All these posts about our earning potential as accountants are making me feel down about our prospects. It makes you feel regret in choosing this progression.

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

There is solid money in accounting. It's reliable.

likesmart

True, but depending what you do you’re never stuck and can always explore other accounting jobs until you eventually plateau. Also can add additional education and specialties and work up management ranks with hefty stock comp. I believe 30% of F500 CEOs are CPAs

It’s all what we do with our talents, but overall the profession is challenging.

like

I read an article that you are losing money unless you switch jobs every 2-3 years so I think it might be more about not getting sucked in to staying at one firm or company for so long that you miss pay increases

like

This and staying long enough to vest properly.

like

Accounting has a lot better earning potential than many majors out there. Even many engineers with MBAs could top out at $200K. I went to a top 10 undergrad and many of my friends are making less than me (I’m 15 years out), even though I changed careers. They have great careers. I think a lot of people are jaded. We are in the top % of earners.

like

OP was feeling down about the earning potential of a career in accounting vs other careers (presumably with a different education). That is why I was making this comparison.

like

I guess some things to think about are what is good money to you? Almost guaranteed to hit 100k+ which a lot of people will never see in their lifetime. Also, what other career that earns more would satisfy you? Are you interested in comp sci, engineering, etc? It’s easy to find what you don’t like but finding what you do like is tougher.

like

Not sure what there is to be down about. Some professions like IB are going to have an even higher ceiling, but I don’t think being a big 4 partner pulling in 750k+ is anything to scoff at. Lot higher ceiling than many other professions.

like

remember too that virtually all who post here are only to complain - so of course it's all negative

like

In public accounting I did a lot of 401k audits in the "slow" season. Experienced accountants (CPA, 10+ years, not AP clerks) make no less than 120k in a moderate COL city. Even at simple small companies.

Some accountants do really well some really badly. Its what you make of it. If you are mediocre accountant you'd be mediocre in anything else too. So go put and make your career what you want it to be

Tpu do have a good point. What I meant was that our profession is definitely not one of worst. And has high earning potential. But there are a lot of people who won't achieve that because they are simply not that good. So its not about what profession you chose but more about what you make of it.

like

Most people on here to complain about their jobs or the low salary in the first 2-4 years. The comments are skewed by people who leave before things get better. Earning potential is pretty good if you stay around past that and are a top performer. If you are on PPMD track (and that is your career aspiration), life’s pretty good.

Related Posts

I've recently went to a restaurant and saw a robot waiter, I thought that was the coolest thing. What do you all feel about this shift in the restaurant industry?

like

Hello All. I have 7 years of work exp in Data analytics & Data engineering team. Right now managing a team of 12. Will PMP certification help in career growth ? Needed some view points.

Post MBA career goals that do not involve returning to consulting (or banking)?

like

What is the best compliance certificate to have?

like

What are the pros and cons of joining a Captive Organization for Salesforce ?

It is true that in service based consultings the learning curve will be better coz we'll get to work on a lot of projects compared to a captive organisation ?

How should one decide? Can someone list out the pros and cons of both. It would be really helpful for a lot of people.

Thanks in Advance!

Anyone else feel they have less responsibility after exiting consulting? I used to be in the room with C suite, did many board presentations etc. Now my TC is double and I’m dealing with mid-management and have less stimulating work.

like

Anyone here pivot from politics/campaigns to consulting? Worked at one of the national committees for a few years and decided to get my MBA as a working professional to try and transition. Any advice appreciated!

Has anyone been CSA or CIS certified for Servicenow?

Anyone here taken the LSAT and the CPA? Which one is harder?

like

What is the equivalent of a Sr MD in Accenture in IBM ? A Band C or higher ?

like

Hi folks,
What's the way out of bench or no project allocated status. If we need a good development one.
If any of u guys were there how did u cracked your way out. Please suggest and guide.

(My Tech stack - java spring boot level 10)

like
like

Advice needed!! Have 8+ years of compliance/legal/in house experience (not privacy law except HIPAA). I really want a Privacy Counsel role so I took and passed the CIPP/US and CIPM exams this past year. I’ve been offered an Associate Director job at PwC. Is this a good stepping stone to a Privacy Counsel role? How long should I expect to work at PwC before I could apply to Privacy Counsel roles??

like

I am preparing for the CIPP/US exam using their official textbook (3rd Ed). If anyone has a good outline, would you be willing to share? I tried to create one myself but it is taking way too long :/ Thanks so much in advance!

like

Anyone exit to the sports industry? If so, what is your role now?

likehelpful

Anyone know of any tech jobs out there that seem complex? Ones that someone can do with zero schooling but lots of experience behind them?

like

Anyone in TAAG? How are the hours? Have you seen anyone transfer from TAAG into core FAAS?

like

I’m four months into my job and I got put onto a PIP. I worked so hard to break into IB, put up all the hours and even working 2am nights for weeks, learned a ton, and improved a lot along the way as the sole analyst yet this happens. I’m extra worried because it doesn’t seem there’s IB analyst positions out there. Im really hoping come January more positions come up but I’m just praying they don’t fire me until then. Anyone have general tips for this situation?

like

Jumping to ACD at a new agency from senior. My CD was telling me that ACD is the worst job bc you are doing your CDs job and yours. I’m sill excited. ACDs+: What’s your favorite part of being an ACD?

like

How easy is it to lateral from Bain to McK/BCG? About to join Bain post-PhD in a few months. Really interested in life science/biopharma but there’s not much work in it here and nervous I won’t be able to exit to that industry. Are there any other options besides lateraling? Also is there a set amount of time to wait before I could try?

like

More Posts

Hi Fishes,

I have been offered 37.5 lacs ( fixed ) plus 20% variable for the associate director level . My current fixed CTC is 29 Lacs .

