I currently 33 and work in oil and gas, and hate it. Now I'll recommend it to anyone who wants to go out there and make a bunch of money, but I'm burned out and want to move back to the south east where the only oil field is offshore and I'd be perfectly happy to never see the gulf of mexico again much less a off shore platform or rig.
I've got a BBA and just started taking some accounting classes, figure with after 6 classes I'll have my 150 hours and meet the qualifications to sit the CPA exam. I know there's some accountants here and was wondering if ya'll had any advise as to making the change and what other tests to try and eventually take (CMA, CFP, CFA etc..)
One thing at a time. Go for the CPA exams first and then set your sights on how to get experience for 1-3 years that will qualify for the license, as well as hopefully figure out what area of accounting you would like to work in (corporate tax, individual tax, external audit, advisory/consulting, etc).
CMA - Management accounting/reporting. Very different animal. More common for cost accountants. Cost analysis, budgeting, variance analysis, etc.
CFP - Financial planning. A big difference. You are selling financial advice and planning services and financial management stuff.
CFA - By far the most prestigious of these three... but also for a very different industry. Most CFA holders work in asset managmeent, corporate finance, financial advisory/consulting, investment research, portfolio managmenet, etc.
Please avoid taking exams to just get credentials without knowing what it entails and if it's helpful to help reach your goals. As an example, CFA requires
FOUR years of experience (only certain types qualify) to earn the charter.
My take: I worked in Big 4 audit and left for corporate finance role in industry (term for corporate jobs). Earned my CPA, and taking level 2 of CFA next year.
It's a good field and highly transferable among audit/accounting/finance/etc. Nothing is easy, but if you're smart and take the effort to learn things outside your comfort zone, and also understand people and can at least hold your ground in office politics, you'll be able to manage a solid career.
High demand for qualified people.
Good luck!