So I’m at a crossroads in life. I’m a year out from taking (and hopefully passing) my CPA exam. Marine Corps veteran. College graduate (getting my Masters until I run out of GI bill $$$) And I have no earthly idea what I want to do. Today I went to a career fair and I spoke to a plethora of organizations, from the FBI to a privately owned food distributor to a public accounting firm to a local Sheriff’s Dept to the U.S. Secret Service. I also called the local USMC Officer Selection Officer to see about going back into the USMC on the dark side. Given that this forum has a lot of those in professions that I am interested in, I figured I’d post here for advice. Instead of typing a long ass narrative that no one will read anyhow, I’ll list a few bullet points.
Some concerns:
[ul]
[li]I like the idea of being a part of something with substance and having that close group of guys. It’s what I miss most about the USMC and one of the reasons I’m leaning toward an LE/Mil job. [/li][li]I don’t like federal organizations moving me around the country. The FBI, USMC (duh) and SS all said that I can expect to spend several years as a rookie wherever they want me to go. I like where I live. I’ve never seen snow and I don’t deal with non-CCW/NFA states very well. (Spent a long time in Hawaii dealing with that) But they also pay better and have better opportunities for advancement than local LE organizations. [/li][li]I don’t like the idea of sitting in a cubicle for 30 years as a CPA. I’ve interned at PriceWaterhouseCooper and they’ve got a great corporate culture, pay well, and after 5 years there you can get some seriously big dollar job offers in private industries. But it’s 60 hour weeks for 5 years doing nothing but staring at excel spreadsheets. [/li][li]Money talks. Sheriff starts out at 45k, I know a few guys at 10 years making close to 70k with overtime. FBI is around the same, but pay increases are better. USMC is pretty good too as an O1E, especially when you factor in BAH, BAS, health insurance, etc. I can live with those numbers, but Jacksonville, NC sucks. CPAs start out at close to 60k and if you go the partner track you will be in the triple digits. [/li][li]I like my field. Accounting is fun. I know I have to choose whether I want to kick in doors or shuffle paperwork but I enjoy both equally. This is what confounds me the most. I would love LE, but I know I’m going to be doing patrol for 10 years and I’ll never get to put my education to use. [/li][li]I love the USMC and my dream since I was a little kid was to be an officer, but I’m not the best PT’er. While I can pass OCS and TBS I don’t want to be one of those one and done Captains that wants to be career designated but his 20:00 run time is too slow and gets him kicked out. Then I’d be in my early 30s right back where I started. I’ve literally seen 1stLts sweating their asses off regarding retention and I don’t want my future to be so easily cut short. I’m squared away and everything, don’t get me wrong. It just seems like it’s too iffy and I don’t want to place my future on something as flexible as Marine Corps retention policy. [/li][/ul]
How about forensic accounting in one of the alphabet fed agencies? Use your accounting skills to lock up some banksters or drug dealers or shitbirds funneling money to terrorist groups.
Addressing the primarily desired feedback element as “old guys” will probably get you all the meaningful responses deserved. This being the hearty young go-getter you are of course.
you’re going to have to pay your dues with any new profession. I’d get over the initial adversity to relocation. I’d be willing to make whatever short term sacrifices are necessary to make “it” happen whatever “it” may be. Remember there are a lot of sharp people out there who will.
I know a lot of local LEO, some of which are friends. I worked with a detective who became a special agent with the FBI. It wasn’t an easy process, but from what I can tell extremely rewarding for him.
very few LEO jobs are going to pay you real money. When I say real I’m thinking $120k+
if you hate the “cubical” office environment, forget CPA
So in your shoes based on the very limited info provided, I’d lean heavily towards Federal LEO.
Since I am an old guy, and you asked for it, here goes. But just remember there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Now retired, I was a business guy my whole adult life, specifically the financial business. What I learned was don’t think that just because you start one place doesn’t mean you should not end up somewhere else. And that applies to both companies and geography. I am very comfortable in my retirement, but I must credit my willingness to change jobs and geography over the years. I would be nowehre near as well off as i am if I had stayed with my first employer all those years.
So my advice is not to worry so much about your first job after your CPA - it need not last forever and you will probably be better off if it doesn’t. So don’t think your whole future life depends on this decision. It most likely doesn’t.
Consider this next job a learning experience about what you really want to do in life, and where you want to do it. I made 5 company changes with multiple geographies associated with each. Each move was difficult, but all were very worthwhile to me in long run. Good luck!
Thanks guys. I never thought that adversity to relocating was going to adversely affect future performance, even though it makes perfect sense now that I think about it. Since that is the case, I may just go Federal LEO. FBI is desperate for Special Agent Accountants with CPAs. But I’ve heard that they (and other federal agencies) are trying to hire minorities and those that speak foreign languages aggressively.
I know several early-30s somethings that started at PWC and now own their own CPA firms doing taxes for Partnerships/LLCs and NFPs and they most definitely make it rain, they never look at excel spreadsheets, and their offices have views that are just incredible. But they strike me as more the exception than the norm.
Have you ever seen a t-shirt like this?
It’s a term of endearment directed toward those who I respect for having been there/done that and are willing to share their thoughts.
