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Any accountants?

What area of law do you work in?



TurtleDude said:
That is probably a good idea. I am a trial attorney in a very narrow field, I don't have an accounting background-my major was political science and I also have a graduate degree in Labor issues. I know several CPAs and they do very well-better than most attorneys. Attorneys aren't doing as well these days and there is a major glut in the market. Sure the kids graduating with Honors from schools Like UVA or Cornell or Harvard are getting big bucks jobs as are the very top grads at top state schools like Illinois Indiana or Ohio State but those in the middle of their classes at state schools are really struggling.

Business Administration is fairly common and routine. Accounting, on the other hand is in far more demand from what I have been told
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My friend worked at a smaller firm and just went to a Big Four, experienced hire. I haven't heard from him since.


obvious Child said:
Like auditing cash? Or doing 1040s that have a single W-2 and an interest statement? I don't know if a 4th grader could handle that, but that stuff is pretty simple. That said, the Big 4 don't keep you there long. I've only seen 1 tax return that simple. The rest were monsters.



And they have actual control. Whatever the New York office says, the rest do. The partners in some ways have just about as much control as the staff do, it's gotten that bad. The Big 4 are so rigid these days and it's just a meat grinder. Fresh master's grads just ground up after a few years in time for the next batch to get ground up. The industry has to change. It can't live like it did in the 80s and 90s. Smaller firms IMO are better once you put your time in.



Yeah, AP/AR, simple stuff like that. I got a friend who got his BA in BA and that what he was doing for a roofing company.
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Thanks. I am working on Far. We got hammered this recent tax season. Bec up next.

obvious Child said:
Shewolf last I checked was in the process of taking her exams.

Good luck to her. Those were brutal.
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I think it will be the same for me. We are both tax people. :)


obvious Child said:
I don't know about you, but FAR was an uber pain.

And since I'm not an auditor, auditing was hard too.

Reg and BEC were cakewalks though for me comparatively.
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SheWolf said:
My friend worked at a smaller firm and just went to a Big Four, experienced hire. I haven't heard from him since.
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Good luck to him. Big 4 are meat grinders. Did he get hired as a manager? Because senior levels are just as much of a grind fest as staff.
 
You might feel more informed if you talk to a college advisor. You can always enroll for General Business and see what you like.

Some people take a few accounting classes and hate it. Human Resources, Finance, and Marketing are good majors right now too.

Depending on your area and local economy, one area might be in high demand.

Personally, I am not sure what you could do with a degree in business admin. It's not very specialized.

Good luck.

MarineTpartier said:
So, I posted a while back that I was interested in getting a BS in Environmental Studies or Natural Resources. I love the environment and wanted to make a difference there. However, 15 years of "Marineing" has taken a toll on my body. Slowly but surely I'm realizing that if I'm as broke down as I am at 33 (partially ruptured plantar fascia, low to no cartilage in both knees, partially torn rotator cuff, etc, etc) that I can only imagine where I'll be at 38 and beyond. It's not like my injuries are going to heal either with a lack of down time. Anyway, (I'm done crying:boohoo:) I have been looking at what would be a job that is in demand, wouldn't require me to be on my feet a lot, and would be a degree that I can work towards online. Business Administration in general popped into my head. After that, I concluded that my resume of having 20 years as a Marine will give me plenty of credibility as a manager. So I started looking at an Associates in Accounting. I know I can't be a CPA with an associates and that CPA is the money maker so please don't advise me of that.
I guess my question is would my combined military experience and the degree get me something paying around 35K-50K. I'm not looking to be rolling in money. I'm not a guy driven by money. I just want to take care of my family, fulfill my financial obligations, and have a job until I'm around 55-58. Very modest goals I think. I would consider pursuing a BS in Accounting later, however, I received some advice that I think is good. "It's better to have an Associates and be pursuing a Bachelors at a job interview that to be just pursuing a Bachelors." Any advice from anyone? Whether you're an accountant or not. Thanks in advance guys.
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I think he is a manager. I interned at a Big Four, and the recession went into full swing. I did get to see the culture a bit.


Are you currently with a big four?



obvious Child said:
Good luck to him. Big 4 are meat grinders. Did he get hired as a manager? Because senior levels are just as much of a grind fest as staff.
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I just got some review books today, and I told my coworker that I was excited.

She looked at me and said I must be used to not having a life.

lol
 
MarineTpartier said:
I guess my question is would my combined military experience and the degree get me something paying around 35K-50K.
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Just a reminder. This is 2013. Average pay for college graduates is $15,080 per year.
 
sawdust said:
Experience.
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What if someone loves mopping floors, writing books or painting pictures? Will they eventually earn $40,000 per year for their experience and hard work?

I have a passion to do something where no market exist but I prefer living in a house with proper heat and air.
 
vasuderatorrent said:
What if someone loves mopping floors, writing books or painting pictures? Will they eventually earn $40,000 per year for their experience and hard work?

I have a passion to do something where no market exist but I prefer living in a house with proper heat and air.
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Unrepresentative Sample

Definition:

The sample used in an inductive inference is relevantly different from the population as a whole.
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The Logical Fallacies: Unrepresentative Sample

Don't be foolish. If someone loves mopping floors, who are we to judge if they are leading a life they enjoy. In addition, we are talking about making money so if you find something to do that accomplishes that goal and if you love the work that is success in itself. Eventually the money will take care of itself.
 
sawdust said:
If someone loves mopping floors, who are we to judge if they are leading a life they enjoy.
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Enjoying something and earning $40,000 per year are not the same thing. The false claim is, "Do what you enjoy and the money will eventually follow." I hate bumper sticker philosophy that people actually believe.

Deligent musicians, artist, janitors or authors will not be rewarded for their dedication. This just doesn't happen. "Do what you enjoy and the money will eventually follow." is a complete lie. I refuse to believe it.

Do what you enjoy and you will lead a happy and fulfilling life. Don't worry about the money. Just don't worry about it. There is no lie necessary to follow the statement about not worrying about money.

Do what you enjoy and you will lead a happy and fulfilling life. Why does a lie have to be attached to something that is true? It kind of defeats the point of telling the truth if you are just going to lie. Wouldn't you agree?

Some of the happiest people I know love their job and make very little money. America is so perverted in their discussion about money. When I was a kid if a student ever brought up a profession that they liked the teacher would reply, "You can make good money doing that." As an adult people like to discuss occupations where "people make good money doing that." During conversation Americans like to paint a rosey red picture of the potential of the person standing right in front of them.

In the real world people have important jobs that pay $15,080 per year. Somehow that is unacceptable and shameful. Why is that? Because every American lies to children about the realities of working. It really burns my tractor. People shouldn't be ashamed of their jobs. It really isn't good for our country to have such an abundance of pissed off and disillusioned workers. Why not tell a kid "that is a really good job, I'm sure you would be good at that"?

I hate lying. Lying is much worse when the liar doesn't know they are lying. Work is about work. It isn't about money. A house is a place to live. It isn't an investment that earns you money. A college education is about obtaining specialized training and knowledge. It isn't a magical piece of paper that you can redeem for a large income.

I just don't like these lies. They really cause me to develop a frowny face. :(
 
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