{"id":164,"date":"2026-05-21T21:55:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T12:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaap-bridge.com\/?p=164"},"modified":"2026-05-21T21:55:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T12:55:42","slug":"career-interview-series-05-10-questions-with-a-tax-cpa-at-kpmg-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaap-bridge.com\/?p=164","title":{"rendered":"Career Interview Series 05 \u2013 10 Questions with a Tax CPA at KPMG Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hello everyone, this is Global CPA ??<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welcome back to the \u201c10 Questions by Profession\u201d series <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This time, I invited a CPA currently working in the Tax Division at KPMG Korea \u2014 another member of the Big 4 accounting firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think this interview will be especially helpful for readers interested in becoming tax specialists or exploring tax advisory careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Could you briefly introduce yourself?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hello.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am currently a third-year Senior Associate in the Tax Division at KPMG Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After passing the Korean CPA exam at age 24, I worked for a little over two years in the Tax Advisory Division at Deloitte Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Later, I moved to KPMG Korea\u2019s Tax Division, where I currently work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My MBTI is ISFJ, although I\u2019m honestly not sure whether that personality type matches accounting and tax advisory work very well ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Could you briefly explain your firm and division?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">KPMG Korea is one of the so-called Big 4 accounting firms and, similar to the other firms mentioned in previous interviews, provides services through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Audit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tax<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deal Advisory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and Consulting divisions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally, one advantage of KPMG Korea is simply the office location near Yeoksam Station, which gives excellent access to Seoul Subway Line 2 ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within the Tax Division, professionals perform a wide variety of tax-related services including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>tax compliance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>tax investigation support<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>tax diagnostics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>tax due diligence (TDD)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>amended refund claims<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and private company stock valuation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. What are your current responsibilities?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of the companies I currently handle have December fiscal year-ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>tax adjustments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and corporate tax filings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">are mainly concentrated between January and March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quarterly prepayment-related work also appears around July and August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, compared to standard tax compliance work, I personally spend more time handling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>tax advisory engagements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and specialized projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the moment of this interview, I was working on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>tax diagnostic projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and amended refund claim engagements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, responding to client inquiries and conducting technical research on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>tax law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>regulations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and similar precedents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">also make up a large portion of my daily work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, Tax professionals often handle multiple engagements simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. What made you choose this profession?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I did not originally dream of becoming a CPA in some dramatic way ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During my freshman year of university, I took an introductory accounting course and simply felt that accounting suited me better than other business subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compared to the uncertainty of general job hunting, the CPA path also felt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>more structured<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>more objective<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and more predictable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since I personally dislike uncertainty, that aspect suited me well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was also one more reason ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back then, I thought becoming a military finance officer through the CPA route would be better than regular military service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ironically, I eventually completed ordinary military service anyway, so that part did not really matter in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. What do you enjoy most about your current job?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whenever people ask me about the accounting profession, I often describe it as:<br>\u201cthe second-best career path.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What I mean is:<br>for most people, there was probably another profession somewhere that might have fit them even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, accounting still provides meaningful satisfaction in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>compensation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>career stability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and professional fulfillment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally, the most rewarding aspect is the feeling of accomplishment when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>clients<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or internal reviewers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">positively evaluate work I completed as a professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, I honestly would not say:<br>\u201cI absolutely love accounting itself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But while I may not love accounting and tax, I also do not strongly dislike them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And I think that balance is actually important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If someone truly hated accounting and tax, I think it would be very difficult to remain satisfied in this profession long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. What do you think are your strengths in this profession?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honestly, I think my biggest strength is work speed \u2014 although maybe that sounds slightly embarrassing to say ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I do not mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>being exceptionally fast in Excel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or instantly solving complex tax issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather, I mean:<br>when a task is assigned, I usually approach it efficiently enough that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the direction is not fundamentally wrong<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>deadlines are not delayed unnecessarily<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and reviewers still have enough time to carefully review the work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In tax advisory work, accuracy matters much more than simply being fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So for me, \u201cwork speed\u201d means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>preparing a sufficiently accurate first draft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>while leaving reviewers enough time for proper review.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. How did you prepare for this career?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Naturally, the first and most important step was passing the CPA exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since I majored in Business Administration, I already satisfied the academic requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main challenge was simply surviving the exam itself ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I prepared by studying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>at accounting academies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and inside my university CPA study group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To be honest, compared to the amount of effort I invested, I think I was fortunate to pass relatively early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for becoming specifically a Tax CPA, I do not think I prepared in any especially unique way beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If anything, working in practice has continuously reminded me how much more I still need to study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. If you could return to freshman year of university, would you choose the same career again?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honestly, regardless of career decisions, simply returning to freshman year itself would already sound amazing ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tax advisory work is definitely interesting and rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, one thing I personally regret slightly is never having experienced audit work directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since I have only lived as a Tax CPA, if I could return to freshman year and pass the CPA exam again, I would probably:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>spend around two years in Audit first<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and then transfer into Tax afterward.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And of course\u2026 passing the exam earlier would also be nice ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. What direction do you envision for your future career?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is honestly a difficult question ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Career ?? discussions are probably one of the most common topics among Tax CPAs around my level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>move to law firms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>stay at Big 4 firms aiming for partnership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or eventually consider smaller firms and independent practice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compared to Audit or Deal Advisory, Tax work often feels especially difficult because:<br>the more senior you become, the more responsibility and judgment-heavy decisions you must make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Broadly speaking, I want to become a tax specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But that still feels somewhat abstract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, I think I will continue until around the first year of Manager level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I still feel that tax work genuinely suits me, I will likely continue in Tax long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If not, I may eventually move into something completely unrelated to tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hopefully my partners do not read this interview ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. What would you like to say to students considering this profession?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recently, many students seem worried about the accounting industry because of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>economic uncertainty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>hiring conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and broader industry concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even so, I personally do not think the attractiveness of the CPA profession itself has fundamentally disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Industries move in cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the time current students complete preparation and enter firms, the environment may improve again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As I mentioned earlier, accounting may not always be someone\u2019s \u201cperfect\u201d career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But if you do not already have another very clear path you strongly want to pursue, becoming a CPA is still a very good option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for Tax specifically:<br>one major advantage is that you often work collaboratively with clients toward the same goal rather than standing opposite them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another advantage is that the more effort you invest, the easier it becomes to build expertise and recognition as a specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work-life balance in Tax is also generally considered somewhat better than:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>audit busy season<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or intensive due diligence projects in Deal Advisory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, for professionals considering transferring into Tax from another division:<br>I would strongly recommend thinking carefully about:<br>\u201cWhy do I actually want to do Tax?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">rather than simply assuming:<br>\u201cThe work-life balance must be better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That concludes the interview with a CPA from KPMG Korea\u2019s Tax Division <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally, the phrase:<br>\u201cthe second-best career path\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">left the strongest impression on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also found the explanation of what \u201cwork speed\u201d truly means in professional tax advisory work incredibly relatable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once again, thank you sincerely to the CPA who took time out of a busy schedule to participate in this interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ll return again soon with the next \u201c10 Questions by Profession\u201d series ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello everyone, this is Global CPA ?? Welcome back to the \u201c10 Questions by Profession\u201d series This time, I invited [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":276482313,"featured_media":30,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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