Hi! I’ve been thinking about two possible paths to making it to a controller one day in financial services.

Path one: stay until manager in big four audit and leave for a lateral position, only have audit exp
Path two: leave as a senior associate and spend two to three years as a senior accountant in private to get familiar with operations and the close process, then jump again for a promotion. Have a mix of audit and operational and accounting exp, but no title

Which path would be better?

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

Is 2-3 years as a senior accountant enough to jump to controller of another company? That’s my only concern.

like

I think so, as I’m aiming to be in a smaller shop and not a big one

like

I made the jump to Controller of a small company after being a senior for a couple years. I think the important thing is really solid knowledge of GAAP (just my opinion), but would say on the soft skills side having experience managing/supervising and training others, being able to give feedback, and being able to push back against the management team/Owner in the event they want something that definitely should not be done is also important.

like

I vote for path one. I think “manager” on a resume is really highly respected and will give you more flexibility as you navigate your career. Given you have your end goal in mind, maybe look for opportunities to get operational exposure while in audit. I would probably bail as an M1 though before you become overqualified lol.

like

As someone who has worked in industry, close process experience and systems is highly overrated. You can learn that fairly easily, and who’s to say you would even be using the same systems as the potential new company you’d go to.

like

If you want to be a controller you need close experience. Audit won’t help you there

Related Posts

PA Consulting is recruiting for Agile Delivery Consultants with 2+ yrs exp. Come join an innovation consultancy that has good WLB, hybrid work and nice colleagues. DM for possible referral 🚀

likefunny

I think hospitals would benefit tremendously from hiring designers to help facilitate better space utilization, communication, etc.

like

I’m quitting my job tomorrow morning. I don’t have a new job lined up. I’m scared, but also excited? I’ve felt under utilized for months, and haven’t had a promotion after two years. I never take risks like this, but life is too short. Is this a bad choice?

likeupliftingsmarthelpful
like

I had first round With Kyndryl to understand my role and work and they mentioned they will arrange for second round in week or so.
It has been 25 days , HR keeps calling once in 10 days that yes we are arranging for second round bla bla bla as panel is not available.

Any suggestions??
Might be they are interviewing other candidates?

like

So I had been working as medical interpreter up to the early part of this year. Today, during an interview, the Director with whom I was interviewing genuinely urged me to consider pursuing a career as a PA or even attempt to go to medical school. I had considered it in passing before but today was about the third or fourth time that someone had earnestly nudged me in that direction. Has anyone here made such a career pivot before? I love working in healthcare, there’s nothing like it.

like

Any job openings? Lol

funny

Do folks move from seed/series A VC to a HF if so for what opportunities? 3+ years experience at the fund and 1 year as a CVC portfolio manager

like

Can anybody recommend any excel courses to take for financial analysis? Modeling, valuations, etc. Any direction would be helpful.@

likehelpful

What are TCS's promotion policies for lateral employees? I have 3.5 years of experience, and I'm holding an offer from TCS for a SE role. What are the chances of a promotion in the near feature?

like

Hi everyone! In this field, when choosing a masters degree program is it more beneficial to get a degree in Human Resources to further my knowledge in HR (my undergraduate degree is in Economics) , an MBA, or Data Science Degree due to the fact that HR is becoming more data driven as well as get a PHR / SHRM-CP certification?

like

What is the hierarchy in PWC India Advisory? What is the YOE needed for Senior Associate?

like
like

How does a role in clinical affairs differ from clinical research? Any clinical affairs manager out there to shed some light? Wondering if clinical affairs will have more sciencey roles.

like

Anyone who is working in Insticator and has idea about the company? I am planning to apply for a TAM role

like

Salaries have really been spiking. I am curious what the salary for a Principal/ Junior Partners would be in a mid-sized accounting firm now. In January I was approached for $200K for a senior manager role. Now a head hunter has approached me with $225K.

like

Colleague has put in his resignation. They are offering him whatever he wants to stay including 4days a week work from home. He’s not bluffing and plans to leave. However, at this same time I was asked to begin working as a supervisor for the engineering team and I would get a promotion at the beginning of the year. I have been supervising and managing our team of 6 for months with no extra pay or bonuses. I was told yesterday that raises will be light this year. Yet today they spare nothing.

likesmart

Hi fishes!

Need a referral for a role I wish to apply at Citi... Can someone please help me out?