Can you please let me know if this a good offer or I can get more?

Please also let me know what is the salary range for associate directors?

like

What is expected CTC for lateral hires for PWC AC for the position of guidewire business analyst ? Total YOE-7..5 as BA, 2 as others.

like

Does anyone have tips for negotiating salary or other perks specifically at a nonprofit?
SDZWA has a large research side that many don’t know about but the pay is rubbish compared to other research organizations.

12 years experience as a software developer. How much package should I expect from a MNC company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada?

likehelpful

On an engagement causing a commute of 3-4 hours a day. Is this normal? How to deal? Can’t move..

like

I have a 3 month old and a 3 yr old who both go to daycare. The daycare hasn't announced closure. As a parent would you keep them at hm while working or take them? It's just me with them. Scared of CV

like

Can anyone please let me know how to raise a complaint on my ex employer HR for not providing PF related information. Is there any act or some board ?

like

Got an offer from talentica for around 11 lpa as a software developer.issue is they are giving 2 months to join whereas my notice period is 3 months.
Can someone guide me what to do?
Current ctc- 7.2 lpa
Total exp- 11 months

like

People with long hairs working out - have you ever worked out twice a day and washed your hair twice? The maintenance is feeling unsustainable

likefunny

Any thoughts/experiences on Big4 vs law firms? I started at Big4 straight out of law school. Not sure how easy or worth while it would be to transition to a law firm, at some point.

like

Hi Guys, I am having 11 YOE and working as a solutions architect. I am currently in Europe and my current CTC is 70K Euros. In India how much CTC I should look for?

like

Hello ladies!! Sorry for lack of engagement as I’ve been spending most of my time leading the WiT bowl. I wanted to let you know we are still on track for a speaker on February 25th. She is a certified menopause practitioner and OB/GYN. She will be answering questions live related to all topics concerning menopause and HRT. Please attend if possible!! When the event is scheduled I will post a link so you can add it to your calendars.

like

What will be expected salary should be when applying for a job as a 4 years of Ruby on rails developer

1) In Pune - Banglore location
2) In Malasia location

like

We are all sleep walkers (specifically in Europe) walking towards the second wave of corona virus cases and potential lock-downs even though we should all know better.
Change my mind!

like

Immediate opening in my project ( Hexaware) with below skills:

1. MLOps with GCP
2. Deep Learning

like

Qualified Dividends: I’m expecting $650-$750 qualified dividend in 2021. Salary and base about $250 total. Questions: what tax rate will the qualified dividend be taxed at? The 15% or 20%? Also, since it’s technically a long term gain, do I have to pay an state and local on the income? Been reading for a bit and I can’t seem to find a clear answer. Thanks fishies!

like
like

Would folks be open to participating in a “PM Office Hours” style discussion?

Flexible on format etc; here’s what I’m thinking:
- We choose a particular problem for a week (/month?) which a lot (all?) PMs face regularly. E.g. “stakeholder mapping”
- we have a “Fishbowl Live event” where we (practicing PMs) can discuss what we have seen work / not work/ brainstorm solutions for someone with a specific problem.

The idea is to provide multiple peer perspectives, and hopefully something useful

like
like

Additional Posts in Accounting

Is residency / working in a state required to obtain a CPA license there? If I live and work in state A, is it possible to obtain a CPA license in state B?

likehelpfulfunny

Does your firm form leadership group trainings? We usually do every summer but we are starting one these last 2 months. We usually read books or watch something and then discuss. If you do them, do you think they are effective?

like

This is probably an odd question, but i just found out that the professor who is teaching a tax class I’m in for school, is the Tax manager from a local firm who is assigned to our taxes as a company (I’ve worked with him regarding our taxes).

This isn’t like conflict of interest or anything right?

like

He busted his ass during busy season only to be fired now. They knew he wasn’t cutting it why wait until after busy season

like

Thoughts on reaching out to clients you’ve worked closely with to tell them you are in the market for new opportunities?

like

Last day and it feels so great!!

likefunnyuplifting

Is it a bad idea to try to get into PCS tax since a lot will be automated down the line for individuals ?

like

Anyone have an idea what the Int’l Tax Manager comp range is at Amazon?

like

Is it possible to transfer offices more than once within the same company and LoS?

like

Where da audit staff at?

like

For those who jumped ship from audit to advisory, did your average rating hurt you?

like

Anyone else taking advantage of the no interest on student loans to pay them down faster, or are you more keen on saving the money instead for emergency purposes.

like

Any CPAs on here have their MMJ card? Little worried about the impacts of licensing if I go get the card.

like

Hey friends, I had Becker before and did well with it; that expired and now I have Wiley.

For those that used Wiley, did you find that the lectures and practice problems were sufficient to pass? Cont

like

busy season theme song

Post Photo
likefunny

Anyone taken the CFE or CIA? Feedback is appreciated with respect to review courses and prep time. Thanks.

like

How many of you’ll stranded and delayed across both airports thanks to the DL5450 flight from Charlotte to LGA?

like

Looking for apt recommendations in Grandview, Ohio. TIA

like

I know they say you burn bridges if you leave during a busy time, but how should that really sway my decision to leave? I want to change industries and move to another city. I’m looking for jobs but am worried it’ll take until late fall/winter to lock something down and my group is already busy at that time.

likefunny

Has Moss Adams move to unlimited PTO yet? Comments on Glassdoor are from 2020 - wondering if things have changed since the pandemic.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal