[randers]

I am just starting a masters in accounting. I want to be strategic about career choices while I still have internship and recruiting options.

About me: Have a liberal arts BA, just went back to school to get my Masters in Accounting. Was working as an office manager for a small non profit, just accepted a position as a part time staff accountant at an accounting firm specializing in non profits. Will probably graduate around summer 2014. Although I’ve been in non profit, I don’t necessarily need to stick with it.

Limitations: Can’t necessarily move for the job (in San Diego, partner makes six figures as an engineer, his job takes priority). Also, I want to have kids within four years after I graduate. Flexibility will be important.

If you were to do it all over again from this point, how would you craft your accounting career? I don’t want to put in all this time and money just to top out at $60k working horrendous hours. Are there any specializations with a lot of potential right now (maybe business valuation, forensic)?

TLDR: Tell me what you think the good “value” accounting career specializations are while I still have the chance to tailor my coursework and internships to it.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

[FlipACoin]

So you want to make lots of money with minimal OT and plenty of flexibility? let me know when you find that ;)…haha

Ok well there are a few routes you can take, but unfortunately there is no white elephant job out there. For example:

You can probably find a job with good hours, stability and benefits (government? Non Profit?) but will probably not come with a whole lot of flexibility or money.

You can probably find a job with good money (corporate/cost accounting, once you get into a manager role), but there will be some long hours, which is what you give up for the six figures.

Consulting (non-public accounting consulting) you can make great money (on an hourly basis) and flexibility but you need some solid experience and of course you have limited stability.

Of course if you want crappy hours,travel, lack of stability & crappy money you can always go into public accounting..haha 😉

I think you need to prioritize and then pick the specialty that will offer you your highest priority items. The only other thing I will add is this: If you do plan to go into some sort of corporate job, and are serious about staying in San Diego, I would say pick a SOLID san diego industry (Is tech still good down there?) so you can change jobs in the area and not take a pay cut. Believe it or not, even in accounting, industry experience will help with money and opportunities down the road.

Good luck.

[jelly]

Maybe a sales gig would fit what you're looking for b/c there's no limits on earning potential and flexible hours. Gov't positions can pay okay and have very set hours, but no big leaps in salary.

Couldn't pass again!

[Author]

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