[Anonymous]

I spent the first 3 years of public in tax at the associate level, at which point I switched over to audit and am now in my 3rd year (promotion year) as an associate. I got my CPA certification before starting in audit and initially wanted to make it to Manager. At this point, I just want to make it to senior, especially after spending almost 6 years total in public accounting.

I feel like I would’ve have wasted my time if I leave public without having made it to senior associate, however I am tempted to leave since I don’t feel very appreciated and the long hours are wearing thin on my mental, emotional, and physical health.

So I’ve taken a look at some exit opportunities and it looks like I could be making 50% more as a Senior Financial Analyst at a public company. So this is another factor that makes me want to leave before Senior.

What should I do?

[Ginja_CPA]

Do you only want to get to Senior Associate so you can say you did it? If you should get promoted this year, so decide to not go for another job, but don't get it, what happens?

I would personally go ahead and apply for the Senior Financial Analyst position if it is something you are interested in.

REG: 80 (02/19/16)
AUD: 83 (04/11/16)
BEC: 78 (05/28/16)
FAR: ?

[Anonymous]

I want to leave regardless of whether or not I get promoted to Senior because I want to start a family soon. I'm not sure if I could get more money if I wait until I'm promoted to Senior and leave after a few months, or if I should just leave now without the promotion. Not sure if the promotion will make a big enough difference in pay/opportunities to justify waiting it out. I'm also concerned that almost 6 years in public without a promotion will raise doubts/questions from potential employers. I think it's easy to explain (switch from Tax to Audit and my firm promotes after 3 years instead of 2) but I'm not sure if I will even have the opportunity to explain.

[acamp]

I left public two months after being promoted to Audit Manager. Think the new title carried some weight in interviews and its nice when people ask what I did previously (I can say aud manager, and not one person has asked how long I was in that role haha).

I'd say stick around to get the title if its not too far off, since you've been there so long.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Author]

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