Accounting Exit Opportunities

I used to think “I’m just burnt out” was temporary. Now I’m realizing I might actually be in the wrong career altogether. Has anyone else had that moment where you realized you weren’t coming back?

Big 4 to Turbotax remote work? I am currently a tax manager at big 4 and thinking about applying for a remote job with TurboTax for a seasonal gig preparing returns. Less pay but less stress. Anyon… more

If you could go back and talk to yourself right before leaving accounting, what would you say? I’m standing on the edge right now and I’m swinging between excitement and terror. I know I can’t stay, b… more

Are any industry jobs truly that much better work life balance? It seems like most of our clients work just as much or more than we do

I got laid off last month and I hate admitting this, but… I feel relieved. Don’t get me wrong, I’m stressed about money and the job search, but for the first time in years, I can breathe. I finally ha… more

Anyone ever leave accounting, try something new… and absolutely hate it? I finally escaped public, pivoted into a more “creative” finance-adjacent role, and for the first few months I told myself I ju… more

I finally landed an industry role and I have no idea what to wear. Business casual? Full blazer? Startup hoodie? Someone make a post-public fashion guide please.

Does January really feel like the best time to job hunt? Everyone says new year, new budgets, but I also feel like half of LinkedIn is still hungover. If you’ve successfully landed a new job early in … more

It’s funny how a new year makes you look at your job with fresh eyes. I used to justify the grind, but now I’m wondering what I’m actually building because it’s sure not a life I love. If you’ve made … more

It’s the last week of the year and I’m still checking emails, responding to “quick questions,” and watching my PTO evaporate in real time. I told myself I’d rest, but public has a way of creeping in e… more

I keep hearing that storytelling is everything when pivoting, but what does that actually mean? Like, how do you tell your story without sounding like a resume with feelings?

I’m starting to feel like I’m not “senior” enough to land director-level roles, but I’m too experienced to be considered for entry-level pivots. I’ve been in public for 5+ years and want to change lan… more

Does anyone else feel weirdly guilty about wanting to leave accounting? Like it’s some kind of betrayal of the time, the effort, the tests, the money spent, the sacrifices made. I tell myself I earned… more

Why does every job that sounds meaningful also seem to pay 40% less? I’ve seen some amazing roles, but the comp would take me back to what I made three years ago. How are we supposed to choose between… more

I’m craving a reset so badly that I’ve started browsing roles I would’ve laughed at six months ago like project management, nonprofit ops, program coordination, even education admin. Anything that fee… more

Although still pretty much accounting, does anyone have advice on moving from audit to FDD? What should my resume look like? Best places to try and get in? Are teams even hiring right now?

Ever feel like your career is fine on paper but dead in your gut? I’ve gotten good jobs, solid reviews, even recruiter outreach for great opportunities. And yet I feel like I’m living someone else’s l… more

Is there such a thing as being too honest in interviews? I’ve been trying to show up as my real self like saying I care about work-life balance, that I’m looking for a company that values people, not … more

I’m stuck between two roles right now. One is finance-adjacent, super chill, low stress, but probably a career plateau. The other is a high-growth startup with tons of potential. One job protects my m… more

Anyone else pivot into operations and never look back? I left accounting two years ago and now I’m running a biz ops team, and honestly, it’s the first time my work feels forward-looking. I still use … more

Every job description these days says they want someone with an entrepreneurial mindset, but the second I suggest a better way to do something, I get side-eye or a lecture about how we’ve always done … more

Is it normal for recruiters cold call you with info found on ZoomInfo? I don’t have my info publicly available on LinkedIn or anything, so very wary of sending any additional info or resume to the guy. Convo oth… more

Just got rejected for a role I felt perfectly qualified for. Every box? Checked. Even had experience with the exact systems they use. I thought the interview went well, and then rejection email with n… more

I thought getting my CPA would unlock all these new doors, but instead, it feels like it’s boxing me in. Every recruiter wants to talk about tax, audit, or controller paths. Meanwhile, I’m out here tr… more

What was your “aha” moment that finally made you leave accounting? For me it wasn’t some big meltdown or dramatic exit. It was sitting in a status meeting, half-listening to a partner talk in circles,… more

Previous bowl leader here was really helpful in the early days by pinning Big 4 Transparency as a resource for salary data, so thought I’d share a recent win here.

I recently got included in the “Ones To Watch” list on the top 10… more

In the US, are companies hiring for senior accounting roles (Senior Manager/ Associate Director/ Director) who hold L2 visas? A lot of postings say “Applicants must be currently authorized to work in … more

For those who left PA at manager level or higher, how did you finally do it? I've been trying for months now but no offers yet that would pay enough. I was told twice by places that interviewed me… more

I’m interviewing for a role that sounds incredible. It's hybrid finance and ops, interesting company, great mission. The catch? It’s in an industry I know nothing about. I’ve been in manufacturing… more

I recently joined a large firm in a major city, but I just heard back about another opportunity that would not only increase my compensation substantially but also give me international experience. It feels… more

Got offered a new role with a fancy Controller title, but the org is so lean that I’d be doing literally everything myself. No team. No junior support. Just me reconciling, closing, budgeting, forecas… more

I finally got out of public… and I hate to admit it, but I kind of miss the pressure. Not the hours, not the stress, but the clarity. You knew what done looked like. Now I’m in a gray-zone role with n… more

What’s the weirdest or most unexpected job an accountant can do? I’m not talking controller at a cool brand or FP&A at Spotify. I mean actually different. I’ve been doing audit and reporting for y… more

I’ve had three different mentors give me completely different advice: one says stay in public to build leverage, one says go corporate to stabilize, and one says join a startup to learn fast. They’re … more

Ever notice how people outside accounting think CPA means you either do taxes or QuickBooks for your uncle? I mention I’m a CPA and people start asking about W-2s or if I can do their cousin’s return.… more

I’m about to leave public for my first industry job and I feel really good about it, but I also don’t want to walk into a shinier version of the same misery. The pay’s better, the team seems solid, bu… more

Anyone in audit move to contract work? I see PWC, KPMG and Robert Half offer this. I don’t need the benefits since I’m on my spouses. Curious if any one has this experience and can share their thought… more

Has anyone successfully (or unsuccessfully) pursued an MBA (executive or part-time) while working full time in Big 4 audit? I’m interested in the networking and investing in myself if the audit partne… more

I see a lot of talk about pivoting into startups and I’m genuinely interested, but how do you actually get noticed by one? I feel like half of them don’t even post jobs, and when they do, it’s vague a… more