[WhyMe23]

I am a new hire starting in public accounting this fall, I was recently put in the Financial Services industry group but was thinking about requesting a change to healthcare or energy and utilities. Financial Services was my initial request but after thinking about it more I really do not want to be in that group.

Do you think it will make me look bad if I ask HR to change my group? Maybe I will come off as difficult and give a bad first impression? Any thoughts would definitely be appreciated.

B - 85 (5/31/11)
A - 93 (7/1/11)
R - 87 (7/29/11)
F - 77 (8/31/11)

[Anonymous]

If it was me, I'd give Financial Services a try, especially if it was your initial request and they gave it to you. If you don't have any previous public accounting experience, how do you know that you don't want to be in that group? If after working in FS for a while, you decide you'd like to try a different group, you should be okay requesting a change at that time.

[WhyMe23]

Good point, I have never worked in public accounting so I don't know if I will like it or about requesting changes later on. If that is acceptable without being behind when it comes to promotions it sounds like my best option.

I don't think I will dislike it necessarily, but I'm thinking about long-term opportunities and not wanting to limit myself to a job in the financial industry. I'd prefer more flexibility but I guess starting in FS doesn't preclude me from choosing another path long term.

Sorry just over-thinking this and trying to get an outside perspective.

B - 85 (5/31/11)
A - 93 (7/1/11)
R - 87 (7/29/11)
F - 77 (8/31/11)

[Anonymous]

I'm sure that this varies firm to firm, but in my experience, even though I was designated as one group, I was pulled to help out in other groups. I ended up doing my internship in one industry group and getting hired full-time in another industry group (which I had helped out a lot with during my internship). I don't believe that switching groups would put you at a disadvantage at promotion time. For what it's worth, I'm no longer in public accounting but I didn't have any issues with being limited to the industry I had my public accounting experience in, when I was looking for a new job. I interned in construction, worked full-time in Trucking/Transportation, and now I work for a manufacturing company. I *think* that the FS industry tends to want to hire people with FS experience, but other industries tend to be more flexible regarding your specific area of experience, as long as you have public acctg experience in your past. I will say that at least this is the case in my area, hopefully others will respond as to whether or not this is true in their areas.

[WhyMe23]

I am hoping I can still get a variety of experience so that a position outside the financial services industry is also a realistic option. I would think public accounting experience no matter the industry would open a lot of those doors.

Anybody else with experience in public accounting have any insight? Is it common to switch industries or will I be limited?

B - 85 (5/31/11)
A - 93 (7/1/11)
R - 87 (7/29/11)
F - 77 (8/31/11)

[Author]

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