Accounting - Cutting Losses

LegacyUser

Before I start, I appreciate how lucky I am to even have this choice.

Basically I work in audit for a large firm. I hate the job, I've no interest in it and I've no desire to be in the industry 1.5 years down the road when my training contract finishes. I went thru 4 years of college and came out with first class honors in my degree, exempt from the first set of professional exams (there's 3), passed the second set first time (there was only a 52% pass rate for these) and am now staring down the barrel of my finals.

I'm probably going to fail them, my motivation has just been shot to pieces and I don't see the point in even bothering to study for them. 3 weeks to go and Ive pretty much written them off.

I was a star performer in my first year review, and then my motivation went. I dropped to pretty much the bottom of the pile amongst my peer group in 12 months. I'm really just not ar5ed with it.

There's another industry I've always wanted to be involved in, one that I could excel in and one that anyone who knows me will say I was born to be in. About a month ago I got an offer to come on board with a start up as a part time employee. The offer came out of nowhere, I didn't look for it and it came to me solely on the back of my reputation within that particular area. I'd always wondered where the break was going to come from, but it appears this may be it.

I can do it part time in addition to audit, but I feel like the more energy I focus on it, the better. There's potential to build on the part time position and generate revenue in other ways too. I know several people in the industry earning 6 figure sums in their late 20's....

I guess the question is, am I mad to consider cutting 4 years of college and 2 years of work when I'm so close to being finished (1.5 years left) becuase I consider what I'm doing now a waste of time and the 1.5 years could be better spent establishing myself in my chosen field and building a base there??

Neyite

CuttingLosses wrote: »

I guess the question is, am I mad to consider cutting 4 years of college and 2 years of work when I'm so close to being finished (1.5 years left) becuase I consider what I'm doing now a waste of time and the 1.5 years could be better spent establishing myself in my chosen field and building a base there??

no way. go for your dream i say. i had the option of trying to work for myself, it didnt work out but i learned so much, i dont see it as a waste at all. if you dont you will always wonder 'what if'.

worst case scenario, could you return to finish off the last bit of study - if the answer is yes, what have you to lose?

Miss Fluff

I reckon give your last exams one final push as it is always worth having a professional qualification and it will open up further doors to you even in unrelated sectors. Get the exams then tear up every accounting book you've ever owned if you must and then chase that dream:)

I'd be very very curious to know what this other industry is. I've been in advertising/sales for many years and thankfully have a gift for my job but have seen countless people over the years lured by promises of gold coinage only for them not have an aptitude for the role or for the role not to click with them. Can't believe I am being this sensible but I'd say there is no harm just stalling for a few more months and finish the exams. If you are as good as you claim then the company will wait for you.

antoinolachtnai

If you can find some way to coast through and get an accounting qualification as well as doing your dream, I'd do it. It will be so useful to you in your new field, whatever it might be.

OwenM

Finish your finals.

It will affect your outlook on yourself for years if you don't, you are already regretting it!

Voltex

this is a no brainer....finish your exams. Its will give you choices in the end.

tenchi-fan

6 figure salary for a job that doesn't require college... and a start up at that... i think you're dreaming!

I left accounting for 2.5 years after I had my exams and 2 years experience. I think it damaged my career a little, in that even when I returned to working in accounting I couldn't command a top wage.

Anyway - what you have going for you is a degree and audit experience. Don't knock it and don't look at it as a waste of time or you'll be selling yourself short.

However if I were you I'd try to get my accounting qualification even if it means getting a different accounting job for the next 18 months. It will really stand to you regardless of whether you work in industry, practice, or even in marketing, sales, or any other sort of business.

niceoneted

I'd be inclined to finish out the accounting at this stage it will also look better on the CV that you finished it and moved into a different area than quit while near the finish line. It will always stand to you the fact that you persisted and finished.

LegacyUser

tenchi-fan wrote: »

6 figure salary for a job that doesn't require college... and a start up at that... i think you're dreaming!

I left accounting for 2.5 years after I had my exams and 2 years experience. I think it damaged my career a little, in that even when I returned to working in accounting I couldn't command a top wage.

Anyway - what you have going for you is a degree and audit experience. Don't knock it and don't look at it as a waste of time or you'll be selling yourself short.

However if I were you I'd try to get my accounting qualification even if it means getting a different accounting job for the next 18 months. It will really stand to you regardless of whether you work in industry, practice, or even in marketing, sales, or any other sort of business.

I never said the 6 figure amount was coming from the start up or from a salary for that matter or that it was going to fall into my lap... I know at least 3 people who are under 30, in the field I'm looking at and earning 6 figures pa. It'd mainly be the first step towards working off my own back and building something for myself to hopefully generate its own income 5 years down the road anyway.

I didn't say there were no qualifications involved either... I've a TON of relevant experience and getting the industry recognised qualifications would be a piece of cake.

Looking to go somewhere else for the remainder of the contract could be a good shout. I think I'd be happier in a small environment, especially since it'd probably be more relevant to my own needs a few years down the road.

Thanks to everyone else for the feedback so far. I'll reply properly in the morning to the ones i've missed.