[klink24]

Been seeing a lot of career related posts here lately so thought I would seek a little advice as well. I’m currently working in industry as a billing manager in healthcare. I’m making $80k/year right now which is an excellent salary for the area I live in. Also, I have a lot of experience in my industry (>5 years) because of my role. Once I get my CPA I would like to go deeper into accounting and maybe join a Big 4 firm. Just wondering though if there would be a place for me? I’d want a boost in salary of course, or at least at the same level since I’m just seeking the Big 4 experience for future job prospects.

So what area in a Big 4 would I most likely fit, if any?

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Anonymous]

hmm, not sure if it makes sense to want to go to big4 at this point.

I highly doubt they would bring you in at the Manager level and you'd almost certainly have to take a salary cut AND probably have to work more hours.

Those are my thoughts.

[Anonymous]

hmm, not sure if it makes sense to want to go to big4 at this point.

I highly doubt they would bring you in at the Manager level and you'd almost certainly have to take a salary cut AND probably have to work more hours.

Those are my thoughts.

[fuzyfro89]

Maybe somewhere in advisory? No way to earn anywhere close to 80k as an entry level staff, or even experienced staff. Not sure what you're looking for, since your salary is inflated from your experience in billing. Do you see any upside in your current career?

You could reach 80k within 5 years if you are driven. From there your potential is much higher than I assume it would be as a billing manager. I'm not sure what the next step would be in that role. Can anyone else help?

[fuzyfro89]

Maybe somewhere in advisory? No way to earn anywhere close to 80k as an entry level staff, or even experienced staff. Not sure what you're looking for, since your salary is inflated from your experience in billing. Do you see any upside in your current career?

You could reach 80k within 5 years if you are driven. From there your potential is much higher than I assume it would be as a billing manager. I'm not sure what the next step would be in that role. Can anyone else help?

[klink24]

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking I'd have an issue trying to get in at the manager or senior level without the direct experience. The advisory/consulting route will probably be my only in at one of these places.

My number one goal is to reach controller/executive level in industry, but I'd like to get the direct accounting experience now. Plus I know long term having Big 4 experience will help my job prospects. Guess I'll just have to assess my options after I get my CPA.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking I'd have an issue trying to get in at the manager or senior level without the direct experience. The advisory/consulting route will probably be my only in at one of these places.

My number one goal is to reach controller/executive level in industry, but I'd like to get the direct accounting experience now. Plus I know long term having Big 4 experience will help my job prospects. Guess I'll just have to assess my options after I get my CPA.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Lindrobe]

nclynch, you are kind of in the same situation as me. I don't make $80k, but I have 10 years of experience (mostly in non-profit tax) and an MBA. Last week, I met with a staffing firm that is actually owned by a pretty large regional CPA firm. I inquired about my chances of getting into public accounting at this point in my career after I have passed the exam. For a non-entry level Senior Tax Accountant position, I was told that it would really rely on the specific partner and what needs they have. Since I do not have experience with corporate tax (just non-profit), I was told that I would probably only be hired by a partner that has a portfolio of smaller clients that they do not want to get rid of, but are no longer much of a focus since the firm is looking to build larger clientele.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

nclynch, you are kind of in the same situation as me. I don't make $80k, but I have 10 years of experience (mostly in non-profit tax) and an MBA. Last week, I met with a staffing firm that is actually owned by a pretty large regional CPA firm. I inquired about my chances of getting into public accounting at this point in my career after I have passed the exam. For a non-entry level Senior Tax Accountant position, I was told that it would really rely on the specific partner and what needs they have. Since I do not have experience with corporate tax (just non-profit), I was told that I would probably only be hired by a partner that has a portfolio of smaller clients that they do not want to get rid of, but are no longer much of a focus since the firm is looking to build larger clientele.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[fuzyfro89]

Personally, since you're making a career change, I think you'll have to swallow your pride and take the pay cut. Even a senior consultant in an in-demand advisory practice will be in the $70-range, maybe into the 80s as the experience increases.

How much is the Big 4 audit/tax/consulting experience worth to you on a 10-15 yr time frame?

I assume you are under/around age 30, so you easily have 20+ yrs left in your career. Unless you have bills to pay in the immediate term, I'd go for the best experience possible (and also make sure I don't starve, of course).

I'm not going to preach to you that you should be okay with a pay cut. If you truly believe your accounting skills warrant in the 80s, then hold out until you get it. But first see how others value you, which you can get a very good idea of from going on a few interviews and speaking with a handful of recruiters.

Maybe your billing experience + CPA would be very valuable somewhere? Not sure where, but something to think about…

[fuzyfro89]

Personally, since you're making a career change, I think you'll have to swallow your pride and take the pay cut. Even a senior consultant in an in-demand advisory practice will be in the $70-range, maybe into the 80s as the experience increases.

How much is the Big 4 audit/tax/consulting experience worth to you on a 10-15 yr time frame?

I assume you are under/around age 30, so you easily have 20+ yrs left in your career. Unless you have bills to pay in the immediate term, I'd go for the best experience possible (and also make sure I don't starve, of course).

I'm not going to preach to you that you should be okay with a pay cut. If you truly believe your accounting skills warrant in the 80s, then hold out until you get it. But first see how others value you, which you can get a very good idea of from going on a few interviews and speaking with a handful of recruiters.

Maybe your billing experience + CPA would be very valuable somewhere? Not sure where, but something to think about…

[klink24]

@Lindrobe, you're probably right about any prospects being dependent on a specific need of a firm.

@ fuzyfro89, I'm 34 with wife, kids, mortgage, etc., so pay cut is not really in the cards right now. I'm thinking maybe getting in somewhere in industry, hopefully with the company I work for now, where I can get at least the same pay but begin to gain the direct accounting experience. Looks more and more like Big 4 is not as feasible, but still not completely out of the picture. I'll re-assess once I have my CPA.

Thank you both for the feedback.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

@Lindrobe, you're probably right about any prospects being dependent on a specific need of a firm.

@ fuzyfro89, I'm 34 with wife, kids, mortgage, etc., so pay cut is not really in the cards right now. I'm thinking maybe getting in somewhere in industry, hopefully with the company I work for now, where I can get at least the same pay but begin to gain the direct accounting experience. Looks more and more like Big 4 is not as feasible, but still not completely out of the picture. I'll re-assess once I have my CPA.

Thank you both for the feedback.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Author]

Replies