[hello81]

Hi all – I have been in tax for quite some time and I feel the need for a change. I was interested to see if others have changed from tax to other career paths and what those new career paths might be. I know a CPA license can only help in this process and it is partially the reason and I have decided to take on this beast of an exam. Any insights or advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

FAR - 7/16/16
AUD - Fall 2016
REG - Fall 2016
BEC - Winter 2017

[PurpleK]

A lot of your options are dependent on geography and industry.

A lot of my starting class at the Big 4 (NYC, SF, Chicago) left to become controllers or VPs of finance. We were all in the asset management, banking, capital markets group (mutual funds, broker dealers, private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, REITs/real estate).

These jobs usually go to auditors, however, the larger the city, the more opportunities for those with tax backgrounds.

[choffner]

I “left” TAX for more specialized areas of TAX. So I still use my experience and knowledge, but sort of made a change. I do Cost Seg and R&D. I work with the TAX team, but am essentially independent of them. I get to travel to clients roughly 20% of my time, but not as much as an auditor that it makes me feel like a nomad. While on one hand, specialization could start to pigeon hole me, it also makes it a little easier to move up since I have less competition, and I got a 22% pay bump.

BEC 75
REG 81
FAR 69, 75
AUD 71, 74, 84

[Anonymous]

I'm with choffner – I got out of compliance, but am still in the tax world. I'm actually still at the same company I did compliance/tax accounting work for, but now I am on the research side of things. My schedule/projects aren't as predictable and yes, I am probably pigeon holing myself – but I also find what I'm doing now to be more interesting and I like the changing of projects – I am not doing the same process every month/year.

[NotYourAverageCPA]

I went from tax to Information Systems Internal Controls/Risk Management. Anything is possible if you have a CPA and an interest. Easier to do earlier on in your career.

FAR - PASS
AUD - PASS
REG - PASS
BEC - PASS

NY CPA- Licensed Jan 2016
CISA Exam - Passed June 2016

[hello81]

@NotYourAverageCPA – how long were you in tax? My concern is that I have been in tax too long. I work with financial information systems frequently (and have for many years) and there is where my interest lies. I really like learning how systems work, writing reports, and figuring out if we can get an existing system to meet our information requirements. As I said, I have been at it for awhile though (over 10 years) so I know a CPA license is necessary to make the transition. I think it will just smooth the path a bit if I can make the jump this far into my career.

@choffner – I've done a little cost seg in the past and actually enjoyed it. I haven't worked with clients in forever as I have been in industry for over 10 years. Have you always worked in public accounting/with clients?

FAR - 7/16/16
AUD - Fall 2016
REG - Fall 2016
BEC - Winter 2017

[NotYourAverageCPA]

@hello81 I was only full-time in tax for a year and half before I made the switch, though I do have an MST which is now worthless(people are still impressed). I was fortunate enough to have been licensed very early on in my career while also being at a large public firm where I made a lateral transition in the company. I am also taking the CISA to further position myself in this role which I recommend to you if you plan on going this route.

IT seems to be the future, so if you have IS/IT/Risk Management skills plus a CPA you're golden!

FAR - PASS
AUD - PASS
REG - PASS
BEC - PASS

NY CPA- Licensed Jan 2016
CISA Exam - Passed June 2016

[Author]

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