Personal opinion, which career path has more opportunities, Tax accounting or Professional accounting (Audit)?

Question

I am having a hard time making a choice between the two (I know most people would choose a completely different path). I like the idea of working for a Big four audit firm and later making a transition to industry later to become a Controller or what not. I also like the consulting opportunities that a tax based career could offer.

I need to make a decision in my schooling this month and could use some good advice from people who have been there.

Thanks

Answer 1

You're looking at two completely different sides. Audit leading to a Controller means you are working for someone else. If you look at tax and go to consulting you can very well open your own business. They both have great opportunities. It's a matter of which you like more. One thing to thing about since it sure sounds like you like both. Why not go into audit and work for a Big Four for a few years and gain incredible experience auditing different companies. You get to learn how the efficient and inefficient companies are run and learn to avoid certain pitfalls. When you are ready to strike out on your own you will have a nice advantage.

Answer 2

If you become a tax accountant, you will be pigeonholed for life into tax accounting. If you work for a Big 4 firm, you have a lot more options open to you down the road.

With the emphasis on Sarbox of late, more companies are expanding their internal audit functions. This trend doesn't show any signs of abating any time soon.

Another option would be the international accounting field - more and more US companies are expanding globally, so that might be an area to think about.

Good luck!

Answer 3

My husband is a CPA. He works on the audit side. The audit people have it a bit more relaxed and not as demanding all the time like the tax people do. The tax people where he works are putting in 60-70 hours right now. If you like that, then go tax, but he enjoys audit. Good luck.