Professional Success: How to Thrive in the Professional World

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile knowledge from a true professional.
Review: Mr. Latta has written an excellent book that is a must-read for anybody entering the professional working world. The messages related in this book are not limited to the field of public accounting, but this review is due to my own experience.

One of my biggest frustrations as a college accounting and economics student was how poorly my required curriculum prepared me for the work world. Sure, we'd learn about the percentage of completion method for long-term contracts, but how applicable would that knowledge be when I'm in an office with unfamiliar audit software in front of me? What Latta does in this book is to prepare up-and-coming professionals with many of the realities of the non-academic world that are left out of Business 101.

Some overarching themes that stick out: 1) the partnership structure of professional firms - how it motivates the partner-client relationship and how it affects career development for new professional staff; 2) personal finance techniques for those living on their own dime; and 3) the importance of a professional's place in the community.

As a recent university alum going into public accounting, this book read as if it was written for me. Latta appropriately relates his own work experiences to illustrate the points he is driving home. I was lucky to have discovered and read this book just a week before my first day on the job. Of course, nobody will know how to adapt perfectly to the work force until they enter it, but getting a head-start is certainly not a bad idea.

Rating:
Summary: Straight forward advice that is immediately helpful
Review: This book bridges the gap from your college life to your professional career. Of particular interest will be the discussion on your personal and professional development. All too often people who first enter a profession do not understand how important taking control of your career is until it is too late. Latta makes it clear that when you take an active interest in your own development not only will your work experience be more enjoyable, it also will be more rewarding in terms of assignments and financial success.

The tales from Latta's career scattered throughout the text impart a real world feel to the book and I found them to add a sense of wisdom that many "how to" books lack. I have been in a professional career for 15 years and I wish I had information like this when I first started out. Anyone who is just starting a career should make this a "must read." I can't wait to share this with our firm's new hires.