Don't Leave Public Accounting Before This Milestone!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 พ.ค. 2024
- Working in public accounting (audit) at the start of my career gave me an amazing foundation to succeed in Finance. In this video, I give my perspective on when is the best time to exit public accounting based on your goals. It’s best to plan what role you want to have in 10 years, whether that’s CFO or Controller, and plan accordingly. The number of years spent in public accounting plays a huge role in what you can achieve. But more years doesn’t necessarily mean better results.
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Thanks for mentioning best roles for introverts/extroverts. I hadn't realized one would be better for introverts so I appreciate this knowledge since I'm in the beginning of my schooling.
Cool Lea. Go crush it!!!
I guess Im asking randomly but does someone know a tool to get back into an instagram account..?
I somehow forgot the login password. I would love any assistance you can give me.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make and edit this video! Your channel is a comprehensive guide for us looking on how to develop our accounting careers. I appreciate your straightforward yet interesting videos.
Holy shit, this is actually useful for someone working in PA. Although most people say its best to leave at senior, since manager apparently starts to overprice themselves for industry positions.
Agree with that. Thanks for stopping by
I'm 7/8 years into this process. Also left after 2 years.
Really excellent summary 👍
Your videos are so clear about daily worklife, education and work requirements, career strategizing, etc. Very helpful and entertaining.
Extremely helpful!!! Great job done buddy.. Looking forward to more of your videos!!!
Bill you are having very passionate about Accounting profession. 👏💐
This was very helpful as I was just pondering how does one navigate the terrain so to speak to a controller or CFO role. Thank you. You are helping a lot of people.
Thanks for the kind words!
highly underrated channel. I have just started in public accounting your videos are a really great resource and has helped me see the options of what to do after a few years. A video covering some of the most handiest excel functions and where you used them would be really helpfull.
Happy to be helpful and sure will cover excel in the future
Thank you so much for all your advices!
You are welcome Salonn
We are thankful to you for your expertise!!
Great video! Really liked how you presented it all so well.
Thank you!
Will you please consider making a video on the career path you would recommend for those students who want to gain practical education and work experience to ultimately prepare themselves for starting and growing their own firm? I would really appreciate this kind of video since most accounting videos focus on becoming the best employee wo discussing a strategy for developing an end goal of preparing oneself to become self employed. Thankyou!
Thanks for this video. This helps me a lot in planning my career trajectory😊
Thanks Bret! Best of luck
Thank you for this Sir! I'm currently in my 3rd year tenure in public accounting, and has been a senior audit associate for over 1.5 years. I'm at the point of looking into other options. This really helped. Looking forward to more videos like this!
Sounds good, will be sure to put out more stuff on exit opportunities
Keep us Updates!!
Help -! Been at my firm 4 years still staff. And firm hired 3 outside seniors. With no CPA 👨💼 wtf help -!? Do I stay or leave. The work environment is blehhhh. Not good or bad
Very helpful. Thank you for the content
Glad it’s helpful :)
I felt such as I was talking during this video, so well expressed as I currently working for a Big4 company and feeling the exact same way...The lack of financial motives along with the workload is the reason that Big4 companies keep pushing away the high performers and high IQs employees who once they were attracted by those firms. Impacting with this way the quality of the output of Big4s...
Valuable info sir!
Your videos helped to get me an accounting internship at a top 15 accounting firm. Thank you.
Great to hear!!
Thanks you Bill hanna for sharing of your students
unique insights and in my experience as a CPA pretty spot on!
I tried :)
@@quarantinekitchen6909 search the #Danthemancpa on Linkedin and you will find my profile. I can give you better quality advice there rather than in a public forum.
Great information!
Thanks for the video. This was great.
thank you for such great insights into these financial roles and their pathways.
You are welcome!
Tks for this!
My pleasure!
I feel like when it comes to employers, not all public accounting experience is treated equally. I have 5 years of public accounting experience at boutique firms and I’m at the same level as people who spent half that time in big four then transitioned to industry
Interesting observation and probably very true. I guess what you miss by staying in public is exposure to budget and ERP integration
@Lilman Yellow even when you start out as associate?
