[KeepUPosted]

So here’s the scoop. I’m 29, am a Senior Corporate Accountant at a global real estate development firm, and have 5.5 total years of experience (1.5 small public firm/4 global real est.). I have been a CPA for 2 years, and have a MAcc from a top-10 program. I was recently passed up for promotion to manager twice, and when I was a staff I was passed up for promotion to senior twice as well. I’m now committed to leaving.

I could look outside for an Accounting Manager/Financial Reporting Manager/Assistant Controller position. However, I have been finding that I’m really more passionate about ERP implementation and accounting/financial process improvement than accounting tasks. I am usually the first person people come to with any questions about our ERP software, how to do a task more efficiently, and how to write a macro or special formula in Excel. Also, I’m getting tired of feeling like a “second class citizen” as a corporate accountant. I don’t bring in revenue like the brokers, asset managers, etc, and it feels like we are not considered as essential to the business.

So, I’m wondering if a transition to consulting makes sense to me. Someone from my undergrad alma mater referred me to the Advisory Services managing partner of one of the Big 4 offices here, and I should be having lunch with him soon to tell my story and career interests….and see if it’s a fit.

Have any of you made the switch from corporate accounting to something similar? I’m assuming I would have to start at the bottom? In summary, I see myself evaluating a business’ accounting and financial processes, finding opportunities for improvement and efficiency, and evaluating and providing ERP/software solutions. What would the typical title and department names for such a role be in the Big 4? There are SO many Advisory roles in the Big 4, so it is a little difficult to tell what (if any would be a good fit).