[klink24]

I’ve posted on this before, but looking for some further advice. Making about $80k/year currently, but in the billing department so no general accounting experience. Reason I’m paid so much is because I manage a huge group of around 50 people with multiple reporting levels and I’ve proven myself as an excellent manager and asset to the area.

Trying my best to get into a general accounting role but there are no positions available in my current company. Anywhere else and I’ll have to take a serious paycut to start out. I’ve been looking for Senior Accountant or Assistant Controller positions since those are the only ones I’ve been able to find that pay near what I’m getting now. I’m not against a slight cut, maybe to around $70k, but even that’s a tough proposition without the general accounting experience. What can I say to convince someone that I’m worthy of one of those positions? Is it not possible to really even convince someone without having passed all parts or being licensed completely? Is it not possible without the entry level experience?

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[fuzyfro89]

I can't answer for certain, but as a thought exercise, let's compare you to a Big 4 senior auditor who just completed their 3rd year. In a large market (not NY, SF, LA, Chi), they are probably making in the low/mid $60s, and could probably be picked off for $70-75k.

I give this example, as I've seen many people finish 3-4 years at Big 4, and leave for a senior accountant position in industry in the $70-75k range (give or take a few $k's on the top and bottom ends). I'm not sure what metro area you're in (so I can't be too precise about how your current salary fits in that range), but it seems like a tough sell.

I could be (and hope for your sake!) that I'm completely wrong and someone offers you $85k.

Is there a number that you wouldn't go below for a good accounting position, or are you still in the early phases of thinking about the change?

Regardless of what you decide, passing the CPA will help. Even for a former Big 4 accountant, or anyone really, not having a CPA will hold them back from making it to the manager level in a public company setting (probably in a private co. also depending on size).

You never know what you're worth until someone makes you an offer, so test the market. If you are getting hits, but striking out in the interview, then you need to work on your interviewing skills. If you can't even get interviews, then you probably need to work on your networking efforts/getting better credentials to get your foot in the door.

Good luck!

[Study Monk]

If money is a concern of yours you may not want to leave your current gig for an accounting position. You are better off trying to find a similar management role with a tiny bit more financial oversight. By staying in the manager role you will most likely have a higher average wage. Remember that people go through the brutal experience of Big 4 work so that they can eventually leave to earn 80k(if they are lucky).

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[lude4life13]

From my experience, a Senior accountant/analyst or assistant controller needs to have some solid accounting experience (like the few years of big 4 mentioned above). Those positions generally are guys/girls that deal directly with auditors, the staff of the company, and the controller/CFO's. I would assume you need to have accounting experience to qualify for something like that, meaning that you would be competing with Big 4 senior auditors who also have their CPA.

[klink24]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've thought about maybe trying to get into a company as a manager, but get into a company with a more robust accounting department than my company. That way, I may be able to transition to the accounting role rather than coming fresh off the street.

Another related question, would experience as an internal auditor help with my accounting prospects? I may be able to work my way into an internal auditor position in my current company, but was looking for something dealing more with month-end, quarter-end, year-end close, reporting, SOX, etc.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

Oh yeah, I'm in North Carolina if that helps any. I see a lot of mention of Big 4 experience, but I've pretty much excluded myself from being able to get that experience considering the pay cut involved. I really just want to make it to Controller and hopefully CFO at some point so I desperately need that general accounting experience.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[tomq04]

In my humble non-experience opinion, I think your management experience will get you places easier than you think. That being said, it will likely take some patience… That's a good paying job and it will be hard to move sideways without a pay cut.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[fuzyfro89]

NYC:

Yes, working in Internal Audit should get you an introduction to more of the reporting process. Will it be enough to make CFO? Only time will tell, but even having your CPA and MBA doesn't guarantee your a corner office…

It depends on the company, but having exposure to SOX, financial reporting, accounting issues, etc will be helpful. It will also allow you to qualify your experience to get your CPA license. Plus, internal auditors are generally well paid, so you have a better chance of not getting low balled there than in a pure accounting position (my guess, anyway).

Go for both! The Carolinas aren't a massive job market, but far from small, so you should have decent options nearby (depending on which metro you are near).

Good luck

[Allergic2CPA]

@OP: So you've been in billing for quite awhile I presume? So billing is Accounts Payable and you want a more general accounting role. So you may want to emphasize your role in your resume/interviews for the following items as they relate to A/P:

1. Monthly, quarterly, yearly close (i.e. reconcile AP sub-ledger to GL, ageing schedule for financial statement

support/notes)

2. Do you do GL entries to accrue invoices or correct invoices?

3. Assistance for Audits, especially if they were done by Big4 (presumably your invoices got audited)

4. Implementation of new systems/process in the Accounting system

5. Compliance/External reporting such as 1099s

6. Conflict resolution with suppliers, direct reports, and management

7. Did you implement a process/policy that saved the firm time/money? For example, decided to expedite invoices that offer discounts thus leading to taking advantage of those discounts. This in turn may have lead to happier suppliers and improved supplier relationships.

8. Did you assist with Cash Management, bank recons?

Your CPA pursuit should let employers know that you understand debits/credits regarding various items but in case some are still skeptical think of below type of questions. I'm not suggesting someone will test you but at least you demonstrate to others that you're more than billing. Also, it will further assist in thinking outside of billing (again, the CPA should let others know this but some employers are just stubborn).

a. Due to revenue recognition issues, revenue cannot be recognized but was done so by mistake in the system. What entries do you do to reverse all related entries? Food for thought: Are employees that receive bonuses affected by this? Is the ageing schedule affected if a JE is done vs. correcting via the system?

b. A supplier's invoice was duplicated in the system for a significant amount and virtually no time to have the supplier issue a credit memo to correct it due to your close, what entries do you do? What if your supervisor disagrees with the entries?

c. Inventory has become obsolete. What entry do you do?

d. An employee is paying back an advance but was not recorded in the system. What's the entry?

e. The subledger for assets doesnt reconcile to GL. How would you find the difference?

FAR 46*, 77
AUD 70, 79
BEC 67, 82
REG 75

Texas License July 2013

Used Yaeger lectures based on Wiley textbooks

*Studied less than two weeks, forgot I had purchased NTS.

[klink24]

Wow, Allergic2CPA, thanks for the feedback! I think I do need to update my resume to reflect more of an accounting role even if it's only a slight percentage of the work I actually do. In my resume, I highlight the major accomplishments in my billing role and only minimally speak of the accounting side (mainly because there's not much to say). I'm actually in A/R by the way because we're billing companies and requiring payment. As far as the questions, I'd be able to answer all of those simply through my classes and studies for the exam.

I'm going to update my resume and see where that gets me. I thought my accomplishments were great on a resume, but an accounting manager may not think so. Need to re-assess my approach.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

Question, will the reporting I do matter more than the resolution I bring to issues? I highlight the fact that I resolve issues and improve processes. Should I highlight more about the reporting and the use of that reporting by higher-ups in the company so they can make better decisions?

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Author]

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