[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to get everyone’s 2 cents on my current situation.

I left my first accounting firm after a little over a year and a half to work at a Big 4. I’ve only been at my Big 4 firm for about 6 months. My end goal after public accounting is to work in Internal Audit for a particular industry, which is why I’m slaving away in public accounting to get enough experience and knowledge before leaving.

A friend of mine has recently offered to have me apply for a position at his company, which is in the exact same industry I’d like to be in, and the position is the exact same position I’m working to get into after I leave public accounting.

In short: the job I am working to get eventually, is here now. My friend has talked to his manager about me, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get me over to their company, granted of course it all works out after an interview.

Of course, the pay may not be much too different, but the pay range of the position at that company goes pretty high, so after some experience, I’ll surely be able to climb up. And in all honesty, I’m not really one to count the $$$ in exchange for the quality of life and type of work I’d like to do. It’s a personal preference, and I know that that consequence is very real for anyone who leaves public too soon.

The timing couldn’t be any worse, which is why there is a dilemma I’m facing. Especially since it might not look too good for me to be jumping so early from my new job. I’m seriously considering going in for at least an interview, just so I wouldn’t be wondering the what-if’s if I miss the opportunity. But what happens if they do like me, and what happens if the offer for the position is too good to pass up?

Just wanted to see what you guys would do if you were in my position? Would you leave your Big 4 position much earlier than initially planned for a position that you are working on and would eventually like to be in?

[Amay]

It's never too early (or late) for that! I have jumped around twice since big-4. First time because I was DONE with big 4 after almost 2 years, and second because I got an offer I could not refuse! I can tell you from experience that there is such a thing as an opportunity too good to pass up, and when you get it, do not look back and take the plunge! I did it, and could not be happier!

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Anonymous]

I would do the interview and see what they offer you, and then decide.. but I'd probably just accept the offer hahaha.

[TiffaNiffaNi]

It's never too early to begin working in the field you see yourself in. Besides, even if it's not “the” job (that you retire from), any experience you gain while there, will better serve you in that field in the future.

To me, this a no-brainer. You don't want to work in the Big4. You did it to get where you want to go. “Where you want to go” is now (potentially) available. Get it.

FAR: 7/17/14- 79
AUD: 8/20/14- 91
REG: 10/1/14- 88
BEC: 11/10/14- 85

Becker Self-Study

[tomq04]

There is 0 downside to applying and seeing what the offer is!!

Go get em!

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

[Anonymous]

To all who have responded:

Thanks for your responses! But what would you say about the “principle” of it all? The accounting world is pretty small where I am, and so I don't want people thinking I'm jumping from one job to another so quickly. Wouldn't it make me look fickle and unreliable?

[Amay]

I had the same exact fears when I jumped, but ultimately I had to ask myself, why do I care so much about what others think? I am in charge of my own happiness, and if I have determined that making the move is the best thing for myself and my family, then nothing else matters! As long as you have honest conversations about your move with the professional connections that matter to you in your network, you should be fine in the case you need to switch jobs again down the line.

Don't overthink it and do what's best for you! Besides, I am assuming you are young and it has already become commonplace for young accountants to jump a few times early on in their careers, so it's not like people will be shocked. There will always be naysayers and people that talk crap about you, but those people are not the ones you want in your network anyway.

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Anonymous]

I've decided to go in for the interview; just to settle my shoulda-woulda-couldas and to see if this is even worth wondering about. Let's see how it goes!

[impska]

Who is it not going to look good to?

The employer you hope to work for? They already know and they still want to interview you.

The managers and partners at your firm who don't even know your name? They won't even notice that you're gone and will immediately forget that you ever worked for them.

Honestly – where is the negative impact here? At no point in your life is this future employer going to say, “Well, we were going to promote you, but we just realized you quit your Big 4 job after only 6 months!! We could never betray our Big 4 friends like that!”

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Anonymous]

@impska – REALLY good point! I never saw it that way!

[fuzyfro89]

Lol @ impska, well put. 🙂

Cpahopeful:

I wouldn't jump for a new job without a pay raise, but that's only because my primary goal is career progression (title/pay/experience, at least 2 of the 3 for any new job, unless 1 is WAY better).

A lot of people feel this way, but it's an unfounded fear. If you jump from one job to another, no title/pay/experience bump, then a future employer may be likely to see you as fickle. However, if you jump frequently, but are getting big changes in pay/title/experience, then a future employer won't really have to wonder why you moved, and will only wonder whether or not they are able to offer you sufficient title/pay/experience to keep you around (you want a company which can offer a premium to hire the best, right?).

My opinion, anyway. If a good opportunity comes up, and it hits your requirements, don't stick around for a silly reason.

[Author]

Replies