[Mushin]

Hello all, I could use some advice. I have one CPA exam to go (AUD) and I started out in tax at a CPA firm a couple of years ago. Last year I left for what I thought was going to be a job in corporate accounting. It turns out however that I am little more than data entry with a horrible boss. I’m bored, frustrated, and not practicing any accounting. But the salary is exactly equal to what the CPA firm paid me, the health benefits are better, I get more vacation and of course no tax season. So what do I do? Stay for the money and benefits, or risk being “fulfilled” elsewhere for less?

[mla1169]

I say look, it can't hurt. You may find something with similar pay that you enjoy doing.

That said you may be more marketable after you finish AUD but it can't hurt to get started now. Sometimes it can take quite a while to find the RIGHT job, so hang in there where you are until you find one that meets your criteria. I had a job I hated and looked for 3 years to find one that fit everything on my list. was a LOT of waiting and a lot of legwork. But well worth it in the end.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[musicamor]

If you're unhappy now, chances are, you'll always be unhappy. I would try to stick it out until you pass the exam, that way your marketability is much greater when you start looking for another job. To have a short stint on your resume like that is not ideal. Maybe you could ask to be transferred elsewhere within the company; thereby not losing your benefits, salary, vacation, etc?

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Gerg, CPA]

happiness. if you're not happy at work, it can start to affect other parts of your life. most of us will spend the majority of our lives working, so it's better to be doing something you enjoy (or at least can tolerate)

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Anonymous]

You can stay there for a while but eventually not feeling any fulfillment is going to eat you alive. I know from my current experience

[Serena]

I agree– can't hurt to look. I, too, am in a similar situation, only I took this job in order to be able to move to where my fiance was. I knew it was a ‘fill-in-the-gap' job, so I'm not too sad to leave. I have been here a year now and have realized that the corporate culture is terrible, morale is low, and management is bad, not to mention they take advantage of hard working people with out rewarding them.

On the plus side, if it is just data entry, and you aren't using your brain at work, take advantage of that and listen to NINJA audio to help you pass your next exam. Stop what you are doing to write down key points when you hear something you think you might have difficulty remembering. It will be much harder to study for the exam while trying to take on a more challenging role. (Altho that hasn't stopped me from looking anyway–and I have 2 left to pass).

Jobs with good pay, good benefits, and good environment are out there–I promise. Just takes time finding the company you will be passionate working for.

Good luck!

AZ
AUD - 10/20/2011 - 77
BEC - 7/28/2012 - 79
FAR - 4/6/2013 - 79
REG - 4/18/2013 - 75 (3rd time's a charm!)

[Anonymous]

I have just been accepted into an MBA program – and I applied to it just to keep my mind occupied since I am in the same boat. Meanwhile, I got a call from a small local CPA firm to talk about FT employment. It is my belief that if you love what you do, the money will come. With that said, if the interview goes well I'll take the offer despite the money. Ideally the money will be the same or better and I'm sure they'll never be able to beat the benefits – but if I make enough money, I can purchase my own benefits. In my opinion, it should NOT be a dilemma between money or career fulfillment…it's hard to not be a b*tch to work around if you are unfulfilled.

[Anonymous]

in one word: happiness 😀

[stephanieb]

I'd say go for happiness. I work for a small cpa firm and I truly love my job. I've had people approach me about jobs in the corporate world (as recently as this week) and I know that it's not my passion and I will end up unhappy in the end. I sometimes get frustrated during tax season with the hours, but at the end of the day…..I like my job and the firm. I'm a much happier person overall I believe.

FAR - (7/3/12) 77
AUD - (8/9/12) 87
REG - (10/4/12) 93
BEC - (11/21/12)85
Ethics - (12/9/12) 100

[FlipACoin]

Believe it or not I am in a similar spot, with a different twist. After 10 years of FP&A/Corp Finance experience I decided to try accounting, go back to school for some needed accounting classes and obtain my CPA. The job I took was supposed to be a Cost Accounting Manager backfill role, and it is clearly not working out that way. My first instict was to just leave, but really that's not the best thing for me, so I've decided to stick around another 15 months or so while I pass the exam. Once I pass the exams and meet the 18 month transfer requirement for my job I'm going to transfer because, well, the company I landed with is amazing.

You are in a similar spot, and I would recommend a similar path for you. If you are with a large enough company to where you can transfer roles I would do it as soon as you are eligible and have passed the exams (you definitely want the $$$ that comes with the CPA so you are giving up some cash if you leave before then). If you are not, I agree with most that you should probably stick around for the short term, pass all of your exams and see whats what once you pass. Try not to worry about “getting dumber” or any of that. You are just paying dues, it's standard for a non CPA's first role in Corp Acct. to be silly work. A year of this in the long run won't hurt you even a little bit. GL

[Anonymous]

How old are you? Even if pay is same….doesn't sound like you got much growth opportunity unless I'm reading it wrong. Doesn't sound very stressful either tho.

[Author]

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