[Anonymous]

I’m going through a quarter life crisis, not really that serious, but I just don’t know what I want to do next in my life, and becoming a CPA seems to be a smart (as in conservative, job-security type of smart) move for me. I’ve been doing accounting for a small non-profit the last 2 years and I’m ready to make a change. I don’t really LOVE accounting that much and when I think about working for a big 4 (or a an accounting firm for that matter) it doesn’t really get me all that excited.

So my question is, how much value does a CPA have outside of being a CPA? OR should I expect that I need to do some public accounting after getting my CPA to really get use out of it.

[Ntw6817]

I guess the obvious question is what does get you excited and what do you want to do for a career?

[Anonymous]

Yeah…what @Ntw6817 said. What do you really want to do?

Also, a career doesn't have to excite you to be a good fit. I'm not gonna lie, I don't get excited about accounting! I can do well at it and I don't hate it…sometimes that's the best you get. My career choice came down to considering several options, realizing that none made me super excited, but that with the right attitude, I could enjoy anything…and then deciding that accounting would fulfill my goals (job security and comfortable income) better than the others. That's how I ended up working in public accounting, and while I am interested in private accounting, too, I've had to realize that no form of accounting is going to excite, but that as long as the bills are paid and I don't hate it, I'm still doing OK.

…and yes, that's not what the career counselors in highschool tell you. lol.

[wizards8507]

I think there are a lot of people who pursue their CPA without being *in love* with accounting per se. This isn't the worst thing in the world. It's possible that you end up working for an employer that you're passionate about and your CPA is just the ticket in the door. My guess is that the CPAs at Harley Davidson get more excited about motorcycles than they do about the FASB/IASB exposure draft on lease accounting.

If you're “ready to make a change” because you're sick of accounting, I wouldn't pursue your CPA. If you're “ready for a change” because you're sick of your employer, I would.

NY CPA

[Anonymous]

Good points, thanks for the insight. No I actually really love my employer, my accounting job is actually almost too easy, which is why I thought the CPA could be a good goal to set for myself. The thing I enjoy about my job is that it allows me to still do the things I love in life. The CPA could be a good investment overall, but I'm not sure if I really want to give up on my other hobbies and passions to study. Additionally, I don't care to really be in public accounting nor do I care to climb the “corporate ladder.” I do want to one day own my own business. I'm not sure if having a CPA would really help much with that… other than the fact that I wouldn't have to pay a CPA to do my taxes etc.

[Anonymous]

If your goal is to own your own non-accounting business, then being a CPA really won't help you. You can prepare your own taxes (or taxes for other people) without being a CPA, and given that taxes change so quickly, there's really not much that you'll learn while studying for the CPA exam that will actually help you. Most of the CPA exam is focused on how to handle large, publicly owned corporations…so until you start selling your stock on the stock exchanges, you'll not benefit much. 😛

I can understand not wanting to be in public accounting. If you thought that private accounting would suit you well, then I'd still say that getting the CPA would be worth it, since it would be an asset in pretty much anything accounting or finance related. However, it sounds like you don't desire a career in any form of accounting, so that doesn't matter much!

My only other reason to advocate the CPA would be as a backup plan. Starting a business is always a gamble. How safe of a gamble do you think it is? If it's in a field with a solid demand, and that demand is easy to fill as a small business, then you may have little need for a backup plan. However, if it's something more subject to changing with the economy, or that it's hard to do as a small business, then I would suggest that the CPA could help give you a backup plan. With accounting experience and a CPA, you could at least get a job during tax season. Even if you hate taxes, getting that job through tax season could help carry you through a time of business failure!

However, beyond a backup plan, it sounds like the CPA is really not something that would aid your future plans.

[Tncincy]

@Lilla,

Talk about good advice…..I have run my own bookkeeping and tax service for over 16 years. Yes, the money had been good for the last 14 years. Business has been very slow since the irs dropped the debt indicator and the free tax prep on turbo tax and no more rapid refund…..just blew a hole in the tax business. I have a few small business clients but not enough.

So I am hoping to recreate what I enjoy Accounting, by getting my CPA. My new problem is trying to find a firm that will hire me at my age or trying to market as a CPA in my area (provided I pass of course)

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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