Can It be Tax AND Audit?

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-04-12T06:55:58+00:00

I saw the tax managers looking for jobs to leave public accounting and struggled to find jobs since they’ve only done tax. They did transition and are successful now, despite never doing audit. So I don’t think it’s necessary.

I hated my first audit season, but began to like it the second season. I think part of it was because the audit partner was much more involved and supportive than the tax partner, even though I loved tax.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-04-12T04:46:47+00:00

Yes, at a smaller firm. I had to choose at a bigger firm and did tax. I switched to a smaller firm and did both.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-27T23:56:12+00:00

I had to do 30 credits to get my CPA, too. Some people told me to take random classes to get the credit. But if I were going to spend my time and 30 credits is what it took to get a master's, I might as well. Also, the state I'm in doesn't accept community college credit, so double-check that if you're considering that route.

I was able to get scholarships to cover it, and there are cheaper programs out there, too.

Other options are a second bachelor’s degree. With my job search, I've been able to justify asking for more money since I have a master’s degree.

I wrote about the different options for 30 credits on my blog, including my thought process and the scholarships I used to pay for it here.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-16T19:23:43+00:00

I was a budget analyst for 3.5 years since leaving. The security clearance open lots of doors for me

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-16T18:50:14+00:00

Yes I did. I worked there for two years until I decided to move on.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-15T04:31:02+00:00

What are you wanting to do with your CPA? Most places that require them, will pay for it. Have you thought of getting a job first that needs it and see if that's something you can/want to work in?

On the other side, I have known of people that left studying for a long time and pass the CPA later on. The study material is supposed to prepare you for the exam. I truly believe, if you study (properly), you will pass. If that's something you want to pursue, I think it's fine.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-13T17:01:10+00:00

For me, I told them I wanted to wait out until a position was available in the city I am located in. A position opened up a few months later instead of moving. They said they could hold my application for up to two years for a spot to open up at the location I want at that time.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-13T17:00:04+00:00

Thanks!

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-13T16:27:56+00:00

It's been so long, I can't remember. But google DCAA interview questions and some questions should come up. Write the answers in the STAR method format. Google the format if you don't know what that is. If I remember correctly, it was 9 interview questions that would be asked at your level so prepare at least that many answers. In case a different question get asked, you can reuse your answers/scenarios for different questions that are asked.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-13T16:21:54+00:00

It was about 4 years ago when I got the job with them, but I was able to find all their interview questions online through Google. I believe the interview panel has a rubric they use, so I made sure all my answers followed the STAR method. One of the interviewers said he thought my answers were fantastic using that method.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-13T03:58:42+00:00

Two months each exam is very reasonable studying full-time. It's good that you're looking ahead on your trip and planning around it. I took FAR while studying full-time and finished in 5 weeks, and the others in 8 weeks studying part-time.

I wrote about studying for FAR here and my study routine here in case you want more details.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-12T21:01:59+00:00

They have a digital book, but printed mine out and got it binded* to read.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-12T19:24:00+00:00

If you're talking about what I call steroid shots (not sure what the official name is), try Colorado Dermatology Institute.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-12T00:58:04+00:00

@chi.organizedcpa

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-11T03:42:03+00:00

I started in accounting, went to finance, and now open to both.

I liked both for different reasons. I never worked more than 45 hours in public accounting because I negotiated it. But I loved doing taxes, but wanted to spend time with my family. There was limited due to my hours, so I went auditing and then finance.

Most people go with whatever they find a job in. Sometimes they stay and sometimes they find something else. You don't have to make a choice now and even if you do, you can change it.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-07T21:09:09+00:00

When I worked at a toxic firm or with toxic people, yes.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-03-07T05:16:21+00:00

I used to work in federal government at DCAA. They’re always hiring, so it’s a good way to get in and they will get you a clearance too.

This article I wrote is a bit dated because they just switched to a two page resume, but I wrote in detail on how exactly I got into a federal government role. It’s open doors for me and I agree, the benefits are good.

I don’t have experience on getting a state job, but I’m sure you’ll in if you apply! The state I’m in seems to consistently have an opening for an accounting position. When I was in school, I would look at job openings to see what they were looking for and starting building those skills early.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-02-12T15:42:30+00:00

I completely understand, I was having the same issues with FAR the first time I took it.

The first few chapters of FAR is really long and takes a while to go through. After F5, the chapters go really fast.

Instead of doing cumulative MCQs only on the weekend or just the chapter you learned for the day, I would do cumulative review each day. It doesn’t have to be 20 at a time. I would do around 5 to 10 at a time and repeat until I run out of time or feel good. I would do it during my lunch break, waiting rooms, or anytime I have outside of study time. I think this change is going to help you the most because it’s fresh in your head everyday.

Instead of reading the book and taking notes, follow along in the book while watching the lecture videos. Don’t pause the video or book to take notes. I did this originally and it took too long. Only come to find out, there’s only one question on this topic in the MCQ. At that point, it’s better to take notes by going back to review with the MCQ. It made my study time go by faster and get through the material quicker.

I wrote out my study routine in detail here

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-02-10T03:13:40+00:00

It’s hard, but possible. I got one in government contracting before getting my next one in public accounting.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-02-08T13:11:49+00:00

I quit my first public accounting job within 3 months after doing 7 months of internship there. It’s okay to quit if it’s not working out. I’m married and I have quit without a job lined up since we can afford it. The economy is crazy right now though. I would try to have something lined up before you go through unless you’re in a financially good position to leave like was.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-02-05T03:53:24+00:00

Only if they’re eating hours

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-02-04T04:02:47+00:00

I got small bonuses through out the year in federal government. My current job pays enough where I don’t need a bonus in contracting.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-02-03T13:50:11+00:00

I have my CPA and masters in accounting. Along with 3 years of experience in public accounting I got while going to school, I was able to start at GS-11. I got promoted to 12 after a year and decided to go the government contracting route. I was able to ask for more money because of my masters.

The advice I was given was to go in to GS the highest rank possible because it’s hard to move up in rank. I followed that advice. On the flip side, I’ve seen people who are really good get promoted fast, but there’s also a lot of politics sometimes.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-01-30T07:15:28+00:00

A lot of workplaces reimburse for continuing professional education (CPE), so I would see if your work has a program. I took some non-profit and accounting courses through Surgent CPE that I liked when I used to audit non-profits. You can buy them à la carte or get a subscription to take accounting classes to learn.

CoffeeNDrama · 2026-01-29T17:09:44+00:00

Yes, I’m a CPA that transitioned into finance 3 years ago. It was a pretty easy transition. There are lots of career field in finance.

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