Business adviser talks accounting and podcast life

Q&A with a CPA — our free, interactive webinar — is designed for students like you who are curious about becoming a CPA.

With these virtual sessions, you’ll get the inside scoop from top CPAs who use their degrees and skillsets in interesting and dynamic ways. They’ll discuss with you what’s possible in the world of accounting and answer your questions live.

Our September webinar was Q&A with a CPA: A Day in the Life of a Business Adviser and Content Creator. Patrick Gremillion , CPA, Client Services Manager at Daigrepont & Brian, APAC, shared how he balances his roles as an accountant and content creator, his path to becoming a business adviser and tips for jumping into accounting.

CPA by day, podcast host by night

Juggling business adviser and content creator roles keeps Gremillion on his toes by demanding focus on the present and efficient use of his time. He kicks off his day by diving into clients’ emails and prepping for meetings, making every minute count.

As a business adviser, Gremillion is a primary resource for entrepreneurs ready to launch a new company or explore fresh business opportunities. He walks them through the steps of getting the proper licenses, planning for taxes and crafting profit/loss reports (which summarize how a company is doing financially).

When he’s not advising clients, Gremillion spends time recording episodes of his business-centered podcast, The Patty-G Show. During these sessions, he chats with guests about their entrepreneurial journeys — from how they got started to the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way.

“It’s a never-ending course of changing days; no days are ever the same. Ultimately, it’s a lot of fun being able to do a breadth of things that are different yet within the same career path as a CPA,” Gremillion said.

Advisory experience through internship and podcasting

Business advisers are the trusted experts who help entrepreneurs understand how to run businesses and grow them successfully. Gremillion learned the importance of a business adviser early in life and saw himself in this role, thanks to family dinners where business management was always the topic. His father was a business owner, and his mother was a retired CPA, so conversations about strategic planning and finances were just part of life.

“To me, it just clicked that every business owner has to be having these conversations, whether with someone they know personally, a spouse or a trusted adviser,” Gremillion said.

While double majoring in accounting and entrepreneurship at Louisiana State University, Gremillion took a proactive approach in his internships, which allowed him to attend meetings, networking events and real business advising situations. By connecting with finance professionals and business representatives, you can learn what it really takes to succeed.

Launching The Patty-G Show opened even more doors, letting Gremillion hear firsthand the insights and advice from his guests. Every interview provided new lessons, advancing his path to becoming a better business adviser.

Skills you already own can kickstart your CPA career

Gremillion shared key advice if you’re thinking about switching careers to accounting or jumping in later in life: focus on showing how the skills you already have can help you in accounting. Whether it’s problem-solving, time management or working with data, those abilities can transfer over.

If you’re currently studying or plan to major in accounting, landing an internship is essential for becoming a CPA. The sooner you start, the quicker you’ll pick up real-world skills that set you apart. Try getting in with local firms — shadow a partner, work as a part-time bookkeeper or help during tax season, suggests Gremillion.

Whether you're just starting your professional journey or making a career change, Gremillion recommends learning from others. “Give it all you got. Be curious, ask questions of people, partners or whomever [manages] you to get what you want to learn,” he said.

Hear from Patrick Gremillion about insights on accounting salaries, the AICPA® Leadership Academy and more.

Archived webinars, including Gremillion’s Q&A with a CPA: A Day in the Life of a Business Adviser and Content Creator can be found under the ‘Past Events’ banner. Log in or join as a free AICPA student affiliate member to view.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Nov.19, 2–2:30pm ET for Q&A with a (Future) CPA: A Day in the Life of an Accounting Student. Register today.