Varalotti in the US -3 - Will You Fly With Me?

Dear Kamla,
"The Merc looks really pleased to pose for a pic with you."
That was a soft, beautiful expression. Something which only you can write. I enjoyed it.
Well, the pics can be taken only during off time. So whatever pictures you see here, it will appear as if I am enoying a great holiday. When I am stuck to work with a dozen things to do at once, well, there is no one to take pictures.
Love,

Hello Sridhar - yes, I am a CPA. My specialization is tax. I worked in public accounting till last September - the hours were not the best in public. During tax season, I worked 60-80 hrs a week. It got tiring and I was not enjoying my work any more. Since last September, I am working as a tax analyst for an investment firm. I am the tax person in-house while we have one of the big 4 doing the audit and tax prep itself. It has been a great learning experience for me - I am learning about mutual fund taxation, diversification requirements and compliance, etc. It is a big switch for me but I have to say a very positive one. When I think back to when I started last year to where I am today, I have come a long way. When I first got this offer, I was unsure if I could handle it - you know you are not in your comfort zone and you dont have all the answers, but now I feel, I made the right decision to take the plunge. So, that is a bit about my background. If I have a pension question, I guess I can turn to you, right? Great to hear about your work. By the way, my grandfather (who is no more) and many of my uncles in India are all CA's too. I guess it is in my blood!!

Not impressed with football!! - I was hoping to read some analogy that you would come up with - hmmmpp... guess I am not going to have that opportunity. The two movies you mentioned are some of my favorites too, especially "Guess who.." Sidney Poitier is such an amazing actor!

Enjoy your training and stay here.

Originally Posted by varalotti

Hello Shobana,
Somehow this 3 or 3 30 pm appears to be a deadly time for jetlags. It is better to sleep through it for the first few days than to attempt anything important and then mess it up.
I am being trained in US Pension Funds Admin - your 401k Plans, their administration, investment planning etc. We are doing the work back in India.

Are you a CPA? Do you specialise in any branch of accounting? I would be eager to know.

Yes, I did watch American Football for a few minutes. I was not impressed. I am too old to acquire a taste for it.
I watched two classical movies An Affair to Remember and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. One was made in 57 and the other in 67. Both were real classics. As a writer I enjoyed seeing two movies whose scripts were so excellently written. If I am able to write a story half as good as any one of them, I will consider my mission accomplished in the field of writing.
regards,

Hello Shobana,
that was a great post which I read many times. Yes, Shobana, all our growth happen outside our comfort zones. My comfort zone is Indian corporate law and taxation. While I have not lost my hard-earned expertise, I ventured outside the CZ to learn about the US pension funds. First it was the huge legislation ERISA. Then it came to the bolts and nuts of retirment plans. Planning the size, passing the Anti-discrimination testing and that kind of stuff. Now I am on the daily val platform which links mutual funds to retirement plans.

I work with a lot of Funds, do everything from downloading their prospectus, settling the trades, doing the reconciliation and all.

Happy to know that accounting is in your blood, Shobana. But for that you don't need Account grandfathers and uncles. A deep passion towards that wonderful field takes it directly to the blood. I am the first CA in my family. But I feel that accounting has always been in my blood.

You are welcome to ask questions on Plans. If I know the answers I will pass them on to you.

Thanks for your kind wishes, Shobana.

regards,

Most Gracious ILites,
Time's just flying. It's already time for Varalotti In The US -4. I first thought of picking up some other incident and had hinted that in my reply to Kamla. But seeing my notes again, I came up with another potent lesson which completely floored me. I am now serving that lesson to you with love.
Regards,

Most Gracious ILites,

Having had a fabulous party at Vandhana's place, now it's time for us to learn something about dinosaurs. And what they have in common with the mothers-in-law and Actor Ajith Kumar. Dinosaur,mi and Ajith are teaming up this Wednesday to teach us a profound lesson.

Go to the latest Wednesdays with Varalotti thread. Remember ladies, you are welcome even if you are a mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law or just a plain mother, daughter or sister.

Looking forward to see you all there,
Love,