[CPAGRIND]

So I have a bachelors degree and I’ve been working as an AP clerk for about a year and a half. It’s not challenging at all. Expense reports are a pain.

Upper Management is saying they think I’m capable of doing more than AP, but nothing has happened yet. Apparently they don’t have a headcount. A year and a half has gone by and they always mention that once in awhile.

I have the most work out of all the AP members and I get it done fast( so easy). So I feel like they want to keep me in that position because I get the job done.

I contacted a recruiter and she keeps giving me job postings but I kind of get scared. Because the company I work at is great and the people are great. I also get stock. The postings she is sending me are for direct hire and the salary is usually higher but the companies are kind of smaller.

I feel like I might get pigeon holed. The people I work with have been doing AP for years!

I’m also studying for the CPA. Please give me your input. What would you do??!

[Missy]

Stick with the low stress 9-5 while you're studying for the exam. Your life will be easier. Then be strategic after you've knocked out all four.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Jdn9201]

I agree – if it's low stress and pays the bills, keep it while you are taking your exams. Sadly though I've found out from experience that the best way to get promoted in corporate is to go somewhere else. Don't take much stock in what they are telling you – they may just be saying whatever they think will keep you there. Do you have a LinkedIn account? If not, get one. Network with your alumni association and former classmates. That way, once you have your exams done you will have a wider network and won't have to work as hard nor wait as long to find the right opportunity. Good luck!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[CPAGRIND]

Thank you both! You both make valid points.

[Anonymous]

I kind of disagree with others. I agree that having an easy and stress free job is easier to study for the CPA exams. However, you would be wasting another year at the company in A/P position. There are better jobs out there that would pay the bills and are 9-5. If i were you, I would leave for a better job with higher pay.

[Anonymous]

deleted – double post

[ChristieF]

I worked as an AP clerk, then moved to be the banking specialist taking care of printing all the checks AP processed, sending wires, etc. Like you, I finished everything super fast because I was bored and it was easy, they kept giving me things to do because I could handle more (it took 2 people to replace me when I moved on from that department). I figured studying for the exams while I had that boring, easy job would be best but that wasn't right because I was so bored at my job. When a position in another department in accounting opened and I applied and got it. Now that I feel challenged at work (and doing more than just AP), it's much easier for me to study and I grasp the concepts much better. Because I've been there; I say go for something more challenging because you'll get to do more and gain more accounting experience in the long run. It sucks leaving a good company, but if there is no chance for better opportunities, look out for yourself.

[jlee1086]

No one so far has asked the most important question, is your boss nice? If they're willing to accommodate you when you need a day off to take your exam, it makes all the difference. I work as an assistant to a CFO at a small bank. Some of it is data entry, recs and AP. But much of my job is secretary work (answering phone, taking messages). My boss doesn't mind when I use my downtime to study. All he wants is for me to switch the screen to work when his boss walks into the office. You should take advantage of that. I especially thankful for this job when my friends in the Big 4 are slaving away.

All my passes happened while I was at this bank. As long as my boss is there, I wouldn't look for another job until I pass BEC.

It's ironic that companies which place more value on the CPA give you less time to study than ones that don't.

FAR 57 (11/2014), 64 (1/2015), 79 (7/2015)
AUD 68 (2/2015), 79 (11/2015)
REG 79 (1/2016)
BEC 81 (4/2016)

[Author]

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