It really depends on what you want to do after you leave. If you want to switch career paths, leave now. If you want a 9-5 lifestyle as a senior accountant, so you can leave at a normal time and enjoy life, with the work not as challenging, leave after 2-3 years. If you want a senior revenue accountant position or something more specific that pays well, is mostly 8:30-6 but during monthly and quarterly closes, wouldn't mind working till 8 pm or so, leave after 4 years. If you want an assistant controller position, a revenue manager position or an SEC reporting manager position, leave after your manager 1 year. If you want a director of technical research position or a controller position (both of which aren't readily available), leave as a manager 3 or as a senior manager.
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I'm going to be an undergraduate senior with an accounting minor at UCSD this coming fall. What's your advice to getting ahead of my peers prior to fall recruitment? I've been emailing recruiters and trying to reach out to the audit staff but getting their actual contact info is difficult.
For audit associates, they're going to look very heavily on your GPA and your coursework, because that's what's required for the CPA examination. I don't know what the requirements are to sit for an exam in California but you should definitely start thinking about studying for the CPA exam. That'll really set you apart from your peers.
To OP, at least for the bigger firms, you've probably already missed recruiting. As far as the Big 4 go, they recruit a year beforehand. But see about joining campus accounting organizations or go through your career center to see if there are any events prior you can attend. Also, join your local CPA society if you have one. Basically, since your a bit behind the 8 ball, you need to do everything.
....On the subject of leaving....when is the best time to ask for a transfer?
I have yet to start my big 4 job but it has come to my attention that I would not like to stay in the area where I received my degree (and recruited) due to the high cost of living and zero family.
Is it frowned upon or presumptuous to ask for a transfer in your first year or is it better to wait until you are a senior? What is proper etiquette in this situation? I would not like to appear to the recruiters to be wishy-washy or ungrateful for the local offer, but I honestly cannot afford to live here long term.
Also, what are your thoughts on transferring from a large office and a large market to a small office and smaller market? Any benefits or drawbacks? Thanks in advance!
Have a look at some of things Big4Gossip have suggested:
http://www.big4gossip.com/articles/blog-articles/179-jobs-a-careers/182-is-this-the-right-time-to-leave-the-big-4-for-a-bank
http://big4gossip.com/qualified-jobs/career/53-career-guides/179-staying-at-the-big-4
http://big4gossip.com/articles/blog-articles/178-big-4-firms/223-ey-leavers-on-why-they-left
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