[gg2929]

I am an accounting student looking at different options in the accounting field as far as career paths. I enjoy accounting, but really do not know which career path is best for me. I want to do something I enjoy and where I can make an impact. Possible career paths include:

Public accounting, working up to partner.

Industry, working up to CFO.

Government accounting, working up to executive or FBI.

I have no interest in being the CFO of a public company. That leaves other non-public and closely held companies as options. I am also not familiar with the workload of a partner in public accounting. That is something I would like to know. My concern with public accounting is that I will be stuck in say, auditing for example, and will not have an opportunity for other aspects of accounting. That is just a concern. It doesn’t mean I know it to be true.

I think I would enjoy industry, especially a cost accounting position where I am able to influence management’s decision making. However one of my concern’s with industry is the repetitiveness of the work. While it would be fun and fulfilling while new, my concern is that after getting to know the business the work would become repetitive and dull.

Government accounting seems like it provides an opportunity to make an impact, but with all the bureaucracy in government my concern is that I will be a part of a project that has the ability to positively affect taxpayers, but it never actually affects them the positive way its supposed to because well, the government tends to not do things as well as the private sector. Then my work would in essence be, not worth what I put into it. I don’t know how true this is or if it would be an issue.

Also, as far as moving up the ladder, it seems that with a lot of accounting positions, at least according to the information I have been exposed to thus far, it seems you do not make much more as you move up the ladder than when you start, at least in industry if you do not become a CFO/controller. Government accounting and public accounting seem to have higher payoffs as you move up the ladder.

If anyone can touch on this and any of these thoughts, it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[gg2929]

thank you for the input GSU-CPA. do you have any particular thoughts on cost accounting and how a person could be able to make an impact in that position?

[zieba]

I'm a forensic accountant in the music/entertainment space. Musicians, composers, and execs hire me to go into labels/publishers and audit their books amd records to ensure compliance with underlying contracts. I'm not sure how much of this qualifies as dry accounting, but its good work if you can get it 🙂

Finding my platinum clients half a million bucks isn't as rewarding as finding a fifty grand that guy that's really counting on a check, so I understand the value of work being rewarding.

Look – with time almost anything can seem mundane – but you should enjoy what you do at the outset of your career, else it's just a job.

After I obtain my credentials I have thought about to transitioning into business advisory, wealth management.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

I'm a forensic accountant in the music/entertainment space. Musicians, composers, and execs hire me to go into labels/publishers and audit their books amd records to ensure compliance with underlying contracts. I'm not sure how much of this qualifies as dry accounting, but its good work if you can get it 🙂

Finding my platinum clients half a million bucks isn't as rewarding as finding a fifty grand that guy that's really counting on a check, so I understand the value of work being rewarding.

Look – with time almost anything can seem mundane – but you should enjoy what you do at the outset of your career, else it's just a job.

After I obtain my credentials I have thought about to transitioning into business advisory, wealth management.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[GoingToBeCPA87]

@zieba I agree with you so much ” with time almost anything can seem mundane” something that @gg2929 should keep in mind.

Interestingly enough I went from Big 4 to private sector and the pay was a lot higher being that I started in Public (take into consideration cost of living in NYC). Ive been in private for about 3 years and the upward mobility is extremely difficult and the salary aren't increasing substantially. But that is due to the performance of my current company. So when it comes to mobility and better pay it really all depends.

@zieba seems like we have something in common, I am in the same industry but I'm with a major doing External Reporting.

FAR: April or May 2014
AUD:
REG:
BEC:
Scared: 100

FAR first and only attempt: 2014 Wiley textbook, 10 Pt Combo, and WTB

I only get one try to have to give it my all and try to get 75 on my first go around.

-The only thing that stands between you and what you want out of life is the will to try and the faith to believe it's possible.

[GoingToBeCPA87]

@zieba I agree with you so much ” with time almost anything can seem mundane” something that @gg2929 should keep in mind.

Interestingly enough I went from Big 4 to private sector and the pay was a lot higher being that I started in Public (take into consideration cost of living in NYC). Ive been in private for about 3 years and the upward mobility is extremely difficult and the salary aren't increasing substantially. But that is due to the performance of my current company. So when it comes to mobility and better pay it really all depends.

@zieba seems like we have something in common, I am in the same industry but I'm with a major doing External Reporting.

FAR: April or May 2014
AUD:
REG:
BEC:
Scared: 100

FAR first and only attempt: 2014 Wiley textbook, 10 Pt Combo, and WTB

I only get one try to have to give it my all and try to get 75 on my first go around.

-The only thing that stands between you and what you want out of life is the will to try and the faith to believe it's possible.

[zieba]

Good luck on your journey! It's been a long road for me and I plan on wrapping up in May.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

Good luck on your journey! It's been a long road for me and I plan on wrapping up in May.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[Author]

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