[Anonymous]

So I recently left my previous employer, a small CPA firm in the bay area providing tax services to high income individuals, partnerships, s-corps/c-corps, and trusts/estates. My position was a Senior tax accountant. I may not love what I did, but I liked working with the folks here.

I found a job with a big corporation (~22k employees), with good pay and awesome benefits (cash balance pension plan), but I am starting out as an associate accountant in the cost accounting department. I find that the work is a bit more tedious and I am not used to working with so many people. And there are so many days that are dead, like today.

Recently, my old firm asked me to go back full time and be heavily involved with another type of project: IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) for expats overseas. They were able to get businesses in Thailand and if I were to go back, they will get more business in other countries (Taiwan). Of course, there will be significant increases in my compensation. The bonus is if business is booming, i may have a chance to go overseas to meet with clients.

I’m currently 25. Should I leave the corporate world with stability and awesome benefits or go work in a more exciting field? Any experiences/advices are greatly appreciated.

I’m not sure what I want to do down the line, but would eventually would want a stable job like right now. How hard will it be to apply for private tax accounting (would like to be back at this corporation) if I didn’t have Big 4 experience? I am interested in getting my CPA or a MST.

[Anonymous]

Do what feels right, but I can assure you that there is nothing stable about the corporate world.

It may feel stable, but a corporation will can you quick as a flash if it feels it can get by without you.

[Anonymous]

Billbrassskey,

Is true that corporations are not stable. However, the corporation I am at is almost like a government entity, and the turnaround is very small.

At this point, I am leaning on going back to my old firm. But I can probably only do it for 3 more years unless I get my CPA and then have the opportunity to become a manager/partner.

I think my dilemma is that I am not sure what I can do in the future if I do not get my CPA. At my current employer, a CPA is not required and it took me a while to get into this company.

[Anonymous]

I would just get the CPA.

It's not that bad after it's over.

[fuzyfro89]

Why did you initially come to the corporate world?

[s2sylvir]

I will speak on OVDI — it's tricky. Super unique and not something a whole lot of people understand. It makes my head spin every time I have a project where the taxpayer is going through this program. Not a dull moment… and I love it. I love all the tax research that comes with it…

Maybe it's worth the pay cut?

BEC - PASS (79)
AUD - PASS (63, 71, 74, 74, 83)
REG - PASS (88)
FAR - PASS (58, 89)

Becker for all + FAR 10 Point Combo

[tomq04]

Sounds like a fun adventure! Take the job (again)!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[smoothiezguy]

I say go back to the CPA firm and take up the challenge. Not only do you make more money, but you have a much more exciting work proposition. And CPA? just do it.

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

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all your inputs.

At fuzyfro, I initially went into corporate to see how things were on the other side. Having worked at the CPA firm since i graduated for 3 years, I wanted something to do something else besides tax work. I was at the point where I know everything but also do not know everything.

At this point, I am leaning to move back to my old firm and pursue my CPA (getting the 10 point combo only as the study tool). I have already informed my supervisor about the possibility. I just need to sleep on it some more over the weekend.

[Author]

Replies