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

how to decide between firms? they seem so similar. deciding between bcg & mckinsey in chicago. are exit opps & brand value actually different between them?

like

Does everyone get promoted to Senior, assuming they don't get below a 3 rating and overall solid reviews from all engagement teams?

like

What are potential career options considering the Current market scenario for Business Analyst/Product Owner with 5yrs of exp(2.5 post MBA) ?

It will be helpful if you can mention what will be the primary skill for that role whichever you are suggesting
Working in Mindtree (CPG Domain)

Hi Guys,

Wipro is offering 32lpa for principal consultant for 13 yoe in information security bangalore location ?
Is this correct pay scale for experience and role?
Thanks

like

Hi all! Does anyone work in EY Client Technology (particularly in the Canadian offices)? There is a new grad role that I am interested in and I would like to get to know more about the service line, work and role to see if I/the role would be a good fit.

like

I have been working as a product support engineer in Bangalore for the last 2 years, I'm getting 6lk per annum and searching for a job with a decent salary,over all YOE 10 please suggest to me if there any openings in your circle.

Thanks

like

Opening my first CD.. thinking of Marcus.. any suggestions?

like

McKinsey & Company Any advice to help prepare for data science analyst role at top consulting firms (McKinsey & Company EY Boston Consulting Group etc)? Any materials, open source platform recommended to take on freelance data science project? When should I start actively looking and applying? I am a new grad who is working in tech as a marketing analyst I’m looking to pivot to marketing& sales data science consulting next year. Would like someone with similar backgrounds offer some practical tips.

like

HiAll, My lead resigned and my manager informed me just 2 weeks before her lwd on this and asked me to take up all their responsibilities. I don't think this is not a professional way to handle things and KTs are not properly given. I'm really worried if this will affect my career. I'm not really interested to work in this project. I have tried many ways to release me from this project . But manager is really amendment to release as there is no senior member in the team.

funny

It's my first month in a new job as Product Owner. I went from a company that digital product development was their secondary focus along with consultancy services, to a company that their only focus is the product. The difference in scale as well as the different domain, certainly feeds into my imposter syndrome. What are the things I should focus to achieve within my first few months at the new job?

Transitioning from line of business familiarity (understanding financial statements) to... real(?) Finance (bonds and cap markets and other debt sales) any advice on books or resources to learn really from step 0?

like

Sup all, I'm a director in pharma marketing and want to eventually get to a senior leadership position. I have an MD and currently applying for an executive MBA program. In the meantime, I'm looking for board member positions. I'm open to most industries but particularly enjoy med, pharma, and tech. But, I'm having a lot of trouble finding something. Any advice?

like

What't the pay scale for JPMorgan Chase for someone who has 10 years of IT experience, and is interviewing for a Product Owner position?

How much is the bonus?

Any how many rounds of interviews do they have in place?

Also, any help around what do they ask will help.

like
like

Hello everyone,
I am looking for a media buyer/planner marketing role or similar if you know of a remote job hiring and/or willing to provide me a referral please DM me please. Trying to leave my current job ASAP!

Thank you in advance again 😇

like

@Assurance - Promotion letters started rolling out already?!

likehelpful

I currently work as an APM at a FAANG company but recently received an offer to join an MBB. I’m very excited about the role but didn’t realize I’d need to take a pay cut when I applied (~100k base + ~20k bonus + ~60k equity vs. 90k base + 10-20k bonus). Considering that I currently work 40-60 hours/week, I’ll be making significantly less per hour at the MBB. I’m very interested in the opportunity but also don’t want to make a poor financial decision early in my career. Thank you for your time!

like

I’ve come across a role at PwC Delivering Deal Value and looking to apply in London - anyone at PwC willing to refer me internally?

like

Anyone at ZS willing to chat about a SIPA role? A recruiter reached out to me.

like

More Posts

Hi all! Does anyone work in EY Client Technology (particularly in the Canadian offices)? There is a new grad role that I am interested in and I would like to get to know more about the service line, work and role to see if I/the role would be a good fit.

like

Didn't renew lease. Scared I wouldn't be able to find the next home, especially an affordable one with this current market.

They should extend covid rates

likefunny

I have been working as a product support engineer in Bangalore for the last 2 years, I'm getting 6lk per annum and searching for a job with a decent salary,over all YOE 10 please suggest to me if there any openings in your circle.

