[SlyCoug]

A little background on me is that in school I originally studied finance, but switched my major to accounting after completing all finance classes. I mainly switched for stability and a more marketable degree. I have a MAcc and CPA. Basically after a year in public accounting I have realized quickly that I just don’t have any real passion for accounting to be my long term career. While it is a great business skill and foundation, I dream of returning to finance. As I have researched different finance job opportunities, it really seems that industry experience in finance is going to get me a lot further in that career path than Big 4 experience will. I just completed my first year in public accounting and I’m strongly considering making a push to get out and move into an industry finance job.

Anyone have any strong insight one way or the other as far as whether this may be a mistake?

REG (7/1/13) 94
FAR (8/2/13) 98
BEC (8/23/13) 97
AUD (10/4/13) 99

Ethics (1/14/14) 100

I'm free!!

[krokofilen]

Go for it, better realizing that now, than several years down the road. You can always return to accounting, if you should change your mind again. Do, however, considering making a move to management consulting or the valuation services within your current Big 4, to get some experience that you can later use when making the move to a separate firm specialized in finance (or to a finance department within a company).

Big 4 Audit Manager from Europe here to pass the CPA in the U.S. of A in 2014! Niiice!

AUD - 95 / Jul 15 / 130h over 4 weeks
FAR - 86 / Aug 14 / 240h over 4 weeks
(11 week break)

REG - 81 / Nov 14 / 200h over 4 weeks
BEC - 87 / Nov 17 / 30 h over 2.5 days

[Anonymous]

Yep.

Get out now. If you dislike it now, you will detest it in 5 years.

It will be harder to get away then too. House, wife, bills. Whatever. If you step away in five years you may need to step down, and that can be tough to do with a lot of “overhead”.

[Anonymous]

Inaction is the only way to let life pass you by.

[Lari Sa]

I agree with krokofilen, try to move within the firm if they'll let you (but that's not always easy, big 4 claims to be a lot more open minded about this than they actually are).

Also, I left P dub exactly 1 year and 1 day after i started, and i have NO regrets. My reasons were different than yours but I dont feel it has negatively affected me at all.

Go on, do what you got to do!

AUD 85 (11.10 - expired), 0 (2.13), 82* (5.13)
BEC 49 (5.09), 38 (5.11), 75* (10.11)
REG 65 (2.11), 74 (11.11), 0 (2.12), 81* (4.12)
FAR 67 (5.12), 73 (12.12), 78* (2.13)

[SlyCoug]

Thanks for the advice and support. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Big 4 is a great opportunity, but it just doesn't seem to be leading me where I hope to end up so I may just be wasting time here. In regards to a transfer to advisory or consulting, unfortunately I am in a smaller market so moving into either of those groups would involve relocation, which I would prefer to avoid. If it weren't for that I agree that it would be a very attractive option.

And billbrasskey, that is exactly the feeling I have had. The longer I wait, the more rooted I will be in something I don't have a passion for, and making the switch will just become more and more difficult.

Again, I greatly appreciate the advice as I consider this career move.

REG (7/1/13) 94
FAR (8/2/13) 98
BEC (8/23/13) 97
AUD (10/4/13) 99

Ethics (1/14/14) 100

I'm free!!

[fuzyfro89]

Start looking. Only then do you know what you're really able to get.

[Anonymous]

Sure get out. Although don't let big 4 “taint” accounting for you. Public acctg is nothing like 99% of accounting positions. Also there can be a lot of interlap between industry accounting and finance gigs. So as you explore different options I'd encourage u to keep your mind open – with a CPA and a macc u can prob get some interesting acctg gigs with more growth opps than if you solely focused on jobs advertising themselves as ‘finance'.

[Anonymous]

Think hard about why you want to leave and make sure it's for the right reasons. Seems the whole “grass is greener on the other side” mentality plagues a lot of people in this business. Every job has things about it that suck and are usually not fun and interesting. I've read posts on here about people wanting to leave private industry for the big for and visa versa. The benefits of gutting it out with a reputable firm can pay serious dividends in the future. I'm just saying to think it through. That's my .02

[fuzyfro89]

I will say that most finance professional do not have an accounting background… and that can be a hindrance.

Being a CPA, and later using your deep knowledge of accounting to move into more of a finance/analytical/FP&A/whatever role will be a very good transition, and you will be differentiated by far from most people.

Finance, after all, is analysis of accounting information…

There's no problem in leaving soon (I left after 2 busy seasons as well), but just be sure that you have a good role to go into. Don't just leave to get out. There will be BS work in most entry level jobs.

I would absolutely encourage you to start networking and looking into what you may enjoy or finding a good way to transition into a different role. There are many paths, so be sure to explore your options thoroughly.

[mrogovitz]

If you want out of accounting forever, then have at it. But don't think 1 year of experience is going to help you get back into accounting even a few years down the road. It doesn't sound like you would ever want to return to accounting, but I'm just letting you know that if, for whatever reason, you want to return, 1 year of experience is the same as 0. I know from personal experience. Not that I tried to get back in, but I left PwC after a year and the experience meant jack squat.

AUD: Attempt 1: 60; Attempt 2: 78
BEC: Attempt 1: 75 (lost credit); Attempt 2: 80
FAR: Attempt 1: 74; Attempt 2: 74; Attempt 3: 78
REG: Attempt 1: 76 (lost credit); Attempt 2: 68; Attempt 3: 80

Finished 11/01/2013!!!

[Author]

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