PhD in economics was the worst decision I ever made. 5 years of school and I’m not even competitive for 80% of industry jobs because I don’t have a CPA. I feel like I’m stuck in PA forever and I wish I could time travel to 2015 and smack myself in the face.

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Try the World Bank or the IMF, they hire economists and don’t require CPA, and they loooove candidates with PhDs. You might need to relocate though

They are country quota based for their hiring, which means US citizens are at an extreme disadvantage. Not sure of OP’s citizenship.

I’m an Econ PHD, did 5 years of transfer pricing at EY, now at KPMG in Economic Services, getting paid well for my degree and doing interesting work. We’ve paused hiring for now other than 1-2 from AEA, but happy to answer any questions!

There goes my plan to recruit you back 😂

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Why would you do a PhD in economics just to stay in accounting?

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Not relevant but curious if you paid out of pocket or were you sponsored by the school or firm?

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Just get a CPA. How many credit hours do you have? If over 150 and 1 year of PA experience you are eligible to sit for the CPA exam in Alaska regardless of degrees held

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If you can get a PhD in economics you have the brain power to get the CPA! I don’t know much but having both of those on your resumé sounds like a good combo.

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I guess it’s more when would I have time to go take the credit hours to actually get a CPA.

Try F&PA, most F&PA don’t even list the cpa as a requirement or good to have. Work with recruiters.

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I’ve literally been reached out for at least 10 F&PA jobs in the last 2 months. None asked about the CPA. The most important aspect is if you have any sort of financial modeling experience.

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Don’t most phd go into teaching? Good pay and benefits plus summer off.

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Could you try interviewing at other PA firms if you don’t like where you are? While also keeping your eyes open for jobs that would use your skillset.

Also here to say I empathize. I had a friend who got a phd in econ and ended up in big 4. Not their first choice, but it’s been 5 years and they are still there. The academic job market is insane, and I don’t know how anyone does it. There’s like a 0.5% chance of finding a tenure track job, even less at a school that you actually want to teach at.

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Try the IRS. They’re hiring economists. May be a good fit.

In my experience, phd in econ only opens up niche statistics opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available. Otherwise it seems just as employable as a non-accounting, generic business undergrad bachelor’s degree. Which is still pretty versatile, but you’re behind because you spent so much time in school. Some firms will recognize some of the schooling years, I.e., hire you as a senior associate which is like 2 or 3 years of work experience, but on the job training is so much more valuable than what’s learned in the classroom

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Go to a big bank and work in their equities division or trading group.

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With a PhD in Economics you should have a lot of research and statistical and data analytics skills to get a job. Idk where the cpa comes into play? Did you get your PhD while working in PhD? Most PhDs are full time

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What would you have done differently?

What made you go for a Phd instead of the original plan?

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Couldn't you work in transfer pricing in industry?

Try a free coursera course in accounting. Transfer pricing doesn’t require heavy accounting like knowing debits and credits or JEs. Its more being able to read income statements and balance sheet data to determine various ratios.

Yes, teaching career would suit you more.

Why would you stay in accounting with a PhD? You can do economic consulting, work at the fed, work for a company/bank in their economics strategy department. I’ve even seen Econ PhD’s work for company’s in data analytics. It’s not just academia. What are your classmates doing? Can you rely on professors/advisors for recs?

You got a PhD, you can figure it out.

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Some branch of advisory or consulting?

I was actually thinking about doing phd in accounting because professors make 150k plus all the other perks..Why would you do PA after PHD… PA is just a sweat shop

More like 250k if at a top 50 or so research university. Publishing research is very difficult and 90% of how you are judged. Clinical (non-research) faculty are around 100k

KPMG has an Economic Services group which is part of their EVS segment that i understand is mostly PHD in Economics.

They do stats and government studies and ESG advisory
.

What are you currently doing in pa?

Are you in transfer pricing?

Also look for supply chain roles.

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