TIA @Citibank

like

Any nurses here not have hospital experience? I work as a community nurse and have previous experience in an assisted living and clinic. I don’t have much interest in going to the hospital. Been a nurse for about 9 years. Started out as LPN and now I have small children and enjoy my flexibility. Any regrets for those that never did the hospital ?

like

Hi all,
We have opening in
PwC India Government advisory in Pune.
Anyone having govt advisory experience from 2-8 years can please reach me out to discuss further.
PwC

like

More Posts

This might be a long shot but I'm looking for a volunteer who is trying to break into a federal career. Maybe a transitioning veteran, recent grad, or career-changer.

I'm pursuing my master career coaching cert and need to do a recorded 45-minute session. You don't have to be identified if you don't want to.

The single session is all I'm asking but could certainly turn into a longer lasting coaching relationship (at no cost), if you like.

like
like

Please can anyone from Disney assist with a referral

like

I got an offer from Natwest. My current company is accenture and they are offering me to promote as an assoc manager if i take my resignation back. Shall i consider it? What whould i prefer Nat west or promotion in Accenture. How much hike accenture gives while promoting? Any inputs?

likehelpful

Hi fishes,

I'm currently into analytics domain, want to get into front desk/quant role in investment banking/markets domain. Can FRM, CFA or CQF help me land there? Since I don't have any workex related to finance, any CTC ranges I can expect?
Or full masters is the way ? Anyone on that

like

How do PE exits look like for emerging market funds in Middle East (e.g Abraaj group type firms)

Recommendations for am impromptu 8 day road trip from Dallas area early may? Parents + 3 year old in tow; enjoy nature, scenery, good food, anything with history. New to area so literally haven’t explored anything yet (but want to avoid Austin San Antonio trip)

like

How did you deal with bad impostor syndrome when applying for jobs even though you know you are more than qualified?

likehelpful
like

Can those not picked in lottery earlier this year and whose status still reads submitted still expect a selection over the next 2 months in case those selected are denied approval?

like

Anyone here with PsA or related immune conditions that has found cutting out certain foods / taking certain supplements / etc to be helpful? Starting to investigate the non conventional medicinal therapies and very open to hearing what’s worked or not for others!

like

Loads of Tech Roles open at WebMD. Message me if you need referral for any of these roles.

Post Photo
likehelpful

Any integrated producers looking for a full time job? San Diego based company looking for a integrated producer. Let me know if you’re interested!

like

How to manage 3 month of notice period?@

like

Can anyone please refer me to @Mastercard for Requisition ID: R-177325

like

While you still can...

Post Photo
likefunny

If you didn't go to college, how did you learn what you know now in marketing?

like

@Partners - how much money do you need to invest I to the firm to get your partner share?

likefunny

Are we allowed to have a side business (not accounting related) while working for big4?

like

Additional Posts in Accounting

On a scale of 1-10, how “mature” would you consider the people in your offices/teams? In terms of acting their age, respectful, etc.

like

How do I work 55-60 hour weeks and have 50 percent utilization?

like

Florida CPA here with a question regarding CPA license renewal. I passed my tests sometime in February 2019 but didn’t get the official license until January 2020. What dates should I use for counting my CPEs towards the renewal?

like

KPMG training center renderings pretty nice!

like

A senior threw me under the bus.... took the fall ....payback is a bitch

like

Thinking having a 24’ HD and a 28’ 4K monitor setup. Is 4K for excel not necessary? How about 28’ monitors?

like

At Deloitte, Is there a finders bonus for referring and bringing a client?

like

Top 3 reasons to move to NYC? And top 3 reasons not to?

like

Can this week please just end?

likefunny

I’ve been in public accounting for about 6 years and I feel like I need a certification. The CPA is not happening. What would be the most valuable CIA , CFE , CMA of CISA?

like

Is the CPA designation worth it? For me it would take me 1 year of PREP courses and 2 years of PEP until i can write the CFE. And I am 27 years old right now. Also wondering if it would be crazy to pursue the CPA while learning how to code to be a developer as well?

like

Which work-paper is "your baby"

like

Ladies, are gifts important to you?

like

Anyone have an idea of how long it takes for the background check to clear at KPMG? Also, do they send you an email or something to let you know it’s done?

likehelpful

Some of these recruiting salary offers are offensive.

like

So after reading at least one comment beating KPMG up every 2-3 days on here, I’ve finally decided to ask: Can someone please objectively articulate why KPMG is not in the same league as the other B4?

likehelpfulfunny

sometimes I feel like the reward of being productive is more work lol

likefunny

I'm quiting to go back to school. What's the quiting process like? I'm out of it at this point and don't want to work

like

Looking for a secondment within the big 4 to California, does anyone know of any opportunities?

like

Thinking of quiting my current job due to the people and struggling to advance due that. I have a month long trip in September. How should I address this issue when looking for another job?

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