ajmanouk
Senior Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2010
- Messages
- 401
- Reaction score
- 8
Hi,
Please bear with me for a somewhat long post, but I really would appreciate advice.
I am an accounting student in a cooperative education program. Currently, I am undergoing my first coop term at a small CA designated firm (Canadian, eh?). It may be a bit silly to think about a long term career path, but I'm the kind of guy who likes a plan. In fact. I had a plan and things did not work out as intended, though not necessarily for the worst.
Originally, I had envisioned working for a Big 4 financial institution probably as a Staff Accountant in the Audit division. I thought that I would complete all of my coop terms there, graduate, work at the firm a bit more, get my CA designation, and then either (1) stick with the firm, or (2) go into industry. That would be a decision to be made when I was mature enough and experienced enough.
However, my bids at a large firm during the interview process were unsuccessful. While originally I was disappointed with not landing a job at one of the Big 4, my job at a small CA has really started to grow on me. Several reasons for this:
1. The pay is very good. I get paid a base salary that is greater than my cooperative education counterparts at a larger firm, and in addition I get overtime pay (which is a HUGE plus). Many of my friends are pulling 10-16 hour days at these large firms on salary, which equates to slave labor in my opinion (coop only gives us jobs during busy seasons).
2. I am getting both tax and audit hours at the firm, as well as a good understanding of small businesses.
While I really do enjoy where I work, I am wondering whether or not working at one of the larger firms will open more doors in the long run. I feel that there is only so much I can achieve at the firm I am currently with. For instance, I am confident that I am a harder worker, dress and act more professionally, and frankly (not to boost my ego) have a greater understanding of accounting than many students my age. Also, there are only a dozen of us at the office, and while I do enjoy the people I work with, I could meet so many more people at a larger firm. Of course, I have no basis for these assumptions. I lack the experience that some of you hopefully posses to analyze my situation!
Basically, I am unsure of whether or not working at my firm will limit my potential, or whether it does not matter where I work at the moment, and that if I keep networking and keep strong ties to my friends at the larger firms, I can enjoy the pay and knowledge I am currently obtaining, with the options of going into industry once I obtain my CA. I love the pay I get, but is it worth it now to take a pay cut to, eventually, be making far more than I would if I stick with what I have now?
Again, I apologize for the long post and I really do appreciate any advice that anyone has to offer.
Please bear with me for a somewhat long post, but I really would appreciate advice.
I am an accounting student in a cooperative education program. Currently, I am undergoing my first coop term at a small CA designated firm (Canadian, eh?). It may be a bit silly to think about a long term career path, but I'm the kind of guy who likes a plan. In fact. I had a plan and things did not work out as intended, though not necessarily for the worst.
Originally, I had envisioned working for a Big 4 financial institution probably as a Staff Accountant in the Audit division. I thought that I would complete all of my coop terms there, graduate, work at the firm a bit more, get my CA designation, and then either (1) stick with the firm, or (2) go into industry. That would be a decision to be made when I was mature enough and experienced enough.
However, my bids at a large firm during the interview process were unsuccessful. While originally I was disappointed with not landing a job at one of the Big 4, my job at a small CA has really started to grow on me. Several reasons for this:
1. The pay is very good. I get paid a base salary that is greater than my cooperative education counterparts at a larger firm, and in addition I get overtime pay (which is a HUGE plus). Many of my friends are pulling 10-16 hour days at these large firms on salary, which equates to slave labor in my opinion (coop only gives us jobs during busy seasons).
2. I am getting both tax and audit hours at the firm, as well as a good understanding of small businesses.
While I really do enjoy where I work, I am wondering whether or not working at one of the larger firms will open more doors in the long run. I feel that there is only so much I can achieve at the firm I am currently with. For instance, I am confident that I am a harder worker, dress and act more professionally, and frankly (not to boost my ego) have a greater understanding of accounting than many students my age. Also, there are only a dozen of us at the office, and while I do enjoy the people I work with, I could meet so many more people at a larger firm. Of course, I have no basis for these assumptions. I lack the experience that some of you hopefully posses to analyze my situation!
Basically, I am unsure of whether or not working at my firm will limit my potential, or whether it does not matter where I work at the moment, and that if I keep networking and keep strong ties to my friends at the larger firms, I can enjoy the pay and knowledge I am currently obtaining, with the options of going into industry once I obtain my CA. I love the pay I get, but is it worth it now to take a pay cut to, eventually, be making far more than I would if I stick with what I have now?
Again, I apologize for the long post and I really do appreciate any advice that anyone has to offer.