Fed CPA considering a job in the private sector...How much money is worth giving up the stability?

[Anonymous]

Update:

Had two interviews. Didn’t get one job, and was told the other position was affected by a hiring freeze

The internal federal promotion I applied to never materialized. Didn’t even get an interview.

0/3 🙃

[Anonymous]

I would apply to other fed jobs, look at accounting and auditing positions. Financial regulatory agencies have a higher pay scale. The flexibility is really important once you have kids. Private sector accounting seems like it has crazy busy seasons and they're trying to move to AI, which will reduce their workforce.

[Anonymous]

I’m a fed CPA. You need to apply for promotions. Any halfway decent fed accountant can get a 14 with their eyes closed.

[Anonymous]

Don’t move into the private sector. Finance manager with 30 year experience- the hours are brutal.

[Anonymous]

It's great that you value your WLB balance but you should never have gone to government that early in your career. You said you are 32 making $104k. I have not lived in DC since 2014, but I was making $85k at B4 when I left. I moved to a MCOL city and have left B4 but now make just a shade under $200k, but I am 5 years older. You are severely underpaid with a CPA in DC. I have access to all salaries at my current F500 job and we are paying Senior Accountants with in their late 20s like 90-110k depending on a few factors.

If you use Reddit you should check out r/accounting. You will get much better info from people that know accounting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's great that you value your WLB balance but you should never have gone to government that early in your career. You said you are 32 making $104k. I have not lived in DC since 2014, but I was making $85k at B4 when I left. I moved to a MCOL city and have left B4 but now make just a shade under $200k, but I am 5 years older. You are severely underpaid with a CPA in DC. I have access to all salaries at my current F500 job and we are paying Senior Accountants with in their late 20s like 90-110k depending on a few factors.

If you use Reddit you should check out r/accounting. You will get much better info from people that know accounting.

You should do am AMA regarding salaries for different positions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's great that you value your WLB balance but you should never have gone to government that early in your career. You said you are 32 making $104k. I have not lived in DC since 2014, but I was making $85k at B4 when I left. I moved to a MCOL city and have left B4 but now make just a shade under $200k, but I am 5 years older. You are severely underpaid with a CPA in DC. I have access to all salaries at my current F500 job and we are paying Senior Accountants with in their late 20s like 90-110k depending on a few factors.

If you use Reddit you should check out r/accounting. You will get much better info from people that know accounting.

I had a later start. I became an accountant at age 25 and a CPA at age 31. I am currently a Senior auditor, so the salary tracks about right for my experience. 109k on paper but really 104k after mandatory pension reduction.

I do want to make more!

[Anonymous]

Treasury, commerce, NIH, FDA, DHS, always seem to have openings for accountants. I am a federal manager in finance and my advise is to keep applying.

[Anonymous]

Update:

OP here. I left the federal government a few months ago. Got a 26% raise.

[Anonymous]

OP, even though you are asking in terms of money, this is not a money question. This is a lifestyle question. What kind of life do you have now and want to have in the future?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update:

OP here. I left the federal government a few months ago. Got a 26% raise.

Unless you were forced out, that doesn't sound like a good call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update:

OP here. I left the federal government a few months ago. Got a 26% raise.

Unless you were forced out, that doesn't sound like a good call.

OP: There were trade offs in benefits but my quality of life has increased. I have two telework days now instead of 0, which gives me close to 4-5 hours of my life back a week. More sleep less commuting.

On paper my final salary was 111k but after mandatory pension it was a 106k to 140k.

🤷🏽‍♂️

[Anonymous]

Congrats OP!

I left the gov years ago and, while I loved my time there, I don’t regret leaving for a second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Update:

OP here. I left the federal government a few months ago. Got a 26% raise.

congrats on escaping! hope the salary trajectory works out for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update:

OP here. I left the federal government a few months ago. Got a 26% raise.

Unless you were forced out, that doesn't sound like a good call.

DP. Why? There is nothing special about working for the federal government now. Work life balance, promotions, stability, reliability, security are all gone. Please name the benefits to work in the federal sector now because it isn’t the minuscule pension.