[mystical guy]

I’m keeping this forum alive but I also have a serious question, so don’t get tired of me just yet lol.

I recently was informed by a friend that his friend’s friend’s friend (not a typo), could “fix me up” with an industry job that pays about $80k/year, entry-level (Big 4 in my area, around $50k).

However, some people suggest getting the Big 4 on my resume, then going to industry, to ensure that I survive out there. Plus, I can’t be sure that I’ll be supervised by a CPA in industry. I’d have to get lucky.

Any thoughts?

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[jlough]

Mystical- if I were you, I'd definitely take a b4 position if you can. I put in my time at a b4 and I've been told over and over that “CPA + b4 experience” is the golden ticket if you are looking for big time positions down the line (which it sounds like to me that you do)

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[jlough]

Mystical- if I were you, I'd definitely take a b4 position if you can. I put in my time at a b4 and I've been told over and over that “CPA + b4 experience” is the golden ticket if you are looking for big time positions down the line (which it sounds like to me that you do)

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[fsugirl2005]

I'm with mla1169. I've worked only in industry and more than likely will stay in industry, I like the hours and flexibility and being a single mom, predicable hours work for me. Ok, so what if I don't know auditing but I do know a bit about preparing taxes. I did that before in the past and I didn't care too much for it because it took up so much time. I just prefer to stick with the financial accounting side of things.

My goal is to stay in the real estate industry because that's where a lot of my expertise lies. I'm a licensed real estate agent, eligible to become a community association manager, and will probably pick up other real estate certifications somewhere down the road. I've already been told that I would be able to command more money because I am industry specific.

Oh and I also have my own bookkeeping company which I've been running solo for the last almost 6 years. It's been a blast but I'm just about all tapped out. I've been exposed to many different industries which has been quite interesting.

So don't knock those who want to work in industry. I have a feeling that if I go into public accounting, I would constantly be pissed off. With caring for my son and my health issues, I don't need that crap. =)

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[fsugirl2005]

I'm with mla1169. I've worked only in industry and more than likely will stay in industry, I like the hours and flexibility and being a single mom, predicable hours work for me. Ok, so what if I don't know auditing but I do know a bit about preparing taxes. I did that before in the past and I didn't care too much for it because it took up so much time. I just prefer to stick with the financial accounting side of things.

My goal is to stay in the real estate industry because that's where a lot of my expertise lies. I'm a licensed real estate agent, eligible to become a community association manager, and will probably pick up other real estate certifications somewhere down the road. I've already been told that I would be able to command more money because I am industry specific.

Oh and I also have my own bookkeeping company which I've been running solo for the last almost 6 years. It's been a blast but I'm just about all tapped out. I've been exposed to many different industries which has been quite interesting.

So don't knock those who want to work in industry. I have a feeling that if I go into public accounting, I would constantly be pissed off. With caring for my son and my health issues, I don't need that crap. =)

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

One day I hope to feel the pain of making $80k a year.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

One day I hope to feel the pain of making $80k a year.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[fuzyfro89]

You're taking a risk no matter what decision you make. The key question is how much you value flexibility and having options. If you plan to stay in the same area and don't care to switch companies in a few years, then industry may be a good choice. You'll make good money and have easier schedule. The risk here is that it's unlikely you could get a new job in 3 years after starting in industry here somewhere else since not many companies would be willing to pay 90k for someone with 3-4 yrs of industry experience only.

If you want better experience and more potential opportunities down the road, then public May be a better choice. You will sacrifice pay in exchange for more options. These options may or may not exceed your opportunity cost of taking the industry job for 80k.

[fuzyfro89]

You're taking a risk no matter what decision you make. The key question is how much you value flexibility and having options. If you plan to stay in the same area and don't care to switch companies in a few years, then industry may be a good choice. You'll make good money and have easier schedule. The risk here is that it's unlikely you could get a new job in 3 years after starting in industry here somewhere else since not many companies would be willing to pay 90k for someone with 3-4 yrs of industry experience only.

