Public and private accounting can be seen as “external” accountants and “internal” accountants of a company, respectively. It is important to understand the various facets of the two in the pursuit of either career option.

• Public accounting requires certification as a CPA, while private accounting does not require certification.
• However, the hours are long, there is a fair amount of travel, and the work environment can be considered high stress.
• They may be a little trickier to land, but there are opportunities for you, too.
• When I joined private industry, I struggled at first with doing technical accounting research because I didn’t have access to the same research portals I had when I was at my old firm.
• Working with only one company also means private accountants don’t encounter the diverse amount of situations public accountants do.
• To be sure you’re making the right choice, look for companies with at least 5-10% annual growth.

For example, an element of an internal control system is to log all incoming monies independently of the bookkeeping process. A private accountant will monitor the log and ensure that all monies received were properly handled. The reverse move is also a viable career path for an accounting or finance professional looking to get into public accounting.

Making The Leap From Public Accounting To Private Industry

Public accounting is a tremendous training ground and serves as an important component of your career, but if you’re seeking a senior-level position with a private company, it might not be enough. Consider moving into private industry when you have three to six years’ public accounting experience. The combination of public accounting and private industry experience will help you get to the top in an extremely competitive market.

Answering these questions will help you develop a clearer idea of what you’re looking for in your next role. It’s also important to reach out to your network and get their perspectives on your career journey. Talking with people with different experiences can help you better understand the different options available to you. Ultimately, whether or not to leave public accounting is a personal decision. However, by taking the time to reflect on your career path and seek out advice from others, you can make sure that you’re making the best decision for yourself and your future.

The Main Differences Between Public and Private Accountants

Working with such a company can bring you many of the benefits of hiring a private accountant. Public accountants and public accounting firms are not employed solely by any one client, and as such they are not part of the client’s business or corporate structure. Private accountants, on the other hand, work for the specific company or business entity for which they offer accounting services. Also, a public accountant may have experience in multiple industries, depending on specific clients’ needs, meaning they won’t work in a niche field, but instead with a wide range of clients.

As a private accounting manager you might need to get hands-on at the operational level developing a pivot table or reviewing a complicated MRP run from an ERP system. If you’re a professional with experience at a Big Four firm, you’re in high demand across various industries. Companies in cutting-edge sectors like biopharmaceuticals and technology are eager to hire talented individuals with experience in financial reporting and auditing. It is attractive for many professionals to join a fast-growing company and help shape its future.

Key differences between public and private accounting

Taking the time to be targeted in your job search will pay off in the long run. Applying to any job you come across can be tempting, but this isn’t an effective use of your time.

They may have taken the job for the wrong reasons, or their circumstances may have changed. Whatever the case, taking action is crucial if you find yourself in a job you hate.

Public vs. Private Accounting: What They Are & Key Differences

Private and public accountants alike can benefit from being a CPA, as it usually helps you stand out from other candidates for what is public accounting jobs. Being a CPA may also help increase your average salary level, give you opportunities for other positions, and more.

• A public accountant works for companies that provide third-party accounting services to others.
• They’ll also develop deeper knowledge of their industry than public accountants, who have less intense exposure to a variety of industries.
• It is categorized as current liabilities on the balance sheet and must be satisfied within an accounting period.
• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a public accountant can be difficult given extensive travel and long, irregular work hours.
• However, there comes a time when many begin to think about making an industry change.

However, there comes a time when many begin to think about making an industry change. https://www.bookstime.com/ For others, it may not be until they’ve been in public accounting for years.

“The skill that takes the longest to develop when moving to corporate is communications when moving across competencies,” Lowden said. “There is a communication gap in the Big Four when you’re talking to an IT professional or something, but at the core, everyone understands accounting. “My skill set lends itself more toward setting up processes and systems,” he said. “I now hold the more traditional CEO role even though I don’t know anything about landscaping. But with my skill set, I can lead the operations manager and make sure things are running the way we need. Cost accounting aims to record the total production cost of a business.

I had to cancel plans with friends all the time when work issues came up at the last minute. Since moving into private industry, I work a consistent 9 to 5 schedule, and my job never impacts my social life or my ability to see my family.