Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Controllers
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, highlights two main entry-level paths for undergraduate students interested in the field: "Big Four" accounting firms, which offer rigorous training and "a lot of opportunities," and direct entry into corporate accounting groups or smaller CPA firms. Max's own career trajectory through a Big Four firm emphasizes their value as a respected stepping stone for career advancement, stating that it has "helped push my career forward."
Big Four Accounting Firms, Entry-Level Accounting Positions, Corporate Accounting, Career Progression, Public Accounting
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Max Kazimierek
Controller
Clear Sky Capital
University of Arizona 2013
N/A
Accounting
Real Estate
Finance
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Big Four accounting firms are a popular entry-level option, offering valuable experience and career opportunities.
2. Working in a corporate accounting group at a larger company or a smaller CPA firm are alternative entry-level paths.
3. A Big Four background can be a valuable asset, providing a strong foundation and opening doors to future opportunities due to the high regard these firms are held in
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
I think the biggest thing that was always pushing me, or at least felt like it was pushing me in college, was going to a Big Four firm. Maybe half of our class went Big Four.
The other half kind of went direct to industry, into tax-specific deals, or something totally outside of accounting. But I think Big Four was one of the ones that was kind of pushed right onto us.
The alternative is to go into industry and work for a typical corporate accounting group at a larger company, or to work for a small CPA firm. I went the Big Four route, and for me, I think there's a lot of value in that.
It's super hard work and not always the most glamorous, but you learn a lot and it provides a lot of opportunities. It's been the foot in the door because they are such well-respected firms.
People hold them in a higher regard than maybe another company. I think there are a bunch of routes, but the route that has helped push my career forward was Big Four.