[jcman240]

So I am 34 and after a successful 9 years of B2B sales I have pretty much been unemployed or under employed for the past 4 years. I have finally had enough and have decided to make a career change and become a CPA. I have been accepted to a MSA program that starts in a few weeks. I was very close to choosing accounting as my undergrad degree but balked and went into marketing. I hear a lot of people complaining about various aspects of being a CPA but that doesn’t deter me. I loved the accounting courses at the under grad level and did very well in them. I am also a bit of a numbers junkie and love card games, especially bridge, of which most are just math based, and I like analyzing numbers and information to determine patterns and what not.

I am wondering what career path I should pursue??? I don’t mind working the numbers but don’t think I can handle working out of a cubicle in a high rise for 60 hours a week, I need some variety…. I am a people person, but also a numbers guy, if that makes sense…. I have worked for a few Fortune 500 companies, but I really kind of hated all the bureaucratic BS and office politics that come with large companies. It’s like everyone is a robot and the corporate c*ck sucking that takes place makes me want to puke….. With that said I think working for one of the Big 4 is out of the question. Can someone offer me some advice as to an appropriate career path within the CPA world for someone with my skill set (Sales, Marketing, CPA)? Is perhaps setting up my own practice logical? Where should I look to gain my initial experience after I graduate and before attaining my CPA? I am getting the feeling that Audit is not something I want to do, but that perhaps Tax offers me the best way to become a consultant and advisor to future clients.

Also, can someone tell what the difference between Public, Industry, and Private are? I am guessing public is the Big 4 and other large firms, Industry would be working for a large corporation as perhaps an internal auditor or something, and private would be small local and regional operations, is this correct?

If someone can please shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated. I am a little nervous here in the 11th hour and want to make sure I am making the right decision in getting my CPA. Thanks!

[thewanderer]

Look into the IRS….Revenue Agent. They are not hiring right now. However, it probably will be when you get your CPA (not that you need it but it would help).

[thewanderer]

Look into the IRS….Revenue Agent. They are not hiring right now. However, it probably will be when you get your CPA (not that you need it but it would help).

[Ajaz0810]

I too have been working in sales for the past 9 years. I am 32 years old and just finished my 2nd bachelors degree in accounting from a small school. Working in sales is hard and although I did really well I had some really tough times too. It got old and i needed a career change. I had a few accounting classes in accounting and enjoyed and I always enjoyed in the numbers of business and where all the money goes. There seems to be a need in the future for CPAs just read the other post. If you put everything into it and are able to get past this beast you'll be alright. I can't tell you that you did the right thing, but I know I did and I haven't passed the cpa or even have an accounting job. Good luck 😉

FAR 62, 66, 78
AUD 66, 55, 74, 72
BEC 79
REG

[Ajaz0810]

I too have been working in sales for the past 9 years. I am 32 years old and just finished my 2nd bachelors degree in accounting from a small school. Working in sales is hard and although I did really well I had some really tough times too. It got old and i needed a career change. I had a few accounting classes in accounting and enjoyed and I always enjoyed in the numbers of business and where all the money goes. There seems to be a need in the future for CPAs just read the other post. If you put everything into it and are able to get past this beast you'll be alright. I can't tell you that you did the right thing, but I know I did and I haven't passed the cpa or even have an accounting job. Good luck 😉

FAR 62, 66, 78
AUD 66, 55, 74, 72
BEC 79
REG

[Author]

Replies