Career Advice

Hello.

Currently, I'm 2 years out of college (got my Bachelors) and I've been working as a staff accountant for almost two years. In college, the plan was to graduate and eventually get my CPA. Well, after working for two years, accounting isn't what I want to do anymore. It's extremely boring, mundane, and monotonous.

I still want to use my accounting degree, but I'm thinking I want to switch over to the financial sector. Or more specifically, get involved in trading.

But I need some advice. Where should I start? What would you recommend my reading to catch up on the skills needed to trade? What companies are a good place to look at for jobs? Do you enjoy your job?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Grouchy Accountant said:

Hello.

Currently, I'm 2 years out of college (got my Bachelors) and I've been working as a staff accountant for almost two years. In college, the plan was to graduate and eventually get my CPA. Well, after working for two years, accounting isn't what I want to do anymore. It's extremely boring, mundane, and monotonous.

I still want to use my accounting degree, but I'm thinking I want to switch over to the financial sector. Or more specifically, get involved in trading.

But I need some advice. Where should I start? What would you recommend my reading to catch up on the skills needed to trade? What companies are a good place to look at for jobs? Do you enjoy your job?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

You said any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. OK then. For your family's sake, especially if you have small children ....

Do not look for answers at any bulletin boards aka trading graveyards aka "Misery loves Company destinations"

Read all the basics on this site and others. Consider this,you could do this for 10 years and never make a penny. Dont spend money to learn,most of what you need is in your head. Welcome

You have no chance of moving without CPA or a more finance related level 7 qualification e.g CFA, FRM or whatever the US equivalent is. You'll probably also need to go overseas as you will not be competitive in your domestic market.

Grouchy Accountant said:

Hello.

Currently, I'm 2 years out of college (got my Bachelors) and I've been working as a staff accountant for almost two years. In college, the plan was to graduate and eventually get my CPA. Well, after working for two years, accounting isn't what I want to do anymore. It's extremely boring, mundane, and monotonous.

I still want to use my accounting degree, but I'm thinking I want to switch over to the financial sector. Or more specifically, get involved in trading.

But I need some advice. Where should I start? What would you recommend my reading to catch up on the skills needed to trade? What companies are a good place to look at for jobs? Do you enjoy your job?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

If you are interested in trading, I suggest you first build up a base. Get your CPA and earn a good, steady income. Once you have a base, start learning to trade. You can easily fit trading around your dayjob. Risk nothing or tiny amounts until you can show profitability. Once you get confident in your trading you can gradually increase size. Once you have been earning multiples of your dayjob income from your trading then you can stop being an accountant if you wish.

If you really want to trade then in your position I cannot see much scope for getting into it without doing it yourself. Do not waste your time at prop houses, especially the ones that charge you for training. They do not have any interest in your success. Mentors are extremely useful but finding one that fits your own personality & is also willing to help can be difficult.

This is just my opinion for someone in your position. I did a Maths degree and started trading straight out of University. Initially I spent (wasted) 6 months at a previously mentioned 'misery loves company' place - thankfully I didn't have to pay them for the experience. Since leaving there I have spent a year trading for myself and finally now eventually feel that my results are becoming good enough for me to increase my size and I have slowly started doing that since the new year. It's been a very tough year for me mentally and I believe the reason for that is because I pursued trading without having the base I am talking about. The only reason I am still alive as a trader after so long without profitability is that I have zero financial commitments but one can only live this way for so long. Hope this helps.