[Flight301]

Hi everyone,

I just graduated w my accounting degree last month. I interviewed at 3 places and have 3 job offers, 2 of which I’m seriously considering. I had a 4.0 in college which is why employers are eager to hire me.

One job offer is temp to perm at PepsiCo, another is a junior accounting position at a mid size CPA firm. I accepted the temp position and had worked there a week before the accounting office offered me the job. I thought I would hate Pepsi and only took the job to earn some $$ until I could find a accounting job. The Pepsi job is a entry level analyst job, and does not involve accounting work.

After work a week at Pepsi, I found I really like it there. The training is great so far, the people are awesome, it’s a very laid back atmosphere. I’m almost interested in the analyst work. I didn’t expect to like it there, and it is making my choice difficult.

My dilemma is do I stay at Pepsi or go w the accounting job? My fear is I will not be doing accounting work and maybe this will hurt my chances of getting a accounting job in the future? I’m thinking if I stay at Pepsi I can get some analyst experience, study and take my CPA (no tax season to suck up my time), and maybe in a year or 2 transition towards accounting/analyst position. I just don’t know if this is advisable or a good move for a accountant early in the career.

I understand Pepsi is temp , but I’ve asked the analyst and other temps questions, and it seems like temp can move to perm if you’re good at the work, which being smart I know I will be. It pays $10,000 more then the accounting job when perm, and I like the atmosphere there.

If I get the CPA, and choose to start as a accountant in a couple years will this be feasible? Will my experience at Pepsi make me a less or more attractive candidate?

Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks.

[impska]

Sometime life takes us in a direction that we're not expecting.

You should stay with Pepsi. You like the job, you think you might like the work – the biggest key to job satisfaction is those two things. There are plenty of opportunities available in private and Pepsi Co is a giant company. If you end up wanting to switch out of an analyst job and into something else, and people at Pepsi like you, you can easily end up getting recommended into a stronger accounting role, if that's what you want.

If you end up liking the analyst position but end up hitting a wall at Pepsi, for whatever reason, there are many other analyst positions at a thousand other private companies.

The only drawback is that it's a temp and not guaranteed to hire. But let's face it – so is accounting – which is always at will. If the firm doesn't want you around after busy season, they can just lay you off. Since you like it and the pay is good, you should stay with Pepsi.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Flight301]

Thanks for the advice! I feel like my head is already in Pepsi, but I am feeling VERY anxious about turning down an offer for a junior accountant position. I know I am attractive to employers because I just graduated with a great GPA, idk how long I can ride on that coattail. This situation is ironic because I accepted the offer at Pepsi the day I interviewed at the accounting firm, and I thought if I got an offer from the accounting firm I would jump ship on Pepsi. Then I started at Pepsi and liked it there and the situation changed.

If I pass the CPA, I still probably need more experience hours, I doubt my internships would qualify. I would also need a couple of accounting courses (I have almost 200 credits due to a associates degree in paralegalism, but the bachelors in accounting is a couple accounting credits shy of meeting the education requirements for licensure). I feel like just saying I passed all four is enough to get me a job, combined with my GPA (I had NO SOCIAL LIFE in college).

Another thing that concerns me is my lack of confidence, and at times I am also a very anxious person. I am epicly afraid of failing, or making a fool of myself in front of people (my people skills are not 100% up to snuff, even though somehow I interview very well). You'd think I would somehow have inherent trust in my abilities, but I've always doubted myself. This makes me think I should start with Pepsi and build up my confidence and business experience before diving into a stressful junior accountant career in which I may be expected to deal with clients. I am afraid…

At this point, it looks like I may decide on Pepsi. The final factor will be can I get a job at an accounting firm later if I make this choice? Some of you say yes, some say no… I just want to be careful not to screw up my career potential by making the wrong choice. I am 25, not 22, as I took longer than usual to decide on my career path.

I don't get free soda, but it is only 50 cents.

Thank you for all the input!!!!!! Much appreciated.

[Flight301]

Thanks for the advice! I feel like my head is already in Pepsi, but I am feeling VERY anxious about turning down an offer for a junior accountant position. I know I am attractive to employers because I just graduated with a great GPA, idk how long I can ride on that coattail. This situation is ironic because I accepted the offer at Pepsi the day I interviewed at the accounting firm, and I thought if I got an offer from the accounting firm I would jump ship on Pepsi. Then I started at Pepsi and liked it there and the situation changed.

