Whether you are starting out in a professional career as an accountant or you already have an accountancy job but are looking for a change, one of the most important decisions is whether to look for a job with a private practice firm or an in-house job with a corporation. Although both require an equal measure of skills and qualifications, the two jobs are very different. The question of which one is right will depend very much on the job seeker themselves and what kind of work they wish to undertake.
A private practice accountant is more likely to see greater variety in terms of the businesses they audit and assist. In most large private practice accountancy firms, specialisation within a certain industry or sector is common. However, the accountant will still be dealing with different businesses and rising to the challenge of helping them increase productivity and reducing their tax burden. It is this variety which appeals to some people.
The in-house accountancy specialist, on the other hand, will immerse themself in the books of their employer and will be part of a team dedicated to working towards a common aim. The dedicated concentration and depth of work in the affairs of a single company is what appeals to many that follow in-house accountancy as a career. Many also enjoy working as part of a long-term team, rather than visiting many different companies in the course of their work.
Whether an accountant chooses to work in private practice or in-house, both options can lead to a rich and rewarding career.
