<p>My name is Bill and I am a CPA. I have been working in public accounting for a "big 4" cpa firm for almost 4 years and have recently toyed with the idea of going to law school. I've heard of many CPA's completing law school and go on to become succesful IRS or Tax attorney's. I am not a tax person at all, I despise it for the most part. I am a public company auditor and spend all of my working working hours auditing and drafting financial statements in addition to performing analysis and review for many private and public companies needing assurance or compilation services.</p>
<p>My question - what are the opportunities out there for someone with my background, if I were to go and obtain my law degree? Is there anyone with this type of experience that has their law degree or is currently in law school that could provide some insight on their goals and/or future aspirations and opportunities?</p>
<p>I am not a CPA, but maybe I can help anyway.</p>
<p>Several CPA lawyers that I know do estate planning (but that’s mostly because of the tax ramifications of estate planning). One I know is a civil litigator.</p>
<p>Financial fraud prosecution and defense will likely be “hot” practice areas in the next few years, but it’s not likely to last long enough for you to complete law school and establish your practice. Creditor-side and commercial bankruptcy are also “hot” but may have more staying power.</p>
<p>Public (municipal bonds) and private securities practices rely heavily on financial analysis and review in order to assure proper due diligence and disclosure. Also, financial analysis skills are useful in mergers and acquisitions practices for due diligence.</p>
<p>Your firm has attorneys on staff of whom you might carefully inquire for other practice ideas.</p>
<p>Outside of taxation there is no material advantage to having a law degree and cpa. Your work experience may give you advantage in terms of making contacts for future clients but anyone with corporate work experience would have that benefit. There are some government jobs where the employer would find your dual skills valuable, but those jobs are small in number.</p>
<p>BTW, you will find it difficult maintaining your CPA while working as a lawyer because your available time to take the necessary annual CPA education requirements will likely be limited.</p>