Should I make a career change?

[mw2530]

I am currently a CPA and do taxes and accounting for a living. I've been doing it for about 7 years now and make a fair amount above the median wage where I live. With that being said, I hate the tax season - 3 months straight of working 60 hours per week or so. In addition, I struggle big time interacting with coworkers. There is also continuous pressure to develop and network and take initiative with projects blah blah blah. I don't really see myself ever being happy in this environment. I do well with the technical aspects of the job and even in my annual review my coach said I get abused because I do great work. He said the work finds competency.

Anyway, I was looking at potentially leaving my job and getting an associates degree in software development. I have a lot of money saved, but it pains me to think about dipping into those savings that I built up while being miserable at my current job. But I could do it financially w/out going into debt. The question is whether this new career would even be any better since the root of many of my issues is the social interaction. Do any of you work in software development or a related field? If so, how do you like it? Are there jobs readily available? I would think this would be a great field for an aspie mind, but wanted to hear it from some of you. Still it pains me to think that I went to school for 5 years, have a masters degree, and got a CPA license and that I would be essentially throwing that all away. Not to mention the 7 years of experience I have as well.

 

[StephF]

Stick with being a CPA

 

[mw2530]

Stick with being a CPA

And what are your reasons for saying that?

 

[Tom]

Become more assertive, like Captain Kirk.
"No Blah, Blah, Blah!"

 

[VJCJ0628]

So your good at it and know it well

Why not work towards opening up your own practice

 

[Gracey]

Set up your own consultancy?

Pick it up, then ease up when you need a break?
Working from home?
(Invest some savings in decent equipment and programmes)

Like the boss says, work will find competency.

 

[StephF]

And what are your reasons for saying that?

Career changes are potentially hazardous. Spending out a large sum of capital for what may be a possible non-starter. At least that would be my choice.

 

[mw2530]

Set up your own consultancy?

Pick it up, then ease up when you need a break?
Working from home?
(Invest some savings in decent equipment and programmes)

Like the boss says, work will find competency.

That would be ideal, although easier said than done. It would be difficult to find the work initially and aspies are not good at marketing. Also, I would need to have different clients since the clients of my firm rely on multiple services we offer, while I wouldn't be able to offer the wide array of services we offer. An alternative would be to join a smaller firm where I may have more freedom to work less during the non busy times. Still, the seasonality of the work causes my mental health issues to get worse during the busy time.

 

[Observant]

Anyway, I was looking at potentially leaving my job and getting an associates degree in software development.

Seeing as how you're coming from an accounting background, I'd self-learn Python3.x and C++ (or Java) and dive into statistics. Or, you can learn Python3.x then PHP and go the financial analysis route. Skip the A.S. in CS degree. You have something you can build on, and you don't need to start over again.

I struggle big time interacting with coworkers.

You'll also need to collaborate with other people in your developer team if you wanna go into software development.

For laughs:

 

[Observant]

Also, if you want to learn Python 3.x I recommend using a text editor like Idle3, since an IDE might be a bit overwhelming at first with all its bells and whistles. Notepad++ is also good if you use Windows.

 

[VJCJ0628]

That would be ideal, although easier said than done. It would be difficult to find the work initially and aspies are not good at marketing. Also, I would need to have different clients since the clients of my firm rely on multiple services we offer, while I wouldn't be able to offer the wide array of services we offer. An alternative would be to join a smaller firm where I may have more freedom to work less during the non busy times. Still, the seasonality of the work causes my mental health issues to get worse during the busy time.

I am sure there are CPA or Accounting forums, I know in my industry there is a forum where I learned much in the way of getting leads, what to do with hard cases and all sorts of stuff, For me I buy internet leads works best for me

Also even though my industry is saturated, I find there is enough buis to go around when you differentiate yourself, Many others out there look to close hard and go for their highest commissions, I don't, I take an approach that if I do the right thing by people the right thing will come back,

Yes sometimes I lose this way but many times I win too, and most of all I do a lot in referrals Because People know, whats out there and appreciate honesty

My industry and I am sure with accounting too, Its not an emotional sale but an informational one, The type where you fact find and fit the right solution, This is perfect for Aspie.

 

[VJCJ0628]

I will say this though, Its not easy getting started, You need to be highly motivated

For my industry and I am sure most others, For me it took time to build a buis, You have to be able to invest some money, For Me I worked night's driving taxi while I worked buis during the day, In the beginning I had enough downtime to find at least 4 or 5 hours sleep a day
After the first year there was enough to work for myself full time.

While it is not easy, It was much better for me no office politics not boss changing plans or direction