[Anonymous]

Hi All,

Currently, I am working in a government job with pay close to 70k for the past 5-6 months in a high COL city. However, I am already thinking about leaving the job. The job is basically a high pay A/R position with potential of reaching up to the 80Ks in the next 3-4 years. The job is chill and the work is not challenging at all. At the same time, I am not really learning anything new in the last 5-6 months either. I feel the CPA license was pretty useless for the position as well.

Since I am in my early 30s, I am having a hard time imaging myself doing this job for the next 20-30 years! I have 10 years of industry experience with no audit background. On the other hand, I don’t see many upsides for moving back to private since most senior accountants get pay from 65k-85k.

Have anyone leave a government job with pension to the private before? What was your reasons for leaving?

Thanks,

[tg7174]

Wow, I'm in almost the exact same position, except I'm at 50k in a low COL city and don't have any industry experience. I'm personally considering going industry once my license goes through, but I've run into the same dilemma: both industry and government seem to cap out around 70-80k unless you climb the ladder or have good connections. So why not stay in government, make the 80k, get the pension, and find something else to do with your time when you aren't bored at work? It's a tough one.
I've been told to try to do a few years in public, but I'm not sure I want to do that in my 30s with a family.

[Missy]

Get your resume out and see what kind of offers you get. No sense wondering about the possibilities until you've got an offer in hand and trying to decide.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Ana]

wrote this for another post and I think it applies here:
I've been in your shoes, govt job vs private (more work and $$$), and now fast forward three years. My husband is still in govt and though he doesn't take home the same amount of money he has benefits that have value that you should consider. One big factor is that pensions and benefits plans change almost year to year and if you were to go back to private and return to govt you won't be eligible for the older and more generous pension/benefit plans. For example, pension now might be giving 2.5% and in a few years 1% or benefit package might cover up to $2,200 a month and later $1,600. Do you know what I mean? $20,000+ is a big increase but consider the tax effect and also that you'll have to buy time that you'll be using at work e.g. daycare, dry clean, other convenience services. I love money and all the nice things it could buy but I'm miserable at my private job and use the money to cheer me up. Also, with the free time you have with the govt job could you make money on the side? Lastly, but very important, do you really want to work for an employer that took you and your skills for granted now after you've left is willing to pay you what you probably deserved in the first place? Seems like they don't value good employees and everything might be a fight to get. I don't know what city/state you live in but there's more growth in govt/schools than you think. New positions open, promotions happen, COLA gets increased time and time again, and you can always keep an eye out on governmentjobs.com. Don't forget to utilize working in a school for discounts on car and home insurance and on lots of other shopping. End of the day, I still would've taken the private road because of my love of money, curiosity, financial security, maxing out ROTH, buying investment property, and my personality is more suited for private rather than the sleepy world of govt. However, it is a steep price. I hate my job, couldn't start a family if I wanted because of my longer hours, a lot of stress, trouble sleeping, being on-call, having lots of employees to manage, etc. Really take the time and consider these things.

[JCVFUTURECPA]

I work in government for a city as a staff accountant…

– 4 mile commute
– $80K a year
– no promotions in sight
– I'm studying for my CPA license so I can get out of here and work in an industry that has financial goals to reach.
– I'm 36 years old and plan to work until I die because I have a 5 year old, 2 year old, and one on the way. I want my family to have a great life.
– I have dreams that this city accounting job can't fulfill.
– I live 40 minutes from a big city and would love to work in that city.
– I don't want to be average.

Dave Ramsey the financial guru says don't let benefits and pensions be the only reason you stay at a job that you dont like. Do whatever you want to do because you only live once. Government jobs are mediocre.

These are the cliff notes on my life.

[Author]

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