@@aaronraykhat’s false on his part. I’d say after 8-12 months you’re put into more leadership roles but it doesn’t really begin until the 18 month mark. Definitely not right away
Can you make a video about LinkedIn and linking with recruiters. I’m goin to transfer to a state school that does get recruited but I have no clue about how to set up my LinkedIn for them (I’m not worried about gpa being an obstacle) very good videos btw
Ok random will factor this in my schedule. Let me know what else would be interesting for you to learn.
thank you, this was pricless!
🙏 thanks
Congrats on 100k!
Thank you!
phenomenal video
Thank you Bill for this video as always super informative! How can I gain experience to get a job as FP&A in accounting?
Thank you so much for your videos!
Thanks brother!
Can you make a video on the transferable skills from senior auditor to senior financial analyst? It would help alot!
Oh interesting idea ok
@@TheFinancialController I second that. Since getting an analyst role is harder from an audit senior position, what are your thoughts on getting a sr accountant role and then try to get into a sr analyst role?
Hey Bill. I love your channel, thanks for all the valuable advice.
I have had some recruiters tell me that it's a waste of time to spend more than 4 years in PA, because your skills become very specialized and not applicable to an industry role. (Granted they were trying to persuade me to take a job offer). What are your thoughts?
Your skills would get super specialized. But that's sometimes a good thing depending on exit strategy. For instance, those who spend 7-10 years can exit to become Head of Financial Reporting or SEC Reporting. So yes, highly specialized but in a good way. I took a different route as I left after 2 years, as I explain in the video.
Hi Bill, what’s your opinion about to form your self without to expense many time inside a firm and taking forming courses ?
I went straight to fin director after 8 years in PA. In hindsight, I learned everything I needed to be in this position by the 6th busy season. Everything after the PA 6th year *IMO*, was radically increasing the probability of the partnership ... squeezing the pulp from the souls of non existing or brain dead staff, managing and finding outsource people in other departments, countries or alliance offices, or hoarding the entire portfolio of client relations to myself. My favorite internal inspection comment was "the partner appears to have no involvement on the engagement"😂 I thought I wanted to be a partner at the time. There was nothing like demoing my next position working in private engagements by doing Everything for them. All the systems and GL skills that you don't learn in PA came from that.
Thanks Sir! May I also ask for the timing for exit in TAX in the BIG 4? I just currently got my CPA license and reviewing for my US CMA.
Hi Sir, can you make a video about pros and cons of working in shared service centre ? Thanks!
Hi. I will look into it
Thank you ❤❤❤
Thank you so much for your sharing and insight. I guess you have to be an audit in Big 4 and then you could become controller. Then how about tax people? Do they have chances to become controller? Would you make a video talk about different career paths for audit and tax in both public accounting firm and industry?
Hey Adam yeah will make a vid on that. Generally I have not seen a tax person make it to controller. But they do have other lucrative paths
@@TheFinancialController And may I ask what they are? I have a problem choose my career between audit and tax. I guess you were auditor in Big 4, right?
Thank you for asking this. I'm starting in tax this year at a big 4 & would really be interested in a video similar to this one for those in tax
Thank you so much, I am really confused about my position as a tax consultant but aim to be a Finance Director in the future, thus, i dont know my right career path or what is true way to me ?
Any suggestions for tax senior associates? Most senior accounting positions want audit associates instead of tax.
Thank you for the valuable advices. If i am not seeking to be a CFO, what would be the next step after being a Financial Controller?
VP of accounting and maybe chief accounting officer
It should be noted with 5-6 years in large or med public accounting experience it’s also possible to transfer to mgr or director of fp&a if you wanted.
I'm Interested in FP&A. I'll be starting as Big 4 Auditor later this year. What is the best service line within Public Accounting to land FP&A Role?
You can do it with audit but it’s harder than say an advisory position. Audit experience isn’t super applicable to FP&A positions. It depends also what kind of advisory you would be doing. FP&A roles are not that easy to get coming from Big 4 in my experience.
