[Anonymous]

For those of you that have made the transition, what has been your experience?

[readyforlife]

I only spent 20 months in public accounting and now have spent 7 years in industry accounting and in my experience, they are basically night and day. I worked for a big 4 firm out of college and they basically wore me out. I was on the road probably 150-175 nights per year and worked 60 hour weeks most weeks during busy season. On the bright side, I was surrounded by a bunch of young, smart, and energetic co-workers who I really enjoyed working with. There is much higher earning potential if you remain in the public side long enough to make partner, however the percentage of folks who actually do that is very low.

I now work in the insurance industry and it is rare when I have to work over 40 hours per week. My salary is probably 10-15% lower than someone in public accounting with the same experience, however the quality of life is worth it for me. A negative to working on the industry side, at least for me, is that I don't feel nearly as challeged as I did in public accounting. So if I want to grow myself and my career, I feel like I have to take personal initiative. I hope this helps!

AUD - 51, 80
REG - 84
FAR - 15, 29, 55, 80
BEC - 65, 72, 69, 76 (expired), 83

[Lari Sa]

I worked at a big four for exactly 1 year and 1 day – just long enough to get the hours i need for my CPA. It was very stressful and i didn't want to be there a minute longer than i had to be.

I work in not-for-profit now and i love it. I've been here over 2 years now and i'm happy. My hours are great, i'm still learning things here and there but not as intensly as i had to at big 4. I take on new challenges as i ask for them, and if i dont ask i just have my daily/weekly/monthly routine. There isn't as much room for growth here but i figure i should stay long enough to actually get my CPA before i start bouncing around…..

AUD 85 (11.10 - expired), 0 (2.13), 82* (5.13)
BEC 49 (5.09), 38 (5.11), 75* (10.11)
REG 65 (2.11), 74 (11.11), 0 (2.12), 81* (4.12)
FAR 67 (5.12), 73 (12.12), 78* (2.13)

[MRSJLeon917]

I did about 5 years in public and I am now going on 5 years in industry. It is definitely different but you really shouldn't assume that industry is going to be a cake walk. It really depends on what area you are going into and what size company.

I work in the tax department of a very large multi-national corporation and it gets very stressful. Just last night, I didn't leave work until 9:30 p.m. because I needed to try and get something finished.

One aspect I do love is the lack of traditional client-service that you had to deal with in public. You still have to deal with “clients” so to speak, but these are more internal clients thank external. There are still demands and there may be overtime but I do somehow feel like it is typically less stressful than public.

AUD (5/25/2012): 91
FAR (10/22/2012): 89
REG (11/28/2012): 89
BEC (01/05/2013): 82
Ethics Exam: 90

IL Licensed CPA - 7/15/2013

A long journey, officially DONE!

[Anonymous]

The obvious question: Finding the right fit. I'm at 7+ years in public. Feeling change may be in order if a couple things don't happen this spring. Been receiving head hunter calls for years (even while at work, ha!) but I'm just not sure thats the route to take.

Do you guys perform your own search or go through a search firm?

[Author]

Replies