CPA firm tax VS, FINRA examiner

Hey guys. I graduated from UCLA studying Econ and Accounting. I was working as a tax staff at a boutique CPA firm(a really small firm) for a few months and I quit, I hated the firm and the work. 

I recently got two offers.

1. Entry-level tax staff at a top CPA in LA (700+ employees)

Pros:

Higher salaries than FINRA (around 10k), good company cultures, bigger firm

Cons:

Not sure if I am gonna hate it like I did( maybe the tax work at a bigger company is diverse/ less boring?)

Probably gonna do tax forever( poor exit opportunities not sure)

Crazy working hours 

2. Examiner at FINRA 

Pros:

a much better hours, less repetitive compared to tax, a more collab working environment, 

I've talked to ppl in the firm, and although it is compliance, there are more communications and more diverse projects than tax

Cons:

Low pay, limited growth?

not sure about the exit opportunities

What would you di if ur at my position? Anybody understand the career path of FINRA? Thanks!!

3 Comments
 

Thank you so much! Didn't expect there are ppl who know much about FINRA here.. 
I have some questions:
1. What's your daily job as an Examiner in the trading department?
2. Is there a lot different for being an examiner in another department, is the exit opportunities the same?
3. For ppl who exit to the sell side, what companies and positions do they usually go to, compliance?
4. If I want to pivot to Finance(IB/PE,etc) do you consider FINRA more doable than tax?
5. Do you think it's a better position than tax in the long term?

FINRA is really lowkey, can’t find much info online... Thank you!!

 

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