If you want better experience and more potential opportunities down the road, then public May be a better choice. You will sacrifice pay in exchange for more options. These options may or may not exceed your opportunity cost of taking the industry job for 80k.

[mystical guy]

@fsugirl2005 wow. Look at you! You're definitely an inspiration, working, bettering yourself, plus running the business on the side. Are those a lot of hours for you? I'm assuming you have a family too, but that's an assumption. Whatever the case, you are what I wanna become in a couple of years.

@jlough, You're right. I'm a person living in the future. Making big money now is not as important as career stability. So I'll take the job if they offer it to me. Got my interview next week. My IT Professor says I shouldn't be too humble but some say I'm too arrogant…lol. I gotta balance those two. What do you think?

@Study Monk I have zero CPA experience, which is why B4 seems attractive. In Industry seems like the IT departments want me but the Finance people need experience.

@mla1169 So you've been in industry for 20 years?

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@fsugirl2005 wow. Look at you! You're definitely an inspiration, working, bettering yourself, plus running the business on the side. Are those a lot of hours for you? I'm assuming you have a family too, but that's an assumption. Whatever the case, you are what I wanna become in a couple of years.

@jlough, You're right. I'm a person living in the future. Making big money now is not as important as career stability. So I'll take the job if they offer it to me. Got my interview next week. My IT Professor says I shouldn't be too humble but some say I'm too arrogant…lol. I gotta balance those two. What do you think?

@Study Monk I have zero CPA experience, which is why B4 seems attractive. In Industry seems like the IT departments want me but the Finance people need experience.

@mla1169 So you've been in industry for 20 years?

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[teeteenounouche]

@fsugirl2005, how did you start your bookkeeping company, have any tips for a fellow fsugirl? lol

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

@fsugirl2005, how did you start your bookkeeping company, have any tips for a fellow fsugirl? lol

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[MintsRGood]

@fsugirl2005 I love that you are a strong lady who is running your own bookkeeping business, supporting your family, pursuing the CPA, and maintaining your real estate business! Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[MintsRGood]

@fsugirl2005 I love that you are a strong lady who is running your own bookkeeping business, supporting your family, pursuing the CPA, and maintaining your real estate business! Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[fsugirl2005]

@ mystical guy & teeteenounouche

Thank you! I am a single mommy and work in the real estate industry full time as a full charge bookkeeper. I enjoy it a lot and my work hours are flexible. When I first started the business, I took on a lot of new clients. Much of what I know today is from working on clients. When I started the business, I had just ended a temp position and I figured that was the perfect time to start the business. I hit the ground running and haven't looked back. I've done bookkeeping for retail, ecommerce, executive staffing, consulting, real estate development & property management, restaurants, dental office, an inventor, and even photography. Over the years, some of my former clients decided to find someone locally but I still have several I do on a regular basis. It's enough to supplement my income but not to get overwhelmed. Every now and then, I'll take on new projects. Now that I'm studying again, I won't be taking on new people.

I got my first client online through a freelance website and I've been using the same freelance website to land clients for 6 years. It is a lot sometimes especially when I have my baby but I still manage to squeeze it all in and get to spend time with my boy. The awesome thing about this is I have one local client but the rest are all over the country.

I'm so happy for you teeteenounouche that you're almost done. My advice to you mystical if you want to start a business is save up 6 months of your salary. Depending on your location, you may not have a hard time finding a client. If you find an industry to specialize in, that may be your “in”.

Many people hate bookkeeping but I looooove it. I love the details and how a company works from the ground up on the financial accounting side. It gives you great insight because if you're asked a specific question about the financials, the bookkeeper is the first to really know. Of course once I pass the CPA exam, my ultimate goal is to become a Controller(maybe CFO) in real estate company/firm.

GO NOLES!!!! =)

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[Author]

Replies