University of the Pacific - Atherton & Associates, CPAs Atherton & Associates, CPAs

Atherton & Associates is proud to be a sponsor of the University of the Pacific; make sure to look us up at the Meet the Firm Night on September 23rd! This year we have 3 to 4 Associate positions to fill before the upcoming tax season and we may even hire the right candidate even before they graduate. One of the things that differentiate us from other firms is we skip the intern step and directly hire our candidates on at the Associate level.

We are not just about the numbers!

We are often asked the question, “What are you looking for in a candidate?”

Here at Atherton & Associates we have a common set of core values that drive and empower us. These values are among the things we look for in our candidates.

Integrity – Candidates should exercise sound judgement while having a passion for doing what is right instead of what is convenient; they should exemplify a clear sense of professional and personal accountability for their actions and words.

Commitment – Candidates are expected to show dedication to our clients, colleagues, community, and family by taking on tasks and seeing them through to completion.

Innovation – Candidates should be prepared to embrace change, be proactive in seeking out alternative solutions, and be willing to apply fresh ideas in developing solutions to existing client problems.

Teamwork – Candidates should be willing to work closely with their peers and superiors to complete work and be willing to acknowledge the contribution of the entire team to end goal.

Excellence – Candidates are expected to go above and beyond the minimum requirements of a particular task; they should exude a passion for their work and make a positive impact on those around them.

The best way to decide if Atherton & Associates is going to be a good fit for you is to follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn. Another great way to get to know us is to meet up with us at one of the many events we attend. These events range from career fairs to informal information sessions and are usually quite fun.

After meeting us, the application process is fairly smooth. Once we receive your information, we will review all of the candidates and make our selection of those we want to interview.

Below is a quick timeline of the application and interview process:

Application Period: September 15th through October 15th

Interview Period: October 15th through November 3rd
o Selected candidates will be contacted by phone to schedule an interview

o Interview candidates will be asked to take a short bookkeeping test

Final Selection: November 17th
o Final candidates will be contacted with a job offer for the position.

If there are any questions during the process, please feel free to contact Craig Schaurer directly.

Interviews can be intimidating. Even the best candidates may experience this. To combat this, and to make the best possible impression, we recommend the following things a selected candidate should do.

Learn as much as you can about Atherton & Associates. Who are we? What services do we offer? The more you understand about us, the easier it will be for you to talk about how you would fit into our firm.

Prepare a list of questions for your interviewers. These questions should be ones that came to you while you were researching our firm.

Relax before going into the interview. Remember an interview goes both ways. We are trying to see if we think you will be a good fit in our firm and you should be interviewing us to make sure we offer what you are looking for in your career.

Talk to your career services center. Getting advice from people dedicated to your success is invaluable. They may have other tips or even be able to run you through a few practice interviews.