All doors are open. Lets put it this way, if I could be a pilot, make good money, pull down a good QOL, live in base, etc, then I think I would do it.

But then again, with accounting my goal is to open my own business in 5 years or so, in which case I will never have a "job" again and will be able to adjust my work and life according to my needs rather than dealing with "screw scheduling" and watching them screw up my weekend, etc.

But, honestly, above all this I love to FLY. Technically an airliner is flying, but it is doing so within such scripted boundaries, under constant scrutiny, continually under ATC demands, from point A to point B, straight and level, etc. It hardly feels much like flying except for the cool views out the window. Mix in hotels, and long times away from home, commuting, etc and even the cool views begin to lose appeal.

If I could start an accounting business and grow it to produce a solid livable income, buy my own airplane to fly when I want to, flight instruct on the side, I think I could be happier than what the airlines could provide.

I know its a bit vague, but I guess I don't have a solid answer right now. I am just trying to figure out life as I go. But, I am 100% certain that THIS airline RIGHT NOW is not where I need to be considering this CPA opportunity and what other goals I have in life (future kids, etc).

Congrats, man. I'm genuinely excited for you! Just relax and take it one step at a time.

bryris:

Good luck... I left the accounting field in 1995 to pursue flying. Their are many times I regret it. After one furlough, and looking down the gun of another one, I would of been farther ahead in accounting. Plus no debt, companies pay for degrees and certificates.

Again good luck. There will always be a demand for accountants.

alwaysflying

Bryris:

Stay current on your flying. You never know. Once hiring picks up again you may be able to return to the flight deck. Once you retire, move right into the corporate office in the Accounting Department.:)

All the best.

Blue skies.




atp

Cpa
 

Lately I too have been seriously thinking about becoming a CPA. I am less than a year away from completing my Accounting degree and already have the total credits needed for the CPA exam. At one time I was enrolled in a masters program in accounting, but left to pursue a flying job. I wish I hadn't now.

Skyhigh

Sky, you're almost there it seems. If you want it, do it. Unlike flying, there is plenty of work for everyone.

Just a couple of caveats on the CPA thing...

First, meeting the requirements to sit for the exam is not the same as meeting the requirements to become a CPA. In most states you have to have a certain number of hours or months working for a CPA firm doing attest work in addition to passing the CPA exam. There are exceptions... I believe the state of Washington, unless they have changed the rules recently, requires only passing the CPA exam to get the license.

In California, they have a new "B" license that does not require the 24 months of audit experience required for the "A" license. Ironically, though, the "B" license holders are not allowed to do attest work, which is the only thing you legally need a CPA to do.

Be sure to check into what your state requires.

Second, even if you don't need to meet the experience requirement to get the license, having a CPA without related experience probably doesn't have a lot of value in the job market anyway. The good news is, most CPA firms do hire a lot of entry-level CPA candidates into a track specifically designed to get them their audit hours.

Considering the seasonal nature of audit work, it's probably possible to work on a part-time/ocassional basis with a local CPA if you need that flexibility.

Agreed.

Additionally, in the state of FL (where I am), there is currently no requirement to have a certain work experience for licensing. Additionally, beginning in July (I think), you can sit for the exam with as little as 120 credit hours of school, just cannot be a licensed CPA until such time as 150 hours are reached.

There is a proposal on the table right now proposing Florida require 1 year of work experience working under a "public" accounting function, or at a minimum under a licensed CPA.

Update: Apparently, it is more than a proposal. What I read is old news. Apparently the way it works is that if you have applied and have been approved to take the test before Jan 1st 2009, then you do not need 1 year of experience. If you apply after this (as I will), then you will need 1 year of experience.

I have 17 months of audit and tax experience working directly under many CPAs, so I am good either way.

Interesting... I had forgotten about the 150 hour rule, which I believe is standard in all states now. That's actually a very sensible policy, being able to sit for the exam with 120 hours.

I think it will be very worthwhile to have the CPA if you already have the experience. Good luck to you.

You know I’ve always been under the impression that accounting falls under one of those jobs that hemorrhages workers during dire economic times. I guess I was wrong.

So question: when one graduates with a degree in accounting, do you go to work for an accounting firm or can you get a job with a company and work in their accounting department? I guess you could do either with no immediate experience right? Wouldn’t your job then be in jeopardy if the company is suffering due to economic hardships nationwide? (Where do you go if your company goes bust?) I guess unlike the airlines at least if you have to start all over at a new company, you can at least expect to make a salary equal with your experience.

What’s the hiring trend these days for accounting seeing how the economy is; in other words is it easier to get a job as an accountant because people are looking for financial advice and help on how to watch over their money or is the opposite prevailing; in other words, why pay someone to help me keep the little money that I’m bringing in?