Thanks

like

I'm moving and have a lot of stuff to donate, but no time to go and drop off. Anyone know of any charitable organizations that come to your residence and pick up donations?

like

I’ll probably be alone this Christmas and I’ve been living alone during Covid. I’ve been fine and done tons of hobbies but thinking about spending the holidays alone is getting to me. Anyone else feeling this? I feel like telling my family I don’t want to join any zoom things and just skip Christmas this year. I’m mentally exhausted.

like

Opening my first CD.. thinking of Marcus.. any suggestions?

like

What have you found to be some of the keys to scaling succesfully, either in a business or a product or dept?

like

McKinsey & Company Any advice to help prepare for data science analyst role at top consulting firms (McKinsey & Company EY Boston Consulting Group etc)? Any materials, open source platform recommended to take on freelance data science project? When should I start actively looking and applying? I am a new grad who is working in tech as a marketing analyst I’m looking to pivot to marketing& sales data science consulting next year. Would like someone with similar backgrounds offer some practical tips.

like

NASBA website down. Can’t print my NTS. Gift or curse? Almost cried.

like

Hello folks, one of my friend looking for a job she is Bsc(computer science) graduate (2020) if guys have any opportunities please let me know.

HiAll, My lead resigned and my manager informed me just 2 weeks before her lwd on this and asked me to take up all their responsibilities. I don't think this is not a professional way to handle things and KTs are not properly given. I'm really worried if this will affect my career. I'm not really interested to work in this project. I have tried many ways to release me from this project . But manager is really amendment to release as there is no senior member in the team.

funny

Roland Berger boston or chicago office?

like

What’s BMB like to work at?

like

It's my first month in a new job as Product Owner. I went from a company that digital product development was their secondary focus along with consultancy services, to a company that their only focus is the product. The difference in scale as well as the different domain, certainly feeds into my imposter syndrome. What are the things I should focus to achieve within my first few months at the new job?

Any thoughts about Tudor? I like the blackbay 58 but feel like taking off my Rolex to put on a Tudor would be a huge disappointment. Thoughts?

like

Transitioning from line of business familiarity (understanding financial statements) to... real(?) Finance (bonds and cap markets and other debt sales) any advice on books or resources to learn really from step 0?

like

I’m looking for a new partner to help us secure big name music rights. Anyone have suggestions on who to use?

likehelpful

Can we do 3-4 days WFH from outside India? Any legal/HR compliance? Anyone did that?
Thinking to do from Bali.

Is anyone know why the wipro extending joining date ? Is it safe to wait till the extended date.?

like

Additional Posts in Accounting

Happy Ramadan to my Muslim peeps!

like

Is it bad to be over-utilized? I just did the math and I could charge zero hours this week and take a 3 week vacation after and still be 100% utilized? Is that abnormal?

like

Do you think it is quite possible to get fired by asking too many questions as an experienced senior 1? If so, i might get fired after this busy season.

funnylike

Can I turn my computer into a different office in my region than my home office? My last day will be a couple days after Christmas and I don’t want to have to go back just to bring my computer back

like

How to ace first impression during coffee

like

Does everyone get promoted to Senior, assuming they don't get below a 3 rating and overall solid reviews from all engagement teams?

like

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

like

Any advice on keeping my marriage healthy during busy season? Seems like this time of year is hard both at work and at home.

like

Apple Watch or Fitbit? Does anyone have both? If you have both, do you use the Apple Watch as a regular watch and the Fitbit for working out? Just curious to see what people think. Thanks!

like

Ladies, are gifts important to you?

like

There's a ton of self help and leadership books out there to help people in their careers. If there was one that was written front the lense of a public accounting, would you read it?

likehelpful

Are you very serious and wish you were less serious or vice versa?

likehelpful

Dress for the day is embarrassing. Here in Chicago it’s more like dress like an idiot. Tuck don’t tuck, belt no belt, what the hell is an acceptable shoe, no one owns an iron. Looks like DMV usually

likefunny

Buyout lease or buy new? Leased a 2014 Camry for 2 yrs. Has 20k miles on it, would be $15k to buy 4.99%, dealer says worth $13k. 2017 Camry: lease-$162/mth w/2500 down or buy $320/mth w/4000 down, 0%

like

Just joined the inclusion council in my office. Any good ideas for a fun office event??

like

Passed the CIA. 🍾 I'm rolling deep in the letters... CPA, CFE too. What should I do next?

like

Some of these recruiting salary offers are offensive.

like

Does EY pay for the CFE exam and Review course?

like

These houston rains are so scary. I am praying that all of this ends however it just day 1 :-(

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