Kevin Sims
Sports Editor

   The Institute of Management Accountants held a meeting Wednesday, April 4, featuring a University of Arkansas – Monticello graduate and prominent local businessman as its guest speaker. 

   Loyd Oxner, former UAM football player and father of softball player Joleah, spoke to the IMA on the differences between corporate and public accountants. Oxner, a corporate accountant for the Price Companies, did not glamorize his profession but gave students a realistic outlook on the business world, detailing the pros and cons of both.  

  

Pros included:  Corporate Health Care Retirement Plan Paid Vacation Bonuses Specialization  Public Health Care Retirement Plan Paid Vacation Flexible Work Schedule Broad Base Work Selectivity Firm Ownership Potential for Self-Employment

Cons included:    Corporate Relocation Security Long Hours Type Casting    Public Extensive Travel Multiple Deadlines Limited Time Off During Tax Season Long Hours Tax Based Multiple Customers/Bosses

   He opened his speech with three quotes, quoting his daughter, John F. Kennedy and himself.  

   “It’s not what you want to do, but what someone will allow you the opportunity to do,” Oxner said. 

   Oxner expanded on this by telling some personal stories about his early job experience and stating the importance of obtaining job experience while attending school. 

   “You learn a lot in school; you learn a whole lot at your first job,” Oxner said. “Your first job is really, really important.” 

   Oxner’s first job lasted only nine months before the company went bankrupt. His second was at the ammunition plant in Camden, which he got because of job experience he had working as an inspector during the summer in college. He went back to school in 2000 to become a certified public accountant after the Burlington Industries filed for bankruptcy. 

   “Everything builds up when getting a job – the three letters behind your name (CPA), your job experience, your resume,” he said. 

   While comparing the two fields, he showed the difference between the national average salaries at the entry level, the controller/manager level and the Chief Financial Officer/director level, which were all obtained by Robert Half International. On the bottom end, public accountants make more money, $5,000 more. However, at the CFO/Director level, corporate overtakes public by $28,000. 

   Oxner closed by taking questions from the audience, which focused mostly on the CPA exam and how to obtain a job after graduation. 

   “Don’t cull your resume,” Oxner said. “Send it to everyone.”