[dashh1]

I am looking for some industry career advice. I worked ~10 years in a software company that started out a small, private firm and was acquired by a large public company after 6 years. I had pretty good progression from Senior Accountant to Accounting/Finance Manager and then Director of Billing/Revenue by the end. My position was eventually eliminated and I took a little time off. I came back and did a few years of contract work as it was a challenge to find a manager position without my CPA. I finally landed a Senior Accountant role at a software start-up. I tried to negotiate the role as a Controller position, but was not successful even though the pay isn’t bad. I am basically a one man show with a fractional CFO.

I am ready to move on from this role as the potential for advancement is nil at this point. I feel like I am basically doing what I did many years ago and not progressing in my career. I am currently pursuing my CPA (have 150 hours and starting to study for AUD). I am a little torn in terms of what to pursue at my next role and would like some advice. The two options that I am currently contemplating are:

Option 1: Go with a indivdual contributor (IC) revenue role with a large tech company. Pros as I see them are it is a stable company building a new team. Pay is solid with an increase and much better benefits. Advancement may be possible, but it may be a while before I could be in a manager role again. However, the work seems pretty challenging and I feel I would learn a lot and develop good skills in revenue with a large tech company. I did some contract work as a senior revenue accountant and it was a nice change of pace from typical general accounting duties. I would need to check my ego though because I am in my late 40’s and everyone on the team at this point is much younger and have public experience.

Option 2: Try to find an Accounting Manager/Assistant Controller/Controller role with another start-up or smaller company where I could manage a team that does a lot of the transactional work. I don’t mind doing the day to day but at this point feel like I should be reviewing/managing and not doing all of it daily. Pros are I would be in a manager role again and feel like I am more where I “should” be given my experience. Pay would probably be about the same as the revenue role but benefits maybe not as good. The stability of the company may or may not be good depending on if I end up at another start-up.

I am leaning towards Option 1 since I believe the role would provide a great growth opportunity despite the appearance of a “lower” title. I am trying to focus on the role and responsibilities of the positions and less on title. Again, any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

[AGI]

I would prefer option 1 if I can get one factor out — Will I get enough time to study the exam and pass within one year to 18 months. Being in management is obviously a very good feeling, but the truth is like what you said, you lack advancement skill to move on. Get 10 years of the same management skill is not going to make you a better candidate, and option 2 doesn't seems like a stable job where you can focus on studying.

You can be in option 1 for a year, that's not very bad, learn some skills that will get you a better competition and pass the test. I think revenue role and billing is about the same field, and you can easily explain why you wasn't in a management position because you were in transition / CPA / or trying a bigger company. Most importantly, build some connection and someone can hook you up!

NY - CPA

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[dashh1]

Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning strongly toward Option 1 if I am offered the role.

[dashh1]

Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning strongly toward Option 1 if I am offered the role.

[Author]

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