[RE2PECT]

I’ve read through a bunch of older threads on this topic, but wanted to get some feedback from people currently on the forum. Now that I’m done with my exams and trying to figure out what field I want to get into, I’d like to get some opinions and pros/cons that people have experienced on both sides.

It’s a tough decision for me since I’m an older candidate (35) with no relevant accounting experience. I liked studying for the tax part of REG more than FAR or AUD, but not sure how much that translates to real world experience.

My main concern is choosing one and I end up hating it and wishing I went with the other. Being that I’m older it will probably be harder to make the switch if it ever came down to it.

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[mtaylo24]

@Re2pect, I was just looking this up yesterday. I found that the biggest thing to keep in mind is probably the exit opportunities. I am under the impression that traditionally audit transfers a little better to a corporate environment, i.e. Controller/CFO and Tax can transfer to corporate Tax or owning your own business.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[RE2PECT]

@mtaylo24- Yea that seems to be the general consensus. The controller at my job used to be one of the auditors assigned to my union so it seems to open more doors. My wife's friend started out as an auditor and now she's the controller at an investment company making serious bank. She's urging me to get into auditing and was telling my wife stories about how miserable everyone she knows in tax is. I guess it also comes down to the particular job and the company you work for.

FAR: 75 Roger & Ninja (notes/flashcards/audio/MCQ)
AUD: 73, 81
BEC: 71, retake 8/29
REG:

[mtaylo24]

Yup, my former CFO, Controller, and my last two Directors of Finance were all from Audit

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Anonymous]

almost every single management level person in our accounting group (private equity) used to be an auditor…

[cpa1982]

From what I have read and heard from accounting professionals, tax is one-way entry. Once you spend several years in Tax, there is no coming back. Audit opens many doors like external/internal audit, financial analysis/reporting, controller, Fraud examiner, business valuation etc. In the future, if you decide to become Business Broker, Audit/Financial Accounting experience will be helpful.

[Author]

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