[Anonymous]

Hey everyone. I am desperate need of some career advice. I’ve been working in Big Four for about 6 months now. Conventional wisdom (and pretty much everyone on this board) says that 2-3 years is the ideal time to stay with the Big Four, but I don’t think I can do it. I think I’m going to stay one year and a few months after that (I should have my CPA by then). I am incredibly miserable with what I am doing (I am in audit). I took a Big Four job knowing that I wouldn’t like it much, but I thought it would be good for my resume. I just didn’t think it would take this long for me to be miserable. I’ve received 3’s on my evaluations, so I’m doing good, but I feel like it’s a terrible working environment. On top of that, my family situation isn’t very good, and I would like to get into a job with more reasonable hours so I can be with my family.

My long term goal is to go into industry for a while, get my MBA, and take up college teaching. I know the money isn’t great, but that is and always has been my passion. I don’t think by staying with Big Four for only a little over a year will stop me from doing that. Let me know what you guys think. I need advice!

[InOverMyHead]

I am an Associate Dean at a Community College now. If you want to teach anything above Acct. Principles you'll almost have to get a Ph.D. We have MBA/CPA types who teach principles but most accounting courses beyond that are 300 level courses offered at larger 4 year institutions. Most research institutions will require you to have a Ph.D. (which is attainable). I'm really not trying to discourage you. If you want to teach and that's where you see yourself, then go for it! Big Four experience is certainly not necessary to teach at a college. If you want to teach, check with your local community college first to see if they are hiring adjuncts. That's a great way to get your foot in the door. Good Luck!

[JUTTERB]

What about moving to a regional firm and staying there a few years?

FAR - PASSED 11/2009 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
REG - PASSED 1/2011 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
AUD - PASSED 5/2011
BEC - PASSED 11/2011
ETHICS - PASSED 12/2012

Licensed Colorado CPA

[SeePeeAyy]

Why did you go into Big 4 if you knew you wanted to go into industry?

[Anonymous]

@InOverMyHead: I went to a small private school in PA, and all the accounting faculty were CPA/MBAs, except one who only had a CPA (he had about 25 years of work experience at Sony though). So, I know that teaching more than just Accounting 101 is possible without a PhD. I'm sure that in many places that a person with a CPA/MBA cannot teach more than Accounting 101, but in some places it is definitely possible. If I were to teach, it would be at a smaller school, but I have not thrown out the possibility of getting a PhD some day.

@JUTTERB: I don't think it would really matter if I was working at Big Four or a smaller, regional firm – I would still have an itch to get out. I just don't have a passion for public accounting, but I thought it would be a great learning experience for me, which it has. I am certainly learning a lot in Big Four. My philosophy is that if I'm not going to enjoy public accounting, I might as well go Big Four and get the best experience I can in the time that I am there.

@SeePeeAyy: Good question. The reason why I went into Big Four is because I want to become a college professor, and all my professors have Big Four experience, except at the time it was Big 8 and eventually Big 6. I figured it would be the best way to get experience and my license.

[Whatdidyou]

I think I would like to teach someday as well.

@InOverMyHead (and anyone else with knowledge and/or an opinion): If I'd like to work at a community college for a few years, is that a gig that is hard to get? I'm young and with a BA and Masters in Accounting. I guess I am just curious as to how often positions like those open up and how competitive they are?

I was thinking about leaving public & trying to teach at community college for a few years (lower salary but a relaxed lifestyle and a good way to find out if teaching is something I'd really like to do) before possibly attempting a phd.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[InOverMyHead]

@WhatDidYou- I would say the best way to get your foot in the door is to look at local CC's and see if they are hiring adjuncts. I work in Administration but have taught financial literacy courses through a grant. I was in public accounting for the experience and traveling over an hour one way. After it became too much I was looking for something closer and my wife saw a staff accounting job at the CC. I kind of fell into a couple promotions but am looking to make the transition back into industry. I realize I'm probably not “built” for government/non-profit life. Working PT then transitioning into a 9 month or 12 month faculty role may be the easiest way into teaching.

[Anonymous]

I say hold strong and get atleast a year there. Yeah it sucks but the dividends will be worth it.

[splinter1643]

I'm on the same boat (kind of). Want to do grad school in masters in tax, then go private a couple years and see how I like teaching after that. Good to know I don't necessarily have to be a PhD to be teaching accounting, even if that would increase my opportunities to find a teaching job (or so I've been told, anyway). What are good PhD majors and schools for anyone wanting to go in the teaching profession?

CPA license in progress....

[JUTTERB]

I feel like a Masters in Tax would be a waste of your time if you just want to go private and end up teaching? I have an MT, paid big bucks for it and feel like it serves its purpose in public accounting or if you leave for industry in a manager/sr manager / director role, but as an industry staff I don't think the returns would justify the time and money you'd be putting into it. Why don't you go get a masters/doctorate in teaching if that's really what you want to do?

FAR - PASSED 11/2009 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
REG - PASSED 1/2011 - EXPIRED, PASSED 11/2012
AUD - PASSED 5/2011
BEC - PASSED 11/2011
ETHICS - PASSED 12/2012

Licensed Colorado CPA

[splinter1643]

JUTTERB: At this point I'm still considering my options and weighing which one might be better for me. I've seen some job descriptions for tax positions on Linkedin and Careerbuilder actually require a masters in tax. Still, I see your point; I'm having some trouble seeing how a Masters in tax might help my career as opposed to actually doing the tax job and it's something I'm looking into as well. It would really have to add value to my work experience and professional network as opposed to only looking good on the resume or helping any candidates meet the 150-credit hour requirement.

CPA license in progress....

[Author]

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