[katyuser]

I’m in the accounting dept. of a fairly large private co. but want to move to the finance dept. Is it cool to approach the finance deptt. head directly? No job is currently posted but just wanted to make myself visible so they think of me first. Been with the co. 3 years – like it but not my current job.

[Anonymous]

How is your relationship with your current boss? Maybe you can talk to him/her about your career goals, and sort of point out that your current position isnt really aligning with those goals…make sure to point out that you are happy at ur current job (even if its not true) but that you really want to grow and learn more in the field of finance. Maybe ur manager can talk to the head of finance next time there is a position open, or if there are special projects that you could work on.

I would just be wary about approaching the head of finance before talking to your boss, because the head of finance can come back to your boss and say “hey, did you know soandso talked to me yesterday about a job in finance?” and your boss might get offended that you went around them.

[IwannaBaCPA]

I agree with CalCPASoon 100%. Not the best idea to not inform you boss…interoffice politics are very tricky. Either way, your boss will be involved, so might as well make him/her advocate for you and your career aspirations, rather than react because he/she is offended you didn't come to him/her first.

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[katyuser]

Thanks, guys. Here's the deal – I already spoke to my boss at my last evaluation (and NOT getting a promotion) about being happy at my job but needing to be more than staff accountant – although I didn't specify wanting to go into finance. She did mention it – saying “it's just budgets”. I'd still want to get into FP&A. So do I wait for a position to come up or go ahead now? If nothing pops up, then my boss will know my heart is not in Accounting and I forego any chance of promotion too.

[Anonymous]

I would still talk to your boss again about Finance. She might have been pointing to budgets as the reason there isnt more room to grow in accounting (or as the reason they can't promote you right now), but that doesnt mean there isnt still room to grow in Finance, and it sounds like your boss doesnt even know that you have an interest in going to a different department.

If there were a position currently open in Finance, you could talk to your boss and say that you are interested in applying for that open position, and then she could maybe help you get there.

I guess I just dont see the benefit in approaching the Finance department directly right now. If there are no open positions, then there's nothing they can do for you anyway, and you dont want your boss to think you are trying to jump ship, because your are right, they certainly wont consider you for promotion if they think you are going to leave the department soon anyway.

You could always leave the company and pursue finance somewhere else…

[Author]

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