[ahugemistake]

I will be job hunting the minute I get my last passing score [hopefully sometime in 2015], and I would like to do something different at the next firm I join. Currently I work at a small firm that specializes in NFP and GOV. Although the work-life balance is great here, I really want to get a taste of working with bigger clients and being part of bigger audits. I fear that since I plan on being here for about 2 years my experience will only appeal to those who want NFP-GOV specialists.

Am I wrong to think this? If I join the big-4 after being here for 2 years will they give me an option to pick what type of clients I want to be part of, or just place where it’s necessary?

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[acamp]

Why not go on the hunt now? You might get picked up, then you have long hours + studying (oh well) or it might take a while in which case you get the exams done.

I would get on the move now!

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

Why not go on the hunt now? You might get picked up, then you have long hours + studying (oh well) or it might take a while in which case you get the exams done.

I would get on the move now!

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[ahugemistake]

Well to be honest, I would love to just jump ship right now but I am also trying to build the years of experience on my resume. I only lasted 1 year at my previous job (not a CPA firm) and I would like to at least do 2 years here to avoid being labeled a flip flopper, and build up some good references. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try though, the job hunt might keep me motivated.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[ahugemistake]

Well to be honest, I would love to just jump ship right now but I am also trying to build the years of experience on my resume. I only lasted 1 year at my previous job (not a CPA firm) and I would like to at least do 2 years here to avoid being labeled a flip flopper, and build up some good references. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try though, the job hunt might keep me motivated.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[nicole2035]

@hugemistake honestly I don't think a lot of places care, especially when it comes to CPA firms some people only work there a year to two years. Something i did while bored at work, we have a lot of different CEOs, CFOs, and managers etc. Well anytime they're giving us a company update on them, i'll search them just to put a name to their face if i see them around the office. A lot of times it goes to their linkedin page and a lot of them have jumped around place to place, staying in some lower level management places for a a year or two. Obviously they moved to our specific company because looking at their previous titles and companies, ours was a move up. I think we buy too much into the ‘i have to stay here to look reliable'–in all honesty, i don't think recruiters care that much. But i'm also sure those people in management got their job through networking, so people knew what they were capable of ahead of time

[nicole2035]

@hugemistake honestly I don't think a lot of places care, especially when it comes to CPA firms some people only work there a year to two years. Something i did while bored at work, we have a lot of different CEOs, CFOs, and managers etc. Well anytime they're giving us a company update on them, i'll search them just to put a name to their face if i see them around the office. A lot of times it goes to their linkedin page and a lot of them have jumped around place to place, staying in some lower level management places for a a year or two. Obviously they moved to our specific company because looking at their previous titles and companies, ours was a move up. I think we buy too much into the ‘i have to stay here to look reliable'–in all honesty, i don't think recruiters care that much. But i'm also sure those people in management got their job through networking, so people knew what they were capable of ahead of time

[ahugemistake]

nicole thank you for your reply. It's good to have insight from others on this because what ever the career counselor told me college still echoes in my head. lol.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[ahugemistake]

nicole thank you for your reply. It's good to have insight from others on this because what ever the career counselor told me college still echoes in my head. lol.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[ahugemistake]

nicole thank you for your reply. It's good to have insight from others on this because what ever the career counselor told me college still echoes in my head. lol.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[ahugemistake]

nicole thank you for your reply. It's good to have insight from others on this because what ever the career counselor told me college still echoes in my head. lol.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[fuzyfro89]

The more experience you get, and the more senior you are, the more difficult it becomes to make a move, because a new employer will demand more from you at that level.

Even if you want to restart at the staff level somewhere, it's tougher since there's no structured path and it's a one off situation.

I think people are overly worried about the “length of time” in each job. If you have a real reason that is logical for why you left one company for another, then you will not be considered a flip flop.

Ex1: started as AP clerk and left after 6 months for staff accountant role in non profit. 8 months later left for staff accountant role for real estate company.

>>> there's a clear reason this person left for a promotion from the first job and leaving for a public company (or to leave non profit) or a new industry or simply a good opportunity because of reasons X, Y, and Z.

Ex2: started as staff at big 4. Left after 1 yr for staff accountant at JP Morgan. Left after 1 yr for staff accountant at Citi.

>>> similar! but it's not obvious why this person left Jp for citi. Then you look back and see they also left their first job quickly… It makes an employer wonder.

These examples are very rough, but the point is that if you can demonstrate a clear reasoning/progression from one job to the next, tenure is irrelevant.

If you join big 4, you may or may not get to choose your industry. Some offices hire specifically for certain groups (financial services, media, etc), while others just put a,l the staff out pretty randomly. Generally larger offices have more defined industry groups. It also depends on client size. If you have a client that takes up all your time, there won't be much room for variation. If you have smaller clients, then your schedule will vary more.

Answer is, it depends.

[fuzyfro89]

The more experience you get, and the more senior you are, the more difficult it becomes to make a move, because a new employer will demand more from you at that level.

Even if you want to restart at the staff level somewhere, it's tougher since there's no structured path and it's a one off situation.

I think people are overly worried about the “length of time” in each job. If you have a real reason that is logical for why you left one company for another, then you will not be considered a flip flop.

Ex1: started as AP clerk and left after 6 months for staff accountant role in non profit. 8 months later left for staff accountant role for real estate company.

>>> there's a clear reason this person left for a promotion from the first job and leaving for a public company (or to leave non profit) or a new industry or simply a good opportunity because of reasons X, Y, and Z.

Ex2: started as staff at big 4. Left after 1 yr for staff accountant at JP Morgan. Left after 1 yr for staff accountant at Citi.

>>> similar! but it's not obvious why this person left Jp for citi. Then you look back and see they also left their first job quickly… It makes an employer wonder.

These examples are very rough, but the point is that if you can demonstrate a clear reasoning/progression from one job to the next, tenure is irrelevant.

If you join big 4, you may or may not get to choose your industry. Some offices hire specifically for certain groups (financial services, media, etc), while others just put a,l the staff out pretty randomly. Generally larger offices have more defined industry groups. It also depends on client size. If you have a client that takes up all your time, there won't be much room for variation. If you have smaller clients, then your schedule will vary more.

Answer is, it depends.

[ahugemistake]

Fuzy thank you for your detailed response. I have been doing some thinking for the past few days and have decided to start revamping my resume and linkedin so I can get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[ahugemistake]

Fuzy thank you for your detailed response. I have been doing some thinking for the past few days and have decided to start revamping my resume and linkedin so I can get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[Lindrobe]

Hi, ahugemistake. I was hoping you would get more opinions about your NFP experience. I also work in NFP (Tax Accountant at large, private University). I have been here 5 years. I am looking for a new position and have also been wondering how my NFP experience will translate to other jobs.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Author]

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