[Lindrobe]

I am finishing up my last section of the exam and recently started looking for a new position. I currently work as a Tax Accountant for a large University, so most of my experience in in non-profit tax. I am 32 years old and I feel like I am at a crossroads in my career and want to seek some advice.

I met with a recruiter this morning and expressed interest in possibly exploring a tax position in public accounting. I live in an area where there are no Big 4 firms, only some smaller regional firms. I have always felt like public accounting just opens up so many more doors for accountants. Anyhow, the recruiter did not agree. The recruiter thought that a position in tax at a public accounting firm would not open as many doors for me since many organizations in our area do not have their own tax departments. If you have worked in tax in public accounting, please share your experience.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[soccersam_27]

Hi Lindrobe,

I work for a very small CPA firm in a rural area. Right now, I do everything from payroll, tax returns, governmental accounting, and bookkeeping. I've been working here for over 3 years now, but never get bored, as the work is always changing!! So that could be one plus if you are thinking of public accounting. Some people don't like the change, but it's a nice way to change things up so you're not doing the same stuff over and over!

BEC: 69, 78 (10/03/2013)
AUD: 62, 71, 84 (11/13/2013)
REG: 68, 78 (11/14/2012)
FAR: 77 (02/20/2014)

[soccersam_27]

Hi Lindrobe,

I work for a very small CPA firm in a rural area. Right now, I do everything from payroll, tax returns, governmental accounting, and bookkeeping. I've been working here for over 3 years now, but never get bored, as the work is always changing!! So that could be one plus if you are thinking of public accounting. Some people don't like the change, but it's a nice way to change things up so you're not doing the same stuff over and over!

BEC: 69, 78 (10/03/2013)
AUD: 62, 71, 84 (11/13/2013)
REG: 68, 78 (11/14/2012)
FAR: 77 (02/20/2014)

[Lindrobe]

Soccersam_27, thanks for the input. Do you feel like you will have a lot of job opportunities in the future because of your experience? I think that there are quite a few organizations in the area that I live in that still prepare their own tax returns and have tax departments, so I guess I was just a bit taken back by the comment that was made by the recruiter.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

Soccersam_27, thanks for the input. Do you feel like you will have a lot of job opportunities in the future because of your experience? I think that there are quite a few organizations in the area that I live in that still prepare their own tax returns and have tax departments, so I guess I was just a bit taken back by the comment that was made by the recruiter.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Travis]

I work tax right now for a small firm and hear from headhunters regularly.

While some are great and have tons of prior industry experience; you must take what some say with a grain of salt. I wouldn't let what one says eat at you, there's a market.

Market yourself right and be clear about your goals and I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Travis]

I work tax right now for a small firm and hear from headhunters regularly.

While some are great and have tons of prior industry experience; you must take what some say with a grain of salt. I wouldn't let what one says eat at you, there's a market.

Market yourself right and be clear about your goals and I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Author]

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