[MrCPA2B]

Wassup Ninjas!

So I am just starting out in my accounting career and just graduated with a BS in Accounting and landed a job as an accounting clerk a few months ago. I am wondering if it is possible to go from accounting clerk to controller? The reason I ask is because all of my peers in the company all started as a staff accountant somewhere and are accounting managers and controllers. For me it is completely different because I am starting at a position lower than a staff accountant. Also, I wanted to know if an accounting clerk position qualifies as accounting experience that most employers look for? Am I doomed for the rest of my life because I couldn’t land a regular staff accountant position right out of college instead I took a clerk position?

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[ajurew1]

You will be fine. Do well in your position and look for a staff accountant job after a year of experience, either at your company or externally.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[ajurew1]

You will be fine. Do well in your position and look for a staff accountant job after a year of experience, either at your company or externally.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Anonymous]

I manage an accounting department (aka–assistant controller) and I agree with the prior comment. I have an accounting clerk, a junior staff accountant, 3 staff accountants, and a tax accountant that report to me. Anyone of them could progress to the next position and so on IF they show that they are willing to learn more than what they were hired to do, conduct themselves professionally regardless of what position they hold, AND have the aptitude to advance. If you really want to progress then you should find ways to make your current position more efficient to gain yourself time to learn other job functions within the accounting department. Let your boss know that you are willing to take on more responsibility and make sure that you learn as much as you can about that function before attempting to ask for more work. Our CEO started as a staff accountant, became controller, then CFO, then CEO. The company didn't have accounting clerks back then. The only difference between an accounting clerk and a staff accountant at my company is the lack of an accounting degree and that the nature of the accounting clerk work is more administrative than accounting. I would absolutely promote my accounting clerk to a staff accountant if I thought she could do the work and she proved to me that she actually wanted to progress. It is very possible if that's the path that you want! Just keep in mind that with every progression comes more responsibility and more accountability. Make sure you're ready for that, but don't forget that whether or not you think your job is important, it is. On the flip side–I always look at both the positive and negative traits of my employees and potential employees when the subject of progression comes to light. I view “climbers” as negative, meaning that they will do whatever it takes to get ahead even if it means stepping on others to get there. In my opinion it takes a humble person, willing to assist the department and be a team player (even if the recognition is not readily available) to be a viable candidate for promotion. I will not promote or hire someone that doesn't get along with others, even if they may be able to do the job better. Skills and accounting knowledge can be taught, but personality can be a deal breaker. Accounting is the one department in any company that has to communicate with EVERY other department so good communication skills and the ability to work well with all levels of an organization is important. That could just be me though. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I manage an accounting department (aka–assistant controller) and I agree with the prior comment. I have an accounting clerk, a junior staff accountant, 3 staff accountants, and a tax accountant that report to me. Anyone of them could progress to the next position and so on IF they show that they are willing to learn more than what they were hired to do, conduct themselves professionally regardless of what position they hold, AND have the aptitude to advance. If you really want to progress then you should find ways to make your current position more efficient to gain yourself time to learn other job functions within the accounting department. Let your boss know that you are willing to take on more responsibility and make sure that you learn as much as you can about that function before attempting to ask for more work. Our CEO started as a staff accountant, became controller, then CFO, then CEO. The company didn't have accounting clerks back then. The only difference between an accounting clerk and a staff accountant at my company is the lack of an accounting degree and that the nature of the accounting clerk work is more administrative than accounting. I would absolutely promote my accounting clerk to a staff accountant if I thought she could do the work and she proved to me that she actually wanted to progress. It is very possible if that's the path that you want! Just keep in mind that with every progression comes more responsibility and more accountability. Make sure you're ready for that, but don't forget that whether or not you think your job is important, it is. On the flip side–I always look at both the positive and negative traits of my employees and potential employees when the subject of progression comes to light. I view “climbers” as negative, meaning that they will do whatever it takes to get ahead even if it means stepping on others to get there. In my opinion it takes a humble person, willing to assist the department and be a team player (even if the recognition is not readily available) to be a viable candidate for promotion. I will not promote or hire someone that doesn't get along with others, even if they may be able to do the job better. Skills and accounting knowledge can be taught, but personality can be a deal breaker. Accounting is the one department in any company that has to communicate with EVERY other department so good communication skills and the ability to work well with all levels of an organization is important. That could just be me though. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You can go as far as you want to go in your career regardless of what others or “conventional wisdom” may tell you. If you really want to excel, learn and execute your duties well and then go out of your way to serve the other members of your team by volunteering to help out with their work or taking on projects that may seem mundane to others. You should make it your goal to make your manager's job easier for them by stepping up where needed, getting along well with others, and have an overall upbeat and positive personality. Remember, the company you work for may not always match your internal clock with when you feel ready to be promoted. Be patient and if you feel it is necessary don't be afraid to go somewhere else where there may be more opportunity to advance. Everyone has their own timeline for advancement. Avoid constantly comparing yourself to others as we all have unique abilities and talents.

