[Nemesis75]

Hello all,

Currently I’m working as a staff accountant at a multinational company in the vacation ownership/timeshare exchange industry. Most of the work I’ve been doing has been within A/P. I also have aspirations to become a CPA. My question to you guys is if its worth pursuing growth opportunities at my current employer as opposed to public accounting as an auditor?

I’ve been with my current employer for about 6 months now and I’m uncertain if I can even challenge for a senior staff position. In addition the prospect of being pigeon holed into account payable doesn’t interest me.I plan to participate in my university’s campus recruiting activities this semester since I’m still eligible as a recent graduate.

Let me know what you all think.

[Anonymous]

What are your long-term career goals? Do you want to be an auditor, or are you wanting to use the position as an auditor to help you get into a position in private accounting? Does your state require public accounting experience to become a CPA, or just accounting experience?

After 6 months anywhere, you probably wouldn't be able to challenge for a promotion. Many big companies have a policy that you can't change positions for a year after hire, because generally, it's at least a year till you're ready to move. Not saying you aren't, but that it would be highly unusual for anyone to get to move from Staff to Senior 6 months after getting hired. So, don't let the fact that you can't move now discourage you from staying there. If you like this company and would enjoy someday being in ___________ position within this company, then try to find out what would be required for that position with this company or a similar company, and then figure out how you can prepare yourself to fill that role. If it requires public accounting experience, then you know you'd need to get that…if it requires 5 years experience in the timeshare industry, then you don't want to jump ship. 😛 Make sense?

The standard advice around these forums will be to get some Big 4 experience, and that will open up doors. Big 4 is not required, and won't open all doors…nor will all doors be closed without Big 4. But, if you don't know what you want to do in the accounting world, then public and/or Big 4 will help you see more sides of the business and perhaps open some doors for you. But if you do know where you want to go (say a specific position or level within your current company), then figure out what that position/field requires, and how to get there.

Personally, I'm making the opposite move right now – left my public job, starting a private A/R job tomorrow. 🙂

[Anonymous]

What are your long-term career goals? Do you want to be an auditor, or are you wanting to use the position as an auditor to help you get into a position in private accounting? Does your state require public accounting experience to become a CPA, or just accounting experience?

After 6 months anywhere, you probably wouldn't be able to challenge for a promotion. Many big companies have a policy that you can't change positions for a year after hire, because generally, it's at least a year till you're ready to move. Not saying you aren't, but that it would be highly unusual for anyone to get to move from Staff to Senior 6 months after getting hired. So, don't let the fact that you can't move now discourage you from staying there. If you like this company and would enjoy someday being in ___________ position within this company, then try to find out what would be required for that position with this company or a similar company, and then figure out how you can prepare yourself to fill that role. If it requires public accounting experience, then you know you'd need to get that…if it requires 5 years experience in the timeshare industry, then you don't want to jump ship. 😛 Make sense?

The standard advice around these forums will be to get some Big 4 experience, and that will open up doors. Big 4 is not required, and won't open all doors…nor will all doors be closed without Big 4. But, if you don't know what you want to do in the accounting world, then public and/or Big 4 will help you see more sides of the business and perhaps open some doors for you. But if you do know where you want to go (say a specific position or level within your current company), then figure out what that position/field requires, and how to get there.

Personally, I'm making the opposite move right now – left my public job, starting a private A/R job tomorrow. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Nemesis75 – Go for the CPA license. It will open many doors for you in all accounting fields, public or private. I have spent my career in private industry and I hit a glass ceiling when I became an accounting manager. I realized I could spend the next 20-30 years of my career in similar roles or I could get a master's and become a CPA to move up the ladder faster.

[Anonymous]

Nemesis75 – Go for the CPA license. It will open many doors for you in all accounting fields, public or private. I have spent my career in private industry and I hit a glass ceiling when I became an accounting manager. I realized I could spend the next 20-30 years of my career in similar roles or I could get a master's and become a CPA to move up the ladder faster.

[Nemesis75]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Auslaf – How do promotions work in industry? Honestly I just feel that I'm ultimately going to have to rely on things outside of my control to be given those kinds of opportunities. At the end of the day, spots have to open up.

[Nemesis75]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Auslaf – How do promotions work in industry? Honestly I just feel that I'm ultimately going to have to rely on things outside of my control to be given those kinds of opportunities. At the end of the day, spots have to open up.

