[NoName]

Hi all

I have an interesting story but I’ll try to be brief:

1. I previously worked in Big 4 for a few years (about 8 years ago).
2. I then held steady positions in industry accounting jobs (snr accountant, plant controllers, etc) for about last 7 years showing steady progression.
3. Then I left to pursue corporate controller roles but had bad string of luck with a few shady companies over the past year.

I was recently let go for absolutely no reason other than I was not a fit (long story but the company turned out to be somewhat of a joke). The reason was not for bad performance which is a slight relief.

There is a certain industry my area that pays extremely well and I can easily land accounting jobs there but it will look like I went backwards in career progression.

What is your take on people who were senior levels and then go to a lower level?

It’s tempting because I don’t’ want to remain unemployed but I am also worried about how this could affect my resume and future career prospects (like I am unmotivated). I am not located in a large metro area so it’s much more difficult to find accounting manager and above jobs in this area.

[jombe]

We recently interviewed a number of people for a staff accountant role and there were few controllers and manager-level people that applied. While we definitely asked WHY they wanted a staff level role after being on managerial level roles, that wasn't a deal breaker or anything. We did end up hiring a person who was a manager (not in accounting though) for this role. I was actually rooting for another candidate, but my boss said, “We are getting a manager level person who knows what he wants at staff level salary,” which made a lot of sense to me.
–
The recurring reason we heard for moving “backward” in one's career was “I was qualified enough to be a manager, but I didn't like the stress/responsibilities that came w/ the job. I know what fits my personality/life style now and that's why I applied for this role.” From our perspective, this didn't reflect poorly on the candidate at all.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[Jimmy Dugan]

Everyone you interview with will likely ask about it, but just be honest and say that you and your old company went your separate ways and it wasn't because of anything performance related. And it's not going to mean that you won't ever be considered for a senior level role just because you went from controller to accountant. The “step down” will be much easier to explain than having a long employment gap in your resume.

I think it's good when someone has a perfectly linear career progression over the course of many years, but the reality is that doesn't happen for most of us and any smart hiring manager knows that.

[NoName]

Thanks for the feedback

I did in fact end up accepting a lower role.

The positive side is that I will work for a great person (vetted this person out with numerous third parties).

I think it is preferable to having a large gap on my resume waiting for a more senior role to open up.

As mentioned, the job market around here is seriously lame and I think long term I will have to move away it's just that I wasn't able to do that at the moment as I have other things going on. The few controller and director type roles that do exist have some have oddball structures (for example, there is no CFO so role reports to a president or other non accounting background executive).

[Author]

Replies