[PasstheCPA23]

Hi guys, I’ve been a long time member of this website and I’m a CPA. I have been a little sad and depressed lately because I am NOT sure what career is the best suit for me. I had some questions regarding career options and choices. Basically, long story short, I have about 1.5 years of public accounting experience in audit and I am starting to realize that public accounting is not for me. I just hate the fact that clients take forever to send you documents and when they do, it’s either wrong and they have to send it to you again. Personally, I’m just not interested anymore in public accounting because I hate working in more than 1 industry. I just want to be 1 industry and be the best I can be in that industry. Perhaps, a job in Industry is what I need. I’m not sure. I also feel that I don’t make a strong impact and I hate that. Prior to my experience in auditing, I worked as a personal banker and quite frankly, I loved that. I loved the fact I would make an impact immediately and HELP customers with their banking needs. I was ALWAYS good at sales and I feel that’s the road I want to go in. However, I do NOT want to cold call and be on the phone all day. I also do NOT want to waste my CPA that I worked so hard to get. Now, one solution that I know I want to do is teach accounting at the college level. So, that is what I am pursuing right now, but, that is going to be a part-time gig. However. for the full-time gig, what do you guys think would BEST suit me? Again, I still want to utilize accounting and my CPA, but, I also want this ideal position to be sales related as well. The other issue is that most sales jobs are strictly commission based and I hate that. I want an accounting/sales job that has a good base AND also has a commission to it as well. Is there any role out there that does this? I have been doing my research and looked into 2 possible positions that might suit me: Business Development and Logistics Account Executive. Would these two careers fit what I am looking for? Again, I tend to have an outgoing personality and I want to use some of that sales skill that I have. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

[maxb]

I know yor not Tax but credits and incentives my be something that interests you and you don't even have to find a new job. Depending on how big your firm is you can switch internally. Credits and incentives involves a lot of economic development

[Anonymous]

This is the wrong mentality to have. Everyone knows public sucks and involves deadlines and stress. That's just part of the job.

There is so much to learn and so much to gain though, especially by dealing with people in high pace environment and technical aspects of business.

Everyone knows you get a few years in public then move on. Which is why you want to work for an office/company that has a great culture because its the people that will keep you around and make the work tolerable.

[Recked]

I'd suggest you try your hand at tax before you jump ship on public accounting.
You can help people with their tax problems, and at the same time cross sell them other services your firm provides.

[FormerCPA14]

How does Biz Dev or being a Logistics Account person leverage your CPA?

[TommyTheCat]

i agree with the two previous posters suggesting tax. I really enjoy working on special consulting projects with clients like helping them structure the sale of their company or wealth succession and family planning. They appreciate the hell out of the work, you get to form a strong bond with the client, and good work begets good work.

Plus, if you can sell and more importantly LIKE to sell, you are a huge asset in accounting in general, specifically tax where there is ALWAYS work to be sold. That's one skill set most accountant personality types lack, so if you can sell you are going to be in demand and they'll be happy to have you selling. Even if you aren't doing the work or involved in the work process at all, they love a seller a lot more than a do-er.

Good luck to you however you decide to go about it

[cpasomedaysoon]

What about switching to industry? There are multiple positions that you could pursue with your license, just find an industry that you're interested in. The sky is the limit. It seems healthcare always needs accounting and finance folks. Not quite sure about a hybrid role with accounting and sales, sounds interesting though.

[Author]

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