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Accounting & Bookkeeping & Small Business Forum
Accounting, Bookkeeping, Marketing, and Small Business Resource
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coldcash57
Joined: 27 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject: Breaking into accounting at age 50-need career advice |
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HI, I am currently school for accounting. I am in a rural area of West Virginia, and though I took my first two years at a local college, I am finishing up online with Liberty University.
I am uncertain where to take this next. Still taking classes online, I presently am working construction as an electrician. Average income is around $50-$60K per year. I don't want to take a big cut in pay when I transition from one career to another, but I am not sure if that will be avoidable.
The other thing I am wondering about is maximizing my next few years. I am cash flowing school, paying as I go. I don't know if it would be better to finish my education before I try to seek employment, or try to seek employment while attending school to get experience ( I do have my associate's in accountng). At the present rate I am going, I have been able to take about 27 credit hours per year, and still have around 40 hours to go for my bachelors, and 30 beyond that to sit for my CPA.
Being from a rural area, opportunities for accountants are more available in cities about an hour from here. What I REALLY would love to do is public accounting, specializing in taxes and consulting for the small business person.
Not really being in contact with accountants outside of the 2 or 3 I had as instructors in school, I feel like I am navigating in the dark here.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc |
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David
Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Marc,
are you just looking for work or are you interested in working for yourself? |
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coldcash57
Joined: 27 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:05 am Post subject: RE: Breaking into accounting at age 50-need career advice |
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I am wanting ultimately to work for myself. The necessity for one year's experience in order to practice as a CPA mandates that I also work for another firm, or work under the guidance of a CPA that is willing to sign off on me.
I'm not so sure that I shouldn't be trying to do a little bit of this on the side out of my home right now as well; because of the crazy hours of my work schedule(overtime can happen in an instant) it makes any kind of second job difficult. I could use the maximized flexibility self-employment can give me.
I may not be posting this question on the right forum, but given the different forum topics, I wasn't sure in which one it would exactly fit.
Marc |
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David
Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:38 am Post subject: |
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Marc,
Read this post. It seems to apply to you. http://www.accounting-and-bookkeeping-tips.com/accounting-forum/viewtopic.php?t=4953
This is the right forum for your question. One of the things that Universal Accounting specializes in is training accountants as yourself in marketing for clients.
If you need training on small business accounting watch this video: http://www.accounting-and-bookkeeping-tips.com/DVD_lead_collection/start_today_dvd/index.html?source=ua_website&campaign=start+today+dvd&usid=
If it is just marketing you need, watch this video: http://www.universal-practice-builder.com/DVD_lead_collection/practice_builder_dvd/index.html?source=ua_website&campaign=arts+and+science+dvd&usid=
David |
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Dominic Bradish
Joined: 13 Sep 2008
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| I respect that you are breaking into a new career at 50+ years old. I'm doing the same thing at 40. Kudos! |
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Richard Noot
Joined: 20 Aug 2005
Posts: 878
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:32 am Post subject: |
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Dominic Bradish wrote: I respect that you are breaking into a new career at 50+ years old. I'm doing the same thing at 40. Kudos!
So what is the big deal. Lots of KIDS start new businesses. I started mine at 66. |
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QBConsultant
Joined: 06 May 2008
Posts: 51
Location: Kansas City, MO
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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Personally, I think you could take on some easy clients/tax returns on the side while you finish your education. However, I do think yhou should get more experience working for an accounting firm before you really launch your own business. I admire your dedication and perseverance!
Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA
Author of: Successful QuickBooks Consulting
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
National Trainer for Intuit Accountant Trainer/Writer Network
http://www.SuccessfulQuickBooksConsulting.com
http://www.amazon.com/Successful-QuickBooks-Consulting-Comprehensive-starting/dp/1434810690 |
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