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Help This Old Guy Figure Out His Accounting Career Dreams

Posted on by Adrienne Gonzalez

Have a question for the GC public accounting dropouts, degenerates and rejects? Email us. We'll fight over who gets to call you out.

After spending four years in the Navy, I went back to school and graduated with a BA in English in 2007. After looking for a job for a few months and watching my bank account balance disappear, I took a job at a manufacturing company. Within the first year I ended up in the accounting department when the AP Manager quit. From 2008 until 2009, I worked in AP, AR, and payroll, as others quit. From 2008 until now I have been the AP Manager/Staff Accountant. I actually enjoy accounting so I decided to go back to school. I am halfway through my MS in Accounting, and I am considering what I should do once I graduate next year. I plan to study for and pass the CPA exam by the end of next year. Career-wise, I really don't like the company I am working for and I plan to move on. I can stay in the industry I am in, and get a job at another manufacturing company, hopefully as an assistant controller, or move into public accounting. Since I am in my mid 30's, and I don't have a bachelor's degree in accounting, I am guessing a job with a Big 4 firm is out. I am trying to decide if I should seek a position with a small, local firm, or continue with my current path in corporate accounting. Will I make more in corporate or public accounting (with a small, local accounting firm)? Is it worth the pay cut to move from corporate to public? Will an accounting firm hire a guy in his 30's with four years experience in corporate accounting, a MS in Accounting, but no bachelor's in accounting?

Thank you for your advice,

Middle Aged Man

OK… seriously… Middle Aged Man? I get that you are a 30-something entering the world of 20-somethings but really?! As a 30-something (early, not mid, tyvm), I resent that. My boyfriend who graduated college when I was still playing with My Little Pony is middle-aged, not you. Get over it.

Anyway. The important thing here is to ask yourself what you want. From your email, I can't quite grasp what your goal is. How exactly did you go from English to accounting? It reads like you kind of just accidentally ended up there but that's not how it happens.

A smaller firm would love a guy like you. Motivated, not at all stupid and capable of following orders, what more could they ask for? Unless you absolutely need the Big 4 résumé item – and you don't given your military background and Masters, which are appealing to firms – don't even bother. Do your two years somewhere in public once you start taking the CPA exam and GTFO like everyone else does.

A move to public now will expose you to new industries that might appeal to you more so than whatever it is that is currently sucking out your soul. You might just find an industry you enjoy. It sounds like you have the freedom to make this choice so why would you question it?

The only serious point I want to get across to you is that instead of saying you are planning to take the CPA exam, start actually preparing for it. Have your applications ready to go as soon as you are eligible, and if you've been eligible for some time but haven't applied yet, I don't get why you're wasting your time emailing me when you need to be applying for the CPA exam. I'm serious. Being CPA-eligible and CPA-studying are two different things; the sooner you can get this over with, the more appealing you will be to firms. I get that you're not done with your MS but this is serious, so get it done while your brain is still in college mode if you can. You'll gain invaluable negotiating power over some dumb intern thinking he deserves a break.

It is not my job to tell you how valuable you are to accounting at large; you have plenty of marketable skills from what I can tell so I don't quite get why you need to reach out to us for validation that you aren't some loser no one in public accounting might want. So what if you're old? This gives you a leg up in today's work environment as I've found my Gen XY-ness to be an asset when managing Gen Y employees (interns for you) and reporting to Gen Xers or Boomers (managers and partners for you). Take advantage of that. You're a bit far on the spectrum but hopefully you've picked up the ability to transcend generational strife like most people our age have. Accounting firms are having a tough enough time managing Millennials, so don't let that opportunity pass you by.

If it is money you are after, I'd say do two years in a smaller firm for the CPA license experience and in the interim, you'll probably be exposed to something within that firm that tells you what you really like. Or at least points you in a better, more lucrative direction.

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Engineer Curious to Know if an Advisory Role with PwC or Deloitte Would Be a Good Opportunity

Ed. note: Looking for career guidance from a couple of Big 4 expats or our resident permanently ink-stained wench? Email us at advice@goingconcern.com.

Hello,

I have become an avid reader of your website and need your help regarding an opportunity. I have an engineering background and 5 years of experience in the heavy construction industry specifically oil & gas. In hopes to moving on to something different and possibly working as a consultant I have got a chance to work at PWC and Deloitte in a senior associate advisory role. I do know that these companies are primarily in audit but the sales pitch they gave me was that they were trying to build the Capital Projects Advisory division. Do you all think it is good opportunity?

Sincerely,
Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

Dear Chugs,

As a self-proclaimed avid reader, I hope you caught the post I did in June about the engineering consultant in a similar situation as yours. Check it out for feedback focused on what to do once you start at your new gig in a Big 4’s advisory practice.

That said, you’re asking if the chance to work at the #1 or #2 public accounting firms in the world are “good” opportunities. I follow up your question with one of my own:

If working for #1 or #2 is not a good opportunity, what more are you looking for?