If I pass the CPA, I still probably need more experience hours, I doubt my internships would qualify. I would also need a couple of accounting courses (I have almost 200 credits due to a associates degree in paralegalism, but the bachelors in accounting is a couple accounting credits shy of meeting the education requirements for licensure). I feel like just saying I passed all four is enough to get me a job, combined with my GPA (I had NO SOCIAL LIFE in college).

Another thing that concerns me is my lack of confidence, and at times I am also a very anxious person. I am epicly afraid of failing, or making a fool of myself in front of people (my people skills are not 100% up to snuff, even though somehow I interview very well). You'd think I would somehow have inherent trust in my abilities, but I've always doubted myself. This makes me think I should start with Pepsi and build up my confidence and business experience before diving into a stressful junior accountant career in which I may be expected to deal with clients. I am afraid…

At this point, it looks like I may decide on Pepsi. The final factor will be can I get a job at an accounting firm later if I make this choice? Some of you say yes, some say no… I just want to be careful not to screw up my career potential by making the wrong choice. I am 25, not 22, as I took longer than usual to decide on my career path.

I don't get free soda, but it is only 50 cents.

Thank you for all the input!!!!!! Much appreciated.

[M.O.D.]

Your GPA and intelligence, and hard work, shine through you, there is no need to even look at your transcripts. I can see it in your posting, your employers can see it through your resume and your interview.

You will never lose it if you maintain your focus.

So concentrate on what you need to do for the moment, testing, credits, confidence, etc.

It is not like a chess game where you need to set up your pieces now so you will have a certain result in 2-3 years.

In 2-3 years it will be a new chess game. So all you need to do is to practice your chess skills, not play out a particular game.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

Your GPA and intelligence, and hard work, shine through you, there is no need to even look at your transcripts. I can see it in your posting, your employers can see it through your resume and your interview.

You will never lose it if you maintain your focus.

So concentrate on what you need to do for the moment, testing, credits, confidence, etc.

It is not like a chess game where you need to set up your pieces now so you will have a certain result in 2-3 years.

In 2-3 years it will be a new chess game. So all you need to do is to practice your chess skills, not play out a particular game.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[NeverGiveUpCPA]

It sounds to me like you really like it at Pepsi, and based on what you've said, I would say stay there. You will undoubtedly find your way back to accounting eventually, either within Pepsi, or with another company. I think that working for a great company with wonderful people who are willing to help you is underrated. I wish you luck!

[NeverGiveUpCPA]

It sounds to me like you really like it at Pepsi, and based on what you've said, I would say stay there. You will undoubtedly find your way back to accounting eventually, either within Pepsi, or with another company. I think that working for a great company with wonderful people who are willing to help you is underrated. I wish you luck!

[thechapman]

With some networking, you should be able to find other jobs with a 4.0 if you aren't satisfied with those two.

Passed - 2014

[thechapman]

With some networking, you should be able to find other jobs with a 4.0 if you aren't satisfied with those two.

Passed - 2014

[longnguyen87]

@Flight301,

I would say if you take the CPA offer now, it may not be long term depend on the company. If they hire you mainly for the tax season, you may not get a lot of work after April 15. Unless they guarantee you that there will be some work to do, you may want to consider it carefully.

Yes, training is important, especially when you doing tax because of the potential of liability involved. I think taking the job at Pepsi while trying to prepare for the CPA is a good idea. Once you have the CPA, it would compensate for lack of accounting experience and will open other doors for you. You got 4.0 so study for the exam will not be a problem for you.

My GPA is only 3.86 and I do not have a lot of experience. I hope that passing the CPA would increase my chance. Right after the CPA's exams, I have another exam coming up. I will sit for the CFA level 1 this June.

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[longnguyen87]

@Flight301,

I would say if you take the CPA offer now, it may not be long term depend on the company. If they hire you mainly for the tax season, you may not get a lot of work after April 15. Unless they guarantee you that there will be some work to do, you may want to consider it carefully.

Yes, training is important, especially when you doing tax because of the potential of liability involved. I think taking the job at Pepsi while trying to prepare for the CPA is a good idea. Once you have the CPA, it would compensate for lack of accounting experience and will open other doors for you. You got 4.0 so study for the exam will not be a problem for you.

My GPA is only 3.86 and I do not have a lot of experience. I hope that passing the CPA would increase my chance. Right after the CPA's exams, I have another exam coming up. I will sit for the CFA level 1 this June.