Also, he answered this in his video
Having been GM of multi-million $ restaurants for many years, I feel that those skills of reading financial statements, time management, etc are already in my wheelhouse. I have recently finished my bachelor's in accounting because I want to change careers. I am leaning away from taxation and audits. Working with teams is my strength, as well as budgets and forecasting. Would you agree that a CMA is probably a better fit for me?
Cool. I'll tailor an audit program.
After several years in the industry is it worth going to work for big public accounting firm?. Also, what’s the general workload as a sr accounting associate in the firm working as a consultant?…
Could you make a video to exit from Big 4 audit to more Corporate Finance/ FP&A roles? How easy it is to transfer into Corporate Finance or transactions teams at B4
Ok
Sir, plz tells about cma
Good information
Thanks!
Very useful video
Great 👍🏿
Hey thanks for the video. Very good content. Do you by chance know of an exit plan for Tax route in public accounting? Thanks
Hi, I am working on this idea for a future vid in collaboration with my wife who works in Tax
Hi im senior 1 in tax now and also wonder what are my exit opportunities, did you happen to move successfully to another job?
Getting a CFA designation or to be technical pursuing the designation as in passing the level one exams could go a long way to helping one into finance .
Agreed
Any insights similar to this video for folks in advisory roles?
Hi,
Really useful video thanks.
But i was wondering, if my goal is to become a CFO, but Im currently an auditor, do you think its more suitable to go for ACCA/CPA or CFA?
Thanks
If you are an auditor I highly recommend you capitalize on that experience by getting your CPA. Later on think about either: a) MBA or CFA or better yet b) taking a slight pay cut to get the right CFO experience, which is working in FP&A
A lot of good points here imo. But if you know that you want to end up in finance, it doesn't make sense to take them time to become CPA eligible (which usually means a 5th year out of undergrad). To be sure, I would take a lot of accounting courses in undergrad (e.g. Intermediate, Financial Statement Analysis) as that will always be helpful. But it makes no sense to spend the time (and money!) to become CPA eligible just so you can get Audit experience on your resume, especially if you are going to leave in 2 years.
Not gonna disagree. But I’ll say there is more than one way to skin a cat :) it’s just which poison do you pick...
ah wow, i'm glad i found this channel. Very informative!
Thanks 🙏
is it viable for a manager / senior manager in M&A tax to switch over to a financial controller / CFO role? would extra study such as short courses in financial modelling , masters in finance or MBA help to show finance skills for such transition?
It’s a hard transition, but maybe to a CFO role at a small company at first (less than $30M revenue) to get foot in the door. An MBA also can be good
How long did it take you from when you started your public accounting at PWC to being offered a controller position?
7-8 years
I am pursuing (cma finals) in india, for me it is good to so( US cma)or cpa what is better to my professional line
Hi, new subscriber, I am actually in my husbands account. You came from heaven I have been struggling with my career long term goals.
Is working for the government considered public accounting? I am wondering if I should go and work for the city or if I should go in the same path as you, which sounds great since I am an introvert.
Thank you so much for clarifying everything, I am starting to feel better about my current career path.
Hi. No public accounting is different than government. You can look up the definition online. My path has worked out really well for me :)
Bill, is it possible to become a controller coming from a Big 4 Tax role? What would be the best time to exit so I'm not "stuck" in tax?
it's rare. I would recommend rotating to an audit role for 1-2 years then exit to Accounting Manager or Sr Manager role as stepping stone to Controller
How many years did you work as a senior accountant and accountant manager?
Intersting channel!
🙏 thanks!
Hello Sir,
really nice explanation, I want to ask you that after spending more than 5 years in public accounting, and clear CFA exams along with work do we have chance to be a CFO.
In short:-
Do we have chance to become a CFO if we clear CFA exam but our experience is in accounting.
Eagerly waiting for your response,
Thank You 😊.
