[Asja]

Hi there, CPA student community! Greetings from someone who has been burnt out for 7 years after 7 years of business accounting school…Hmm…I’m seeing a pattern here…Oh, right, about my first overdue post…

I have gained about 40 pounds…Now, I left the accounting world in search of a better career because I thought that a desk job would make me overweight.

So, anyway…I was exploring how to become a herbalist, freelance, writer, a real-estate clean-out business owner, somewhere in there I’ve worked for McDonalds and Walmart…All in my quest to avoid a desk job, thinking that it isn’t healthy, and thinking that accounting stiffens my creativity …My GPA for my Accounting undergrad was 3.6…For my MBA, majoring in accounting, was 4.04…I studied my butt off! Part of why I was so burnt out…Well..during these seven years I also changed countries (Married an American, moved from Canada), which took alot of adjustment for some reason…I’ve always been used to taking the bus…and then moving out to the country meant that I had to drive in the snow, and that was a fear factor too. So now we moved closer to the city, and I am now a stay at home mom with a baby and a toddler, and reality has set in. I realized that there are a lot of things that I want out of life, for myself, for my kids, for my successful husband. I also realized that the CPA license is the only way. But, I need a little more reassurance.

I’m also sincerely hoping that my starting rate at a CPA firm will be higher than the nanny rate because I do NOT want to put my kids into daycare.

[Silent]

I am embarrassed to say that I laughed as i read your post.Wow McDonald's? Regarding your question, average pay for nanny is around $20. As CPA you should expect to make around 70-80k a year depending where you live. Remember you can have your own business as CPA, so while it will involve sitting behind the desk, you can create your own schedule. Forgot to say that it's never too late to become CPA. Welcome to the forum.

[Recked]

70-80k a year is a pretty high expectation for someone just starting out with no experience, even if you do have the CPA.
That would be a target with 2-3 years experience at a larger firm perhaps. All depends on your work ethic and production, and the value you bring to the firm.
Good luck on your journey, it's never too late to try to achieve your goals!

[Asja]

I guess I would have to break even for a few years if I want to build a career…I really love the idea of working from home because I dream about homeschooling my kids.

I guess what turned me off about an accounting career is the negative workplace atmosphere that I often heard about. I am a pretty emotional and sensitive and a poetic person…I know you're laughing again! Yes, I worked frontline of McDonald's and I did a one-day orientation at Walmart before I realized I just couldn't do it…Same with Subway…and a small family owned restaurant…

I actually worked in the accounting field and in the banking field in Canada from age of 18 – 23…

Kind of lost myself a bit I guess. I think I was suffering from mental difficulties. But I'm 100% now.

[Asja]

Thank you! it is never too late. What a great line! I just bought the Surgent prep course! What a time!

[Recked]

I would encourage you to take advantage of all the free trials offered by different review courses before making your purchase.
Surgent might be a good match for your learning style, or it might not. You don't know until you try a few.

[jeff]

I'm no accounting job market expert, but 70-80k seemed high to me as well.

Obviously, it depends on location, but cost of living increases only go so far.

If you walked into a KC area (where I'm from) mom and pop CPA firm, and told me they offered you $55k-ish as a CPA…that would sound about right.

[Silent]

If you google average salary with CPA is around 73k. If you live in big city such as NY,LA etc it will be higher.

[Tommy]

lol! Yo I laughed SO hard at that pay range! Starting around 70-80k would have even more people taking this exam. @Silent is selling dreams!

[Accounting_is_Taxing]

Did you consider experience level? 73K with a CPA is senior-level salary, not entry-level.

[Jimmy Dugan]

50-somthing is about right in most areas as an absolute beginner, but it is far easier to get into that 75K range in this profession than most others.

[Silent]

I do not consider anyone that have CPA or passed exam as beginner. Also i know plenty of people that are getting between $20-$25 an hour without actually having degree doing bookkeeping. It all depends on area that you live in . In states that do not have high cost of living, yes getting in to that 75k range is hard.

[Recked]

Just cause you passed the CPA exam fresh out of college doesn't mean you have any real world experience.
Still not seeing that salary even in NYC.
_
20-25 as a bookkeeper for a side gig is very different than a salaried position with employment taxes and benefits.

[Silent]

Not sure how in NY you would not be making 70-80c with CPA license. For example no cpa required, associate degree is fine, 5 years Accounting Supervisor: 5 years (Preferred)again remember no cpa and they are offering 50-65k. This is just one example, there are many others jobs where you can easily make that much money without even finishing college.
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=manager&l=los%20angeles%2C%20ca&start=10&advn=1154647359213960&vjk=4a5528fb5bb6e3f4

[Mike J]

I live in Queens. I ONLY see 70,000 for 5 years experience for jobs on Indeed.com. And 70,000 is the higher end of the range, if at all. Then factor in health insurance costs, costs of living.

Don't chase dollars. If you like the work, then stay in. Accounting is stable. Will Ferrell was right to choose accountant as a job after being a pimp in college.

[Mike J]

Fine print with @silent…5 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Sorry to call you out, but I live here too.

[Author]

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