[FLAccountant2000]

Hi all. I am working at a smallish to mid size CPA firm for about 6 years. I have close to 10 years experience total. I am a manager now. My firm is reputable, and definitely has helped me grow professionally. My only gripe is, I really don’t see any more growth after manager. There are several other managers that are much older (in their 50’s, I am in 30’s). I don’t see myself leap frogging them and I not sure if any of them will make partner. The partners in my firm do not seem to be retiring any time remotely soon and in the 6 years I have been here I haven’t seen any one get promoted past manager. Is it OK to ask the partners if there is any chance of making partner? Or is this something that they would just bring up to the employee if they saw something in them that would be partner potential?

I am curious to start exploring other companies and opportunities. Are there jobs that sort of have a partnership path in the job description? Would using a recruiter be a good idea? I think maybe at a small to mid size firm this would be more likely. Thanks !

[Recked]

The path to partner is paved via bringing in clients and money to the firm.
Express your interest in making partner to the current partners and see if they lay out a road map for you.
If you are a valuable producer they will be interested in keeping you on board.
If you are just doing what it takes to get by, you can be easily replaced and no reason to offer you an equity position.

[FLAccountant2000]

Thanks for the follow up! The way my firm is, I believe we have 3 equity partners, and the other 6 partners are non equity. They review a lot of work, and act sort of as a senior manager in a way still. As the equity partners never review work, they are out meeting clients, etc. So maybe the other partners are just highly paid managers it feels like. Not sure how other firms are.

[Author]

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