[tough_kitty]

Usually you get promoted every few years.

In public accounting, from what I know, you start as a staff accountant/auditor, then after 2 years you get promoted to an experienced staff, and 2 years later to senior. Of course, it's a rough estimate. Can be a little faster or longer depending on a firm.

Regardless of your future plans, if you plan on staying in accounting field, it makes sense to get a CPA license because you never know what future will bring.

I have several friends with years of experience in accounting who got laid off and couldn't find a new job because they didn't have a CPA license.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Usually you get promoted every few years.

In public accounting, from what I know, you start as a staff accountant/auditor, then after 2 years you get promoted to an experienced staff, and 2 years later to senior. Of course, it's a rough estimate. Can be a little faster or longer depending on a firm.

Regardless of your future plans, if you plan on staying in accounting field, it makes sense to get a CPA license because you never know what future will bring.

I have several friends with years of experience in accounting who got laid off and couldn't find a new job because they didn't have a CPA license.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[mla1169]

There's absolutely no way to give a general answer to how promotions work in industry. In a growing company that is adding headcount, promotions may be fast and furious. In a declining company, people will count their blessings to maintain their current position. In most established companies, the accounting department is a predetermined size (i.e. a CFO, a Controller, a Manager, 2 staff accountants, etc). In those cases promotions only occur when someone above you leaves the company or moves to another position. Its very unlike public where people are regularly promoted based on nothing but their tenure. And sometimes employers choose to hire from outside the company for those positions.

It is a very important question to ask during the interview process for industry, if the company often promotes from within. It tells you 2 things, that there is upward mobility for you and that they value the contributions of their staff.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

There's absolutely no way to give a general answer to how promotions work in industry. In a growing company that is adding headcount, promotions may be fast and furious. In a declining company, people will count their blessings to maintain their current position. In most established companies, the accounting department is a predetermined size (i.e. a CFO, a Controller, a Manager, 2 staff accountants, etc). In those cases promotions only occur when someone above you leaves the company or moves to another position. Its very unlike public where people are regularly promoted based on nothing but their tenure. And sometimes employers choose to hire from outside the company for those positions.

It is a very important question to ask during the interview process for industry, if the company often promotes from within. It tells you 2 things, that there is upward mobility for you and that they value the contributions of their staff.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

In industry the easiest way to climb the ladder is often just switching jobs every few years. Employers aren't really loyal to employees like they were in the old days.

[Anonymous]

In industry the easiest way to climb the ladder is often just switching jobs every few years. Employers aren't really loyal to employees like they were in the old days.

[Anonymous]

Nemesis75- There are many things out of your control, but don't let that stop you from being successful. I spent time in accounts payable as well and a lot of people consider themselves ‘too good' for a/p (or filing, collections, whatever). The truth is everyone has to start somewhere, so none of us are ‘too good' for anything.

My tips would be to work hard and build a reputation for being a team player. You would be surprised how many people will notice if you work late or come in early- it shows dedication.. Also, be friendly to people inside and outside of your department. Chat with your boss and find out what he/she considers a success for your role (without being too much of a kiss up which will alienate you from co-workers). Pursue your CPA license so that you are strengthening your skills while building work experience on your resume.

Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Nemesis75- There are many things out of your control, but don't let that stop you from being successful. I spent time in accounts payable as well and a lot of people consider themselves ‘too good' for a/p (or filing, collections, whatever). The truth is everyone has to start somewhere, so none of us are ‘too good' for anything.

My tips would be to work hard and build a reputation for being a team player. You would be surprised how many people will notice if you work late or come in early- it shows dedication.. Also, be friendly to people inside and outside of your department. Chat with your boss and find out what he/she considers a success for your role (without being too much of a kiss up which will alienate you from co-workers). Pursue your CPA license so that you are strengthening your skills while building work experience on your resume.

Good luck to you.

[jkpoker1]

I would start studying for the CPA exam if I was you and go to your school's accounting event. I would look for a job in public if that is the route you would like to go. It really depends on how much you like your industry position. If you find A/P ok (and more attractive hours), I would just study in my free time and pass the exam asap. I believe that attaining your CPA license even without the require experience will make you a very valuable asset to accounting firms because you have a leg up on others applying for staff accountant positions since they don't have the cpa exam completed most likely. Good luck

Quest to be a CPA

BEC-74 (7/13),
REG- ?? (8/13)
AUD-TBA
FAR-TBA

[Author]

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