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50 shades of black under my eyes..
Rising Star
I am WAY TOO nice to be in public accounting….
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Rising Star
I started as an A1 at 27, I have friends at the firm who started in their late 30s.
I graduated in the same year as you, but I'm 35 years old. Majored in psychology, worked a few years then went to school to get my masters in accounting, and sat for the CPA exam. People at my age are all Sr. Managers and above, so I can totally relate to how you feel. I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone and everyone is on their own journey!!! You're doing great - I have plenty of friends who are my age and haven't figured out their career yet. It's all relative!
You work for 40+ years. Don’t stress about it. There is no *should* by age. I’ve worked with 30 year old first years, people follow different paths and timelines.
I’m 42 and about to intern this January
Good luck to you!! I started as an A1 at 38 and am about to finish my first year as a senior at 40. Age ain’t nothing but a number 😉
This comment section contains wholesome content I’d like to see more on Fishbowl. I’m on the same boat!
Graduated 2017, migrated to the US, couldn’t get into any public accounting firms, but finally I’m an A1 at almost 27. Did retail before this job, which was a nightmare. Saw people work those deadend jobs until their 40s.
That stuff really gives you perspective on how good you have it, and how bad it could be!
I just got promoted to manager and I’m 35. Doesn’t sound like you’re behind to me
Yes you are behind but at some point your peers will not be moving up in their careers and be stuck at a director level or glorified VP title. You’ll eventually hit director in like 10 years so don’t feel bad. We all have to work for 40 years before retiring. There’s also less director and VP jobs out there in the market so I’d argue there’s less job stability and opportunities for those people trying to find a job at that level.
I'm 30. Still trying to get my foot in the door.
I think it very much depends on the company and size. I started at a very small firm with not many people coming in and out of positions. I sat ar senior title for a very long time. Even if I had a higher title I was still just a glorified preparer. At the larger company I’m at now you should be at manager by year 5. Bigger companies expect more from you in a quicker amount of time.
Graduated at 2016 but senior at big4 now. Took me a while to get a job in small warehouse then PA in 3 years and half as analyst then now senior big4.
Don't get hung up over a year or 2, in the long run won't mean much. I'm a 29 year old S2 (only started in PA 3 years ago)
I pivoted back to B4 as S2 at the age 35. Now M1. Everyone has its own path.
Chill
Is it just the job title that you feel you’re behind on? If so don’t worry about that. (Easier said than done when looking at potential comp) but everyone has their own path. All you can do is focus on yourself. Are there any pieces of technical knowledge that you can focus on to get ahead? Focus on the things you can change yourself. The title will follow.
Pro
I wouldn’t say you are behind. Most people just stay as VP or SVP forever in their career till they retire. Even if you start as A1 in your 30s by the time you become senior manager, which is that VP or SVP level in industry you are still not behind.
Totally feel the same. Just got into big 4 as S1 while lots of my peers are recently promoted to manager. I will need at least 3 years to be a manager while my peers will be SM. I feel behind like you do too.