For those with CPA's who may be going to law school

[Tortfeasor 335xi]

Another thing to consider before you decide to go to law school. This is after assuming you will take on no debt, that you get into a good school, that you do well and graduate in the top 10% of your class, are an editor on the school law review, that you pass the bar exam, and that you get an offer from a large law firm. Are you prepared to work 60-80 hour weeks for the rest of your life?

Big firm lawyering is not so much a 9-5 job as it is a lifestyle choice. You will be working 10 to 12 hours most days. Also, the work you will be doing is not the glamorous trial advocacy that you see on TV. All of that is done by the senior most litigation partners. Your job will be doing document review, basic legal research and writing, and basic contract/report drafting. It is dull, repetitive work. Also, you will be treated like an indentured servant by senior associates, and senior partners, if they even deign to notice you, will tell you to get them coffee because their secretaries are busy with more important things. So, don't let the 6 figure salaries fool you, its not a glamorous or rewarding life at all.

So again, I urge you to consider seeing if you like accounting first. Because the most fun lawyering, the assistant district attorneys, the public defenders, the small firm jobs, the jobs that get young associates interesting work, they don't pay anything near 6 figures. Closer to half that amount actually. There used to be an assistant district attorney who bar tended down the street from me at nights so he could pay rent. I only wish I was joking.

[onesuperboi]

This is very good information. +1 on the becoming a lawyer. I've heard that the market is super tough right now, and that you have to have graduated from top schools to work for firms. Otherwise, you'd have to work for your own practice...

Slightly off-topic, but are there any opinions on CPA vs. CFA? Which is more beneficial for accounting/financing positions?

[dth656]

Originally Posted by Tortfeasor 335xi

Another thing to consider before you decide to go to law school. This is after assuming you will take on no debt, that you get into a good school, that you do well and graduate in the top 10% of your class, are an editor on the school law review, that you pass the bar exam, and that you get an offer from a large law firm. Are you prepared to work 60-80 hour weeks for the rest of your life?

Big firm lawyering is not so much a 9-5 job as it is a lifestyle choice. You will be working 10 to 12 hours most days. Also, the work you will be doing is not the glamorous trial advocacy that you see on TV. All of that is done by the senior most litigation partners. Your job will be doing document review, basic legal research and writing, and basic contract/report drafting. It is dull, repetitive work. Also, you will be treated like an indentured servant by senior associates, and senior partners, if they even deign to notice you, will tell you to get them coffee because their secretaries are busy with more important things. So, don't let the 6 figure salaries fool you, its not a glamorous or rewarding life at all.

So again, I urge you to consider seeing if you like accounting first. Because the most fun lawyering, the assistant district attorneys, the public defenders, the small firm jobs, the jobs that get young associates interesting work, they don't pay anything near 6 figures. Closer to half that amount actually. There used to be an assistant district attorney who bar tended down the street from me at nights so he could pay rent. I only wish I was joking.

i know a few lawyers--the ones who went to crappy schools ended up doing contract work, or worse, e-discovery PM work. the ones who went to top schools (columbia, cornell, stanford, berkeley) ended up higher on the food chain, but it still didn't sounded like a tough lifestyle.

http://www.leveragedsellout.com/2006...law-bigschmaw/

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by jpsum

Most firms require CPA for a management title. Staff I, II makes $40 - $60k and Senior Staff makes $70k at the most at the big 4s. Being a staff often requires long hours and extensive traveling depending if you are internal or external audit. If you are going into accounting, it's better if you get the CPA as soon as possible. Most becomes a CPA while they are on the job as the company will usually pay for the first CPA exam fees which is about $400 a pop.

I think A is a good choice if you really want to be in this industry. After two years, I'm certain your mindset will be different. So decide on law school went the time comes.

+1

Also, getting some time in the accounting field might change your opinion. My buddy worked for a public firm right out of college and he hated that job. Not sure if it was the culture or the work itself, but he wasn't happy. He now works as a controller and sounds much happier. I think picking A would be a good choice to see if you like it or not.

[aut0sh0cker]

Originally Posted by onesuperboi

This is very good information. +1 on the becoming a lawyer. I've heard that the market is super tough right now, and that you have to have graduated from top schools to work for firms. Otherwise, you'd have to work for your own practice...

Slightly off-topic, but are there any opinions on CPA vs. CFA? Which is more beneficial for accounting/financing positions?

Depends on the job, really. Saying "accounting/finance" is just too broad. Hell, it even depends on the firm you work for. Some view the CFA as a MBA replacement (this varies a lot from firm to firm), opening the door to a huge number of other career choices..

[moveswiftly]

I would never practice accounting as a profession. I love the subject but would never want to practice it. I wouldn't consider teaching either. I simply chose it avoid taking the typical political science major and wanted to learn something applicable in life.

Right now I'm either going to go for public interest law(Assistant DA, Public defender etc) or Big Law(Either in litigation or business law). I still need to get my feet wet in law to see what I want to do.

[mact3333]

..

[ghosthi32]

mact knows everything

[mact3333]

Originally Posted by ghosthi32

mact knows everything

didnt realize my post came across as being patronizing...I deleted it...just trying to help...guess some will see evil in trying to elucidate jobs paying 200K plus without going to school for 10 yrs.

[ghosthi32]

bahahahahahha why so serious

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by mact3333

didnt realize my post came across as being patronizing...I deleted it...just trying to help...guess some will see evil in trying to elucidate jobs paying 200K plus without going to school for 10 yrs.

You have to understand that at the moment I'm 20. I'll end up graduating at 23-24. I'm also in a good position that I probably will have very little debt (have none at the moment) after graduating law school.

If I don't want to practice accounting, it's my own choice not to. Money is not everything to me. Its enjoying what I do, which is exactly why I'm consider public interest law.

[onesuperboi]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

You have to understand that at the moment I'm 20. I'll end up graduating at 23-24. I'm also in a good position that I probably will have very little debt (have none at the moment) after graduating law school.

If I don't want to practice accounting, it's my own choice not to. Money is not everything to me. Its enjoying what I do, which is exactly why I'm consider public interest law.

Cool story bro. Then why ask your question if you already have formed your opinion? To brag?

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by onesuperboi

Cool story bro. Then why ask your question if you already have formed your opinion? To brag?

To get advice on CPA business and not law school. Thanks.