J Donald Warren Jr
Director, MS / PAccy & Professor of Accounting
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY USA
“Always do the right thing even though it may not be the popular thing. In other words, stick to your principles.”
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Managing time between work and school. Given my parents were unable to pay for my college, I held several jobs during my college years. As a result, I was required to manage my time.
Upon entering public accounting at 29 and from the government, I had to continually prove myself to my superiors.
Accepting a position in the National Office of a major accounting firm required additional effort to ensure the answers provided to practice met the standards of the profession.
Entering a PhD program at 60 required extra effort since I had completed my undergraduate and graduate education 31 years prior to entering the program.
As the profession changed and my responsibilities changed, I had to re-invent myself several times over my career.
During my time in public accounting and education, my strong suit was to be a problem solver. In other words, take on difficult tasks and be solution-oriented, not problem oriented.
As a result of my work in a retail environment during my high school and college years, I developed excellent marketing and interpersonal skills.
Don't get caught up in company gossip and always do the right thing even though it may not be the popular thing. In other words, stick to your principles.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
South Park High School (Beaumont, TX)
South Park High School (Beaumont, TX)
Certification/License
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Texas State Board of Accountancy
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Texas State Board of Accountancy
Career
Director, MS / PAccy & Professor of Accounting
Responsible for advising accounting majors on career opportunities and the importance of a graduate degree.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Business
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
My career was multi-facet: United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), Financial Accounting Standards Board, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and education (Rutgers University, University of Hartford and Marist College). My typical work day in my current role is preparing to teach the assigned classes, advising / counseling students and administering the graduate program. Typical day at other jobs varied with the firms' missions.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Identify the firms you to which you wish to be considered for employment; obtain information on the firms so you are prepared for the first interview; if you are able, have someone knowledgeable of the profession give you a mock interview with a critique, and when you get the interview, be prepared and confident and believe in yourself!!!
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Certification/License
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Teachers:
"I would never pass the CPA exam."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