Yes, but you gotta work hard and learn tons
@@TheFinancialController yes sir, I am ready for it 👍
Lol what? Most CFOs have a CPA in my experience
Hey Mate, currently in an undergraduate role doing audit at a public practice whilst in uni. End goal working in private finance. Would love some tips or advice on making this possible
Thanks legend
Hey There. I have some videos on similar topics so feel free to explore the channel. I will do more on corporate finance roles. Actually tomorrow’s video is on the financial analyst roles
@@TheFinancialController Thanks, I really appreciate it. Do any of the videos provide strategies on entering those markets, rather than just descriptions?
Cheers
Perhaps you can tell me your major and they role you aspire to and what kind of company you want to ideally work for. And I will see if it makes a good video topic
@@TheFinancialController I’m currently studying a bachelor of commerce (Major Finance and Accounting). It’s very common to get a commercial accounting undergraduate role which is what I’ve done - much harder to get initially into private finance. May have the opportunity to do some paraplanning but I have been told audit can be super useful.
Very early on in my career so anything finance would be interesting, perhaps fp&a, M&A, Financial controller etc.
Thanks for the help
What is your take on switching to valuations after 2 yrs in audit and then going the corporate finance route?
I like it Robert. That's a good route for VP FP&A and CFO beyond that.
Hey Bill I have a question. I am 28 and I am about to finish my bachelors degree. I already have the full 150 credit hours for the cpa exam. Should I consider getting my masters or should I not do it? I already have my foot in the door with PwC I did an internship this summer and will be returning with them next summer.
If you have enough for the cpa exam, the only reason for me to get a masters is if you want down the line would like to teach college courses
@@TheFinancialControllerI appreciate your response, thanks a lot! You’ve videos have really helped me plan my future. You rock!
Do you think it would be more beneficial to go to the audit side of public accounting as opposed to tax? Or does it not matter which side you choose?
Both can be very rewarding career satisfaction and money wise. I tend to like audit route for its many exit options
@@TheFinancialController yeah I am more concerned with the exit opportunities. I have more experience in tax and therefore get more interviews/offers in tax haven’t gotten any in audit. Am I limiting my potential exit opportunities by taking a tax offer?
Yes Kyle you are. You won’t be able to work in anything other than tax upon exit.
Public acccounting is great for experience and knowledge but, tax season is an absolute killer for me. Im on my 7th tax season and every year gets harder and harder to manage my work life balance. Tax season sucks and I am miserable doing this crap. I would love to have an internal accounting role and actually see my kids for more than 5 hours per week.
Hey Bill, I am a little confused on my next move I should take. My overall goal is to be a CFO of a mid-large size company. I started off as a financial analyst in commercial banking sector for 2 1/2 years and transitioned into a Big 4 firm as an auditor currently studying to get my CPA license. What would you recommend my next step to be afterwards?
you will need to shift gears toward financial planning and analysis, rather than audit/accounting
Could someone start in Tax planning and then move to private for a financial controller position?
Unlikely but not impossible
Wow,interesting channel.
Thanks!
Hello sir,
Work experience before clearing the 4 cpa exams are considered for cpa license or we have to work only after clearing the exams
work experience even before the exam is valid, as long as you work under the supervision of a CPA
Hi there, I have working in big four accounting firm in Belgium for almost 3 years. I’m shifting to London and I wanted to know if it’s still possible to start as a controller in private sector.
Yes but I would say start out as an accounting manager before controller to strengthen your skills before taking a big role like a controller
@@TheFinancialController Thanks for the reply! Is the shift from Big four firm to accounting manager in private company in London easy?
In the US yes. I would think in the UK as well.
Became a CFO for a listed company without CPA, accounting degree or public accounting practice. Over a decade of industry experience is all I got. Is MBA a good degree or CPA/CFA?
Experience counts far more than degrees :)
This is for auditing? What about for tax?
So what do you do if you've gone way past 6 years? What's the exit strategy?
Exit to a Sr manager of accounting or FPA at a large company. Or a controller at a startup/small company
have you ever heard or thought about senior auditor became a equity research/investment banker at securities or asset management? How about the chances? Gettin higher bcs we're ex auditor who hv deeper accounting knowledges?
