By Dori Panthofer

As a CPA, one’s intellect and expertise are important assets. Imagine your appearance is a tangible asset that will either help or hinder your career. CPAs understand the value of asset management and a healthy bottom line.

When a company desires to expand and needs capital, funds are obtained from various sources including banks. Lenders examine assets and liabilities to determine risk. A healthy balance sheet (strong assets and limited liabilities) leads to readily available funds at low rates. Too many liabilities lead to higher rates or no credit.

Today’s more relaxed corporate casual dress codes weave employees’ career paths with their talents and ability to maintain a strong professional image. To be successful, employees must dress casually and exude as much power, credibility and authority as when they are wearing a traditional suit. Those who offer a complete package (expertise paired with a powerful image) will advance while the careers of those who ignore their images will stall.

People judge us by our appearance. Within 30 seconds, we’re evaluated by three factors: socioeconomic status, educational level and desirability. What you say doesn’t erase the first impression.

Many company policies assume everyone understands the difference between 9 to 5 workplace casual dress and 5 to 9 after-hours casual wear. There are six types of casual dress: active (jogging, biking), rugged (hiking, hunting), sporty (T-shirts, jeans, sneakers), smart, dressy, and business. Only smart, dressy, and business casual wear are appropriate for the workplace.

Smart casual dress is a harmonious look with coordinated colors, fabrics, shoes and accessories. It’s a more powerful look when paired with a jacket. Smart casual dress is slacks, crisp jeans or a tailored denim suit, pressed shirt, blouse, skirt, turtleneck, fashionable belt, jacket, vest or sweater coordinated to your outfit and paired with appropriate jewelry. For men, it’s loafer style shoes. For women, it’s mid-heel shoes, flats or boots.

Dressy casual clothing is similar to smart casual dress without jeans. Fabrics are richer and dressier; shoes are also dressier. Jackets are required for men and women; it’s more elegant and formal than smart casual wear. Business casual wear is a relaxed version of classic business wear without the sacrifice of professionalism or power. It draws from the smart and dressy casual look. True business casual garments are more tailored. Jeans aren’t a part of this group.

Clothing is a visual code that projects your talents, needs, personalities and destination. Avoid wearing a suit that offer little or no style, and don’t fall in the trap of playing it safe by only wearing a traditional suit. Playing it safe may signal that you are unwilling to take chances or prefer not to take the time to present a powerful image. What message do youwant to send?

The minimum for casual day or working on the weekend is smart casual clothing. If you are too casual, it may keep you from meeting with a client, prospective client or boss. If you feel the urge to apologize for being dressed too casually, you give up part of your power, credibility and authority.

Avoid corporate image no-no’s so you don’t inadvertently sabotage your career. A poisonous attitude tops the list. If you think, "no one will notice" or "my appearance isn’t important, it’s my ability that counts," you’re wrong. Clients, co-workers and your boss notice your appearance, even if it’s subconsciously. Excuses of extra weight or budget concerns that prevent you from presenting a professional image will also prevent you from achieving success.

Don’t wear T-shirts, sneakers, sandals, bare feet, caps, humorous attire, shorts, worn out clothing, unpolished or decrepit shoes, cheap fabrics, ill-fitting clothing, scruffy facial hair, unprofessional outdated hair styles and fashions, excessive fragrance, funky nails, or provocative attire. For women, it doesn’t mean you have to look staid and boring. If you want to be taken seriously, steer clear of plunging necklines and anything too tight, short or provocative.

It’s time to accessorize. Too much, too little or both are equally distracting. Failure to accessorize indicates lack of attention to detail, even if this isn’t true about you professionally. Count all the items you are wearing, include undergarments, and add them up. If the total number exceeds 13, remove one of them. Ladies, makeup is an accessory. Women who tastefully wear it earn 30 percent more than those who don’t.

Stop and visualize the position you want. Remember that image is a visual code to your goals, ambitions and destination. Is your image a liability? Given two equally qualified candidates, image may be the deciding factor in who is promoted or given a high profile client or account. Dress for the position you want and not the position you have. Appearance is essential to achieve career goals and success hinges on the ability to present the complete package.

Make a plan and work the plan. Whether you are on a strict budget or have unlimited resources, create a powerful image that will help you achieve your career goals. Seek out a professional wardrobe consultant. A seasoned wardrobe consultant will help select styles and colors that flatter your figure and hide your flaws.

One final note: choose quality over quantity. It’s better to have less well-made and coordinated garments than dozens of poorly constructed or mismatched pieces from the sale rack. Take care of your greatest asset: you. Dress for success. Achieve your career goals. Be happy. Be you!