[Anonymous]

I am currently at a very small public accounting firm and looking to make a career move.

Situation: I changed careers from construction industry to accounting 4 years ago. Within one year at firm owner left abruptly and I and another coworker(CPA) took over all aspects of firm.

Before this I had not prepared a tax return before. I was now spending 70 hour weeks preparing returns and small audits and researching tax matters to maintain clients. I earned my Enrolled Agent, Bachelors Degree in Accounting and am sitting for the CPA exams in November. I did all of this while raising a young family and taking on the joys of small business management. I would like to find employment at a larger firm to increase my learning and exposure to more advanced tasks. My questions are:

1. What would my job description be? I currently go by senior staff accountant.

2. What type of opportunities would I find at a larger firm with more difficult engagements? Would I still be a senior or would I serve myself better by applying for regular staff accountant/ audit staff positions as to not be over my head?

2a.) Would I be looking at a salary above entry level but below senior?

3. How would you play my “unique” experience on a resume?

4. How would my salary options look going into industry before I have my CPA? This concern is why I am mainly looking at jobs in public at this point, but I would not be set on that if pay was similar with a good career progression ahead.

5. Any other words of advice or encouragement would be appreciated.

Thank you