[JMadsen]

Hello,

I work in property accounting but is tired of the monthly GL cycle doing journal entries and verifying things get booked correctly to the correct accounts and description. I’m getting the feel private industry accounting is not for me as it lacks the analysis and problem solving ability that I would like to have on a daily basis. With several years of accounting experience under my belt and also having passed the CPA exam (which I don’t know if it was worth it if I’m not in public), are there any routes one can take with an accounting background that offers less of the repetitive monthly cycle? Will accounting always be this way in the private industry? Or are there accounting jobs in certain industries that have less of the easy, brainless JE’s you need done and more of being analytical/problem solving type roles? Please advise…my brain hasn’t fully operated since college it seems.

Thank you!

[elprezidente07]

Sounds like you need a promotion or a job change. But, the nature of accounting is that SOMEONE has to review the monthly entries and make sure things are reasonable. In public accounting it is the same thing you described, but across multiple clients. The grass isn't always greener. Talk to your boss and see if they have any other options or projects you could look into?

AUD // F x2 P 92- (Test server crashed! It really does happen!)
REG // F, F, F, P - 75 Aug 2014
BEC // P - 80
FAR // F, F...now its time for my greatest trick yet.
Ethics // Very.

75 to stay alive

[elprezidente07]

Sounds like you need a promotion or a job change. But, the nature of accounting is that SOMEONE has to review the monthly entries and make sure things are reasonable. In public accounting it is the same thing you described, but across multiple clients. The grass isn't always greener. Talk to your boss and see if they have any other options or projects you could look into?

AUD // F x2 P 92- (Test server crashed! It really does happen!)
REG // F, F, F, P - 75 Aug 2014
BEC // P - 80
FAR // F, F...now its time for my greatest trick yet.
Ethics // Very.

75 to stay alive

[CPAfit]

@Jmadsen currently I am in a similar position and I've learnt after four hard years that i can't do this for the rest of my life. I have already accepted a job in the legal department of the same organization as a paralegal, which is due to start 01-Mar-2016. Also I am exploring other options that I feel are more challenging and require creativity and problem solving such as, business consultancy. Hope this helps

[Missy]

It depends. There are accounting roles in industry that are analysis driven. I was a cost accountant for several years, did 3-5 journal entries a month but mostly worked with engineering and manufacturing to understand and be able to intelligently explain COGS for my product lines. Came with its own set of frustration. Now I'm a finance/admin manager for a subsidiary of an international manufacturing company, and while I do all the monthly journal entries and payables, I'm exposed to everything from HR, to insurance (both liability and employee benefits).

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[shakil127]

@JMadsen I think Internal Audit might be something that you may want to consider. I have 7 years of accounting experience in various industries. I would say larger organization allows you to explore more opportunities. My current employer allows us to move around the company almost every year. But again this is a Fortune 15 company and the location where I work is the central location of the Accounting and Finance for the company. What you have described is the typical scenario in most companies for accounting jobs. You may also want to make a transition to FP&A. I think FP&A and Internal audit are the two areas where you can go to move out of Accounting. Good Luck to you.

BEC-77
AUD-66,72,82
REG-66,64(Q3 2015),80 (11/30/2015)

[Jdn9201]

Are you interested in tax? Tax is a big shift from GL accounting, but I chose tax because of non-routine nature of it, and it changes more frequently. You still need financial statement and journal entry skills, but that's not the focus of your job in tax. I enjoy the analysis and critical thinking aspect, and I think that's where people really add value to their employer when they are involved in higher level work. I agree with others that if you have a good relationship with your manager, to talk to he/she to determine if you can change some of your responsibilities before you think about changing departments or getting a new job entirely. Good luck!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[fuzyfro89]

A GL-focused accounting position will be very routine in almost any company. Things get more non-standard in certain areas of accounting, such as SEC reporting, internal controls, internal audit, technical accounting, and a handful of other areas. Of course, there is some degree of repetition, however, not to the extent of GL accounting.

GL accounting is probably 70%+ repetition each month/quarter/year-end, whereas some of the other areas I mentioned may be <50%.

Personally, I am strongly deterred by any job where things become routine, which is why I wanted to get out of the accounting/audit world. My ideal mix of “routine” is < 1/3. More than that, and I'd be looking to find something new at the right time.

No need to rush and get out, but also don't stick around unnecessarily. If GL accounting is not for you, then think through your near term goals and discuss with your management. Taking on new projects and expanding your skills in a proactive way is something most companies would like to have…

If your current employer is unable/unwilling to help you develop in new areas, then it may be useful to start networking and looking at outside opportunities as well.

[Anonymous]

Our small public firm is pushing hard to pull bookkeeping away from the experienced people and new CPAs. We've been doing it long enough so it is time to grow in taxation. Can you also grow into taxation?

[Author]

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