[Anonymous]

I have been working at a small CPA firm for about 2 years and over the last few months have become completely dissatisfied working in public accounting. I was just curious if industry was really as good as other people have said. I would most likely be looking to work for a non-profit or a small private company. Any feedback would be great, Thanks

[Mary 2496]

I've been working in public accounting for many years, and I would suggest to make the change if public accounting isn't for you. Many accountants do find that tax and other areas of public accounting are not for them. Totally understandable – I could never work in cost accounting, I'm just not cut out for it.

My suggestion? Look for an area of accounting where you think you will be happy. It will be worth it (in my opinion) to make the change.

[ShelahV]

I've worked in industry for almost 2 year now and I love my company & my job. (I did a 10 month stint in public with a very small firm and a jerk of a boss). I love the work life balance – I'm usually off by 5 everyday or I can put in extra time a leav a bit early on Friday. I get to work on so many different things (fixed assets, leases, bank recons, closing books, loans, etc). Some people like public but for me I like being in industry.

BEC 8.14.14 - 87!
FAR 1.8.15 - 89!
REG 4.15.15 - 86!
AUD 7.2.15 - 90!

Application submitted 8.6.15
Licensed CPA 8.19.15

Benefit in living in a small state SD!

[Anonymous]

In my office (PwC) I can immediately name 4 people in my office/los who left the firm for industry and came back to the firm within a few years.

[nicole2035]

Depends on industry, specialization etc. Accounting ISNT the same everywhere you go, it is but it isn't. If you don't care about the industry, you're gonna be bored at work. A lot of people just jump into industry it appears to whatever sounds like it pays well, sounds good on the resume, but don't actually like the industry they're putting themselves in. Calling something “industry” is weird to me because there's so many. I think it's hard to say what makes a person dislike a job. Accountants think of things in too general of a view, they say they want to be a CFO a controller but yet don't even care where. They want to work in industry, but don't think to look into an industry they'd enjoy. Working for a healthcare company is gonna be a 180 compared to working for a retail company. There's things you learn about your industry and company which makes you more valuable, so honestly if you can easily jump from industry to industry as a standard accountant that's not a good thing, when you are a jack of all trade that means there's nothing you're REALLY good at.

I hope you see where i'm going, if you don't have a plan you will be unhappy no matter where you go. Look in an industry you truly have a passion for/interested in. To know something isn't for you, you have to try something else. Personally i don't like the industry i currently work in, i actually have opposite views on it than those involved. However, the company i work for is great and gives me ample opportunity to be involved in many different areas. So again, like i said, pick an industry you like because you'll go the extra mile and truly be able to have a career and open up doors for yourself

[Author]

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