[smarthas]

I graduated last year with Accounting major, and now I am working as a Staff Accountant. I recently looked for an entry level audit position on public accounting firm and got an offer. At first, I am ecstatic that I got that offer because I thought that I finally would be able to get into public accounting and get abundant amount of knowledge. I know that the hours would be awful but I thought that’s what I need as a stepping stone to get a higher pay and position later in the future when I come back to private. However, I just got a pretty big bump on my current workplace which bring me to a manager level salary. And now I am confused!! Should I stay or should I take the offer and obtain the knowledge with lesser pay? Is it worth it? My concern is why would I spend my time in public accounting when I am already at that level now? But I won’t be learning as much as if I work in public. I wonder if its possible to go to public again later after 2 years working in private. I heard the longer the harder for me to go to public, well this if I decide to switch in the future. If I stay in private, can I get up to Controller without having public accounting experience though?

I really want to hear what will you do if you are on my shoe.

Thanks though!

[tough_kitty]

Dilemmas, dilemmas…..I have a similar one but the more I read on here, the more convinced I am that public accounting isn't that great – everybody leaves eventually….so I say, stay where you are…..especially if you can see potential to move up further or get a next raise sooner….but that's my personal opinion.

I've never worked in public accounting, so I cannot really give you the best advice…I'd be interested to read other people's opinions. At this point I am making more with a state job then the money I'd be offered at any CPA firm….as much as I'd like to get the experience, I don't think it's worth it….I mean, maybe if I was married rich, which I am not 😛 So, I cannot afford the pay cut.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Dilemmas, dilemmas…..I have a similar one but the more I read on here, the more convinced I am that public accounting isn't that great – everybody leaves eventually….so I say, stay where you are…..especially if you can see potential to move up further or get a next raise sooner….but that's my personal opinion.

I've never worked in public accounting, so I cannot really give you the best advice…I'd be interested to read other people's opinions. At this point I am making more with a state job then the money I'd be offered at any CPA firm….as much as I'd like to get the experience, I don't think it's worth it….I mean, maybe if I was married rich, which I am not 😛 So, I cannot afford the pay cut.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

Bumped up to a manager's salary after a year? If I love the work where I'm currently at, and make great money with good hours & benefits, I'm staying for sure!

As tough_kitty said, if there is more room to grow– then you might as well stay. But I guess it can also depend on what kind of public accounting firm it is, and what kind of salary you'll receive from them.

[Anonymous]

Bumped up to a manager's salary after a year? If I love the work where I'm currently at, and make great money with good hours & benefits, I'm staying for sure!

As tough_kitty said, if there is more room to grow– then you might as well stay. But I guess it can also depend on what kind of public accounting firm it is, and what kind of salary you'll receive from them.

[Study Monk]

Unless you are working under the direct supervision of a CPA I am not sure how you plan to get the public accounting work experience required to be a licensed CPA in MOST states. I think some states vary on this subject so it might not weight in on your decision, but I wouldn't study for the CPA exam if your never going to have the required work experience.

You could always stay in private and get your CMA if your are not to far along on your CPA tests, and you will probably see the same wage jumps as having a CPA license. With that higher wage and a CMA you might be able to apply for a Controller position sooner than being an audit associate and probably having to climb your way up to a manager level position before being a serious candidate for Controller positions.

Another option is to be honest with the firm about your salary dilemma and try to negotiate a higher salary.

Another factor might be the firm size and your particular goals. If you want to be CFO/Controller of some large company than you would need Big 4 experience. If you want to be a controller at a small or midsize company you can probably do either option.

On the other hand if you don't take the public accounting job, and you can't get the educational requirements, you might regret never getting your CPA license. I would also say having a diverse background will probably have some impact on whether or not you get some big job in the future.

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]

Unless you are working under the direct supervision of a CPA I am not sure how you plan to get the public accounting work experience required to be a licensed CPA in MOST states. I think some states vary on this subject so it might not weight in on your decision, but I wouldn't study for the CPA exam if your never going to have the required work experience.

