CPA's done, now what?

Hi, I'm just another accountant who just finished their CPA at a big 4 firm in Vancouver, BC looking to figure out what their next move is. Any advice on how to get started?

I'm burnt out from busy season and have no wish staying in audit longer than the end of this year. So now I'm trying to figure out the next couple steps to help set my self up for the future. From my research so far and from discussions with friends, I've got the following factors to consider so far:

  1. Industry - I can forget about trying to become a manger could leave public practice to go into industry. In industry, I think I would either move into a Financial Accounting Role or a Financial Analyst & Planning role. I would probably stick it out for a few years at one company, depending how much I can progress. I'm don't think I would want to progress into a manager role so what would the terminal position be in route?

  2. Different Service Line - If I were to stay in public, I think I would look into corporate finance or transaction services, something in the realm of the M&A world. Though, I also do not want to get burnt out from working so much. I can imagine that I would be able to troop it out for a couple years, but what about afterwards? Isn't investment banking, or private equity just as draining in respect to how many hours are worked? 

After this busy reason, I've really learned to value my life outside of work, hence why I do not want to stay another year in audit. But if it it make sense to do another couple years of grinding, for the sake of setting up my self in the next 5-10 years career and financially wise, I would do it. Does an in between exist at all? 


Thanks your input! 

 

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