[MWest33330q4CPA]

I’m looking to get back into accounting after owning my own business for 11 years. I just recently sold it and I’m set to take the final part of the CPA in October. Just curious as to what type of salaries one can expect going back into accounting and if anyone has any recommendations on a good industry to go into and/or position. I’m just turning 40 and I would like to start around $100,000. Is that possible???

[TNCPA16]

Yeah, entry level accounting positions will be nowhere near $100k starting. I work for a fairly large healthcare company in the south and we start entry level auditors out in the $50k range. There is no way we would hire someone with no auditing/accounting experience out at a senior manager/director level (which is where you can expect a $100k salary). I'm not sure what our staff level accountants make, but it's been my experience that they make less than auditors. We have CFOs at some of our smaller hospitals that don't even make $100k.

[MWest33330q4CPA]

I appreciate reading all these comments and everybody's insight. I really didn't know the answer. If anyone has additional thoughts please discuss it as the feedback is great.

[san4596]

You need to look on Glassdoor. Figure out what position you would like to hold, and research the salary. A basic accounting position for you will probably top out at $60K.

On another note – I think you may have an issue getting into public accounting or any staff accounting position, since you may be seen as over qualified.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[tomq04]

Why not start another business?

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[ShmeePA]

@Amanda_88…just curious where you work? I love that you can travel for business

BEC-84
FAR-86
AUD-87
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[WeWillSee]

To Smashbox's point – you were in college when you were 15? That's crazy! Times have really changed – and I was born only 9 years after you.

[005]

this exam is so hard, yet we get paid so little lol

aint that some sh*t

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CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[fuzyfro89]

For an entry level position in either public accounting or corporate, no. You won't make salary anywhere near that.

The majority of your related experience is too old, and likely outdated since your recent job was not related to accounting either.

If you are set on hitting that level of income soon, your best bet is in a smaller firm where you have the chance to bring in some business.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Yeah your age doesn't add up. What gives? lol

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
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Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
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MBA in progress

[mla1169]

Aside from the fact that you were a teenaged public accountant–accounting experience from 20-30 years ago, before SOX, before dozens of changes, is about equal to no accounting experience. Even if you graduated high school at 17 years old, you weren't in college until 1992.

Besides don't you need a year or two of public accounting experience to get licensed?

To give you an idea I am 45, was in high school in the 80's, worked in general ledger accounting since 1996, have a license and a masters and make approx. $70k. $100k is highly unlikely unless you're working for a very large company as a controller and you'll have to work your way up to that.

FAR- 77
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Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

this was compiled by reddit users.Big 4 compensation chart

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhnVVSnDH6v8dGIzNEZzMERDUjkyQzdxdVR0RklZSGc&usp=sharing#gid=0

[005]

It aint nothin more important than the mulaaaaaa

hannnnn

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[Author]

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