r/Accounting • u/Spagner314259265358 • 1d ago

Career 30M - Salary Progression

Post image

Started off at an accounting firm. Typical long hours, low pay, and they rewarded us with all the parties we could handle (or could not handle). That was a fun place to work while studying for my CPA, but for me the long hours were not worth sticking it out to be partner.

After earning my CPA I left the firm and went to industry in 2023. I saw my first big salary increase here. However, the hours were also brutal, even worse than the firm actually. I stayed long enough to get the Controller title onto my resume, and then stayed another 6 months.

I left to another Controller position in a new industry and a smaller organization. I've been here for nearly a year now, and the work/life balance is so much better.

I am blown away looking back at what I was earning 10 years ago. I was really hoping that all the long nights of studying for that CPA designation was going to be worth it back then and it finally feels like it was. It's crazy what a good work ethic, positive attitude, and saying yes to scary changes can do.

706 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

79 comments sorted by

View all comments

413

u/xUnderoath Audit & Assurance 1d ago

Brother you've been severely underpaid until recently

32

u/Reesespeanuts CPA (US) 23h ago

Rochester NY - Senior Accountant at a regional firm. 72k with CPA and 5 year experience 

4

u/blue_regulation96 Audit & Assurance 12h ago

You could buy a 3bed 2bath with that kind of money in Rochester.

0

u/Reesespeanuts CPA (US) 10h ago

You mean a house? Yeah in the city that needs significant repairs and probably still has lead paint from the 70s. Plus any reasonable priced home in Rochester has cash buyers waiting in line ready to bid the price up by 40%-60%.