42k < 56k < 82k < 121k < 160k Didn’t get good starting point after graduating from master at 2014 and had to be stuck in a small company for 3 years for my visa. I was in Texas at that time. After moving to Bay Area, I see tons of working opportunities. Feeling underpaid right now and looking for better opportunities.
Not to be that guy, but get the hell out of accounting. You should have gotten out years ago and it may be difficult for you to do at this point. Personally, I started my transition out of accounting in my first year in audit. I networked my way into deal advisory doing financial due diligence by the start of my second year at the big 4. My first firm wasn’t willing to help me on the path I wanted to go, so I networked with another big 4 and got in. After a year of doing due diligence (AMAZING work experience, btw), I transitioned to fp&a at Microsoft. After spending two years at Microsoft, I jumped to corp strat at Twitch/Amazon and have been here for 4 years. My total comp history; Big 4 audit: 48K > Big 4 Due Diligence 87K > Microsoft FP&A 115K, Amazon L5 corp strat: 180K > Amazon corp strat L6: 277K, Amazon corp strat L7: 430K Education history: undergrad (no MBA) from non-target school. With less than 10 years of experience, I am making more than most jr partners at Big 4 firms and I can can promise you that my work life balance is significantly better. But most importantly, I am very happy and fulfilled because I have carved my own path and am doing what I enjoy at a place that I am passionate about. I don’t tell you this to depress you. I tell you this to give you hope and encourage you that it can be done. But you need to hustle and network your ass off, you need to CRUSH it at every job you’re at and get glowing reviews, and you need to be willing to take risks/relocate/make big adjustments to your career. People should also realize that getting career advice from you accounting firm partners and managers is a complete and total waste of time. They will tell you what it takes to retain you, and they also have no clue what they are talking about outside of their own personal very limited experience. I am so happy I ignored the haters that told me I was making a mistake by not pursuing my CPA and not sticking it out in Big 4 until at least manager. Those people are stuck in dead end careers being overworked and underpaid. Life comes at you fast.
agree, this is also a good frame of thinking for life as well.
I’m not in accounting but I got pumped up just reading this.
Could you please explain your accounting route? I’m also an accountant that’s struggling to leave the 60s wall. Please share what you did
Cost accountant > GL accountant > Revenue analyst > Senior revenue analyst > revenue manager
Are you a manager or IC? Not sure 160k base is under market for accounting at that level
I am a manager role for revenue accounting
160 k is not my base though, that includes everything
Wow! May I ask your total YOE?
You can actually tell lol. Since 2014
Congrats!!!
Thanks , but not the time yet lol
You took the first step in moving to the Bay Area and getting a job in industry. It will be easier to make moves with industry on your resume but I would continue to actively look for opportunities at your target companies. At 8 years of experience you are a candidate for L5/L6 roles, but it gets harder to be hired the more senior/experienced you are (more competition, both from internal/external candidates).
Thanks for your advice! My current goal is L5 at Google. I interviewed at Google several times. 2 years ago I interviewed for L4, failed at the third round(I think most likely I was too nervous and didn’t do well at some BQ) and Last year I interviewed for L5, got rejected because the position does not match my background. Recently I got contacted by HR for another L5, however after HR did some phone screen for some basic info and said she will have another person to schedule next step, she disappeared… I was never able to get any reply for 3 weeks. Still keep trying
Your reply actually got me to think another question. Do googlers need to compete with people both inside and outside to get promoted?
Is any of you work in remote setting or all these are in person? It seems to be it's significantly easier to get an in person high paying job these days than a remote lower paying job.
All in person. Even in person job has fierce competition. I see one posting could get 200 applications
Interesting. I am sure. I am stuck around 100k salary as an individual contributor
💯💯💯get out of accounting. I did something similar and am now in tech. Take a certificate class in something to get enough of an edge to speak the language. A certificate class is less commitment than an MBA. And less expensive.
What kind of tech certificate? What did you do as an accountant? How much is your TC now
Tech firms still need accountants! If I were you I’d try and break in through an accounting job and then you could pivot through there. You can network easily now on LinkedIn. Most people will be willing to give you time for a chat.
2024 Presidential Election
Yesterday
259
Since 1949, the economy is better under democratic presidents
Tech Industry
Yesterday
259
Starting to gain weight | Eating more than I should
Ask Blinders
Yesterday
621
What does "Abortion after birth" even mean?
Health & Wellness
Yesterday
953
I have a Toyota Camry and got made fun of by Tesla owner friends
Layoffs
4h
881
My 2024 Layoff Experience Applying for Staff
Man, I want to be this. I'm stuck in government and need to get out. The benefits don't make up for lack in pay. Currently stuck at 64K
Then try to get out. Send a lot of applications and start the process
I used to be in government as well. It’s hard to get out, but totally possible. You can do it! Apply. Apply. Apply.