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Comparison is the theft of joy.
Dude I’m 31 and I’m not sure when I’ll even make manager. Sure sometimes if I want to feel sorry for myself it makes me a little bitter. But then I remember that my job isn’t what I care about. I put in the minimum at work to get my job done and devote myself to my family. I’m very proud of the father and husband I am. Someday I’ll make manager but for now I’m doing just fine financially and I have a very good wlb so honestly I feel like I’m winning compared to my peers who put off having kids to focus on their careers. Or those who don’t get to see their kids as much because they are “paying their dues”. It’s all about perspective and values.
Lol I’m a 35yo M1. There are partners my age…but I didn’t get into public until 29 and wouldn’t trade the years out of college I used to travel and work in different states/countries.
41 year old manager here. I had a lot of life experiences before I started in public around 33.
I’m in the exact same boat except I am happy with the money I’m making
Do you think you can pivot more into advisory
Thanks TM 1!
I have thought about advisory but wondering if it's too late for me as a manager without being held back if I decide I want to go back to audit.
I'll see what happens regarding SM promotion too. I know some in audit who got in 3 years but seems like my industry group waits 4 years to promote managers to SM or longer.
Its okay. You’re not on anyone else’s timeline but your own. PA is my second career. I’m 27 and a second year. If you really must compare, there are plenty of people at your level that are older than you. Considering they still have jobs, none of them are “failures” either
I am definitely a career changer late to public. I’m 38 and still never made manager. Please don’t be hard on yourself for titles. Focus on what makes you happy and fulfilled.
If it makes you feel any better I had the realization I’ll likely never make partner as a senior manager. So much of it is business case driven and timing and I feel like I have those going against me right now. The parts of public I enjoy - networking, selling, dealing with client issues - are gone too. I’m now struggling to leave public without taking a huge pay cut.
Locally the opportunities are pay cuts. I’m in such a specialized field that I’ve been able to interview for director of accounting roles at 2x my salary (requiring relocating my family) but lose out to the ones with private experience. Everything will work out … eventually.
I realized in my late 30s that I didn't want to be a partner so I left public. It's a struggle sometimes to avoid the comparison game. I'll make less over my career than if I had stayed in public, but I have my life back. Comparison is the thief of joy. Life is more than job titles and income levels.
37 year old associate. Could be worse…
I am similar to your situation. I started tax several yrs ago and it is my second career and feel old but only a manager still. But i try to remind myself its still better than my first career
Be grateful. Comparison is a steal of joy. 32 & Senior 1
As someone who worked in public accounting for only a couple of years, I could never understand the appeal of sticking it out past manager. Long hours, lower pay (than other jobs most managers are very capable for), and the work is okay. If you love it then without a doubt stay, but most of the time people are eh about it. For all those in PA that fear leaving bc of not knowing what else there is, make the jump! The other side is way better (in my very biased personal experience).
I would argue there are more opportunities in different fields the earlier you leave, (FDD,FP&A , accounting advisory, M&A). No doubt it’s harder to move out the higher you get, but also a manager in audit that isn’t bad should have a great set of skills for many jobs outside of accounting. Especially FDD, which is see a lot similarities as far as problem solving, identifying risk etc.
37 y/o Associate here. I think you're going to be fine.
It takes around 5 years to make senior mgr
Depends where - I made SM in 2 years at a national firm.
I am 32 and M1. My peers are either M3/4 or almost SM. But I am content with where I am, since I used my time to do what I wanted in life, instead of climbing the corporate ladder. You do you. It is alright because the journey to get there matters too.
If you are making less, maybe jump firm for more money or go on the partner track. If you feel like you can handle SM, then apply for SM too.
Nobody is operating at their levels right now with how poorly staffing is in the industry. I vote OP bail for SM at another firm.
Thanks everyone for the great advice! I'm glad that I'm not really that far behind. Audit is still audit and I have decisions to make about whether I want to stick it out. But it's not a big deal that I'm not a SM yet (except that I feel underpaid). I got a graduate degree before going into PA too while many of my peers started right after undergrad.
Don’t feel bad. I’m 34 and still a ways away from Manager. Stop comparing yourself to others your age.
Just focus on your own journey. I can't make manager because I don't have my cpa still.
Your problem is comparing yourself to others.Everyone has their own timing.i’m 30 and i’m A1.For sure everyone’s path is different.
Am I weird that I'm content just being at Manager and in zero rush to be an SM or Partner....hate the up and out model
Agree with this 100 percent. Passive owner in small business that's doing well, rent a house. So I feel could just chill at Manager...and find a few more good investments down the line and not worry about climbing the ladder so fast