[Pickens]

I am currently receiving my undergraduate degree and plan to pursue my Masters of Taxation and become a CPA. I already have a small business that pays the bills while I’m in college. I one day would love to have my own tax and bookkeeping firm. I have been toying with the idea of starting it directly out of school, possibly the year I’m receiving my masters start it from home. Has anyone done this? What is your advice on this idea?

Thanks.

[Bourne]

I say you need public experience. Even if you have clients now, your hope one day is to grow the business. Without seeing the ins and outs of how a firm actually works and learning from the complexities of working on bigger clients, your growth is limited. It can be done, it will just be much harder than getting a few years of public experience first.

[Stilgoin]

I agree with @Bourne. I have started my own firm, and I am literally working my tail off because I am determined to do it right, but there are times I wish I had more experience. I spend SO MANY HOURS studying. I will eventually catch up, but jeez. I am exhausted. On the other hand, if you are really, really ambitious, go for it. Full disclosure: I did the accounting for my own business for 20 years before starting my firm, so I did have some experience.

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Tncincy]

@Pickens: starting your own firm is NOT easy. Make sure you are ready for the ups and downs. Being your own boss means you're the boss and you have to have the answer, the marketing, the secretary, the utilities, the good clients, and the Bad or annoying. The euphoria lasts a little while, absorb it and roll up your sleeves. There will be some sleepless nights, you will be exhausted like Stillgoin said, and you might second guess the why did you do this. Been there and did all of it, if you got the money and the confidence, and the support then get both feet wet. We wish you well.
22 years with my own business and really don't know how to work for anyone else. 🙁

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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