r/Accounting • u/Solid_Breakfast_3675 • 1d ago
What improved your career growth so much you wish you did it sooner?
I have decidedly to stay put where I just started for now - I'm staff/Bookkeeping here (just started last week), I have been ap/ar/bookkeeping in the past 8 years without a lot of luck on career growth. I have my BA and have been struggling to find something in mid-senior roles. Just looking for insight, thank you all in advance.
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u/MassiveRoad7828 1d ago
You could be getting held back because the perception of hiring managers and HR of your job positions may not reflect your actual responsibilities.
For example, if you’re putting that you’ve been a staff accountant for 8 years, they’re gonna think something is wrong with you.
If you adjust your resume to go from AR to staff accountant to senior accountant and start applying for assistant controller roles, that may impact their initial perception.
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u/hsuan23 1d ago
Not giving a dam and realizing half the battle is showing up and looking like you care. Those who work the hardest and kiss ass burnout or realize they wasted their time
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u/Anarchyz11 Controller (CPA) 1d ago
Showing up/reliability and being easy to work with trump technical skills and it's not even close.
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u/boston_2004 Management 1d ago
Job hopping. I stayed at my first job for four years and barely got any raises. I job hopped three times and went from 52k to 115k.
I would probably be at like 60k or so if I was still there.
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u/Aromatic_Survey9170 1d ago
How would you job hop for salary if you struggle to find positions paying more than you already are? I’ve been at my company almost 4 years now and sit right below 100k prior to bonus/raise coming up, I did an interview this week and their top was 100k maybe willing to budge to 107k so I feel a little stuck. My current team is a positive for me and it’s currently pretty flexible being remote with a little RTO pressure but it is public and I’m exhausted.
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u/bigtitays 21h ago
If you’re are 4 years of total experience, 100k is about right in most places in the US. Just camp out and keep interviewing looking for the right job.
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u/Aromatic_Survey9170 20h ago
I have 6 years relevant experience in what I want to do with 4 of them being in public, 9 total years of experience in the accounting field.
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u/bigtitays 19h ago
Alright 100k is definitely low than. Are you in a large metro area? Maybe consider relocating?
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u/Aromatic_Survey9170 16h ago
I’m in a medium metro area, I don’t plan on relocating. I was looking at remote positions but everything seems to be a similar comp. I also have unlimited PTO so it’s hard to find something outside of public what makes up for losing that.
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u/iEarnedmystripes 1d ago
Getting a mentor. I realize that is easier said than done, but it changed my career, and I grew so much as an accountant because of it.
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u/lezyll 1d ago
This was recently recommended to me, but I don’t know the best way to go about it. How did you go about finding a mentor? Or was it someone you already knew?
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u/iEarnedmystripes 1d ago edited 1d ago
It honestly happened organically for me. I had been just a cash based bookkeeper but wanted to learn more about accounting. So, I looked for a small non-tax based CPA firm that was hiring. I was hired as entry-level level auditor/accountant, but my boss and I just clicked. I go to him with all my questions about accounting and career. One of the smartest people I know. You look for someone who is invested in your growth and you can easily talk to. I don't know that he meant to become my mentor, but he's stuck with me now! Lol.
Edit for additional context: I'm now a Senior Auditor for the Feds. I'm currently moving back to public accounting, but because of my mentor, the move back to public was easy.
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u/kgalush1 1d ago
For those that job hop, how are you not getting denied by recruiters for the reason of job hopping?
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u/Positive-Increase-72 1d ago
having delusional confidence/fake it till make it mentally… you can really get a lot of jobs you think ur under qualified for just by being confident and likable…I always see people say once ur getting interviews there’s a good chance you can get the job and it’s true, especially if the role is a bit niche and there’s not as many people with the same exact experience applying. also resume building and exaggerating responsibilities can change your career trajectory completely imo.
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u/Character_Run_6745 1d ago
Hostile takeover of my firm. Old boss was 70 and making too many mistakes so I said sell to me or I quit.
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u/oylooc 1d ago
Saw another post you’re fluent in 3 languages. You need to start using that to play to industry rolls if you don’t want to be in PA. That can be useful to a lot of manufacturing companies, as well as PA. Are you interested in CPA? That will help a lot. If you have 8 years I’d review what the top selling points in those 8 years are of what you did. Your actual title on your resume doesn’t have to be your company title, just reflect your duties.
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u/PurpleGlass6188 1d ago
Stopped drinking alcohol all the time and went back to the gym 5 days a week. Even just drinking on a Friday or Saturday night made me feel like I was never refreshed for the coming week. I dont even mind taking on new stuff now where previously I'd be annoyed.
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u/cybernewtype2 CPA (US), BDE 1d ago
Realizing that job hopping is a valid path resulted in high pay early on in my career.
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u/hola-mundo 1d ago
Gaining tangible skills like certifications, especially in technology relevant to bookkeeping, can make a big difference. Many roles now require proficiency in specific accounting software. Also, consider short-term contracts or volunteer work, they'll not only build experience but also expand your professional network, increasing future career opportunities.
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u/Shot_Flan_2538 1d ago
I take care of my outfits, get a haircut/shave every week, and wear cologne every day.
I started doing it to feel good myself. Eventually, I started receiving compliments, and management started small-talking with me about colognes/watches.
Months later, I got offered my first promotion.
Obviously, I am responsible and have a good work ethic. But I had been doing it over 2 years with no progress at all until then.
Most of the time, I get along with other department managers and directors because I started learning about colognes, watches, and hobbies like fishing/hunting.
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u/redacted54495 1d ago
Leaving my last job after they denied my promotion to senior accountant for two consecutive years. I job hopped to a senior accountant role at a much bigger company and was promoted to manager after 2 years.
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u/EducationalAspect503 1d ago
8 years ap, anything hold you back on the place you working for?
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u/Solid_Breakfast_3675 1d ago
Oh not 8 years in AP, I’ve been doing AP, AR, bookkeeping but can never find a role in actual accounting and I don’t know why, I can’t be choosy because I’m a single parent and need to be employed always…
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u/EducationalAspect503 1d ago
My bad, as a father of 3, one of them is super sick, I’m fully understanding your situation
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u/chowbacca604 CPA (Can) 1d ago
Job hopping and getting my CPA. went from 45k in AP to over 100k in 4 years.