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/Kitten2Krush Aug 13 '21 edited 29d ago

Private industry accountant, no public exp.

Personally took me about 4 yrs, no cpa. But I got lucky with the pandemic job market (went from 40k (1yr) 55k job(1.5yr), unemployed(9mon) to 75k job in April, laid off in July, to just landing 100k last week)

Edit: 4 YEARS, not hours. 😂😂😂 Changed above

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u/flamus4 29d ago

That’s an incredible timeline for not being in public, congrats!

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u/Kitten2Krush 29d ago

Lmao just realized I put hours instead of years on accident. But I would attribute it all to 2 things: really good experience in my 2nd job (little bit of everything, including fp&a + presenting to executives monthly) & super sharpened interview skills.

This many not be forgotten you specifically (all you did was say congrats haha, idk where you’re at in your career) but for the young people reading this, simply focus on job duties more than anything, and company growth as a close second. Compensation is just not as important when you’re young if you are focusing on maximizing earnings by 30-40+. And obviously interview skills are so so important I can’t even state. Every single job I got took a chance on me because they liked my attitude and I prepared for each one. Each question needs a short story answer

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u/TinyAsianMachine 29d ago

Thank you so much for the answer, any other insight you can give on your interview skills would be greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend.

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u/Kitten2Krush 29d ago

Definitely to have family/close friends do mock interviews on you! It is harder to talk to them in a professional, interview like way. Try it, refine your answers, repeat until you feel ready. Have your answers recorded, either by video or them taking notes. I think it is much better than a mirror.