 accounting firm in the advisory practice located in the DFW area. It's a great experience, and I thoroughly enjoy the place that I work for - hard to believe, I know. I've gained some very valuable experience in some of the projects that I have worked on - from IPSAS/IFRS to implementation of financial systems. I've enjoyed the opportunities that have been put before me and the many lessons that I have learned. I'll post more on my work and other experience related to it later. If you are reading this blog, then you might wonder what life is like as a new CPA. Three words: Busy, but fun.

The education I received from Texas A&M University in College Station was superb. My memories of attending TAMU were priceless, and I wouldn't trade them. Honestly, I miss being in school. Sure the football, baseball, soccer, and other games were amazing, but I miss the times when I could nap during the day, play Frisbee outside during the afternoon with friends, wear t-shirts and shorts, and hanging out with my friends between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Honestly, I love what I do and am very blessed to be where I am at, but there is no other experience like college.

A few more things about me…I love to run, cook, build things, yard work (for now), music, reading (although I never have much time), and watching movies.

So I think I've written enough for now for my introductory blog. I will have more postings later.

Please feel free to leave me any comments, and I promise I will have some insightful or conversational postings later.

Caleb

Who are We?

I realized that I have never fully introduced myself here on the blog.

My name is Michael Brown. I am a senior manager at a CPA firm in Waco: Jaynes, Reitmeier, Boyd & Therrell, P.C. I lead the firm's Business Valuation, Forensic, and Litigation Services practice. I hold three professional certifications: CPA, ABV and CFF (Accredited in Business Valuation and Certified in Financial Forensics). I am currently serving on the TSCPA board of directors as a director-at-large. Additionally, I serve on two committees of the TSCPA: the Young CPA committee and the Business Valuation, Forensic and Litigation Services Committee. In 2009, I was honored to receive the Chairman's Citation for Service for my involvement with the Young CPA Committee.

It is my involvement with the Young CPA's Committee of the TSCPA that was the genesis of this blog.

Online, I can be found on the JRBT website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (txycpa or michaellbrown). I have been profiled on the AICPA website Start Here Go Places and in the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of Today's CPA.

I hope that this blog is a continuing forum for matters of interest to Young CPA's in Texas.