I am about to finish my master's degree in accounting, and I am considering two job offers. One is from a fairly strong corporation as a financial analyst, the other is with a local CPA firm as an auditor. The local CPA firm pays for the CPA Exam prep course (over $2,000 expense) but the corporation does not. I think the potential to earn more and gain more experience and responsibilities faster is better with the CPA firm. I turned down offers from the Big 4 because of the excessive hours associated with those opportunities. I am not in a position where I can travel and work the kind of hours demanded by the Big 4, but I could fit in well with the local CPA firm and the pay is very similar. The potential to move up in the corporation is probably good also, but may take considerably longer in my opinion. I really appreciate your advice and perspective. Thanks.
2007-07-20 06:50:06 · 4 answers · asked by Tony 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
The $2000 is immaterial and shouldn't be part of your decision making process. This is a career path decision not a monetary decision.
Do you have ambition to relocate to bigger cities? If you plan to stay at your current town, then go with the local CPA firm. The business network would be invaluable.
However, if you have desire to move to larger places, then the broader business connection from a large corporation would be helpful. You may be able to transfer within the corporation to different cities. Large international corporations tend to hire from their peer-level companies.
The second question for you is what do you like to do? Audit/accounting/SOX etc is very different from financial analyst. In other words, are you going to get CFA or CPA?
Aside from the fact that you are not able to work the hours that a typical Big 4 expects, there is still a lot to be said for Big 4 experience. One can typically get a lot of exposure to various industries and roles at very short time. With a few years of Big 4 experience, one can fairly easily approach their dream job any where in the world.
Best wishes.
2007-07-20 10:53:47 · answer #1 · answered by JQT 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The CPA firm seems to be the better starting place. In addition to paying for your prep course, I'll just bet they provide a lot of back-up and support while you study. I think you'll get more personal attention there. (I wouldn't work Big 4 schedules either!)
It used to be that Big 4 experience was a huge plus on a resume, but in the post-SOX world, smaller CPA firms are equally, if not more, attractive to hiring companies. The most important things are passing the Exam and getting the most out of the experiences on your audits.
2007-07-20 07:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by CC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you should work first at the CPA firm and then look into working at reputable corporations. I work in the Accounting field and had worked first in a CPA firm. It counts a lot on your resume and you learn quite a bit about other companies as youdo their audits and taxes. Its a big plus to have your CPA also if you take the exam prep course and then the exam.
Congrats and good luck!
2007-07-20 06:54:39 · answer #3 · answered by Stareyes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By all means.
2007-07-26 04:56:22 · answer #4 · answered by txpainthorse 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