• Questions about "Careers in Tax" more generally (the topic of the session)?
  • Example: Do you have to specialize in one area of tax (e.g., corporate tax vs partnership tax or international vs. a U.S. focus on state and local tax) right away? If not, how do you decide your area of tax expertise (specialty) over time? Do you ever have to specialize?
• Questions about Prof. Pierce's specific career - here's a short bio on his background:
  • Example: I see that you started in audit and then switched to tax. What made you decide to change groups? Were there any aspects of audit you missed when you made the switch?
• Questions about recent events in the news/policy that might change the tax practice:
  • Example: How did the pandemic shut-down period change the way tax engagements were run? What features of that change have remained vs. what features will return to the way engagements were run before? What are the trade-offs of that change in terms of attracting clients and employees or retaining top management?

Below is his biography information:

Transcribed Image Text:

Biography Jerry Pierce is a retired senior tax partner at KPMG, LLP and has over 34 years of experience with Big Four public accounting. After beginning his career in auditing, he moved to tax and currently specializes in corporate taxation and accounting for income taxes (ASC 740, FAS 109). Jerry gained his tax experience by serving large Fortune 500 companies, middle market, and start-up organizations in Washington, D.C. Jerry serves as the lead tax engagement partner for his clients, advising them regarding tax planning strategies, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and reorganizations. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, the School of Business honored Mr. Pierce with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012. In addition, he has most recently been named to the list of Smart CPAs by the SmartCFO Magazine. Jerry earned his BS in accounting from James Madison University and his MBA from George Mason University. Jerry has worked his entire professional career in the Washington Metro area and his current office is located in Mclean, VA. Alumni Awards Distinguished Alumnus, 2012 Biography Jerry Pierce is a retired senior tax partner at KPMG, LLP and has over 34 years of experience with Big Four public accounting. After beginning his career in auditing, he moved to tax and currently specializes in corporate taxation and accounting for income taxes (ASC 740, FAS 109). Jerry gained his tax experience by serving large Fortune 500 companies, middle market, and start-up organizations in Washington, D.C. Jerry serves as the lead tax engagement partner for his clients, advising them regarding tax planning strategies, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and reorganizations. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, the School of Business honored Mr. Pierce with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012. In addition, he has most recently been named to the list of Smart CPAs by the SmartCFO Magazine. Jerry earned his BS in accounting from James Madison University and his MBA from George Mason University. Jerry has worked his entire professional career in the Washington Metro area and his current office is located in Mclean, VA. Alumni Awards Distinguished Alumnus, 2012

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The detailed answer for the above question is provided below Do you have to specialize in one area of tax right away If not how do you decide your are... View the full answer