So yes, they are great opportunities to jump start your career into the “consulting” slash advisory biz. Sure, they crank out audits and tax returns, but those are very different revenue generating streams than their advisory practices. To put things in more engineering terms – wary of working in the advisory group of PwC or DT because they perform assurance services is like turning down an aerospace engineering job at GE because they also make light bulbs.

Assuming the offer details are similar, look at each firm’s Capital Projects practices. Which group is more established? Have they made other external hires recently? What is each group’s current market share/focus, and what are long term plans?

Good luck with whichever role you pursue, and welcome to the Big 4 community.

Cheers,
DWB

an orange cat in glasses lying on a book

Get Answers to Your Accounting Career Questions While the Getting Is Good

Have you recently thought to yourself, “Man, this Going Concern team is a sharp bunch. […]

Big 4 Recruiting Season: Career Fair Tips

Got a question for the career advice brain trust? Email us at advice@goingconcern.com.

Good afternoon, GC’ers. I’m going to be devoting posts to general campus recruiting advice this week. College students – listen up. Already-employed cohorts – chime in with your own advice. Today I’m going to cover Career Fairs, everyone’s favorite meat market.


Questions you should be ready for – “Did you submit your resume through Career Services? Did you submit our firm’s additional paperwork? When do you graduate? What office are you interested in? Will you be CPA eligible up graduation? What practice are you interested in?” If you know what practiced you’ sure to have your paperwork submitted through the necessary online means. Don’t know what you’re applying for? Read below…

Know what you’re applying for – Nothing worse than talking to a student who is, “Uhhhhhhh, you know, I’m open to anything.” To me, that means you are unfamiliar with my firm’s services and you’re standing in line like a lemming because you know it’s good for you. Do you homework ahead of time about what practice groups are being targeted on your campus. Here’s a hint – focus on the job posts that are on your Career Services site; this is what each firm is focused on and actively recruiting for from your particular school. Don’t see Transaction Advisory Services listed? Probably ain’t gonna happen.

Suit up – Take a piece of advice from Barney Stinson and rock a suit to the Fair. It doesn’t need to be an expensive suit; heck, it doesn’t even have to be yours. Personally, I’m not a fan of the trend of suits becoming the norm at career fairs but it is better to match your competition than to assume “different is better.” Accounting firms are not Google; they breed a conservative culture. Play along, at least until you have an offer.

In an effort to avoid this becoming an Esquire-like blog post, I’ll keep my suit advice simple.

Ladies: Make sure your blouse is comfortably but securely buttoned, and take the potential of taller recruiters (aka wandering eyes) into consideration. Also, avoid hot magenta or any other color that would be included in a pack of highlighters.

Gents: That Calvin Klein tag on the outside of your jacket’s left sleeve? Yeah, that’s supposed to come off. Also, be sure to open your pockets and jacket vents before going to the Fair. It’s always awkward to see a guy trying to stuff a business card into a sewn up pocket.

Relax. Don’t sweat it. – Really, I mean that. Few things are more repulsive than shaking the moist hand of an anxious student. It can get hot at career fairs, I know. You can do a couple of things to chill out if you have a sweating problem: 1) Hold you résumé folder in your left hand and keep your right hand out of your pocket. This will let your hand breathe. 2) Small talk the person next you – it will help both of you relax. 3) A good swipe of your right hand on the back of your leg when you know your turn is coming up is totally fair game.

Always mints, never gum – There’s a good chance you’ll have to wait in line at the Big 4 booths. As you’re waiting in the mass herd of people, pop a few Tic Tacs or mints (avoid Altoids – too strong). They’ll help you relax and will be gone before you start speaking to the recruiter.

Business cards = cheat sheets – Ask for business cards when you meet with the professionals at the career fair (note – if they don’t have any, just remember to get their name so you can take notes later). Generally speaking, they are alums from your school and are excited to be back on campus and they can be a great resource going forward. They will also be at other events, even as early as the same week as the career fair. In between visiting booths, take two minutes to scribble notes on the back of the business card to help you remember who they were. “Black hair.” “Red glasses.” “Talked about baking.” “Mentioned she was an Eagles fan.” Reviewing these cards prior to next week’s firm-sponsored social event on campus will help you remember the connections much better.

Find out when they’ll be back – The five minutes you spend with the recruiters and professionals at the career fairs are not enough to earn yourself an interview. It is imperative you make personal connections with members of each firm. Beta Alpha Psi presentations. Cheesy happy hour mixers. Whatever. Go, shake hands, and laugh at their jokes. Earn yourself an interview.

Remember your manners – Thank everyone for their time. As happy to be on campus as they may be, many of the professionals will put in hours for work back at their hotels later that night. It is not always easy for them to take time off from work to make the trips back, so have a little respect for their time and their neglected inboxes.

Have anything to add? Email us or leave your comments below.