If you’re working for a US CPA firm from overseas and want to grow faster in your career, there’s one skill that can set you apart: taking initiative.
Many employees wait for instructions or stay within the boundaries of their job description. But those who rise quickly are the ones who go beyond what’s expected. Taking initiative means identifying problems, suggesting solutions, and taking ownership of delivering results.
For example, if you notice a recurring issue in a process or a gap in how something is being managed, don’t wait for someone to fix it. Bring the idea to your manager, explain why it matters, and offer to take the lead. Once you’ve executed it, make sure you communicate the outcome—not just to your immediate team in India, but also to your colleagues or managers in the US.
This type of proactive behavior does two things. First, it makes you visible. In larger organizations, offshore employees can sometimes get overlooked. Initiative is how you get noticed. Second, it shows commitment—to the company, to your growth, and to creating value beyond your role.
In North American companies, promotions often go to those who are seen as problem-solvers and leaders. Initiative signals both. So ask yourself: What’s one thing in your team or firm that could work better? And what’s stopping you from being the one to fix it?
Have you taken initiative before? What happened after you did?
TLDR:
- Promotions aren’t just about doing your job—they’re about showing initiative
- Find problems, suggest solutions, and take ownership
- Share your impact with both Indian and US teams
- Initiative makes you visible and shows commitment
- It’s one of the fastest ways to grow in a US CPA firm