What do you do that you earn six figures?

r/financialindependence • u/fidgit86 • Aug 13 '21

It seems like a lot of people make a lot of money and it seems like I’m missing out on something. So those of you that do, whats your occupation that pays so well?

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u/danxthexman 32M / 68% SR Aug 13 '21

Accounting

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u/jdmackes Aug 13 '21 edited 29d ago

How long did it take before you hit 6 figures? I'm about two years into being an accountant, and while I'm not expecting to make that much (I work for my county and haven't gotten my CPA yet), I didn't know if it was something that would be realistic without working for one of the big four or owning my own firm

Edit: I just want to say thank you to everyone that answered, I've got a much better idea of what to do/expect over the next decade. I'm finishing up my Masters degree in Accounting Information Systems and then going to start sitting for the CPA exams and will hopefully build my worth from there

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u/tdpdcpa Aug 13 '21

Also an accountant. It took me 5.5 years from my first day to the day I made 6 figures. I went Big 4 (3 years) to large, private chemical company in technical accounting and reporting.

In the 1.5 years since then, I increased my salary another 90% by switching into Accounting Advisory Services and getting headhunted by a client.

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u/Tylabear816 Aug 13 '21

I switched between accounting and engineering in college and then dropped out. Currently wanting to go back but not really sure what to go into. Really wanting something that will for sure get me a job. How is the accounting market?

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u/tdpdcpa Aug 13 '21

My read is that there’s currently a dearth of really talented people in the entry level and senior levels because a lot of students chose to study finance instead of accounting over the last ten years or so. There seems to be a lot of openings; I get at least one recruiter message per week on LinkedIn. Wages have risen pretty quickly - we’re paying staff accountants about 20% more than what I was paid when I started 8 years ago.

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u/Free_Joty Aug 13 '21

You gotta deal with a lot of bullshit, especially if you go the big 4 route

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u/Bud_Dawg Aug 13 '21

It’s soul crushing work buddy. Did it for 5 years out of college and then just broke one day. Never been happier.

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u/TinyAsianMachine 29d ago

How’s life now?

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u/Bud_Dawg 29d ago

Great. In the best shape of my life, girlfriend and I don’t fight nearly as much, and have found some new interests that don’t pay as much as accounting but have the potential to down the road. Everything kosher

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u/rothIsBadHeSaidSo Aug 13 '21

Automation is slowly whittling away positions and availability but the forecast is pretty par for the course. Do accounting make a living.

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u/Bonch_and_Clyde Aug 13 '21

Automation whittles away the bookkeeping and data entry side of accounting. That isn't what people with degrees in accounting and CPA's do.

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u/rothIsBadHeSaidSo 29d ago

Ya don't say? /s

Automation will inevitably take over the investigative side of accounting as AI grows more and more capable.

I also just ADORE how you so condescendingly decided to say "Mmm honey that isn't what people with CPA's do" and yet you make zero effort to offer any further explanation, really that was just too cute. It was missing a kissy face emoji or maybe the fingernail polish emoji, I would have just LOST IT!

You should ask Nestle how many accountants are on their payroll this year compared to last year, 2 years ago, and 3 years ago. It's interesting how the world changes as we live in it. It doesn't stay fixed in the way you think you understand it.