Thinking of going back to school

[Lazarus]

An entry level staff accounting job starts in the metro area probably in the upper 30's (of course there are all kinds of exceptions). Like any career you can advance with or without certain certifications and additional training based on your contributions. However, a CPA (I am NOT one) is a industry standard that is open to little debate about whether or not it 'pays for itself'. It requires no additional schooling (beyond what you can receive in a Bachelor's degree) and simply the testing (although most everyone pays for a prep course). You can also pass it in individual parts so it is much easier on someone that has a life outside of academia.
JUST DO IT!

By the way... I wish my wife was doing medical encoding from home! I have a couple of nieces that do it and one has worked her way into a very successful career doing it, with a TON of flexibility. It's not ALL about the digits on the paycheck...

I didn't know that about the CPA exam, that you can do it in parts.

I love the flexibility of my job. In fact I could do my job full time, go to school full time and still probably work full time while working full time as an accountant. LOL! But its not something I'm thrilled about doing. I'm not excited to do this kind of work. Pay is really good though. If I had to start off making in the 30s I'd have to keep my job coding until I could make some real money.

 

[zesty]

My wife was in school until recently (about your age) and we have kids. Let me tell you, it is tough with kids. There are a lot of family evenings and weekends that you'll miss because of homework. There is a lot of help your spouse will want that you have to balance with school. It puts a strain on everything. It was worth it for us, but only barely. Think it through and make sure your wife knows it'll be rough on her too.

If you don't have kids and don't plan to, sure do it.

 

[tdi_g]

I am a CPA working in corporate accounting and it is boring as all get out but the pay is good and there is definitely a solid demand. I am at the senior accountant level and I am contacted by recruiters/headhunters at least 3-4 times a week soliciting jobs. My job doesn't require me to be a licensed CPA but the upper management roles typically do require a CPA. Remember, in GA you have to have 30 hours of upper level accounting hours to get licensed (I found this out the hard way and ended up getting licensed in VA instead). The 150 credit hours is pretty much the standard nationwide. Depending on if you go into industry or public accounting you should expect to start out in the high 40's to low 50's in terms of salary. The pay does go up significantly as you gain more and more experience. Getting your foot in the door of a large well known company definitely helps a lot as well. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

[webicknell]

Hey, you absolutely should go for it.... I earned my CPA in Florida back in the 80's... You will not regret it.... Maybe a bit of hard work, but it will pay-off financially and in self esteem...
I did the CPA thing for 25 years... now more IT stuff than the numbers... It can open so many doors for you....$200K is more than achievable...

And by the way, my son manages a group of of medical insurance / coders for Northside....

 

[Retread]

Do a search for the government's "Occupational Outlook Handbook". It's free online.

 

[GeauxLSU]

I didn't know that about the CPA exam, that you can do it in parts.

I love the flexibility of my job. In fact I could do my job full time, go to school full time and still probably work full time while working full time as an accountant. LOL! But its not something I'm thrilled about doing. I'm not excited to do this kind of work. Pay is really good though. If I had to start off making in the 30s I'd have to keep my job coding until I could make some real money.

Again, that's WITHOUT a CPA. As mentioned you can certainly make more with it. I doubt it's changed but it used to be a minority of people that would pass all sections their first time. There is (or was) a limit as to how many times you could retake a certain section in a given time period. Someone in the know can chime in with specifics.
I majored in Finance... because I HATE accounting. But if you like black and white it may be great. Some people gravitate and thrive in that. If you are someone that likes a lot of flexibility and creativity and variety in what you do.... you might want to reconsider.

 

[webicknell]

Again, that's WITHOUT a CPA. As mentioned you can certainly make more with it. I doubt it's changed but it used to be a minority of people that would pass all sections their first time. There is (or was) a limit as to how many times you could retake a certain section in a given time period. Someone in the know can chime in with specifics.
I majored in Finance... because I HATE accounting. But if you like black and white it may be great. Some people gravitate and thrive in that. If you are someone that likes a lot of flexibility and creativity and variety in what you do.... you might want to reconsider.

I can truly say I have enjoyed my career in accounting... Started with one of the "Big" firms... It was Big 8 back then...Spent a little bit of time with a smaller local firm.... Been controller of a few companies, including one that was publicly held and another start-up that survived about 5 years.... and have been with a large Atlanta based beverage company for the last 18 years... most of that in financial/accounting roles... Don't regret any of it...

 

[Lazarus]

My wife was in school until recently (about your age) and we have kids. Let me tell you, it is tough with kids. There are a lot of family evenings and weekends that you'll miss because of homework. There is a lot of help your spouse will want that you have to balance with school. It puts a strain on everything. It was worth it for us, but only barely. Think it through and make sure your wife knows it'll be rough on her too.

If you don't have kids and don't plan to, sure do it.

Yea she knows. She got her Masters while we were married with kids but it was online. Still hard but not as hard as going to a physical school. Our daughter is 12 so shes older and require less attention and such as a younger kid so that should help.

 

[Lazarus]

I am a CPA working in corporate accounting and it is boring as all get out but the pay is good and there is definitely a solid demand. I am at the senior accountant level and I am contacted by recruiters/headhunters at least 3-4 times a week soliciting jobs. My job doesn't require me to be a licensed CPA but the upper management roles typically do require a CPA. Remember, in GA you have to have 30 hours of upper level accounting hours to get licensed (I found this out the hard way and ended up getting licensed in VA instead). The 150 credit hours is pretty much the standard nationwide. Depending on if you go into industry or public accounting you should expect to start out in the high 40's to low 50's in terms of salary. The pay does go up significantly as you gain more and more experience. Getting your foot in the door of a large well known company definitely helps a lot as well. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Hey, you absolutely should go for it.... I earned my CPA in Florida back in the 80's... You will not regret it.... Maybe a bit of hard work, but it will pay-off financially and in self esteem...
I did the CPA thing for 25 years... now more IT stuff than the numbers... It can open so many doors for you....$200K is more than achievable...

And by the way, my son manages a group of of medical insurance / coders for Northside....

Encouraging post right here.

Which Northside? I feel like theres one near the Perimeter but I know I interviewed for a Northside out in Gainesville I want to say.

 

[Lazarus]

Again, that's WITHOUT a CPA. As mentioned you can certainly make more with it. I doubt it's changed but it used to be a minority of people that would pass all sections their first time. There is (or was) a limit as to how many times you could retake a certain section in a given time period. Someone in the know can chime in with specifics.
I majored in Finance... because I HATE accounting. But if you like black and white it may be great. Some people gravitate and thrive in that. If you are someone that likes a lot of flexibility and creativity and variety in what you do.... you might want to reconsider.

Gotcha.