I had the pleasure of speaking with Minnie Lau, CPA, president of Minnie Lau CPA PC, on this week’s episode #98 of the CPA Career Paths podcast. Minnie’s journey is anything but traditional. From majoring in legal studies at UC Berkeley to leading a boutique tax firm in San Francisco, her story is packed with insight, resilience, and a touch of humor.
🎙️ Highlights from My Interview with Minnie Lau
Minnie never intended to become a CPA. In fact, her original plan was law school—until she volunteered at a nonprofit tax clinic and unexpectedly fell in love with helping people navigate taxes. That shift in direction led her to earn a master’s in accounting at San Jose State and dive headfirst into tax.
What followed was a series of bold decisions: turning down law school, working at KPMG during the Apple audit years, enduring layoffs during the 2008 recession, and even answering phones at the IRS during a hiring freeze. Each step strengthened her technical skill set and deepened her empathy for clients and taxpayers alike.
Here are some of the most memorable takeaways from Minnie’s story:
💡 Key Lessons from Minnie’s CPA Journey
- Follow the work you love, not the plan you made.
“I was supposed to be a lawyer. But I liked doing taxes more than I expected.” - Your major doesn’t define your future.
Minnie studied legal studies and public policy, but discovered her talent in accounting through volunteer work. - Hard times can shape better professionals.
“I was answering IRS calls during the recession, and it made me a better CPA and a better person.” - Being multilingual was a secret weapon.
At KPMG, her ability to read French, Chinese, and English made her essential to international audits. - Don’t let prestige blind you.
“Law school was the plan, but not the passion. One year of a master’s in accounting made more sense than three years of law school I didn’t want.”
✅ Actionable Advice
- Try volunteering in tax before committing to a career path.
Minnie’s time with Tax Aid revealed a passion she didn’t know she had. - Be flexible when your path takes an unexpected turn.
Layoffs and hiring freezes didn’t stop her progress—they reshaped it. - Learn from every job—even the ones you didn’t plan for.
“No one dreams of being a call center rep. But I learned how the IRS works from the inside.” - Relationships matter.
From LinkedIn connections to wedding invites, Minnie stays close to her early-career colleagues.
🔗 Final Thoughts
Minnie’s journey reminds us that success doesn’t always follow a straight line. Whether you’re reconsidering law school, navigating career uncertainty, or just passed your first CPA exam, her story offers hope, humor, and plenty of wisdom.
Want more inspiring CPA stories like Minnie’s?
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