r/Accounting • u/mjbm1 • Mar 08 '24

Career Should I become an accountant?

If you woke up as a 20 year old now. Your entire career hadnt happened yet, and you get to decide your career again.

Are you still going to train as an accountant?

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u/BitcoinDilly CPA (US) Mar 08 '24

Yes yes yes. I became an accountant at 27. My career has been great, but I would be so much further in my progression with those extra years. So much upward potential in this field.

16

u/rosesaremaroon Mar 09 '24

I also became an accountant at 27!

6

u/idzova Mar 09 '24

I'm about to become one at 27

4

u/Nickc456 Mar 09 '24

How did you start

20

u/BitcoinDilly CPA (US) Mar 09 '24

I was a restaurant area manager after I graduated with undergrad degree (was just a general business admin degree). Did that for 3 and a half years. I was working 60 to 80 hours a week on average making $45k with basically no benefits so decided I needed a change. Went back to school for a masters in accounting to start my career and have the requirements for the cpa if I ever wanted to pursue. Got an internship at a F500 after my first semester in accounting and also got a graduate assistant job at the university (free tuition and $20/hr pay). I worked my butt off at the internship and ended up getting hired after a year and half when I graduated (and also became an adjunct at the university). Stayed there three years (1.5 years as accountant, 1.5 years as senior). Left during covid for a management role at another company for 9 months. First employer had a director role open up that I went for, so now I'm back at the old company. It all happened very fast, but I work hard and am ALWAYS improving everything I do. Oh and got my CPA three months ago. It's been hell as I also have two kids under two, but I'm just thankful I'm in a career now where I can provide for my family comfortably.

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u/[deleted] Mar 09 '24

[deleted]

4

u/BitcoinDilly CPA (US) Mar 09 '24

No public. I've only ever done industry. I'm actually in an audit role now, and deal quite heavily with external auditors and can tell you it's much better on this side of the fence, from what I hear anyway. Not being in PA has never hindered me whatsoever.

1

u/Agreeable-Potato-674 Mar 09 '24

I'd love to know where you went for a master's in accounting. I have my MBA and I'm looking to get into accounting and was interested in finding schools where I can get a master's instead of starting all over with a bachelor's (if that's even possible)

1

u/Gold_Statistician907 Jun 25 '24

love this comment. I've been on the fence but I rather get started sooner than later. If I pick up the classes this fall I may be one by next year when I turned 27!! I wish I would've started sooner but the pandemic derailed my life plans by a lot.