My dad had a college buddy who worked for the FBI. After my folks had relocated to Montana in the fifties, he told my dad that the metaphorical Sword of Damocles that every FBI supervisor dangled over their minions was the threat of a transfer to the Butte, MT field office.
So I guess if you get offered an FBI position in the Butte, MT field office, you might want to reevaluate your career options.
This. There are a lot of TLA’s out there that like CPA’s, like prior military, and want people that can figure out puzzles. I had a bunch of organizations, most of them focusing on some sort of law enforcement, chat with me when I got out of the Corps.
Something to consider about re-entering the military: With the level of projected cuts, retention is going to be a challenge. They will look for every chance to hurl people over the side. Factor that into the decision, along with the travel.
Have you thought about Treasury Department, and something like FinCEN? Their Financial Intelligence Unit does very interesting work. I’m not sure if all of them are 1811’s or sworn agents toting ironmongery.
I’m not an old guy, just early 30s but I basically do what you are trying to do. You do have a one up on me in having a degree in accounting versus criminal justice, which, ironically is probably the worst degree to have if you want to be a part of any prestigious federal law enforcement agency.
I’ve been in federal law enforcement for a little over five years. I would say right now is a pretty difficult time to get on unless you have some pretty special skills such as a high demand language, former SOF or the like. I’ve actually been trying to get into another agency and have been finding it difficult. I’m a veteran, have a bachelor’s, can speak Cantonese and Spanish fairly well, and currently serve as a federal LEA.
Keep in mind, many agencies will state that mobility is a factor, but I would say that is highly agency dependent, and after that, more dependent on the particular office or sector you fall under. I have friends who are criminal investigators with HSI and the USMS who have been in the Southwest for several years (up to eight). Reason being, this is an extremely busy corridor/sector/office. I don’t know any DEA guys that well, but I would bet it’s safe to say they won’t be forced to move out of here either. On the other hand, if you work for the Department of State as a DSS agent or a plain 1811, you are pretty much guaranteed to travel. The FBI, which as much as I hate to say it, is the premier federal LE agency out there really likes people with practical degrees such as accounting, sciences, and the like. They also like former Marines (they share a common training area at Quantico). I don’t know any FBI guys well enough to tell you how often they are expected to move. You haven’t stated where you are or what part of the country you are willing to move to.
Also, like someone else mentioned, you can work under various capacities for federal agencies other than as a LEO/A. There’s tons of positions in mission support and intelligence. If that’s too boring, there are armed positions such as asset forfeiture/seized property specialists for many agencies. I’m sure you know about it already, but the best place to look is USAJobs.com.
If you have some questions for me, PM me and I’ll do my best to help you out and give honest advice.
You could always look into the right private banking firms. The numbers game is right up your alley and the ability to learn and pass the requisite tests seems very feasible. Junior people start out working on a team of five or so people handling everything for the clients finances. It’s a great field if you have the right mindset for it and there is a big initiative around hiring military veterans at a couple of the nations largest firms. I have contacts at mine, and a few of the other big players. If you’re interesting in hearing about some of the perks PM me.
Being CPA, One of the craziest, easy going Feds I every worked with was a Criminal Investigator for the IRS. When working Narcotics we brought him in to track the proceeds of the drug money. He loved chasing the crooked money. He was funny as hell.
Just over 50 you would call it old. I say 80 is old
Done a few things no regrets but always carved my own path while it’s tough being on your own you don’t answer to anyone
So I prefer the small biz route
One of my HS buds was military now teaches at Huachuca makes good money and likes his job he has no regrets
While you think 50 is old and far away it’s not before ya know it it’s on you IMHO do what you want to do and what you enjoy used to hear some friends bitching about a suck job etc…
At 50 you don’t heal as quick don’t feel like jumping off quite as big a cliff and think before ya do stupid fun stuff so if the option comes up to do something you like that is more physical do it now when ya can better handle it
If you can do something ya like come out at 55 with some retirement benefits 55 is young enough to start over a new career path using your mind more than physical for another 20 some years IMHO I will never retire will always want to work
I did not Mary till I was in my later 30s super solid marriage most likely cause we knew what we wanted and were not dumb kids
Live life do what you want !
Treasury thing sounds cool
Gov job could be good for benefits down the line and connections later on to start your own biz when ya get that 25 years retire and start over
While not old and only 8 years in law enforcement, I would make a mention towards ICE and DEA your skill set would be interesting to them as well. ICE handles a lot of money tracking and at least for the agency I work for has been very helpful when we make money seizures and tracking that money down and finding people that need a stay in jail. ICE is definitely overlooked and I would guess your skill set would not be wasted.
No matter what job you take, something about it sucks. The Suck is your friend. The ones who get past The Suck are the ones who go places and The Bigger the Bucks the Greater the Sucks.
Whatever job you decide to take, learn the rules and regulations and how to follow them. Those who know the book and how to follow it are those who do well. Notice I didn’t say “those who follow the book”. I said “those who know how to follow the book”. I’ve found there is a distinct and important difference.
Once you decide what to do, do it. It’s like your carbine. You won’t know what works until you get out and shoot
