OCCUPATION: CPA/SENIOR AUDIT MANAGER

Name: Celina J. Doka

Company: KPMG Peat Marwick

Thumbs up: “I like the level of professionalism and the client service orientation. We work with a variety of clients in different industries, so we’re always being exposed to different issues and situations. It’s challenging. Something new comes up every day--you don’t have a chance to get bored with what you’re doing.�

Thumbs down: “The hours can be demanding and unpredictable, but I guess that’s true of any good job.�

Next step: “I’m a senior manager right now, so the next step for me would be partner.�

Advice: “Usually we recruit right out of college. My advice to someone interested in working for a large accounting firm is to consider an internship while they’re still in school, if they can. I would also advise them to pass the CPA exam while they’re still in school; that way, once they’re working, they can concentrate on their clients instead of studying for the test.�

Salary range: In Orange County, from $1,500 to $5,300 monthly.

Hours: 40-hour, five-day workweek, but be prepared for overtime during busy seasons.

Educational and training requirements: A bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting is usually the minimum educational requirement. Certified public accountants must be licensed by the state.

Size of work force: Very large. In Orange County, about 11,240 people or 0.9% of the population work as accountants.

Expected demand: Accountants, auditors and related occupations rank among the 50 fastest-growing occupational groups in the state.

Job description: Accountants compile detailed records of business transactions and prepare summaries, such as income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, cost studies and tax reports. Major employing industries: Accounting firms, banks, the city, county and federal governments, any major corporation.

For information: Call the State Board of Accountancy, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to find out about the Certified Public Accountant exams: (916) 920-7121.