[Loxjox]

Hi guys,

I am currently in decompression mode after passing the CPA exam. I passed at an Interesting time, right in the middle of busy season for taxes. I got my last score on March 7, a pass on AUD at 76. I would be looking for a job right now, but no firm will talk to me while they’re in the middle of doing taxes. This gives me some well needed downtime and a chance to think about what I want to do with my CPA.

My question for anyone who can answer it, is given my career goals, what path should I take in accounting to get there? I would definitely like to hang my own shingle one day and practice solo. Then perhaps grow and hire staff, or partner with other CPA’s. That is my highest goal.

Work life balance is of tantamount importance to me as I am a married man and a father of a six-month old baby girl. My career in accounting is there to support my family. Being present for my family is more important to me than anything in my career be it money or prestige. I just want to make that clear.

So I have the choice to make, where do I start my career? And how will what I choose affect my goal of opening my own practice one day?

Big 4

or

Mid size firm

or

Small firm

or

Government

or

Non-Profit

Please give me some tips, it would be greatly appreciated from people who are already working.

[fuzyfro89]

I tend to agree with avoiding a business if you're not putting your full effort into it. Things change, someone else opens up shop near you and offers more time to your clients for a similar price, and some may start to take it. All of a sudden, your $60k with low hours turns into 55, then 50, then 45. Then it could easily go to zero unless you get back in there and win some more clients!

Don't assume a business will remain a walk in the park. If it really was so easy forever, everyone would do it. Risk and reward. Never forget.

[fuzyfro89]

I tend to agree with avoiding a business if you're not putting your full effort into it. Things change, someone else opens up shop near you and offers more time to your clients for a similar price, and some may start to take it. All of a sudden, your $60k with low hours turns into 55, then 50, then 45. Then it could easily go to zero unless you get back in there and win some more clients!

Don't assume a business will remain a walk in the park. If it really was so easy forever, everyone would do it. Risk and reward. Never forget.

[jeff]

…and $60k profit isn't the same as $60k in revenue.

I should write a business book and share more profound thoughts.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[jeff]

…and $60k profit isn't the same as $60k in revenue.

I should write a business book and share more profound thoughts.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Study Monk]

I should clarify. I want to make 65k in revenue and be homeless. lol sorry couldn't resist 😛

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I should clarify. I want to make 65k in revenue and be homeless. lol sorry couldn't resist 😛

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[jeff]

After office rent, BMW lease, health insurance, and self-employment tax, you WILL be homeless 🙂

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[jeff]

After office rent, BMW lease, health insurance, and self-employment tax, you WILL be homeless 🙂

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Study Monk]

This is the post where dreams come to die 🙁

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

This is the post where dreams come to die 🙁

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[jeff]

Have you ever worked a tax season in public accounting, Study Monk?

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[jeff]

Have you ever worked a tax season in public accounting, Study Monk?

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Study Monk]

no I used to be an auditor at a small firm that had 45 hour work weeks and a larger firm that had 60 hour work weeks. I am thinking about becoming a tax accountant for financial/entrepreneur reasons.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

no I used to be an auditor at a small firm that had 45 hour work weeks and a larger firm that had 60 hour work weeks. I am thinking about becoming a tax accountant for financial/entrepreneur reasons.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[jeff]

Gotcha. Most small tax firms are mandatory 6-7 days a week mid-January through April 15, so I was wondering if yours was different.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Author]

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