[leoboxup1]

My background: Worked in big 4 audit for 1 year and will be promoting to second year staff so I surivived my first year.
I’ve been really thinking a lot about future career and whats best for me. I passed the CPA exam and waiting to apply for license in September or October after getting 1 year of expereince. I’ve always wanted to work in Tax and think I may enjoy it more then audit. However, being in audit for 1 year and zero tax experience would it be wise to apply to another CPA firm for a tax associate position? I know that transferring within firm is not a possibility and not planning to do so cause I already tried interviewing with tax at my current firm during my internship and did not work out. I feel like at this stage my career path is more settled into audit since I already spent 1 year doing it and theres always a risk to changing jobs (although I wouldnt think its hard for me at this stage to get a tax position as an associate if I apply?) correct me if im wrong. i also considered industry but I really just dont find audit to be rewarding. I also have a iffy client experience in my main audit job but its not a major issue that is really driving me to leave. I guess I’m at a stage of trying to find the right job for myself.
My future aspiration is to do expatriate tax/global mobility services which I know is tax related and spending more time in audit will not help me get the expereince. Basically right now is my lasst chance to make a move to tax because if I stay another year in audit then theres really no turning back. Neverless it seems not a traditinoal path for a second year associate to apply to a new service line at another firm. Do you recommend that I reacch out to recruiter directly since job postings for tax associates are limited from linkdend in my area. Hope someone here has similar experience as me and can share their insight.

[Rainbow Butterfly]

I am a current tax associate. I moved to this position from a client service position that specialized in wealth management and taxes. To get started on tax experience, I went and gave free time on the side to poor income tax return preparing groups in my city. I don't know if you have similar groups in your city, but if you have a few free hours during tax season, this is a great way to get some tax experience that CPA tax firms are looking for. Good luck on your transition to tax.

[Anonymous]

@LeoBoxup1, I say make the move if you aren't happy doing audit. I know you don't want to step back, but 1 year is not very long in the grand scheme of things. As for getting a job, I would assume it would be pretty easy especially considering that you will already be licensed. Around here, most firms hire heavily from October-December in anticipation of the upcoming busy season. When potential employers ask you why you want to change (they will), you need legitimate valid reasons. Think along the lines of- you would like not traveling, working with more clients, etc. Focus on the positives of switching to tax vs. the negatives of what you don't like about your job now. No reason to do something or not becuase its what most others are doing/not doing. Best of luck.

[Author]

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