top of page
Amir, CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs: Advize Career Interview
A career in accounting offers diverse opportunities, as evidenced by a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs.
This professional's journey began with a political science degree and a Bank of America role, but a passion for finance and accounting led to a master's degree and CPA licensure.
Experience at mid-tier firms provided invaluable hands-on training, culminating in a leadership role within a family firm undergoing acquisition.
The day-to-day work balances technical expertise with client management, business development, and team leadership.
Success requires strong technical skills initially, but soft skills become increasingly important for advancement, particularly in client interaction and business growth.
The most rewarding aspect is the entrepreneurial challenge of driving firm growth and developing innovative solutions for high-net-worth clients.
Aspiring professionals should focus on early specialization, secure internships, and persevere through initial challenges to unlock significant career advancements.
Large firms offer excellent entry-level opportunities and networking potential.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Amir Rizvi
CPA
Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs
San Diego State University 2008
USC - Master of Business Taxation (MBT)
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Political Science, American Studies
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A CPA At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs
Amir's career path began with a political science degree and a Bank of America role, but a passion for finance and accounting led to a master's in business taxation and CPA licensure. This academic foundation, combined with experience at mid-tier firms like Markham and BDO ("trial by fire, you know, you don't get to...it's very much practice day one"), ultimately culminated in joining their family's firm during an acquisition, allowing them to leverage prior experience in a growing entrepreneurial setting.
Main Responsibilities Of A CPA At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs
Amir's main responsibilities at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs encompass managing a team of five or six people, "coaching as well as reviewing their work," and cultivating relationships with high-net-worth clients while concurrently focusing on business development through networking and pursuing mergers and acquisitions. This multifaceted role demonstrates a career path combining technical expertise with leadership and entrepreneurial skills within the firm.
A Day In The Life Of A CPA At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs
A typical day for a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs involves prioritizing tasks – "I'll start the day with that then I'll run through my emails" – balancing client servicing (emails, calls, meetings) with "the actual work that we get paid to do," and incorporating administrative duties, including overseeing employee workloads. The workday is structured to tackle complex tasks early, leaving less demanding activities for later.
Most Important Skills For A CPA At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs
Early in a CPA career, strong technical skills like attention to detail and Excel proficiency are crucial; however, as one progresses, "soft skills become far more important," including client and team interaction, and the ability to "move quickly and think on the fly" becomes essential for success in business-related aspects of the role.
Favorite Parts Of Being A CPA At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs
Amir, a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs, most enjoys the "entrepreneurial aspect" of their role, specifically the ability to directly impact the firm's bottom line by winning new business and seeing the results of their work firsthand, unlike prior experiences at larger firms where individual contributions felt less impactful. This allows for a more direct connection to business growth and development, making the process of "winning new business" a particularly fulfilling aspect of the career.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Certified Public Accountant at Rizvi and Rizvi CPAs
Amir, a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs, identifies the biggest challenge as achieving rapid expansion in a "very mature industry" like public accounting, where growth is inherently limited by "selling your time," unlike faster-growing sectors like tech. The difficulty lies in differentiating the firm and accelerating growth to reach ambitious career goals within a field with many established competitors.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Public Accounting Industry As A CPA
Amir, a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs, finds the most rewarding aspect of the tax field to be "figuring out...new laws and regulations" and developing "new solutions to clients." The proactive, value-added nature of tax work, where clients view the firm as a partner in saving money, is a key source of job satisfaction, contrasting with the more adversarial nature of audit work.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Accounting, According To A CPA From Rizvi And Rizvi
In public accounting, success hinges on a blend of "reasonable technical skill" and strong "soft skills," with the latter being particularly crucial for advancement. The most successful individuals, often termed "rainmakers," excel at client interaction and business development, even if their technical expertise is not the strongest.
What A Certified Public Accountant At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Accounting Industry
Amir, a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs, advises aspiring CPAs to persevere through the initial challenging stages of the career, which are often characterized by "boring" work and long hours, because the role becomes "much more enjoyable" and offers greater opportunities at more senior levels. The key is to "stick it out" and learn as much as possible early on.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring CPAs
Entry-level positions for undergraduate students in accounting typically include "staff accountant" roles at mid-size or large firms, with the latter being the best place to start, according to Amir, a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs. Amir advises that these firms, such as those recruiting heavily from schools like UCLA, offer the best opportunities for career growth and networking, allowing for a strong foundation in the field.
Significant Career Lesson From A CPA At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs
Amir, a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs, emphasizes the importance of early specialization in a career, stating that identifying "the area they really want to go into" and becoming a "hyper specialized" professional, as opposed to a generalist, provides a significant advantage for career advancement. This focused approach, according to Amir, allows one to "Advance really quick" in the field.
College Experiences That Helped A CPA At Rizvi And Rizvi CPAs Succeed
Amir, a CPA at Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs, advises aspiring professionals to "figure that out early on" what career path they want, ideally through internships and relevant coursework. This early identification, coupled with securing an internship in their junior or senior year, sets a strong trajectory, potentially leading to a "very senior level at a pretty young age," even without being a "rockstar."
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page