[smoothiezguy]

I was scarfed up while I was still finishing college to work full time as a financial analyst in the real estate sector. I finished two bachelors, one in Accounting and the other in Finance. I also took extra accounting courses so that I meet the CPA education requirements. I also just recently finished the CMA certification. Since my company isn’t huge, I have had some pretty cool experiences, like solely underwriting a $70 million portfolio purchase (how often is it that someone in their first year gets to do something like that?). The other benefit is that I work remotely, so I don’t have to be tied to an office, but it also means that I end up working outside of regular business hours.

However, now I feel like I’m a bit in a stagnant spot – my company significantly under pays me for the qualifications and experience I have, and not only that, I don’t see much growth opportunity on the horizon. So I’ve been contemplating my options, and really wanting to do something more on the accounting side since I have my CMA and plan on completing the CPA exams within the next year.

I have always wanted to work for the Big 4, but it seems good work/life balance is becoming more and more appealing to me. At this point, I feel a little hesitant because I’m not sure exactly where I want to end up, and I don’t want to put myself down a road that boxes me in and reduces possibilities. Having said that though, the thing I would like to do most is forensic accounting for the FBI, but I don’t have any connections and my experience probably isn’t quite right for landing me a very good chance at that. The other two things I have given some thought to are:

(1) internal auditing – more on the IT side since I know a lot about computers

(2) cost accounting – it would validate my CMA but maybe pigeonhole me?

Any advice on what direction I should make my next move?

CMA - 430
BEC - 83
FAR - ?
AUD -
REG -

[Fanalyst]

Financial Analyst that works remotely? Sign me up! How does that work exactly, do you just have to login at a certain time or do you have flexibility on when you work as long as it all gets done?

With your background you'd be perfect for a Cost Accounting/Property Accounting role at a capital intensive business (utilities, airlines, telecomm, railroads, oil/gas). This would get your foot in the door at a larger corporation, and depending on the company wouldn't necessarily pigeonhole you.

[smoothiezguy]

It's nice to work remotely, but it also is a pain because I work with people in every time zone, so I end up putting in more than 40 hours usually. But yeah, technically as long as I'm performing up to par and getting my work done there's some flexibility there. I'm salaried so I don't clock in.

If I took on a cost accounting role, would my work count toward the CPA requirements as long as the company had a CPA to sign my work off?

CMA - 430
BEC - 83
FAR - ?
AUD -
REG -

[Fanalyst]

Ah I see, I can see how that would be a challenge.

Not sure if this varies by state, but I work as a Financial Analyst (no actual accounting) and a CPA in a different department was able to sign off on my experience.

[smoothiezguy]

I think it can vary by state, but I'll have to check into that.

CMA - 430
BEC - 83
FAR - ?
AUD -
REG -

[Author]

Replies