[tygolfer]

So, long story short, my whole department was just notified that they are consolidating all accounting functions and relocating them to our headquarters in another state. Our last day will be March 31. I will be getting a retention bonus right away, and then the equivalent of 3 months pay as severance but it will be paid out over 6 months. This all is contingent on my staying until March 31st.

The company I work for is a fortune 500 company, and I am a GL Analyst. I interned with the company while in school and was offered a full time position after graduation. I have been full time for a little under 3 years, and just got licensed in September. When would be a good time to start looking for a new job?

I have a friend who works for a regional accounting firm in tax, and his old boss was just made partner and happens to have a good relationship with my current manager. He seems to think he could get me a job doing Audit or other Business Advisory services. Trying figure out if I should think about pursuing an opportunity in public, or look for a senior accountant role in industry. I enjoyed my job, but a large part of that was the people I work with are awesome. I am a little nervous about having to get a new job, since all my professional experience is with this one company. Any advice would be great.

[aaronmo]

You no longer have a job…you have a placeholder. I'd start looking immediately…and I would prioritize the search over your current duties. I'd be job searching while “at work”. I'd have 3 hour lunches for interviews if needed. I also would worry a lot more about next role than collecting a few extra bonus dollars…though it's certainly a nice security blanket. If I found an opportunity that I thought was PERFECT, I would take it without worrying about serving out my sentence for 3 months of pay, though I'd try and negotiate something regardless.

My experience has been that if you get along well at one place, you are likely to get along well at another. It's not ALWAYS true…plenty of exceptions…but GENERALLY it's at least as much the person as it is the environment…so wherever you go, there you are. Especially bad management and cultures can change that equation, but they are exceptions.

Ask good questions in the interview…even ask if you can meet teammates. Read reviews. Check your prospective bosses's social media profile. Look for linkedin connections you can ask. They're doing due diligence on you…take this time to do it with them. I try to target companies that aren't run by “professional management”, which means smaller – mid, but it often also means more successful and expanding – with more opportunity.

[tygolfer]

Thanks for the advice Aaron!

[tygolfer]

Bump

[Andyred04]

I agree with @aaronmo. Definitely start looking immediately. You're in a pretty good position because if you don't find anything before 3/31 you still have a source of income while you look, but I wouldn't let that 3 month severance pay hold you back from accepting a new position before 3/31. However, I would think best case scenario would be to accept a position starting early April so you can still get 6 months of bonus pay on top of your salary from your new job.

With roughly 3 years experience at a F500 and a CPA you shouldn't have too hard of a time finding a new position. Keep in mind that if you do decide to go the public route you might have to start at the bottom since corporate experience doesn't really transfer well to public, at least from what I've seen.

Good luck with your future endeavors!

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[ultrarunner]

I would jump into audit or other business advisory roles in public accounting. Working at F500 is great, but the GL role isn't. Once you hit the senior role, it is hard to move up because there are too many GL accountants. If there is one open position, the company usually gets hundreds of resumes. Also, GL accountants usually make lower than any other specialized accountants. I am one of the many GL accountants and try to switch to a more specialized area. All the best.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[tygolfer]

Thanks for all the advice! I think I am leaning towards pursuing the opportunity at the regional firm in audit, but going to continue to take time to think and pray about it.

As a side note, our global controller went to bat for us and got my entire team 6 months severance, so leaving before March 31st would be really hard at this point.

[Author]

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