[Anonymous]

Hey everyone. Just looking for a little insight.

I graduated in late 2012 and landed my first professional job early 2013. I was hired on to do accounts payable (input the bills and pay them), IT support, HR support, and basically anything a SMB requires of a manager.

It’s been 2 years now and here we are. My role has become 90% computer/IT support and 10% HR and other duties.

I want to do accounting in full. I’m considering polishing my resume and applying to local/regional firms. I’ve had little experience in true accounting and this worries me. I don’t doubt I can learn it, but I’m 31 and have had 2 years of managerial experience though.

Would it be wise to apply before sitting for any of my exams? I am CPA eligible and will mostly likely use the Ten Point combo for all 4 parts.

I was told if this isn’t the work I want, go get the work I want. Is it wise to seek a move now? I know this is all subjective to region/person/skills/pay etc., but I’m overworked for nowhere near what an IT salary is. My IT capabilities are pretty darn good since I was an information systems major for 3 years before dropping for accounting full-time.

Help!?

And thanks ahead of time for any help given.

[Anonymous]

There is never, ever any harm in applying for a job. Ever. It's just a pain in the rear. And it's never, ever too early to start at something…ever.

The literal worst that's going to happen is that you won't get an accounting job but that doesn't really matter because you don't have one now. Go chase what you want!

I am also 31 and we're are definitely young but we're also not 21 anymore. Get to it!

[Anonymous]

That's what I am feeling. I'm kind of hitting the ceiling here (pay/experience) and it's not going to get better I fear. I'm thinking I need to get into a firm or something. I work full-time now (salary) and so I'd have to study for my CPA exam when I get home and on weekends regardless of the job.

[ruggercpa2b]

I totally agree with Brooks. I got into public accounting at 33. I stayed 2.5 years and then jumped ship. I worked at one of the big 4. I applied to so many accounting firms with my IA background and it took me almost 2 years to finally land a job. Granted I started looking in 2009 and things were not that great.

Apply to ALL accounting firms. Big or small and just see what happens. With an IT background, I have seen assurance jobs at PWC where most of the work is IT related I believe. You can do anything you want and whatever age. 30 is the new 20 🙂

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Anonymous]

Haha! Us old fogies still got it! 😀

I am going to just…mass apply. Maybe something will come up. I rather be busy doing what I want to do, that twiddling and wondering. I feel the longer I stay the less I will be likely to move about. I've had a good solid 2 years, lots of IT work, management work, hiring, firing, etc. So..maybe that can leverage me into something.

I have heard audit is tough though, mostly because of the amount of travel and hours put in.

What would a typical day look like for an IT auditor/assurance team member? I have a friend pushing me to get my CPA (he's studying right this second) and another telling me CISA! lol

[ThisBetterBeIt]

I agree with everyone else, it's never too late to apply for a new job 🙂

I would apply at the Big 4, but then also at the regional and local firms. The travel is tough, but if you get with a smaller firm, the clients will be more concentrated in the area in which you live and work. I would go ahead and begin work on the CPA exam. It might give you a leg up if you've already passed a few when you begin interviewing. It will show them that you're serious and you're closer than another candidate, perhaps.

You could also use your accounting knowledge and IT background to get into systems implementation and support with a consulting group or working for a larger company. Either way, I would go for your CPA.

I hear you on working full-time and studying at night. I also work full-time and I have 4 children (7,5,3,1) and I passed all four parts in 2014 and just received my license. It was crazy hard and crazy stressful, but completely worth it!

Good luck with what you decide 🙂

[Anonymous]

Wow. Your situation makes mine look like child's play! How in the world did you ever find time? And congratulations on passing!!

[Author]

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