[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

I’m in need of a little advice. My husband and I are relocating to Los Angeles from Boston before the end of this year. I have already alerted my current firm that I would like to transfer, even though I’m not 100% sure I want to remain with the firm. I’ve always wanted to work in the entertainment accounting “industry”…I say “industry” because I’d still be doing public accounting work, just for clients that happen to be involved in the entertainment field. I like my current firm. It’s taught me a lot and I’ve been with the firm for about 2 years.

I should also mention that my husband and I are looking to purchase our first home soon after we relocate to the area.

So do you guys think I should transfer within my current firm to a CA office or take the shot at “niching” myself with entertainment industry clients?

[mla1169]

I'd definitely take a shot at following your dream BUT in the meantime proceed with trying to transfer with your current firm. I get the feeling that the type of job you're looking for is a bit harder to come by than most others (who DOESN'T want to be Brangelina's CPA?) and you may just have to be a bit more patient than other job seekers.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

hey mla1169:

Actually I also forgot to mention I am working with a recruiter who has connections to the entertainment accounting firms in the Los Angeles area and I am flying out to the area in mid July to go on 3-6 interviews.

The more I think about working in that sector, the more excited I get…but since my husband and I are looking to purchase a home before the end of the year, some time after we actually move to the area, I feel like it would be wise to stick with what I know.

[littlenumberrobot]

I have no experience in what you are trying to do, but welcome to CA 🙂 I'm north of you in the Central Valley

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

I worked for an accounting firm with entertainment industry niche… prior to that I was an auditor at a local accounting firm.

While the idea of working in the entertainment industry sounded glamorous and fancy, and you can name drop here and there, but 6 months is all i could really take… this is the breakdown of my reasons for leaving the job, Neurotic crazy boss 60% and 25% clients, and 15% boring work load… I won't go into details of my experience as everyone is different. Perhaps if my boss was more laid back I might have kept the job… but all in all, i don't regret quitting.

If you are really interested in the entertainment industry, I say go for it! It takes a certain personality to really like the job in my opinion. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hey debzzzzz:

Would you mind if I picked your brain on your experience in a medium other than another71.com??

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Hi! Long time lurker, first time poster.

CPA4birthdaypresent, I am in the entertainment industry; a production accountant for a TV production company.

I love it.

My backup plan is to be a business manager for musicians and actors.

Sounds like you have a great start with the recruiter, I may need to ask you for his/her contact info 🙂

But be sure to look at the Google group, Emily Rice Gorton Pictures. As well as EntertainmentCareers.net

For what it's worth, and depending on your time range, I say go on the interviews, see if you are offered anything. If no, then stay with your current firm while continuing to look for work in the entertainment industry. Most positions/companies are freelance, so it's always good to have a backup, and it sounds like your current employer would be a good backup.

EDIT: If you still need your current company to sign off on your experience, then you should probably wait until you have your CPA license before quitting.

Unfortunately for me, my boss for the past 5+ years is not a licensed CPA, so once I pass the exams I will have to figure out how to fulfill the experience requirements.

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Anonymous]

liss: Could I contact you in some other medium to pick you brain about the industry??

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Of course.

I'm not sure if Ninja offers a direct message system, but if so, DM me and I'll give you my email.

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Anonymous]

If so I can't seem to find it…I've been searching for it ever since debzzzzz posted 🙁

[jeff]

I don't have a DM function because of spammers/scammers/disclosers/stalkers.

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Darn spammers/scammers/disclosers/stalkers; they ruin the fun for everyone.

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[jeff]

Always 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hey liss:

I searched the sites you told me about. The production payroll stuff sounds like something I'd be interested in “trying out”…are these jobs the type of jobs you can do part time while working full time at a small firm?

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Hey CPA4birthdaypresent,

Yeah, if the company is small they may only need part time help. And of course look for ads asking for part time help.

If you're interested in production payroll, you may also look into the big payroll companies: Cast & Crew, Entertainment Partners, Media Services, as well as PES, and EASE. I don't know if they hire part time, but if they do, they'd be a great way to get your foot in the door for payroll.

Last night I was thinking about business managers. I don't know if there is a list of business managers, but if there is it'd probably be listed on LA411 (but this is just a guess, it's been years since I've had to use LA411 so they may not be listed).

Let me know what happens.

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Author]

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