[maseosdream]

I completed my CPA a couple months ago, then did what any good employee would do… I asked for a raise. For those who question if the CPA is worth the time, that might be your answer 🙂

I worked in audit at a Big 4 for about a year and a half, having already worked for a large mutual fund company for 4 years prior to grad school. Basically, I knew there was more than just public out there and wanted to use my MBA a bit more. Two years ago, I started working in internal audit for a large public company. In ‘testing the waters’ (aka, seeing the average pay at a Sr Analyst level), I found a more ‘traditional’ accounting role that would give me FP&A, etc experience.

This is my dilemma, my company has offered to make me a manger by year end (yes, including a raise). I’m wondering if anyone who’s wandered the working world a bit long than myself can tell me which is more valuable, management experience or a well rounded (not just auditing) skillset? Any thoughts are welcome!

B - 84 Feb '12
A - 94 Aug '12
R - 80 Nov '12
F - 80 May '13

[jeff]

I would say management … being accountable for a department … handling subordinate drama … leading a team, etc.

Anyone can hide in a cubicle and crank out spreadsheets. Not everyone can handle (or wants to handle) management duties. Once you have management experience on your resume, when you interview at other companies down the road for management positions, you can speak from experience rather than hypotheticals.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Spur]

From my own personal experience it seems to also depends on the where you are applying. I've run into a position that had a need for management experience. I prepared for that, but when it came down to the interview it seemed like they cared more about being able to handle the accounting more.

I agree with Jeff though, even if you don't have as much technical accounting experience but do have some management experience it should stand out to the hiring manager more. There is a certain learning curve to any accounting job, but management skills can be applied fairly easily in any environment.

FAR - Bad Fail '11, Fail '12, Fail '13, PASS It's a miracle!
AUD - Fail, PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEC - PASS!!!!!!!!
REG - PASS!!!!!!!! And I'm done!

[mla1169]

Let me just say, the opportunities to gain “well rounded accounting” experience are greater then the opportunities to gain management experience. If you have an offer to gain management experience I'd jump at it.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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