[jaredo155]

I have had sort of a random journey to becoming an accountant, and since accounting wasn’t my first discipline I have always felt a little insecure about the level of my competence. My background in the field is a little over 5 years in corporate healthcare accounting, with two thirds of that in tax and one third in overhead accounting. I long considered making a move to Public when I completed the CPA, but I was always extremely intimidated that I wouldn’t be knowledgable enough. I think part of my intimidation came from the fact that through my time in corporate when we needed answers to a question we didn’t know how to answer, we would call on consultants from one of the big 4. So I associate their level of knowledge as always being slightly above those in industry, and maybe that is really just a matter of they have a lot of subject matter experts who are specialized in certain areas. Anyway I am just curious to hear from anyone who has worked in both how they feel the level of expected knowledge and competence in each varies and compares.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[P or F.. I think Im gonna BARF]

I think it depends on your level within the firm. The advantage of public accounting is we can work our thoughts/responses up the food chain to a partner who has been practicing for many years in this specific field. I wouldn't undersell yourself in terms of knowledge. You just have to ask yourself this question – if you haven't done public accounting up until now, why the change all of the sudden? Also, what level within the firm would you be coming in as? I think your level may really impact your choice, as the higher up you go, the less “work” you do and the more your job is focused on business development.

B - (08/29/2013) Passed
A - (07/02/2013) Passed
R - (10/17/2013) 73 - Rematch
F - (05/29/2013) Passed

[mla1169]

No, their knowledge is not above those in industry by any means. Its just that they have a different viewpoint (think macro vs micro). Its like anything else, even between industries, your expertise is molded by what you are exposed to daily. I couldn't possibly walk into a hospital as an accounting manager even though I am an accounting manager for a manufacturer, I'd be clueless at first but I'd learn that level of expertise.

So yes, you'd definitely be on a learning curve going to public, but at the same time even managers in public would be on a learning curve transitioning into industry. Different beasts.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[acamp]

Remember the people you talk to are probably fairly seasoned, they've worked with many companies in your industry and are therefore full of answers. If you make the jump to public, you'll start below your industry years of experience, ie: having 5 years of industry accounting and joining audit for example will generally make you a 1st or 2nd year employee–and as a 1st or 2nd year employee you will not be expected to be a wizard and you should fit in fine

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Mayo]

Two words: Accounting Codification.

Besides, most of the experienced hires that I know of come in at slighty below a Senior role. You won't be expected to know anything besides the stuff you learn on the CPA exam.

Most of the accouning knowledge is ganed on the job when you have that particular issue come up on one of your jobs. Then it's just a matter of researchng it.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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