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

What do you do that you earn six figures?

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/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/jdmackes Aug 13 '21

Damn, that's nuts. Do you have any certifications? What's your work/life balance like?

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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '21

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u/ChatteringCat Aug 13 '21 edited Aug 13 '21

Industry? Which level?

I was with the federal government last, and while the hours were good, we were underpaid and we were understaffed. So the hour cap (no authorized it even at crunch time) was actually stressful, and I had to keep defending my department's headcount. They wanted to knock us down to one (just me) when I had evidence we really needed 3 or 4.

I actually love accounting. The work keeps me absorbed. But I want a good work life balance as well.

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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '21

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u/ChatteringCat Aug 13 '21

Yes. It was DoD. And overseas, so my options were limited. At times I miss the job, but other times I remember how annoyed I got. Honestly better pay would have gone a long way towards making up for it. GS 13 or 14 and enough staff would have been perfect.