[lynson]

I just started a new job for one week, it is an internal accounting position,the private company is not big but grows fast, I think i can learn a lot, because the company structure is complicated, and there are many small problems to solve…

But I just got a call this morning from a government office and they gave me an offer for staff auditor position ( i was interviewed like two months ago..)

the salary for these two position are similar, benefits are similar, the internal accounting position has three weeks vacation..

Is the government job better for career growth or the internal accounting position?

My friend said the government job has its limit/ceiling, stay for the position for a few years and get a little salary growth, but no bonus..

And I will feel so guilty if i quit this job because they put some effort to train me…and i dont know how to say to my manager… please advice…..

(PS I just passed FAR and still studying cpa exam now, need 1 year experience,the private company said they can ask the external accountant cpa to sign off my experience requirement sheet..)

FAR Done
REG Nov
BEC ...
AUD ...

[Minimorty]

@dtom – Btw, last year I had three wisdom teeth pulled. Worst decision I ever made was going local anesthesia. If I had to do it again, I definitely would have preferred to go under. Perhaps just getting one pulled isnt that bad. I bet it depends on how far down it is. Anyway, that sucks. Good luck!

[lynson]

Thanks everyone for the advise! I really appreciate it!

Its a city comptroller office staff auditor job..not federal…(the only thing i remember is i got a C for my audit class..but i will definitely work harder on my audit cpa review)

The work experience will look good on my resume(i think), but once I step in to gov/non for profit side of accounting, is it harder to get back to public accounting? I already get exposure to a few small business of my friends, and that makes me feel that I really doing some accounting work that help my friends and seems to has real value to my life.(maybe im thinking too much)

FAR Done
REG Nov
BEC ...
AUD ...

[jelly]

That type of position tends to have slightly less cuts than other government agencies and departments. Some factors to consider:

1) At what point in the political election cycle is that particular city in? If there's a new politician stepping in in a few months, then there's going to be a lot of turnover going on at the moment b/c many current cabinet members, managers, staff are gone or on their way, and the new politician will be bringing friends to these government jobs.

2) Is this a unionized position? Is there some type of civil service exam you'll need to take in a few months or so?

3) Will you have an issue with getting any license work experience requirements signed off?

Keep in mind:

1) It sound like you'll be dealing with a lot of vendor audits, on companies that do business with the city. This is going to be different from financial statement audits of public and private companies, in terms of focus and test methodology.

2) A good number of these positions will likely be unionized, so you'll be working with a lot of lifers (who don't always have a motivated work ethic), as well as people in their 40s and 50s who usually have families. You may find the benefits so-so, compared to the private sector.

3) If you stay a good number of years and have lot of connections and insider knowledge, you may be able to offer that to a public accounting firm that's looking for that, or go into consulting. Keep in mind that with any government agency, everything is highly political, probably more than in the private sector.

Couldn't pass again!

[Minimorty]

Government waste:

https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/wasteful-spending-tax-dollars-martian-menus-non-profit-105911755.html

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure that was relevant to anything I said.

[musicamor]

Do not leave the private sector for a government job–you'll never be able to get back when the system tanks. I would be honest with your current employer about your desire to move if you so choose to make the move. I wouldn't do it, though.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Sandra]

Well without even touching the issue of stability… think long and hard about what you want to do LONG TERM, and structure your path based on that.

Are you wanting to eventually make big $? do you want comfortable $, but nothing “special”? The benefits for government jobs are great, but not enough to make a career decision on, and its way too early to think about pension… For one you have no idea if it will still be there, and for another- if you hate the gig your not going to stay long enough to get it anyway.

I wasted about 3 years super early on in my career in a position which was a dead end type gig. It turned out to be a little bit of a trap and it was hard to find a position that was more of an “all around” accounting type job. I would imagine government is the same way.

Personally I'm ok selling my soul to some big corporation, make big $ and retire by the time I'm 55 and drooling. I'm all about making money, working hard and in return am ok with having reduced freedom (and sometimes even sleeping in my office). I have friends that are happy making low 6 digits but have flexiblity and a life. If you fall into the latter category you might really love a government gig, otherwise think long and hard about taking a job like that. I would base this decision on long term goals, not the short term appeal of good benefits. In the long run that $hit doesn't matter much.

[musicamor]

Well said, Sandra!! Kudos to you–I guess I like you after all. 😉

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

@lynson. Gov't is a seperate animal like tax or audit. Is it easy to go to public with 10 years of gov't under year belt? No. Is it impossible? Absolutely not but you would have to find a firm that's looking for accountants with gov't experience. I've seen plenty of Big 4 postings, for example, looking for that kind of niche experience. Is it easy to go into private with 10 years of gov't under your belt? Yes, ever hear of Raytheon, Boeing, etc. They'll pay big bucks for gov't experience because that is their number one customer.

But like Sandra said figure out what you want long term and go for it. My only point is Gov't ain't all bad, so don't buy into all the trash talking in this thread.

[jenuno01]

I'm in Boise Idaho.

Class of 2012

[Anonymous]

My hometown. What brings you over to the 208? If you're REALLY there?

[MeaDebitum]

Smaller world, Idaho is my motherland.

[jeff]

When I think of Idaho, I think blue football carpet and Napolean Dynamite

[lynson]

Thanks everyone! I think the state i live in is relatively rich so the position i think will be stable.

I just graduated this year January. My parents want me to go for the gov. job saying its not just the $ but the title, they will be proud of me if i take the gov job since my family and all their friends are new immigrants.. Now my current company is a small but growing company with annual rev 2 mil. They say it's easy to find an accounting job in a small company but the opportunity of getting a government job is rare. I'm thinking take the gov job so I can secure my one year public accounting experience and later on after one or two years I can move on to next step…

I just started for two weeks and everything seems ok…i dont know how to say this to my boss, he is a good and tough person..i don;t think i'm brave enough to say quit to him…ahhhhhh…

FAR Done
REG Nov
BEC ...
AUD ...

[jenuno01]

@Cash – Yes I am here! I'm in some suburb called Meridian? I am on an audit.

@Jeff LOL! Those were my thoughts too!

I feel like such an idiot… I JUST learned what being a Mormon means lol

Class of 2012

[Author]

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