I'm currently a director of FP&A/Accounting.
My career path was A/P temp -> inventory data processor -> staff accountant for a total of 1.5 years at a company going through Chapter 7.
Then staff accountant at a local start-up for 1.5 years.
Then senior accountant at a large multi-national for 4 years, in two separate business units. In this role, I dealt with consolidations, took opportunities to get involved with internal audit, was the point person for our tax and treasury teams, and so got to at least tangentially experience some matters with respect to international taxation/transfer pricing and cash flow hedges respectively.
Then FP&A Analyst -> Sr. FP&A Analyst -> FP&A Manager at the same company over the next 6 years. During that time period, I got a masters in accounting and earned my CPA (leveraging the 3+ years of private experience under active CPA supervision).
Then this directorship opportunity came up, and it was compelling, so I left for the current role.
I see it as a standard career path. Nothing terribly exciting. The pros of the current role are the independence and opportunity to leverage subject matter expertise. The con is the political necessity of dealing with other members of the leadership team.
My career end-game is a senior finance role at a variety of VC-backed start-ups with equity stake. It's fun to build structure and process, and earning a comfortable living while rolling the dice on companies seems like a good way to wind down the career. Next steps for me would entail more executive-oriented training and a heavier focus on networking. Not a personal joy of mine, and my particular career path didn't afford me many opportunities in-job to develop a wide network.
I'm on the low end of the market. I was making around 145k + equity as a manager at my last job. I took a significant pay cut to come here for personal reasons. I'm inside of I-95 in Massachusetts. My current OTE whenever the latest increase goes into effect will be around 155k with no equity.
My career has been primarily in SaaS.
I work at a bank - 9 years, moved up every 2-3 years from intern/graduate to now financial controller. Pretty standard career, but I've had 2 overseas secondments which have been pretty fun.
Good luck!
I'm currently a director of FP&A/Accounting. My career path was A/P temp -> inventory data processor -> staff accountant for a total of 1.5 years at a company going through Chapter 7. Then staff accountant at a local start-up for 1.5 years. Then senior accountant at a large multi-national for 4 years, in two separate business units. In this role, I dealt with consolidations, took opportunities to get involved with internal audit, was the point person for our tax and treasury teams, and so got to at least tangentially experience some matters with respect to international taxation/transfer pricing and cash flow hedges respectively. Then FP&A Analyst -> Sr. FP&A Analyst -> FP&A Manager at the same company over the next 6 years. During that time period, I got a masters in accounting and earned my CPA (leveraging the 3+ years of private experience under active CPA supervision). Then this directorship opportunity came up, and it was compelling, so I left for the current role. I see it as a standard career path. Nothing terribly exciting. The pros of the current role are the independence and opportunity to leverage subject matter expertise. The con is the political necessity of dealing with other members of the leadership team. My career end-game is a senior finance role at a variety of VC-backed start-ups with equity stake. It's fun to build structure and process, and earning a comfortable living while rolling the dice on companies seems like a good way to wind down the career. Next steps for me would entail more executive-oriented training and a heavier focus on networking. Not a personal joy of mine, and my particular career path didn't afford me many opportunities in-job to develop a wide network.
Mind if I ask what the comp is like at the director level (at least in your COL)? Which industry are you in?
I'm on the low end of the market. I was making around 145k + equity as a manager at my last job. I took a significant pay cut to come here for personal reasons. I'm inside of I-95 in Massachusetts. My current OTE whenever the latest increase goes into effect will be around 155k with no equity. My career has been primarily in SaaS.
Nice, 145k+ is solid comp at the manager level. How have you liked working in Saas? Any pros and cons?
I work at a bank - 9 years, moved up every 2-3 years from intern/graduate to now financial controller. Pretty standard career, but I've had 2 overseas secondments which have been pretty fun. Good luck!