You could always stay in private and get your CMA if your are not to far along on your CPA tests, and you will probably see the same wage jumps as having a CPA license. With that higher wage and a CMA you might be able to apply for a Controller position sooner than being an audit associate and probably having to climb your way up to a manager level position before being a serious candidate for Controller positions.

Another option is to be honest with the firm about your salary dilemma and try to negotiate a higher salary.

Another factor might be the firm size and your particular goals. If you want to be CFO/Controller of some large company than you would need Big 4 experience. If you want to be a controller at a small or midsize company you can probably do either option.

On the other hand if you don't take the public accounting job, and you can't get the educational requirements, you might regret never getting your CPA license. I would also say having a diverse background will probably have some impact on whether or not you get some big job in the future.

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"

[tough_kitty]

@Study Monk: Oh yeah, good point about the CPA work experience requirement. I didn't even think about it.

I was lucky to get a state job in a department where the manager actually is a CPA so I got my experience for the ‘general' (non-attest) license, which is good enough for right now.

PS. Do you watch The Monk?? 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

@Study Monk: Oh yeah, good point about the CPA work experience requirement. I didn't even think about it.

I was lucky to get a state job in a department where the manager actually is a CPA so I got my experience for the ‘general' (non-attest) license, which is good enough for right now.

PS. Do you watch The Monk?? 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[lleon]

I think you just have to evaluate what your long term goals are, and see which opportunity would best provide a foundation for that goal. Lots of people leave public accounting, but my opinion (supported by no facts of course lol) is that they entered public accounting with the goal of staying for a few years then jumping ship to private because that fit their long term goals.

If EVERYONE was in mass exodus from public accounting, there wouldn't be any firms, partners, or seniors lol some people see public accounting as part of their long term goals, others don't. At the end of the day, think about where you're headed, and what is the best way to get there. Good luck!

Licensed in Arizona

[lleon]

I think you just have to evaluate what your long term goals are, and see which opportunity would best provide a foundation for that goal. Lots of people leave public accounting, but my opinion (supported by no facts of course lol) is that they entered public accounting with the goal of staying for a few years then jumping ship to private because that fit their long term goals.

If EVERYONE was in mass exodus from public accounting, there wouldn't be any firms, partners, or seniors lol some people see public accounting as part of their long term goals, others don't. At the end of the day, think about where you're headed, and what is the best way to get there. Good luck!

Licensed in Arizona

[Study Monk]

I have seen the show Monk, but choose the name to represent my obsessive dedication to studying which will consume hopefully every waking moment of my life!?

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 have seen the show Monk, but choose the name to represent my obsessive dedication to studying which will consume hopefully every waking moment of my life!?

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"

[smarthas]

I am actually working under a CPA supervision now. Well, he was a registered CPA from Nevada, not sure if that would suffice. And I am getting my CPA license too! Will take my first one next month (FAR). To be honest, if I ever get to work on public accounting firm, I will eventually leave after 2-3 years and come back to private. I do not think that I want to be stuck there forever.

@tough_kitty What do you mean by a general non-attest experience? Can you explain it more to me?

[smarthas]

I am actually working under a CPA supervision now. Well, he was a registered CPA from Nevada, not sure if that would suffice. And I am getting my CPA license too! Will take my first one next month (FAR). To be honest, if I ever get to work on public accounting firm, I will eventually leave after 2-3 years and come back to private. I do not think that I want to be stuck there forever.

@tough_kitty What do you mean by a general non-attest experience? Can you explain it more to me?

[Study Monk]

If money is the major factor just call the firm and tell them you need X amount to accept the offer. If they say no than stay in private. Its an idea anyway. I would double check what the work requirements are for your state are and probably get confirmation from someone in person. It would be a shame to pass all the exams to find out that you over looked something.

Some states actually require public accounting experience.

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"

[Author]

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