[peggyv]

Hi Ninjas!

I am currently in South Florida have my Masters since 2013 and just earned my CPA last August. Currently I feel a little underpaid at 56k giving that I am at a small company (about 15M in revenue), but I handle everything (JE,financials, budgeting,variance analysis, AP/AR etc). I started here straight out of college been here for about 3.5 years.

As the company grows, employees will report directly to me, basically on a CFO path but it will take a while (I am 27).

I have recruiters calling me daily but mostly for senior accountant positions which I am just worried may not have a lot of room for growth. My ultimate goal would be to be the CFO of a company, which I know takes years obviously.

I would love to transition into an assistant controller or controller position within the next few years to get me more experience. I guess my main question is: Should I make a lateral move to a larger company as a senior accountant? Or hold off until I can possibly get an assistant controller position somewhere, giving that that is basically what I am right now (I report directly to the CFO and have one person I supervise).

Also, if any of you are in senior positions I would love to hear how you got there 🙂

Thanks!

BEC - 80
FAR - 77
AUD - 76
REG - 75

DONE, DONE, DONE!!!

[jessica8926]

Hi Peggy,

First off congrats on passing! You must feel great!

Second, I think you are underpaid as well! If you feel that way then you probably are. I think it does have something to do with being in a smaller company. They just cannot afford to pay you what you deserve unfortunately. I know for me I work in Chicago so a lot more competitive and a lot of very large companies. I just accepted an offer from a large banking company. I come from a Big 4 public accounting firm with 2 years of auditing experience and am still in the process of getting my CPA license. That being said I received a 16% raise with a 10% guaranteed bonus annually. I am only 25 though and will have some time before i make it into any sort of controller role just because my company is so large.

For you, I think it is worth looking into other positions. When you go to larger companies you will most likely have a lot of opportunity for growth as long as you perform well and the opportunities are there. Yes it might take longer because there are more people to compete with, but you will have more opportunities and be getting paid more most likely. It never hurts to start looking and see what is out there! It might not happen right away either so just keep your head up. Unfortunately, I do not think many large companies will see 3.5 years with a small company and a CPA as having enough experience to be a controller or even an assistant controller. I know a lot of people who have left the firm and gone for those positions but that is because they have over 10 years of experience managing people and doing the big ticket stuff, not AP/AR or journal entries.

I guess it just depends on what you really want. More money with the opportunity for growth, or a controller role with your current company but maybe not making as much money. It is hard to say, I am sure there are definitely the right positions out there for you no matter what, but you won't know unless you start looking.

I hope this helps!

AUD - 77
BEC - 82
FAR - 75
REG - 81

Illinois Certified Public Accountant 2016

AUD - 69, 77
REG - 74, 81
FAR - 75!
BEC - 71, 82

IL candidate!

Finally done (5/24/16)!! Yahooooooo!

[Gatorgirl1231]

Hi Peggy,

I am in South Florida as well.

I agree you are definitely under paid. What you are making is an entry level salary.

Depending on the industry you are in, a senior role will pay roughly 10K more a year. There is still growth in that position as well, as you can move on to Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller etc.

I started out as a Staff Account a few years a go and have worked my way up to Accounting Manager. I am also being groomed for Controller as my company has tripled in size in the past few years and they are going to split the duties.

I think with the size of your company they are never going to pay you what you want, and it might be time for a bigger position with a bigger company.

Florida Candidate

AUD: 77
REG: 86
FAR: TBD
BEC: 79 (Expired)

[peggyv]

Thank you ladies I really appreciate the insight! 🙂

BEC - 80
FAR - 77
AUD - 76
REG - 75

DONE, DONE, DONE!!!

[Mehow]

Hi Peggy,

I recently just ended a Part time position at a similar size company. I'm only 23 and I started there when I was 20. This was a job I needed to put on my resume before I signed with a Big Four company. I was doing the exact same things you were doing, but for roughly $15k a year. I'm not sure if I was getting underpaid or if you're getting overpaid. If you're getting other opportunities from recruiters they should tell you the salary. For 3.5 years of work I don't think you're getting great raises. Then again staff accounting positions wouldn't make too much to begin with in my opinion. For a CPA I believe you're underpaid and your skills can be used elsewhere. I would explore other opportunities or sit down and speak with a superior about your situation.

FAR = 86 4/22/16
BEC = 80 6/01/16
REG = 07/26/16
AUD = ?

[Anonymous]

I think a Sr. position in a bigger company would be a good move and would offer plenty of room for growth either within that company or others. It sounds like what you handle now would be what they would look for as far as experience for Sr. Level positions. I know the Controller title is huge, but its all relative. I worked in a publically traded company and we would hire “controllers” from small companies to fill Sr. roles.

I think some additional exposure would be beneficial.

[peggyv]

I agree with both of you and I am starting to look at senior accountant positions elsewhere, where it seems like they have room for growth. Need the exposure. Thanks!

BEC - 80
FAR - 77
AUD - 76
REG - 75

DONE, DONE, DONE!!!

[Author]

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