Discussion:Ever leave the accounting field or think to?
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Mr. purple (talk|edits) said: | 5 March 2008 |
| Just curious to see if others here have left the field, where you went, and why you came back (assuming you're back in Accounting if you're reading this). Sometimes I feel like there's infinite continuing education, we're held to a higher liability, and don't receive enough monetarily for our time and efforts when compared to other industries...which leads me to ask, is it worth it?
As for me, I started in Big 4 auditing, jumped to finance (backoffice of a hedge fund), then to Advertising on Madison Ave.(creative side - non accounting/finance related), then ultimately ended up as a junior partner of a small CPA shop. I liked the easiness and pay of my finance job, the creativity and culture (NOT pay) of my advertising job, and the fact that I work for myself where I'm at now. I'm a CPA, 27, and am pretty content with where I'm at now, but sometimes wonder if I should jump back to a huge firm (most likely private hedge funds) and have a nice, cushy job that pays pretty well. The only reason I haven't done that is b/c I'm hoping that my business partner and I can grow our current practice into a huge one. I jumped into his existing practice and he has a great return rate with his clients. Anyone else move around, any regrets? Thanks. | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 5 March 2008 |
| It's pretty common now for people in their 20's to jump around. You have to decide what's right for you. I started out as a commerical banker and the myth about "bankers hours" is just that - a myth. I worked 60-80 hours a week and was constantly asked "is it done yet?" Got out after I made the mistake of answering my phone at 9:00 on a Friday night and the loan officer (who was also working) wasn't surprised that I was there. That's when I realized that I couldn't do it for another 30 years. Eventually went into accounting working for myself. Once I made the change, my blood pressure dropped 10 points. Every person needs to decide what is right for them and what they want out of a job (money, challenges, lots of time off, interaction with others, etc) | |
| 8 March 2008 | |
| BL: I always thought you had a special gift with clients. You seem to attract decent clients, or you are not telling us about the PITA ones! :) Seriously, I am waiting for your books and seminars on how you do it. | |
Bottom Line (talk|edits) said: | 8 March 2008 |
| Thanks Crow. What a wonderful idea about a book. Hubby does some writing so maybe I can get him to ghost write it! Like everyone I have some PITA's. About five years ago I realized that my book of business was full and that I couldn't take any new clients without hiring help. After several attempts at finding someone, I figured out that it wasn't to be. (I haven't decided whether I'm simply not good at selecting people, not good at supervising or am just not in the office enough to adequately train a new employee.) I have a list of all my clients. I use this list to make sure nothing slips through the cracks like quarterly payroll filings. Every November I review this list and determine if there are any clients that need to be "fired" and whose work load has changed so that a pricing change is needed. That way I get rid of the PITA's in time for them to find someone else for tax season. | |
Wkstaxprep (talk|edits) said: | 8 March 2008 |
| I dont believe there is a nice, cushy job at a huge firm for a cpa.
my experience is many huge fims treat their company employees like sweat shop workers. I would say stay in finance and combine that with tax clients might be a nice way to go. Just a thought... Will | |
