[jtrain10]

Hello,

I would like some advice regarding my career situation. I have worked in a small public accounting firm for around 5 months now. Before that, I worked for over four years at a manufacturing company as the operations coordinator/inventory specialist/cost accountant. I am also graduating this December with the MAcc, and will then get started on studying for the CPA exams. I like accounting, and feel like I’m pretty good at it, but don’t think public is for me even though its only been 5 months. I’m hoping to stick it out a year, get licensed, and then search for a senior accountant position in industry that will hopefully lead to a controller, and eventually CFO position one day. My question is, is it realistic to hope for a senior accountant role next year with my experience and CPA license? Most senior accountant roles require 3-5 years in “accounting”, so I’m hoping to be able to leverage my 4 years at the manufacturing company and not have to get another entry-level position. I handled all aspects of the inventory for the company, did bank rec’s, inventory cost analysis, pricing analysis, project management, etc. at the manufacturing company. I appreciate your advice.

[Painted_Jeans]

I think to be a senior you'd need at least two-three years in public.. your past experience will probably help but public i think would be more important. One of my co-workers went to work as an assistant controller for a small local company after a year in audit, had cpa and Macc but she had some years in bookkeeping and tax.. another senior got his cpa and went to work for a hotel as lead accountant after three years in audit… so there is my 10 cents 🙂

[Tim]

There's one way to find out. You should always aim high, IMO. I personally think you're completely qualified for that position. We're talking industry here, a lot of senior accountants in industry have zero public accounting experience. I don't see why you'd need 2-3 years in public to get a senior accountant job in the private sector. Public experience helps but it's by no means necessary.

[Author]

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