[Star86]

Before I began studying for the exam, I thought for sure I would pursue an auditing career after getting my CPA. However, it seems that every time I take an exam, I change my mind. When I passed FAR, I thought that maybe I would do management accounting, but then when I took AUD, I changed my mind back to an auditing career, and now as I am studying for REG, I am strongly thinking about changing my career goals again to something in tax. Has anyone else had a similar experience? If so, how did you determine which accounting career to pursue? If I had the chance to do it all, I guess I would, lol. Thanks.

Thankful

[Tncincy]

@star86.

It's hard to decide. I am nervous as well, I have been in tax for 18 years (own my business). I really don't know why I waited so long to get licensed but now is better than never. I enjoy tax, but I want to try auditing….choices choices. I guess go with your strength. You'll probably change your mind again as you study and pass, keep looking for the position that sounds right to you that fit your life style and family. I hope others chime in because this is definitely a good question.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Star86]

Wow, 18 years! That's great. See that is one of the things that attracts me to a career in tax, because of the seemingly large amount of opportunities to have your own business. I am trying to think long-term and I would eventually like to have my own business. Conversely, I'm not sure if you can easily do the same with auditing. The big bucks seem to be with auditing public firms, who, of course, have to have audits and there is very tight competition, lol. The only way, it seems, to excel in audit would be to work at a big 4, which I am about 75% sure I don't want to work at. Thanks for your feedback. I look forward to reading other's perspectives as well :).

Thankful

[Star86]

@ tncincy

Did you earn any other designations that were instrumental in preparing you for owning your own tax firm, i.e., a Masters in Taxation or JD?

Thankful

[Skynet]

Magic 8 Ball

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[tomq04]

the 8 ball is how i ended up with an accounting degree…worst choice ever. Why didn't “engineering” come up?!?!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Tncincy]

@ star86

I have a bachelor and Masters in Accounting. I started my business without them though. I went back to school after sitting out many years .To answer the question though, I did some tax/book work for a local bank about 20 years ago, and the president of the bank encouraged me to start my own business after I turned down several position offers with the bank. I had four small children and did not want to put my children in day care. So I started the business. That same bank granted me the start up business loan.

I really enjoy tax, but the individual tax industry has changed so much,,,, on every corner almost some quick cash, insurance office, pawn shop, even the bank does taxes now….not to mention the free tax sites, the IRS free tax site and H&R block with other tax franchises…l, so I have to add more value to draw other than small business and individual tax. I want to become a full service firm, if that's possible. I hope getting the CPA will allow me to keep my business for another 20 years. I guess I better pass the test first -________-

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

I did Tax for 10 years and have been in Corporate Financial Accounting now. I work in a small(er) city, we don't have any of the big firms here, I am not sure what your area is like or your personal life (I am married with 4 kids, so I can't travel). In both companies I have worked, there are opportunities to do a lot of accounting duties. When I was at the CPA firm, I did all Tax, Audits of Govt, NFP and some business valuations. Now I work for a publically traded company and you can work in Internal Audit, Tax, Cost or Financial. Our company use to require all new accountants start in IAD and work in every dept before settling somewhere. I for one would never go back to Tax, I prefer Corporate. But i have had experience everywhere, now i just need these 3 letters, ahhh!! Good luck! So maybe you can get experience with a lot of areas no matter what you decide??

[Star86]

Thanks for all of you guys' input. My goal is to avoid job-hopping, but it seem like I should/can work at an accounting firm that doesn't pigeon-hole associates into one facet of accounting. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like it and it makes sense to me :).

Thankful

[Hustle Darling!]

@tcincy – what are you doing about the CPA experience requirement?

EST

 

Roger CPA Review
FAR - 5/31/16

[Tncincy]

@hustledarling

I am thinking that I have fulfilled the experience requirement. I am looking to work with someone for audit though, because I can't and won't have that experience. I am going to submit my experience and see what the board says. My fear is if I work with another accountant, I will have to sign a no-compete agreement, so I am also looking outside of my local area.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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