BEC 91 (01/06/13)
REG 91 (01/24/13)
FAR 86 (02/10/13)
AUD 93

Feel so close 😀

[Anonymous]

Why are you so very ardent that you need to be able to get an accounting job later? I'm being dead serious with this question. If you are really enjoying analyst work, why so much desperation to be sure you can get an accounting job? Analyst positions have a whole range as well, from entry-level doing what you're doing to higher-ups that make as much money as CPAs (at least in the businesses that I've seen – I haven't done or seen studies on it). If you really like analyst work and work there for a couple years then move up, what's the worst that happens – you find out that you can't get a job in accounting but can continue working in analysis where you really enjoy the work anyway? If you do go into the Financial Analyst side of things, the accounting background is still very valuable. CPA + [Your choice of Finance designation] is a pretty strong combination.

The only reason I'd be concerned about the accounting job would be for fulfilling the CPA experience requirements. For that, if it was me, I'd look up your state's guidelines and see what counts. Like @amordiva said, in KY, it all counts. So, if your state doesn't require something more specific (for example, auditing and attest work instead of general accounting work), I'd look and see how many hours you have from your prior internships. Your current job is a gamble whether it would count or not. But if it didn't and you were short 3 months worth of work, then you could probably find some “part-time” accounting work to fill in the gaps – something like helping a firm out evenings and Saturday through tax season for a couple years to complete the hours. When I switched to my current job, I was a bit short of the 2000 hours and wasn't sure if the new work would fulfill the requirements or not, but my plan was that if the Board turned me down, then I'd work a 2nd job like that to get the hours. It helped that I already knew a CPA who had already made it clear he wanted me to help if/when I could (was supposed to yesterday…but then he got given tickets to the U of KY basketball game so begged off work 😉 ), but I think this type of situation could be worked out for someone else too.

However, that's only if all accounting experience counts. Some states are more strict and require it to be full-time auditing/attest experience or something like that, and if your state is one of those, then you'll have to either work a year in audit or give up the CPA dreams.

P. S. After all that, though, my only real concern with the Pepsi job would be that it is a temporary job for now. If it doesn't become permanent at the end of your temp time (it's always a possibility), will you be OK without a job for a couple/few months before you find another? Don't want to see you on Operation Repo if the job doesn't become permanent. 😉

[Anonymous]

Why are you so very ardent that you need to be able to get an accounting job later? I'm being dead serious with this question. If you are really enjoying analyst work, why so much desperation to be sure you can get an accounting job? Analyst positions have a whole range as well, from entry-level doing what you're doing to higher-ups that make as much money as CPAs (at least in the businesses that I've seen – I haven't done or seen studies on it). If you really like analyst work and work there for a couple years then move up, what's the worst that happens – you find out that you can't get a job in accounting but can continue working in analysis where you really enjoy the work anyway? If you do go into the Financial Analyst side of things, the accounting background is still very valuable. CPA + [Your choice of Finance designation] is a pretty strong combination.

The only reason I'd be concerned about the accounting job would be for fulfilling the CPA experience requirements. For that, if it was me, I'd look up your state's guidelines and see what counts. Like @amordiva said, in KY, it all counts. So, if your state doesn't require something more specific (for example, auditing and attest work instead of general accounting work), I'd look and see how many hours you have from your prior internships. Your current job is a gamble whether it would count or not. But if it didn't and you were short 3 months worth of work, then you could probably find some “part-time” accounting work to fill in the gaps – something like helping a firm out evenings and Saturday through tax season for a couple years to complete the hours. When I switched to my current job, I was a bit short of the 2000 hours and wasn't sure if the new work would fulfill the requirements or not, but my plan was that if the Board turned me down, then I'd work a 2nd job like that to get the hours. It helped that I already knew a CPA who had already made it clear he wanted me to help if/when I could (was supposed to yesterday…but then he got given tickets to the U of KY basketball game so begged off work 😉 ), but I think this type of situation could be worked out for someone else too.

However, that's only if all accounting experience counts. Some states are more strict and require it to be full-time auditing/attest experience or something like that, and if your state is one of those, then you'll have to either work a year in audit or give up the CPA dreams.

P. S. After all that, though, my only real concern with the Pepsi job would be that it is a temporary job for now. If it doesn't become permanent at the end of your temp time (it's always a possibility), will you be OK without a job for a couple/few months before you find another? Don't want to see you on Operation Repo if the job doesn't become permanent. 😉

[Anonymous]

The best way to get out of public accounting is to never get in.

[Anonymous]

The best way to get out of public accounting is to never get in.

[Author]

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