[momto5]

I got into my new career quite late, being in my 50’s. Currently work in industry as an Accounting Clerk while finishing my education and taking the CPA exams. Now that I am done, I need the proper work experience for Wisconsin. This can be in industry as long as it is higher level stuff. I have started applying to small CPA firms in the area but I also see corporate accountant jobs available and wonder which one I would be more happy with. My next job move will most likely be my last, so I would like to make the right choice for me.

I know this is difficult for anyone else to answer as everyone likes different things. I guess I’m just looking for any insight into pros and cons someone might see. I have not done taxes except my own and my family’s through the years, although I have never minded figuring them out. I think I would like financials and the bookkeeping side of things. Never done auditing, but I do like searching for errors and why things happened. Obviously I need lots of experience at this point, but where? Any suggestions or insight from anyone that has worked in both?

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[acamp]

Well your next job won't likely be your last if you go for public accounting lol.

I would do a couple years of public to accelerate your accounting career a bit and then figure things out from there.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[musicamor]

@momto5 Congrats to you for never giving up on your dreams! One of the things to keep in mind is how much of a work load to you desire? Industry and public accounting positions can come along with heavy work loads; it just depends upon the company for which you work.

I believe smaller, regional firms will not have intense hours like a larger firm or the Big 4. Same with corporate accounting jobs: if the company is required to externally report their financials, deadlines must be met and a lot of times corporate accounting work a lot of hours!

Beyond that, I definitely think you need to go with what you like most. You mentioned bookkeeping and preparing financials. If you work for a CPA firm, you'll want to be on the audit side of things doing compilations, write-ups and small audits. If you go the industry route, you'll want a Senior Accountant position within a corporate accounting department.

Hope this helps and best wishes to you.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[randomCPA]

I don't think you'll be able to get a senior accountant job with only a couple years of accounting clerk experience + a CPA. Senior accountant jobs ask for 5-7 experience. I think your best bet would be a staff accountant and later get promoted to a higher position (or quit and go get a higher position somewhere else).

Only go with public accounting if you want to work 60 hours /week!

[momto5]

Thanks for the input everyone!

@acamp – are you saying people don't last very long in public accounting?

I live in a small town with about 8 CPA firms – much slower pace than a Big 4 type atmosphere. I have no doubt they are all very busy during tax season, but I hear it relaxes quite a bit after that. My other option is a nearby city of 100,000 which is probably a little more stressful and competitive; still not like the big city, though.

I currently work for a $400 million dollar privately held company in the corporate office. I have been an Accounting Clerk for 6 years, working with A/R and Sales Tax. They will be giving me financials for one of our smaller plants next month. As much as it sounds like a good position, like I should just stay there and work my way into corporate accounting there, I don't particularly like the culture of the company since new management took over, and I feel like I will always be looked at as an Accounting Clerk. Everyone in our accounting dept is overburdened and always behind because they have not replaced several people who have left to try to be a “leaner” department. Is this happening everywhere?

I figured a CPA firm would give me more variety. Is summer or fall a better time of year than now to be looking for a CPA firm position?

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[acamp]

That's kinda the deal of public accounting, great, GREAT experience in comparison to a corporate job, but the hours generally push people out at some point. This might be less of the case at a smaller firm, and even if its not I still say go public. Public is like accounting experience on steroids, the experience you get there will send up the ladder in a much shorter period of time in comparison to the people trying to move up in corporate. Further, haven't you seen jobs ads wanting public accounting experience? The experience will open a lot of doors.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[momto5]

Thanks for the added explanation. Yes, I have seen ads wanting public accounting experience. Seems you have confirmed what I thought I wanted all along. Just hope I can find a place that will hire an older, inexperienced employee. I have a possible opportunity to help with taxes this season with a local tax office. Maybe that would help my resume a bit.

FAR - 92 (4/27/12)
AUD - 96 (7/17/12)
BEC - 92 (8/30/12)
REG - 91 (11/12/12)

[Anonymous]

When is the best time to apply for a job for the inexperienced? I would think the firms have already hired for the busy season so like “momto5” asked, the best time to apply would be in the summer or fall?

[Author]

Replies