[Anonymous]

Good evening NINJAs:

A few weeks ago, I started this thread:

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/advice-leave-public-or-stay

Some exciting things have happened since then.

Two offers, industry offering 15% increase, and public offering 18% increase, both offering their own set of benefits, bonuses, etc that make them equally appealing when looking at numbers.

Industry is close to home and would provide a true work-life balance, though there’d still be some long weeks and Saturdays throughout the year.

Public is public, but this firm seems to offer a work-life balance similar to my current firm (55-60 hr busy season, though I’d be actually “working” while at work a lot more), and experience that my current firm can’t give me (E&P, SOX, etc).

Both will be a learning curve and I am confident that I’ll receive the right training. Both promise great advancement opportunities, though I know the only thing that is guaranteed is that my resume will look more attractive with this public experience than without. I see my salary in five years with either being within $5-10k of the other. My concern is beyond that. I feel public provides “reasonable assurance” that I can keep making more money, even if I switch to industry, while I can be “professionally skeptical” that industry will continue to provide increases as well.

A few concerns: the “what might have been” with the other opportunity. Sure, the public is guaranteed to give me great experience- but maybe the industry one would too? After all, I could also go back into public if the stint in industry doesn’t work out. Also, I think I’d be happier at the industry job due to it’s proximity to my home and less challenging work, but maybe sacrificing some happiness is worth it in the grand scheme of things. I don’t necessarily have a desire to have a career in public accounting, but I want to make sure that I can give my family the best life possible. I’m also concerned about shorting the headhunter who landed me the industry offer her commission.

Nonetheless, I feel this is a great position to be in, and your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[Skynet]

Throw a drinking party to discuss the decision with your buddies. Binge drink with your buddies till you guys pass out.

If you wake up on the couch. Then choose Public.

If you wake up on the Floor. Then choose Industry.

If you don't wake up in your own home, then repeat the process until you get either of the first or second result.

It's that simple.

[sdguy]

Make sure you invite Skynet to said party, as he can out-drink us all.

AUD: 83
FAR: 77
REG: 86
BEC: 86

[tcheney3]

Take the industry one and then go shot for shot with Skynet. If you die, well then you don't have to work anymore.

BEC - 82
REG - 86
FAR - 85
AUD - 84 and I'm out!!!!!
Ethics - 95
In Skynet's Honor:
Act I: Shutdown Skynet and prevent Judgment Day.
Act II: Add a comma and three letters to my title.
Act III: Time Travel and marry a young Denise Richards (and prevent subsequent plastic surgery),return to present.
Act IV: Serve as Successor to Elon Musk as CEO of Tesla.
Act V: Ensure Judgment Day has been stopped. Utopia achieved.

[Anonymous]

Decided last night on the public job. My gut said industry, I wanted industry, but I felt public was the “smart” choice.

Woke up this morning feeling like I was having a heart attack. Called my recruiter and talked through it.

Accepted the industry position, and feel great about it.

[Skynet]

So I'm assuming you woke up on the floor then ; )

[Author]

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