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Great post taxguy. Like you, I am a CPA. I am a partner in a mid-sized Rocky Mountain firm.
We are screaming for qualfied candidates. They are getting harder to find, every year. I hope some of you CCers take the challenge laid out by taxguy.
Your options with an accounting degree are pretty much limited only by your creativity. Your options are:
Private industry - No CPA certificate required.
Government - No CPA certificate required.
Consulting - Usually hard to get into without a CPA certificate, or an MBA and business experience.
Public Accounting - CPA certificate will be required. Can go with the Big 4, Mid-sized national firms, regional firms, or local firms.
You can go most anywhere you want and find a job. You can own your own business by eventually becoming a partner, or you can take a safe route and be an employee in private industry or government.
It was funny when I graduated with my accounting degree in 1988. Many went on to law school. I couldn't afford to, so I went into a big national firm for 3 years. Got my certificate, moved to an area of the country I loved, and worked for a regional firm, where I am now a partner. The part that is funny, is how many went to law school, incurred much more student loan debt (while I was paying mine down) and still make far less money than partners in my firm.
Money is not everything in life, but unless you end up in some of the IB jobs, or other securities professions, a CPA certificate and hard work will make you more money than any other business degree, and more than most law degrees. And, you will be highly respected by all who you deal with.
CPAs are quite modest about thier income levels and conservative by nature, thus I think our profession is not known for its income potential, as are some more glamorous or flamboyant professions. As a result, our profession flies under that radar screen for B-School students. My inherent modesty makes me not want to talk about money on a forum, but I think it is worthwhile for potential students to know what the possibilities are, so please excuse my straying from professional norms.
If you are a partner in a Big 4 firm, or any firm for that matter, you will have had a very satisfying career, both in terms of challenge and financial rewards. If partnership is not your interest, there are many other options in CPA firms for you to find your niche and become an expert. And, laugh at all your fellow grads who snickered at the "bean counter" imagine. Who's laughing now?
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