I am a CPA  with MBA and 4 years of experience in US. I am tired of working long hours in Public Accounting Firm and pay is not that good, it is really tough with family. Therefore, I have been looking in big companies to work as Financial Analyst. Looks like they prefer MBA, CPA  and also knowledge of SAP. I don't have any knowledge of SAP, which I think might work as barrier to get this position. I don't know what to do. Any suggestion would be appreciated

How much is your salary? If you don't mind sharing .

 About $50,000

 Reply per message received on 10/27/2012 at 0:27:01

I am trying to go to Private sector  to go work as Financial Analyst , its not because it is hard to get job after being a CPA, matter as fact it is easy to get a job. I am just tired working long hours.Its like the nightmare thinking about tax season.  I passed my CPA about 8 months ago and got my GC 2 years ago. Our company gives raise every January, therefore I think I will make about 65-70k after January. since I passed CPA. 

So if you are working in private company and trying to get CPA license, go for it, its good as gold and opens a lot of opportunities. 
1. You can open your own CPA firm and make about 100K-150K  a year, within two years, first year always sucks(expect to long hours and read a lot of material to keep up with it)
2. You can go for SAP-FICO, SAP certification with CPA license is good combination(Expect to relocate and travel, which I am not willing to do)
                                                                 or
3. Work for private company(40 hours a week job) and explore different investment and side businesses. I will suggest you to go to private company after working in Public Accounting Firm. Since you will have really good idea how investment and business works. You will have different type of business clients and get opportunities to know whether their type of business is profitable and what they do to make it profitable.


Try your best to get GC before you leave the company

Problem I am having is ,the specific companies that I have been thinking to apply prefers SAP knowledge. I was trying to get some ideas from  some sajha friends to know how much SAP knowledge is required to work as Financial Analyst, if any of the Sajha Friends are in that field or related field and best way to learn about it. Which will give me a good start. 

 Nepal-Hamro

Get some training through dhoti in SAP, you'll make tons of money

SAP is hot spot right now

Good luck.

With 5 years of experience only 50K? 
Check east coast - Massachuttets or New England area  ( heard living expenses is little higher) . 

 That how in Public Accounting Firm. They don't pay good until you pass your CPA. Most of the time you get really good raise once you pass it. 

would you mind sharing your location?

50K for a public accounting, MBA and 4 years experience is exceptionally low. I just started out in Public and already making that much money without CPA, Masters Degree or prior experience in mid west region. What public accounting do you work for?