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Accounting career questions/opinions
I am currently trying to decide between taking a senior accounting position and an internal audit position. I think I would enjoy both, and the only hesitation I have about the internal audit position is getting away from the numbers and how it looks on a resume down the road.
I worked 6 years in public accounting doing auditing, so I know I like it and am good at it. I worked for just under 2 years in an accounting role and enjoyed it, but found myself unchallenged. I think it was mostly the company I worked for though.
The accounting position is with a large company going through some changes, so there would be opportunity to participate in setting policy and procedure and improving all of that. I'd be preparing financial statements and month end close for the most part.
The auditing position is with a large Fortune 50 company, and I would learn a ton about the company and have the opportunity to work with all aspects of the company. If I were to stay long term, I'd have the opportunity to apply to move to a different dept. However, my husband is in the military so we likely won't be here anymore than 4 years. Probably closer to 2.
Pay is similar at each company, benefits are probably better at the auditing position.
So, I guess my question is - if in 2 years I'm looking to find another job is it more valuable to have the auditing experience or the accounting experience? I feel like it is easier to move from company to company accounting wise, but maybe not auditing wise. Thoughts?
Re: Accounting career questions/opinions
I currently work as a senior accountant and have never worked in auditing simply because I wasn't interested in that aspect of work. I think either experience will benefit you truly. I do agree with your thought that it might be easier to move from company to company with the acctg experience. Not all companies use internal auditors so im wondering if this could make it harder to find a job later on with your husband being in the military and having to move.
With that being said ANY company will without a doubt value your previous 6 yrs of auditing experience, alot of companies look for that. I think the question you should ask yourself is what kind of experience are you looking for or drawn to? Do you want to stay in auditing or branch out to accounting itself.
I hope that makes sense, either way you have a great background already so you'll benefit from either one.
In my opinion I would take the accounting position. I work for a global 500 company and started in internal audit and after 1.5-2 years moved on to an accounting position. The audit position was great for learning about the company from a high level overall perspective and the accounting is good for getting to know the operational details so both are good.
In my company they try to bring people into audit from outside the company with a promise of a higher level operational finance/accounting job after 2 years. The problem is, when they are done with audit after those 2 years, if they only have public accounting and audit experience, they are seen as only being auditors and looked over for any other job in the company. This is not 100% true for everyone but it happens to the majority of them. So they end up having to take a lower position than expected just to get experience that makes them more prepared for a good position.
So, I think if you have the public accounting/audit experience, at this point it is probably best to get the accounting experience if not only to make yourself more well rounded. Especially if you may not be there long term. Because then, if/when you move next, you will have many years of audit plus accounting experience and more jobs and position will open up.
Good luck in the decision!
Take the accounting position. You already have valuable auditing experience on your resume having previously been in public accounting. The accounting position will build upon that experience.
Although I am curious...given the number of years you worked in public accounting, why are you interviewing for senior accountant roles? I would think with experience like that you could easily be a Controller or CFO. Just asking.
I didn't get any response to assistant controller roles, and all of the recruiters I spoke to felt that I didn't have enough experience. I figure they know the market? Seems like these days companies want people with a good 10+ years of experience in those roles, thank the job market for that I guess. In a couple of years I'll be there.
I accepted the accounting position today - it does help to know that others would do the same! I start Monday!
Good Luck in your new role!!!!