[Allergic2CPA]

Need some career advice.

Background:

a. I have a BBA in Accounting (3.5 GPA), MBA, CPA

b. Worked about 2 yrs. at a Fastener distributor company for 2 yrs.

c. Worked roughly 7 yrs. as an Accountant at a University

d. Currently an Accountant doing full P&L and Balance Sheet for foreign operations for Oil&Gas in Houston for 6

months.

So I have State Govt. and currently getting additional Corp. Accounting exp.

End Result:

I would like to be a controller type or management position (ideal situation is managing 4-5 people) related to accounting/finance. While I have no particular sector/industry in mind, I don’t want to be pigeon holed into one of them. I feel that Big4 (in Houston) will get me to where I want to go the fastest.

Current Employer Obstacles:

a. While I do believe I’m getting excellent exp. with my current employer and my $65K salary isn’t too shabby, in the

long-run promotion within my current employer is highly unlikely as there are too many people in line for promotion

and very possible to relocate to another country even if such promotion is attained which is not desirable.

b. Month-end close is done in a very short period of time and being a supervisor in my current dept. is very tough for

month end. Especially if personnel quit out of the blue. Some of my peers go a couple of days without sleep or very

minimal sleep and I’m not exaggerating.

c. Company likes to move their employees (not necessarily promotions) every couple of years, especially if they are

new hires like me.

Question:

What option below is best?

a. Wait 2 yrs. (this is my limit afforded by my impatience plus this is the minimum time you have to put in to get

promoted/transferred) and hope to receive a promotion within current employer or another company. If this doesn’t pan

out, then move on to Big4 and this option would have allowed me to built up my corp. accounting exp. and may make

a difference when moving to Big4 as far as pay is concerned.

b. Stick it out a year and have a heart to heart with my employer. If nothing comes about, just move to Big4. I will

complete one year with my employer in November 2014.

c. Wait until at least this time next year to transition to Big4 so I can at least have my annual review and use this as

reference since I think I’ll be burning bridge if I leave that soon.

d. Something else?

Right now I’m leaning between option b and c and if a reference from my current employer is meaningless in the long run, then option b is looking better.

Lastly, should I go with option b, I need to start networking now to get into Big4 since it’s my understanding that this is an ideal recruiting season (after busy season when many are jumping ship/getting promoted). Not sure how feasible it may be but I wont want to start this year with the Big4 should I go this route until November.

Thank you in advance for your time, consideration, and advice.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Anonymous]

The title of this thread is misleading. Until u have a big 4 offer, you don't have this problem.

[Anonymous]

The title of this thread is misleading. Until u have a big 4 offer, you don't have this problem.

[Anonymous]

Moving from public to industry is normal. Moving from Industry to public, however, you better have a very good reason for wanting to make that move.

[Anonymous]

Moving from public to industry is normal. Moving from Industry to public, however, you better have a very good reason for wanting to make that move.

[dpad124]

As the previous poster mentioned. Get the offer then decide. Until then it's all speculation if you can even get an offer.

Second, you part a of options might not pan out. You have no public accounting experience. They may be hesitant to pull you in as a senior which would mean slightly higher then starting pay. They may still bring you in as staff making the same as new grads.

But first things first, talk to some recruiters from the big 4.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

As the previous poster mentioned. Get the offer then decide. Until then it's all speculation if you can even get an offer.

Second, you part a of options might not pan out. You have no public accounting experience. They may be hesitant to pull you in as a senior which would mean slightly higher then starting pay. They may still bring you in as staff making the same as new grads.

But first things first, talk to some recruiters from the big 4.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[mla1169]

Scratch B, a heart to heart isn't likely to do any good with an employer who likes to just move folks around periodically–that means they see every position as strictly “temporary” and everyone can be easily replaced.

Apply to big 4, with over 2 years at the fastener company and 7 years university you're not likely to position yourself any better with more experience where you are now. If you're a good fit, you're ALREADY a good fit, and if not you never will be.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Scratch B, a heart to heart isn't likely to do any good with an employer who likes to just move folks around periodically–that means they see every position as strictly “temporary” and everyone can be easily replaced.

Apply to big 4, with over 2 years at the fastener company and 7 years university you're not likely to position yourself any better with more experience where you are now. If you're a good fit, you're ALREADY a good fit, and if not you never will be.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Allergic2CPA]

@Annony and @dpad…the dilemma assumes I have a Big4 offer because I don't want to be caught in a situation where I need to decide on my career in a short period of time. In addition, I dont want to go through the trouble and hassle of soliciting a big4 offer only to reject it at the end. I think that is a huge waste of time, energy, and effort for everyone involved. I'd rather know now whether or not I would take such offer so I can decide whether or not to go for Big4, it seems more efficient and practical this way.

@determined…the “very good reason” is to propel my career.

@dpad..thanks for the input regarding pay! I've considered if it was worth taking a salary cut. I figured short term pain for long term gain. If it rhymes, you now it has to be true…just kidding.

@mla…thanks for the input regarding being a “fit” or not. The difference could be that if I attain more experience preparing full F/S, then perhaps it might make a difference to Big4…perhaps it might not.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Allergic2CPA]

@Annony and @dpad…the dilemma assumes I have a Big4 offer because I don't want to be caught in a situation where I need to decide on my career in a short period of time. In addition, I dont want to go through the trouble and hassle of soliciting a big4 offer only to reject it at the end. I think that is a huge waste of time, energy, and effort for everyone involved. I'd rather know now whether or not I would take such offer so I can decide whether or not to go for Big4, it seems more efficient and practical this way.

@determined…the “very good reason” is to propel my career.

@dpad..thanks for the input regarding pay! I've considered if it was worth taking a salary cut. I figured short term pain for long term gain. If it rhymes, you now it has to be true…just kidding.

@mla…thanks for the input regarding being a “fit” or not. The difference could be that if I attain more experience preparing full F/S, then perhaps it might make a difference to Big4…perhaps it might not.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Allergic2CPA]

I suspect this thread would've been more interesting should I had an actual offer from Big4 but any other comments, thoughts, suggestions, advice, ect. is more than appreciated.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Allergic2CPA]

I suspect this thread would've been more interesting should I had an actual offer from Big4 but any other comments, thoughts, suggestions, advice, ect. is more than appreciated.

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[Author]

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