[futurecpa3400]

Hi, I recently graduated in NYC area with accounting major. I figured that without 150 credits, I can’t find a job in public accounting firm. I have worked in CPA office for 1.5 years and interned in big corporate tax department. My long time goal is to find a job and fulfill my 150 credit, pass CPA exam, and later join big accounting firm (mid or big4) and I want to specialize in tax.
So, my question is: I’m not sure if it’s better to find a staff accountant position in company’s accounting department where I wouldn’t be doing much tax work OR find a job in CPA office where I can do both accounting and tax work. I want to know what kind of experience will look better.
Also, just out of curiosity, how is financial analyst job like? Is it something a person with tax background can do?

[M123]

Disclaimer – I'm not from the traditional path and grew up in a corporate environment.

At the level you're talking about – rotations are expected so the fact that you have 1.5 years experience in a cpa firm plus have corporate experience – sounds quite good already. At some point – the question will be whether you want to go down the assurance or tax route and maybe with your experience recruiters will call you to task on that. In that situation – having an answer that is polished and sounds confident is what they are looking for – it's not sealing your fate. Given your experience, it seems to make sense that the next low hanging fruit would be finishing the exams and education requirements.

I have much more experience with FP&A but so could only comment on that. It's a good way to get to understand the workings of an organization and have a path to leadership. It can also be a “cat herding” process and takes a certain disposition and determination to do it well. If being exposed to leadership and getting to hobnob with C-level is something you want to do – it could be a good path.

[futurecpa3400]

@M123 So I guess it would be better to find a job in CPA office? While I finish the education requirements for CPA exam, I still want to work. I just don't think it would be good to have a gap after I graduated.

[M123]

If you can find a firm that will tolerate getting your needed units – that sounds ideal to me. How many more do you need? Would another full time semester be preferable? It can be worse to enter a drone job like an entry level corp acctg role (often times non-CPAs) than to have a lapse in experience. Firms understand the unit requirements so that isn't a huge detriment.

Long story short, I'm afraid only you can answer that but I would consult some people you know who are further in their career and can confide in.

[Author]

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