I agree, be humble but do your job well and have complete confidence in your abilities. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learn how not to make the same mistake twice and see where you can improve. Remember there is plenty of room for growth no matter where one is in their career. When you find yourself in disagreements with team members or your manager seek to build understanding by finding common ground. This will help bridge the gap and bring a sense of synergy to the team. It's not a zero sum game where your success is dependent on the failures of others. I've worked with people who think they must prove themselves by pushing other people down. This won't get you anywhere and will only contribute to a lack of trust. A good manager will acknowledge and reward those who are diligent and take initiative with the work. It's not a bad idea to go to your manager and ask for more and show him where you can contribute beyond your current scope. You'll go as far as you push yourself. Don't let the perceptions or opinions of others become your reality. If you want it bad enough you'll find a way to make it happen. Good luck with the job and I wish you the best!

[Anonymous]

You can go as far as you want to go in your career regardless of what others or “conventional wisdom” may tell you. If you really want to excel, learn and execute your duties well and then go out of your way to serve the other members of your team by volunteering to help out with their work or taking on projects that may seem mundane to others. You should make it your goal to make your manager's job easier for them by stepping up where needed, getting along well with others, and have an overall upbeat and positive personality. Remember, the company you work for may not always match your internal clock with when you feel ready to be promoted. Be patient and if you feel it is necessary don't be afraid to go somewhere else where there may be more opportunity to advance. Everyone has their own timeline for advancement. Avoid constantly comparing yourself to others as we all have unique abilities and talents.

I agree, be humble but do your job well and have complete confidence in your abilities. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learn how not to make the same mistake twice and see where you can improve. Remember there is plenty of room for growth no matter where one is in their career. When you find yourself in disagreements with team members or your manager seek to build understanding by finding common ground. This will help bridge the gap and bring a sense of synergy to the team. It's not a zero sum game where your success is dependent on the failures of others. I've worked with people who think they must prove themselves by pushing other people down. This won't get you anywhere and will only contribute to a lack of trust. A good manager will acknowledge and reward those who are diligent and take initiative with the work. It's not a bad idea to go to your manager and ask for more and show him where you can contribute beyond your current scope. You'll go as far as you push yourself. Don't let the perceptions or opinions of others become your reality. If you want it bad enough you'll find a way to make it happen. Good luck with the job and I wish you the best!

[MrCPA2B]

Thank you all for the feedback! I am now reassured that there is a future for me. I have been extremely stressed and thinking a lot about this because I always feel like the underdog in every situation, and it has been that way my entire life. However, I am a humble person and take things as they come. Thank you all for the responses!

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[MrCPA2B]

Thank you all for the feedback! I am now reassured that there is a future for me. I have been extremely stressed and thinking a lot about this because I always feel like the underdog in every situation, and it has been that way my entire life. However, I am a humble person and take things as they come. Thank you all for the responses!

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[Author]

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