[Anonymous]

I am wondering if anyone has regreated the field of accounting they initially went into (Audit, Tax, Internal Audit, Staff Accountant in industry, etc.) and if so, what helped you to find the field you’re currently in? I currently work at a University as a staff accountant but I am currently in school (post-bacc) to get my masters in accounting (tax track). I like what I do at my current job, when I’mactually busy, and I don’t want to get a masters in tax and begin working in tax, only to realize that I like working as a Staff Accountant.

What I like about tax:

There is a need for more tax accountats

It’s a value added field.

With IRS updates, there is always something new to learn

I like teaching people how to lower their tax liability. (I’m a former teacher).

[Skynet]

I opened a fortune cookie in college that said ” You will become a CPA”. Years later, here I am studying for the CPA exams.

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

[waffle_house]

Yup I do. Wish I went IT or engineering.

AUD - 80
BEC - 75
FAR - 84
REG - 76

Exams started Sep 2014 -Exams done Mar 2017

Texas CPA

I put in work, it was evident

[Anonymous]

My younger brother followed in my footsteps and went into accounting. He avoided Big 4 at all costs after he saw the hell my sister and I went through. He really regrets not going into HR, but he's satisfied with where he's at. It's really relaxed and he works 6-7 hours a day.

Personally, the only regret I have is not finishing the CPA sooner.

[Anonymous]

Do you regret the line of work (Tax or Audit) you chose?

[Missy]

I've never worked in tax or aud, but I've been doing accounting in industry since 1994. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[gennatay]

I regret not going directly into tax.

[Anonymous]

@Gina What LOS were you in at first? Are you in Tax in public or industry?

I just want to make sure I pick the “correct” LOS the first time around, as accounting isn't my first career out of college. I want to settle into a career path and climb the ladder, without having to start over because I find that I don't like Tax (or that I like Audit or Financial Accounting more).

[gennatay]

I did work as a staff accountant and now I work in internal audit. My plan was to get a Masters in Taxation, but life got in the way. I like internal audit because I like to learn new things and I like writing. But Ive always been interested in tax.

[tomq04]

I certainly wish I had gone into engineering or computer science. Watching my friends climb the ladder doing seemingly more interesting stuff makes me regret most of my path. That being said I enjoy what I do, but I think I would have enjoyed that an the 50% increase in salary a bit more.

There are lots of opportunities in both paths, but in general CS and Engineering pay significantly more. For what it's worth I work at a small software house, and I'm the lowest paid guy on the totem pole.

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

[shankysays]

I went into audit (non Big-4), and I'm glad. You don't get pigeonholed, so if you want to jump ship it's easier, and you learn a lot on the job very quickly. You are also provided with opportunities to supervise junior employees after a short period of time compared to industry. Public accounting firms are much more likely to give you bonuses for getting certified, and also pay for review courses.

BEC - 72, 82! ✓
FAR - 80! ✓
AUD - 70, 92! ✓
REG - 74, 78! ✓

Licensed CPA 5/2015

[Skynet]

The Accounting Field is the Real Life Tinder for me with all the good looking women. So NO, I do not regret choosing it ; )

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

[Anonymous]

I went into public tax my first year and didn't stay there, but didn't intend to stay there when I got the job, either. Industry was what had always interested me – tax was just where I found an opening that I qualified for. I'm in a very small town (about 3000 people), so opportunities are limited! A year later I'd gotten as far as I could get in the tax job (in a micro-firm of 2 people total, there's only so far one can grow) and a position opened in industry so I switched to industry. Now on my 2nd industry job with no desire to return to public. So, I didn't stay in the LOS I started in, but I don't regret it either – it got me where I am.

[taxgeek83]

From the second I took my first tax class in college, I was in love. Years later, I'm still in love.

I will say, however, that life's too short to be miserable in your job. I know everyone is going to go through ups and downs in their careers, but if you're truly not happy doing what you do – especially if it's affecting other aspects of your life – switch gears. Money is great, but happiness is much more important.

That's my opinion anyway. 🙂

[Last Chance CPA]

I regret not getting into accounting sooner…always been on my mind. I chose the IT path (non-programming). Yes, the money is better but I want to merge the CPA into IT get a system implementation position. @Tomq04 – maybe you could go down that route?

AUD - 75
BEC - 75
FAR - 76
REG - 76

I want those initials next to my name!!!!

FAR - 76
AUD - 75
BEC - 75
REG - 76

Now I need some experience!!! And some networking...

[Skynet]

We should all just admit that what we really wanted was to join the Avengers or Justice League, but it didn't happen so we just settled for Accounting.

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

[Author]

Replies