As I mentioned on the experience page, this was my first CPA firm. They were rare for a large local firm in that they had a dedicated audit team and I was thrilled to join it. The other firm members were all tax but 4 of us designed and performed the audits for
- a large international retailer who was considering going public ($500MM in sales in 1992).
- 3 Auto dealerships where we had to physically inspect autos due to specific identification rules
- 6 co-operatives handling citrus fruit in the central valley
- 2 for-profit educational schools who received substantial federal grants and loans
- 2 dozen water districts – which are special districts in the state of California with responsibility for assessing use fees to farmers and ranchers who paid to have a canal system built and who then draw water to irrigate their crops and herds.
As the junior member, I was responsible for almost all the field work on most of those engagements. But even as a junior, I was given responsibility to assist in the planning of audit procedures, evaluating the audit evidence and, before I left, was reviewing workpapers on the larger engagement where members of the tax team performed on the audit.
It was a great firm and I only left because I had the opportunity to join a large regional firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
Accounting Clarity 