[Anonymous]

So, there’s a walks of life on here and some pretty smart people with some insight so I’d like to see what others’ thoughts are…

I kinda went the opposite route going from industry to public coming from industry internal audit for 4 years and am now in public accounting – risk advisory (3 months in). What I’m doing now is a ton of business process improvement/development, writing policies and procedures, compliance, etc. – typical risk advisory stuff. It’s okay and I don’t mind it but I really miss getting into the financials and working with numbers. After all that’s what I went to school for. I could see this experience in advisory being extremely beneficial later on down the road if I wanted to work in operations upper management somewhere, but gosh I miss my numbers.

Anyone ever been in this situation?

[taxgeek83]

I don't have any anecdotes or personal stories for you, but I honestly cannot imagine not working with numbers. Especially in tax. I'm willing to make concessions to get to where I want to be, but I can tell you that any time any part of my job veers away from calculations and spreadsheets and tax forms and all of the things I hold dear (I'm only half joking here), I'm honestly bored to tears and have a hard time concentrating enough to get anything done….

If it's a means to an end, stick it out. If you're not happy and it's not going to get you to where you want to be, start looking elsewhere. Life's too short!! Just my opinion though. 🙂

[242126]

I wish we could switch jobs. Went from an industry job like you describe to a semi-public audit job about 3 years ago. I'm so tired of numbers, internal controls, and workpapers. I want my process maps back! I do look at the experience I have gained over the past few years and appreciate it though for what I have learned.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing your career path. I'm currently working in industry in internal audit, but I eventually want to make the switch to public (or maybe even tax). I've had multiple people tell me that it is unlikely to happen because no one does it! So basically you are my new inspiration!

[ruggercpa2b]

I took the same route Bobcat. I was in industry for 5 years and went to public and missed the numbers as well. I stayed for 2.5 years but the compliance work really bored me and the work was not quite as challenging. I left for industry and have been back for a month now and love it. I have a good mix of the numbers, compliance and process stuff.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Anonymous]

The thing is I really like it here and the people I work with so I have no intention of leaving anytime soon. Plus, learning on this site about the struggle of how hard many people have breaking the barrier to enter public accounting I feel fortunate to be in the position I am. There really is no substitute for having public accounting experience on your resume.

Sometimes I think I was meant to be an accountant instead of an auditor. The month end close grind would suck but besides that it could be alright I would think.

[nicole2035]

Simple, do what you like and what you love. You have too much experience in general to not be doing what you enjoy. Here's an idea, many people aren't fulfilled @ their job so they have side projects they get into it. Why don't you get on a site like freelance or elance they have some really interesting companies on there that can't afford and honestly don't need someone full-time buy maybe 7 hrs a week. Numbers sounds like what you enjoy, so this would be more of a hobby.

Or what about teaching a class?

[Author]

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