Need some advice for my public accounting career

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    Topic
  • #195045
    George
    Participant

    I currently work in a regional firm but have done mostly governmental audits for municipalities and school districts. I know my exit opportunities are slim and the only jobs I can get are either as a treasurer for a school or town. I’m currently studying for my cpa exam and have 2 parts passed. I was wondering if I should apply to the big4 and work in a different industry to have better exit opportunities.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #675487
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    That's solely dependent on your personal career goals. You can make a great career staying at a regional firm or in state/local government (or being hired into a different industry), if that's your interest. However, if that's not your interest then moving firms could definitely be in your best interest.

    #675488
    Tscape16
    Participant

    I am in the same boat (mid-sized regional, very limited scope). Right now, I'm 26, so if I'm going to move, its the time to do so. I've been with my firm for two years; however, I was contacted by larger office (part of the next four) to interview with them on Monday for a Senior Auditor position. I would say make a list of pros and cons. If you leave on good terms to go to a larger firm, just don't burn any bridges because they may hire you back if the grass isn't greener on the other side. 🙂

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 86
    FAR - 90
    REG - 82
    Licensed CPA since 2015.

    FAR - 90 ✔
    BEC - 86 ✔
    REG - 82 ✔
    AUD - 92 ✔
    ETHICS - Passed

    *Licensed CPA

    #675489
    George
    Participant

    @Tscape16 I'm 26 as well lol. Yeah I'm not really interested in government either. I heard having a career in government is career suicide. I know gov't jobs have good benefits, but there is limited mobility and the pay is kind of low.

    #675490
    Tscape16
    Participant

    @CPAWarrior

    I'm with ya! I'm in a CPA firm; however, we still get paid about 7.5% under market because we're on contract and the raises are about 4% if you're a rock star.

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 86
    FAR - 90
    REG - 82
    Licensed CPA since 2015.

    FAR - 90 ✔
    BEC - 86 ✔
    REG - 82 ✔
    AUD - 92 ✔
    ETHICS - Passed

    *Licensed CPA

    #675491
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Why not request to get put on more non-governmental jobs?

    #675492
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    “Yeah I'm not really interested in government either. I heard having a career in government is career suicide. I know gov't jobs have good benefits, but there is limited mobility and the pay is kind of low.”

    If you're not interested in govt, then you need to work toward getting more commercial experience with your existing firm (if possible), or find new opportunities if that's not possible.

    Govt is not a “suicide” career, but it's far more dependent on connections and tenure than being smart and working hard. Arguably, corporate is also about networking and connections, but you can at least reach mid-level management with mostly just your work quality and reasonable emotional intelligence. Hitting the executive ranks is obviously more tricky.

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