Do You Need to Make Senior?
We hear from candidates all the time that they will not even consider leaving their CPA firm until after making Senior. While there are certainly benefits from gaining more experience in public accounting, the significance of crossing the “Senior threshold” is rarely as straightforward as it may seem.
To get a good understanding of the threshold issue, we need to determine what drives the desire to make Senior in the first place. Candidates often say that they are hoping to leverage the extra experience to find a better job down the line that offers better pay, better hours, better responsibilities, and fits in an industry they are passionate about. They say that they want to make a tangible contribution to the growth and success of a company and feel like an integral part of the team. In short, the desire to make senior is focused on future opportunities and options.
It turns out that you do not necessarily need a Senior title to compete for that kind of a role. Many of our clients, ranging from Startups to Fortune 100 companies, are looking for lighter, high-performing individuals with excellent experience to join their teams. Contrary to popular belief, it is entirely possible to have too much and/or too specialized experience, and people often do. Even just a year or slightly less at a competitive public accounting firm can distinguish you for new opportunities. Additionally, leveraging that experience effectively will enable you to rise quickly and grow with the company. At Andrews & Cole, we frequently see lighter candidates promoted quickly in the corporate world due in large part to their flexibility and ability to adapt.
In 2018, the Wall Street Journal published an article on this topic, discussing the benefits of switching positions and the dynamic job market at all levels. The authors write, “Workers are choosing to leave their jobs at the fastest rate since the internet boom 17 years ago and getting rewarded for it with bigger paychecks and/or more satisfying work.” They go on to explain that a strong economy with historically low unemployment supports the boom in worker confidence. As a result, “Job-switchers saw roughly 30% larger annual pay increases in May than those who stayed put over the past 12 months, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.” There is no time like the present to consider new opportunities.
The article makes no guarantees, however, that this momentum will last forever. It may just as easily end up that when you rise to the Senior title you had been waiting for, a receding economy and the competition of your peers will make finding an ideal new role quite difficult indeed. Regardless, as a young professional you have little to lose by simply getting in touch with an Andrews & Cole recruiter. We pride ourselves on our confidential, consultative approach to recruiting, meaning your resume will not be sent anywhere without your explicit permission. Armed with ample job market research, you stand prepared to make the best decision for you – whether that be to stay or go. Either way, it does not cost you a penny, so feel free to get in touch with us today and set up a time to talk.
To get a good understanding of the threshold issue, we need to determine what drives the desire to make Senior in the first place. Candidates often say that they are hoping to leverage the extra experience to find a better job down the line that offers better pay, better hours, better responsibilities, and fits in an industry they are passionate about. They say that they want to make a tangible contribution to the growth and success of a company and feel like an integral part of the team. In short, the desire to make senior is focused on future opportunities and options.
It turns out that you do not necessarily need a Senior title to compete for that kind of a role. Many of our clients, ranging from Startups to Fortune 100 companies, are looking for lighter, high-performing individuals with excellent experience to join their teams. Contrary to popular belief, it is entirely possible to have too much and/or too specialized experience, and people often do. Even just a year or slightly less at a competitive public accounting firm can distinguish you for new opportunities. Additionally, leveraging that experience effectively will enable you to rise quickly and grow with the company. At Andrews & Cole, we frequently see lighter candidates promoted quickly in the corporate world due in large part to their flexibility and ability to adapt.
In 2018, the Wall Street Journal published an article on this topic, discussing the benefits of switching positions and the dynamic job market at all levels. The authors write, “Workers are choosing to leave their jobs at the fastest rate since the internet boom 17 years ago and getting rewarded for it with bigger paychecks and/or more satisfying work.” They go on to explain that a strong economy with historically low unemployment supports the boom in worker confidence. As a result, “Job-switchers saw roughly 30% larger annual pay increases in May than those who stayed put over the past 12 months, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.” There is no time like the present to consider new opportunities.
The article makes no guarantees, however, that this momentum will last forever. It may just as easily end up that when you rise to the Senior title you had been waiting for, a receding economy and the competition of your peers will make finding an ideal new role quite difficult indeed. Regardless, as a young professional you have little to lose by simply getting in touch with an Andrews & Cole recruiter. We pride ourselves on our confidential, consultative approach to recruiting, meaning your resume will not be sent anywhere without your explicit permission. Armed with ample job market research, you stand prepared to make the best decision for you – whether that be to stay or go. Either way, it does not cost you a penny, so feel free to get in touch with us today and set up a time to talk.
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.