[COMMUNICATED] In anticipation of their upcoming accounting course, PCS spoke to Mordechai Sidell, an alumnus from 2011. 

Q: Can you tell us about your current position? How did the PCS accounting course prepare you?

A: It was amazing that I was able to learn everything that I needed to know in such a short period of time. I am working alongside coworkers that were in school for five years and spent over $100,000 on their education—and it all gets us to the same place. Initially, I thought that coming from an accelerated night program I’d be behind the others that went to school for five years. I quickly learned, however, that I was up to speed.

I am a senior auditor at Ernst and Young- one of the big four accounting firms. I audit companies in various industries; and have experience working on banks and pharmaceutical companies.

Q: Can you tell us about the current job market? How did PCS help you find your first job?

A: PCS has two dedicated accounting placement professionals in addition to their four general placement professionals. Finding your fist job can be difficult; at times you may need a connection. PCS helped me get an internship which was very helpful in building my resume; afterward I did my own networking which led to my first job.

PCS also assists their students with resume preparation and mock interviews, as well as job placement. They taught us about the recruiting process- how and exactly when to submit our resumes. They encouraged us to network and accept internship positions. Of my classmates who actively pursued jobs in public accounting, almost all of them were successful in finding employment.

Once you have a bit of experience, the world is open to you as the demand for experienced accountants is very high. After working for about a year, a day doesn’t go by in which a recruiter does not contact me about potential positions.

For who would recommend the field of accounting?

Some people mistakenly assume that one must be good at math in order to be an accountant. That is not necessarily true. These days, the computer programs take care of the heavy math. Accountants must have an excellent grasp of accounting concepts. They must understand how the money flows through a business and be able to assess and document internal controls.

I would recommend this field for someone with good interpersonal skills who wants to enter the field of business as a respected professional without the instability that many business ventures have. The accountant is no longer the shy guy in the corner. Today, accountants are expected to meet with businesses and relate to their clients.

Good writing skills are also important in order to communicate properly (though, they can be picked up). An accountant should also have good organizational and multitasking skills.

In general, accounting is a very structured field; you know that your career is set to have steady stable growth. Accounting is an excellent choice for someone who wants to attain a valuable skill that can bring about the menuchas hanefesh of a steady pay check for many years to come. In this field you won’t suddenly do a big deal and have a wildly successful year; but you won’t either have a year in which you lose money.

Accounting is a very stable field. The regulatory environment is only increasing so the need for accountants is growing.

For more information about PCS accounting course, please contact 732-905-9700ext. 665 or [email protected].