[klink24]

I need some advice from some finance/accounting professionals such as yourself. There’s not many in my circle that truly understand the implications of this decision I face. I have expect an offer for 2 different positions.

Position 1: Treasury Analyst

Analyzing forex risk of transactions and implementing hedging strategies as required. Other finance duties related to pensions, debt structure, capital, etc. >$10B company with a multinational footprint across the globe. Estimated salary $70k, less than current, but not by much.

Position 2: Director of Billing

Team of possibly > 200 people with multiple levels of heirarchy (manager, supervisor, lead, rep) resolving insurance billing claims for payment. >$5B with national footprint. Current employer so it would be a promotion. Estimated salary $90k, big increase.

So which one should it be? Position 1 will be brand new to me, but I think the long term career growth potential is better. Position 2 is comfortable and immediate increase in pay. Definitely a dilemma I’m okay with. Like choosing the Ferrari or the Lambo, lol. I really want you guys’ feedback though because most of you are directly in the profession whereas I’m not at the moment.

By the way, just passed all exams first shot and waiting on license if that matters. Thanks in advance!

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[ruby-tuesday88]

Congrats on the CPA exam, and on the opportunities available to you. Looking at your situation I would say go with the job that pays you more, simply because option one pays less than your current situation. Now please note that I am assuming that you like your current job. If this is not the case, then changing jobs is justifiable. You just passed the CPA exam and that nice 20k bump in salary seems like it was well deserved. Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps.

REG-79(7/14)

BEC-76(7/14)

AUD-88(02/15)

FAR-73(10/14), Waiting on score 02/24/15

[klink24]

@ruby, I see what you mean, but position 2 is not a direct accounting/finance position. I would get this whether I had the CPA or not. So I'm leaning towards the Treasury position so I can use my education. The money is definitely a big factor, but I have to consider short term money versus long term money. Does the treasury position have more career potential long term? Thanks for the response!

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[005]

Although the pay is lower, I think #1. More finance exposure, which should equate to more money down the line.

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[sillyva]

Personally, I would go with the Director of Billing position. Staying with your current company shows longevity and commitment to a company, something that isn't as prevalent in our society as it used to be. It also is a significant bump in salary and would give you true management experience over > 200 people.

I have seen CPAs take positions that they are overqualified for because they believe the long-term growth potential to be in their favor, but sometimes that road to career growth becomes a lot longer than it should be, with small raises and promotions. I would not take that risk.

AUD 71, 82
BEC 85
REG 73, 89
FAR 73, 81

[klink24]

Good points all around. What about the potential to be treasury manager or treasurer down the line. From what I've read, Treasurer salary is second to CFO. Not sure if I can get there from Billing. But, as some have pointed out, billing is showing their loyalty to me, which is very rare indeed.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

By the way, I'm already managing >50 people now, so management over a large group is something I already have.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[klink24]

By the way, I'm already managing >50 people now, so management over a large group is something I already have.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[h0wdyus]

You don't need a CPA for being a director of Billing. Any good non-cpa employee can be groomed to be director of billing. After a few years of doing this job, you will have very little value in the market.

Treasury Analyst.hmmm You must be doing something right in the company that they are even offering you this position. The low salary shows that the job is highly coveted. Treasury analyst job is enriching in the sense you will learn how to fund a company , hedging, FX transactions..it is a path to being a CFO, if you can make the right connections. What will you learn in billing… how to bill people.

If you are not taking this treasury job, let me know, I will move to the state where this job is.

In my view there is not contest between the 2 postions.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[klink24]

@h0wdyus, excellent points, and lol. Position 1 is actually at a different company.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[OttoNeubauer]

If Director of Billing is a promotion then you must already be in billing right? If that is the case then it isn't a downgrade from where you're at now. Why not take the promotion, stay in Billing while continuing to look for positions (for 6 months-2 years depending on how long it takes to find one that is a good fit), and then eventually make the transition from a much stronger negotiating point since your current salary will be 20k higher?

The number of people you supervise counts for much, much more than the specific type of experience. I know people right out of college and people with no degrees who are “Treasury Analysts”. To downgrade your title from “Director” of anything where you are supervising managers to “Analyst” is career suicide in my opinion.

FAR - 84 (08/25/14)

[h0wdyus]

@klink24

Let me know how you got hooked up with the Treasury position. Recruiter name would be helpful, or other job websites. I would like to get into Treasury spot here in NJ/NY. What kind of a company is this.. is it manufacturing or like brokerage.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[MUCPA]

How old are you? (you don't have to answer, but it would be helpful for context).

I think Position 2 sounds more financially rewarding, but significantly less rewarding in terms of career enrichment and future prospects. After 5 years of experience as a director of billing….. where do you go next? Sounds like a very transactional position.

That being said, if you're not in the earlier part of your career, maybe it's time to take the best money and future prospects be damned.

- 2.5 years experience in Public Accounting (Audit)
- 2.0 years experience in corporate accounting
- All 4 CPA Exam sections passed first time
- Currently CPA & Controller at a small manufacturing company

[klink24]

@h0wdyus, I just applied with a local company on their website. It's with a multinational manufacturing company. I always check certain companies' sites for new positions or get on their email list.

@MUCPA, 35 years old, so I think future prospects is definitely a consideration. I'd like to get to CFO at some point in my career. Do you think the Treasury Analyst will get me their above the Director position? That was my thought.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[MUCPA]

Klink: admittedly I have fairly limited experience (little under 5 years total), but I do feel like the billing position is probably fairly specialized and fairly transactional. I could obviously be wrong. I also feel like treasury position puts you in the midst of battle on a daily basis.

Do you have any means to research this billing position? Who do you report to? I can identify with what another poster said, this doesn't sound like a position which requires a CPA, and maybe doesn't require much technical finance work at all. It just doesn't seem like a foundational aspect of becoming a controller, chief accounting officer or CFO.

That being said, a $20k differential is not insignificant. This is a tough one, but I would do what you can to research this billing position to see if there seems to be any ladder left to climb from that position.

- 2.5 years experience in Public Accounting (Audit)
- 2.0 years experience in corporate accounting
- All 4 CPA Exam sections passed first time
- Currently CPA & Controller at a small manufacturing company

[klink24]

@MUCPA, first let me thank you for your responses. Since the billing position is with my current employer, I know everything there is to know about it. It is transactional and doesn't require any real expertise at all. The most important aspect is getting people to perform well. There's some complicated issues that come up since it is in the healthcare field, but it's specific to healthcare and not very transferable outside of the healthcare industry. I'm thinking the treasury position will give me highly transferable experience, but I'll have to take a step back to take a leap forward, albeit the leap isn't guaranteed. I'd hate to miss out on the director position if the Treasury position doesn't offer the growth I expect. I'd hate to miss out on the treasury position and be stuck in billing in perpetuity.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Author]

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