[thistooshallpass]

Looking for advice from my fellow CPA’s/accountants…

A little background, I have almost 10 years experience, started as a bookkeeper for a small family company which gave me more business experience than accounting, but it is what got me interested. Have now worked for 6+ years at a large corporation as an accounting clerk to now accountant. Have been promised senior accountant in 2013 (was told this was even if I didn’t pass CPA exams). My current company reimbursed for study material, so I am indebted to them for a year, unless I want to pay that money back.

The problem I have with my current job is #1 I don’t like it – at all. Don’t like the people, the location, and the job does not require much accounting knowledge, so it is a waste to be a CPA and work here. It is a sub of the parent company, so the “accounting” department is more data entry than actual accounting work. My options, I suppose, are to see if I can transfer to corporate for the next owed year, but with the intention of leaving the company would this be a waste of both our time? I can stay here, get promoted to Senior and wait the year to start looking. At least this makes my resume look a little better. Or say screw the lost money and find another job now.

The pay of course is a consideration. If I remember correctly my review will be done before the end of Feb, so that is when I should know for sure on the promotion and what raise they will be offering. I am trying to educate myself as much as possible on industry standards for a CPA prior to that meeting. Currently I am around $50k in a downtown location.

Any thoughts/suggestions? I feel like if I stay, for the next year I will not be using my knowledge, is anyone familiar with charity work in the accounting field? I was thinking of doing either taxes or financial advice on the side if I could find something like that, so at least I would stay fresh in that area. (I have no interest in being a tax accountant as my profession). In the long run, I plan to get the CFE certification and look for something in forensic accounting.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

AUD 85 (2/12) Using Becker
FAR 81 (5/12)
BEC 79 (7/13)
REG 85 (10/1)

"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."

[spongfunk]

This is just my opinion and is based on my experience but I work in public accounting and feel that it is a great way to really learn a lot about accounting and business in general. Busy season is tough but the best way to learn is to challenge yourself and work through those really tough clients. Getting your CFE sounds like a good step and along with that I feel like spending a year or two in public auditing will really help you get your foot in the door and will give you an advantage if you want to move into the field of forensic accounting.

FAR: 85
AUD: 80
REG: 78
BEC: 82

[Anonymous]

Get promoted and then leave.

Is it possible they will not promote you? If so, leave now.

[thistooshallpass]

Thanks for the input. @spong, you are probably right about the audit experience, and when I've looked in the past that seems to be the majority of accounting positions available anyway. @schilaufer, I believe them when they say I will be promoted, and I like the idea of my most recent position being Senior vs just accountant. Realistically we are starting year end now through at least February anyway, so it will probably be less stressful for me to not worry about a job change just yet. (though days like today I would so enjoy walking out forever)

AUD 85 (2/12) Using Becker
FAR 81 (5/12)
BEC 79 (7/13)
REG 85 (10/1)

"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."

[Author]

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