Accounting vs Ibanking, which one would you choose?

<p>I understood that vague statement the first time you said it. I was asking for you to give examples of some of the "individual reasons".</p>

<p>You still don't get the damn point do you?? It doesn't matter what the reasons are! Some people on this board are just too much....</p>

<p>You are making the point that there are reasons for choosing any job over another. I never said that no one should pick accounting over ibanking -- so I don't see the point of your argument. I could ask you to contribute something of value to this thread a third time, but I give up.</p>

<p>Your first response to me was:</p>

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The last sentence of the paragraph you quoted answers one of your two questions.

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<p>And one of MY questions that you were obviously referring to was:</p>

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Tell me, why would it be idiotic to choose accounting over I-banking?

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<p>And the last sentence of the paragraph "that I quoted" was:</p>

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If you work at a Big Four, you work a ton of hours anyways, make less, have very little room for advancement, no prestige, actually more boring than ibanking, etc etc.

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<p>So you see, you are saying that it is idiotic to make that choice just like the other guy, it's in fine print fella, no escaping that. </p>

<p>So as I've said, you're just as big of an idiot as the other guy. And of course you never said nobody should pick accounting over ibanking, I never said or addressed that...like I said, some people here are just too much.</p>

<p>fantasy07, if you don't like working in an office, why are you even in the business board? you should become a police officer if you want to contribute to society and be a good citizen.</p>

<p>His last sentenced answered your question. That is what HE would have said if HE responded. Just because I pointed out that you were asking him a question for which he already gave his answer doesn't mean that I would have given the same answer. Understand?</p>

<p>I am a CPA and an Attorney. I worked initially for a CPA firm and then Pricewaterhouse doing accounting before I went to law school. Accounting is essentially rudimentary work, often tedious and unless you become a partner or upper level executive at a firm / company, you will almost always be a hired gun. I would recommend doing something interesting and creative a bit; the money comes thereafter. It is a looooooooooong day indeed when doing something you can't stand...</p>

<p>fantasy07 it seems like English isn't even your first language and you have trouble putting together a coherent sentence-- that alone should bar you from going into ibanking. You think it won't matter on the job, but that's why they have interviews. As soon as you open your mouth they've already made their judgment.</p>

<p>Nice try? Elaborate.</p>

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</p>

<p>
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i think truman94 cant state **** on this thread, just **** and have your day,
i think jnpn's ideas are reasonable to me, thanks a lot man~

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fantasy, I don't understand what the heck you're saying so if you're trying to insult me, fine, I don't understand it anyway.</p>

<p>And jnpn, ....nice try...sure....whatever...

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<p>The first **** is the other word for poop and the second **** is an acronym for "shut the f up". That is my best guess. ;) I must say, though, that is a little rude.</p>

<p>Talk civilized.</p>

<p>-TheMk</p>

<p>"The government's view of the economy can be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."</p>

<p>"ibanking or accounting? if anyone says accounting over ibanking they are an idiot (believe me, im not pro-ibanking or anything, and other finance jobs are completely rational). Accounting SUCKS. If you work at a Big Four, you work a ton of hours anyways, make less, have very little room for advancement, no prestige, actually more boring than ibanking, etc etc."</p>

<p>I don't know--I see lots of college kids with no work experience type these things, but it hasn't matched up to my work experience at all. I work in audit at a Big 4 firm and enjoy the job quite a bit. I have extremely interesting clients in the Technology/BioTech sector, get to meet lots of interesting people in accounting and management and have learned quite a bit. The hours were long during busy season, but I've been enjoying the slow time.</p>

<p>At the very least, I can tell you that the "no room for advancement" comment is, well, pure BS (in public accounting, at least). You have the opportunity to follow a well-defined career path (Associate-->Senior Assoc.--->Manager--->Senior Manager--->Partner) with promotions every 2-6 years, or move into other areas after you gain some experience (i.e. consulting, management, etc.).</p>

<p>I don't know--I guess it's just what you make of it.</p>

<p>"...no prestige..."</p>

<p>One other thing:</p>

<p>I'm not most people would agree with you, but, either way, prestige has to be the most ridiculous reason to pick (or not pick) a job.</p>

<p>whaa!! im crying! waaaaa!~</p>

<p>prestige in the sense that you will be able to get a job at a HF, PE, VC, etc.
(doesn't hurt getting you laid either)</p>

<p>my "no career path" comment I should clarify. Of course you can get promoted, but you won't be able to move into a high paying job even remotely as easy as ibanking.</p>

<p>People seem to be misconstruing my statement, I'm not saying accounting is a bad career, I'm saying its a horrible choice if you have to choose between ibanking and accounting. Big 4 accounting has close to the same hours as ibanking, way less pay, and substantially less future pay. It is also as boring, if not more so than ibanking. </p>

<p>Perhaps "idiot" was too strong of a word, but I've yet to see one post that even comes close to remotely giving a reason one would choose accounting over ibanking if they have offers for both.The quality of life argument falls on deaf ears because public accounting at big four has obscene hours. If you can do a 40 hour a week accounting job some where for sure, but I doubt anyone asking that question wants to make ~50k a year for his life. So unless Account receivables make you hot and heavy, theres no way a non-idiot would choose accounting over ibanking. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with doing accounting, its respectable and has decent pay, but no where near Ibanking.</p>

<p>There are rarely massive layoffs in accounting. Ibanking goes through booms (now) and busts (2000-2001). </p>

<p><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2001/12/03/story4.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2001/12/03/story4.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>a layed off ibanker can become an accountant pretty easily if layed off, but they generally just MBA it up when out of a job, and go into bigger and better things in finance</p>

<p>or snag a headhunter and head to another ibank</p>

<p>"my 'no career path' comment I should clarify. Of course you can get promoted, but you won't be able to move into a high paying job even remotely as easy as ibanking."</p>

<p>Pay isn't everything--for most people, at least. </p>

<p>"I'm saying its a horrible choice if you have to choose between ibanking and accounting."</p>

<p>They are two completely different career paths--it's very silly to think that a particular job is always going to be "better" than another job for all people.</p>

<p>"Big 4 accounting has close to the same hours as ibanking..."</p>

<p>Not true at all. It can vary a bit based upon your client base in accounting, but you will still work significantly more in investment banking.</p>

<p>"...way less pay..."</p>

<p>Again, that's not a significant factor for everyone.</p>

<p>"It is also as boring, if not more so than ibanking. "</p>

<p>Can you substantiate? Do you even know what auditors do?</p>

<p>"The quality of life argument falls on deaf ears because public accounting at big four has obscene hours."</p>

<p>While the hours can be long, they are far from obscene. Most of my co-workers and I enjoy a reasonable work-life balance.</p>

<p>"If you can do a 40 hour a week accounting job some where for sure, but I doubt anyone asking that question wants to make ~50k a year for his life."</p>

<p>Public accountants do not make 50k the rest of their life. They will start in that range and receive raises approximating 10% annually, with significant increases if they (1) change jobs or (2) get promoted.</p>

<p>"a layed off ibanker can become an accountant pretty easily if layed off..."</p>

<p>Unlikely--s/he would most likely need to go back to school to fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam (assuming we're talking about public accounting).</p>

<p>mattistotle, there is much more to choosing a career than just pay and what people on a message board consider "prestigious." People choose fields based on what they enjoy doing, what companies have employees one would enjoy working with and have an environment that they enjoy. Investment banking and public accounting are extremely different fields and it doesn't really make sense to compare them in the way you are. Choosing a job is like choosing a school and should be chosen based on "fit," not "prestige."</p>

<p>so is it easy to switch to Ibanking from accounting after 2 yrs old experience?</p>