Yes but maybe a 5% chance and only for those who are very quick thinkers
@@TheFinancialController ah i see bcs we don't have experience in managing of fund right? but only in examining of FS based on GAAP....
@@TheFinancialController perhaps we have to hold CFA level 1 first hmmm
When referring to public accounting, are you talking about both tax and audit? Or is this career path only applicable to auditors?
Audit. Thanks for asking for clarification
@@TheFinancialController Thanks Bill! I’m currently a tax intern. It would be interesting to see a video on exit opportunities for public accountant in tax.
Sure will have something on this at some point
Can i move to banking sector after 8 plus years of experience by taking ciia?.i'm interested to work as investment banker for swiss bank is it possible
Sorry Atif not familiar with banking.
Ok,thnx
What if I work in Tax (not Audit) for Public Accounting, what jobs are available to me in Private? I also already have my CPA and willing to also get a CMA.
Tax manager/director
In the same boat as you and I think that we are stuck in tax
@@kenicke579 I ask myself everyday why I chose this dreaded path. I am ready to get tf out of tax. And I work for a Fortune 500 in tax. Went from public to private, it's just as bad.
Do you have to have a CPA license in order to become a senior accountant?
No. That’s more for accounting manager
@@TheFinancialController Thanks
Could you move from a sr accountant role to a sr financial analyst position?
Yes but like always say. You got to take some intermediary steps to make this transition. Meaning begin to do analyst tasks at current role to get good at it
What about for someone who wants to specialize in Forensic Accounting?
You probably should spend a couple of years in audit then ask to transfer to forensic accounting practice at the same firm (if they have it) or move to another firm that offers it
@@TheFinancialController Thank You.
@@TheFinancialController I plan on getting my CPA as well. Also, while I am working in the forensic accounting department, should I get the credentials CFE,CFF, and ABV?
How about CPA firm owner
For that, 5-7 years in public is best, but 3-5 can do if you are motivated
@@TheFinancialController Thank you for your prompt response, I appreciate it
Is this regional or big 4 public accounting in general
Both
What would a guy in public accounting in Tax do ?
Is MBA necessary to become CFO, for a CPA?
In 90% of cases yes
@@TheFinancialController thanks sir. So most of the public accountant are struck in controller position.
Controller, VP of accounting and Chief Accounting Officer
Did you personally get your CPA when working in public accounting? And do you need a cpa to become a financial controller?
CPA was obtained a few years after public accounting. CPA makes it a lot easier to become a controller
Hi, informative video! Would like some guidance on my career, i am an introvert and just graduated about 1yr ago, currently working as a junior fp&a and thinking of pursing ny career towards financial reporting / financial controller. Would an experience in public accounting (big 4) be necessary for me to reach my career goal as an sr mgmt fin reporting/ controller?
Not necessary but will sure make it much more attainable and at higher salary
@@TheFinancialController how are the hours in big4 though i heard its quite bad
but what happen if i am in tax?
My experience is in audit
Is the business analyst and financial analyst the same? what route should I take. Currently an audit associate in KPMG
Not the same. And being in audit is agile enough to hit either. Fin analyst more realistic
Think you will ever pursue the CFO role?
no, I like controller work actually
@@TheFinancialController is there a way to schedule a call with you and ask for advice for someone just getting into the accounting world?
I feel like to become a CFO at a medium to large firm is to get an MBA.
An MBA will certainly help
Nah, u better have a CPA with Financial controller or CFO experience from a small firm.
I just want to take the Donald Draper path instead.
Yeah I would too if I can
What about ambiverts? :D
Good question. You tell me :)
@@TheFinancialController Even for ambiverts I would prefer accounting. Less stress - Longer life. Tomorrow I have an interview for Financial Reporting Intern position. I hope I get through. 🙂
True! And good luck!
We are not all auditors.
True. I feel like a robot 🤖
dont enter public accounting or accounting in general , really u need to do something better with your life than this dead end job.