Accounting majors, or accountants: Which would be a better choice?

[krunchykrome]

Right out of college, which would be in my best interest as an accounting major...? To get a job at a public or a private accounting firm? Pros and cons for each would be great...thanx.

 

[DaveCSparty]

Public:
PROS
Great experience
Great networking opportunities
Great resume builder (if you're Big 4)
You move up relatively quick in your career
Yearly reviews and you move up a level
Easy to find a job
Get your CPA!!!

CONS
Hours...during busy season, expect to work 60-70 hour weeks at least
You gotta be flexible, travel and hours wise, if you're in audit

Private:
PROS
Work hours stability
Won't work more than 40 hours a week usually

CONS
Dead end job
How can you move up the ladder? Wait until someone retires?
No CPA unless you have public experience



It is my recommendation that you go public at least 2 years to get the experience. However, if you stay in public for five years or so until you make manager, offers are gonna come knockin' and you'll get VERY lucrative job offers. However, expect to work your ass off until then.

Hope this helps!

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: DaveCSparty
Public:
PROS
Great experience
Great networking opportunities
Great resume builder (if you're Big 4)
You move up relatively quick in your career
Yearly reviews and you move up a level
Easy to find a job
Get your CPA!!!

CONS
Hours...during busy season, expect to work 60-70 hour weeks at least
You gotta be flexible, travel and hours wise, if you're in audit

Private:
PROS
Work hours stability
Won't work more than 40 hours a week usually

CONS
Dead end job
How can you move up the ladder? Wait until someone retires?
No CPA unless you have public experience



It is my recommendation that you go public at least 2 years to get the experience. However, if you stay in public for five years or so until you make manager, offers are gonna come knockin' and you'll get VERY lucrative job offers. However, expect to work your ass off until then.

Hope this helps!

This is pretty good, except that I do not know of any state that requires Public Accounting experience to get your CPA. Experience can be obtained in a variety of ways. Additionally, you can still move up the ladder without Public Accounting experience, but generally you will only go so high without it. Not always, but typically it is a benefit to have.

I have never worked as a Public Accountant, but I'm a manager and do well. I don't need to be a CFO or CAO so I'm content that I never went the public accounting route.