[ZCPA2]

Is there any point in staying until I’m promoted to senior if I’m interested in corporate finance as opposed to accounting/auditing? I’m a second year audit associate with a national firm, and I simply don’t enjoy the work. I have 1.5 years of audit experience and a CPA license.

If I chose to leave now for a financial analyst position, will it hurt my career in the long-run?

[tomq04]

i dont know from experience, but i can only imagine jumping to private after hitting senior would be a much bigger jump than just as staff…seems like that last 1-2 years would be worthwhile if you could stomach them.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

i dont know from experience, but i can only imagine jumping to private after hitting senior would be a much bigger jump than just as staff…seems like that last 1-2 years would be worthwhile if you could stomach them.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

‘Is there any point in staying until I'm promoted to senior if I'm interested in corporate finance as opposed to accounting/auditing? I'm a second year audit associate with a national firm, and I simply don't enjoy the work. I have 1.5 years of audit experience and a CPA license.'

I left with the same amount of roles. I was mostly interviewing for staff accountant, external reporting, and a couple of senior accountant positions. If you really want to be in corporate finance, I think you can definitely do that at this stage, although oftentimes people leave public accounting for an accounting role, work there 1 – 2 years and then transfer into an operations/finance role.

‘If I chose to leave now for a financial analyst position, will it hurt my career in the long-run? ‘

That title can mean so many different things but if it is what you want to do, go for it. If you regret it, you can always come back to public. I'd recommend you figure out what type of ‘financial analyst' position you would really be interested in. Then get in touch with some recruiters and be very specific with the type of work you want to do – otherwise you very well may get put into a ‘financial analyst' role that is basically the same as a staff accountant role.

[Anonymous]

‘Is there any point in staying until I'm promoted to senior if I'm interested in corporate finance as opposed to accounting/auditing? I'm a second year audit associate with a national firm, and I simply don't enjoy the work. I have 1.5 years of audit experience and a CPA license.'

I left with the same amount of roles. I was mostly interviewing for staff accountant, external reporting, and a couple of senior accountant positions. If you really want to be in corporate finance, I think you can definitely do that at this stage, although oftentimes people leave public accounting for an accounting role, work there 1 – 2 years and then transfer into an operations/finance role.

‘If I chose to leave now for a financial analyst position, will it hurt my career in the long-run? ‘

That title can mean so many different things but if it is what you want to do, go for it. If you regret it, you can always come back to public. I'd recommend you figure out what type of ‘financial analyst' position you would really be interested in. Then get in touch with some recruiters and be very specific with the type of work you want to do – otherwise you very well may get put into a ‘financial analyst' role that is basically the same as a staff accountant role.

[fuzyfro89]

Not at all. I left after 2 busy seasons, January start to the following June. Especially after getting licensed, you are good. If you really do want to make a change, your experience after 3 years (after first year as a senior) becomes a little pointless since it won't relate much to corp finance.

Do you think you could leverage the senior title to get more pay… And are you willing to wait 5 months to find out?

I left for a finance rotation program in industry after 1.5 years and it worked out well for me. Big pay raise compared to what I would make in big 4 right now as a senior (low/mid 60s all in vs mid 80s at m current company).

It's all about finding the right role. It doesn't happen overnight, so start networking with recruiters and applying for positions as good opportunities come across. It will give you a better feel for how the market is for someone with your experience and background in your area. Personally I had to move to get the best opportunity, but I'm much happier with my career trajectory now than I was before.

[fuzyfro89]

Not at all. I left after 2 busy seasons, January start to the following June. Especially after getting licensed, you are good. If you really do want to make a change, your experience after 3 years (after first year as a senior) becomes a little pointless since it won't relate much to corp finance.

Do you think you could leverage the senior title to get more pay… And are you willing to wait 5 months to find out?

I left for a finance rotation program in industry after 1.5 years and it worked out well for me. Big pay raise compared to what I would make in big 4 right now as a senior (low/mid 60s all in vs mid 80s at m current company).

It's all about finding the right role. It doesn't happen overnight, so start networking with recruiters and applying for positions as good opportunities come across. It will give you a better feel for how the market is for someone with your experience and background in your area. Personally I had to move to get the best opportunity, but I'm much happier with my career trajectory now than I was before.

[Anonymous]

I find that it is easier to switch than wait for a promotion. Politics and all. It is not about fair, hours, etc. And if your heart is not in Public after two years get out.

I love Industry but it is not a perfect world either. But if pay is not fair I have no problem looking. Can't live on low pay increases. Take control, and continue to learn and gain advanced Excel skills. That has helped me.

I always have my nose in a book, Excel, VBA, or something. Learn for me and the next job. There is never a boring moment and I like that fact.

Being a CPA is a rewarding career. Challenging, but I meet those head on. I like that fact and welcome it. I set the pace and the learning which never ends.

[Anonymous]

I find that it is easier to switch than wait for a promotion. Politics and all. It is not about fair, hours, etc. And if your heart is not in Public after two years get out.

I love Industry but it is not a perfect world either. But if pay is not fair I have no problem looking. Can't live on low pay increases. Take control, and continue to learn and gain advanced Excel skills. That has helped me.

I always have my nose in a book, Excel, VBA, or something. Learn for me and the next job. There is never a boring moment and I like that fact.

Being a CPA is a rewarding career. Challenging, but I meet those head on. I like that fact and welcome it. I set the pace and the learning which never ends.

[Anonymous]

I have about 2 years of audit experience (I am an experienced staff). I've seniored a couple engagements and have worked very closely with my seniors. I respect what they do, but I cannot envision being a senior where I am at. If you can envision performing the work your seniors perform and are intrigued by it, then you should stay. If not, then you are probably better off leaving. Life is too short to be unhappy. Plus, it's only a job, right?

I plan on testing the waters in September. I actually like auditing, but I would like to audit with a different perspective as an internal auditor as opposed to an external auditor. External audit is too budget and time focused, where I feel internal auditing has more of a value creation aspect to it. I am less motivated everyday to serve my clients because I know public accounting does not align with my long term goals.

Long story short – find what it is that makes you happy and aligns with your long term goals.

[Anonymous]

I have about 2 years of audit experience (I am an experienced staff). I've seniored a couple engagements and have worked very closely with my seniors. I respect what they do, but I cannot envision being a senior where I am at. If you can envision performing the work your seniors perform and are intrigued by it, then you should stay. If not, then you are probably better off leaving. Life is too short to be unhappy. Plus, it's only a job, right?

I plan on testing the waters in September. I actually like auditing, but I would like to audit with a different perspective as an internal auditor as opposed to an external auditor. External audit is too budget and time focused, where I feel internal auditing has more of a value creation aspect to it. I am less motivated everyday to serve my clients because I know public accounting does not align with my long term goals.

Long story short – find what it is that makes you happy and aligns with your long term goals.

[Author]

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