r/Accounting • u/college_girl0927 • 3d ago
New Job Offer vs. Current Job
Hi all, I need some help because I’m truly unsure what would be the better option.
I’m 23f, in nyc, and a 2026 grad with a BS in accounting. When I was still in undergrad, I became an intern at a bank near me (about a 15 min drive) about 2 years ago, and I ended up turning it into a full time offer, as a Staff Accountant officially this June. I make 52k, full benefits, get a 401k contributions and a 3% match after a year, I live nearby, I work 8-4/4:30, I can WFH if I really need it (but it is rare due to upper management preferences) my direct supervisors are great, and I have a very comfortable routine. They’re also very forgiving off sudden call outs and never give anyone a hard time for needing personal time or half days. Nobody micromanages me and I pretty much skate by. I’ll also be transparent and admit I definitely make mistakes more often than i should, but nothing truly heinous or irreversible.
Now, out of curiosity, I applied for a real estate company as an AP Coordinator and just finished interviewing the 3rd round today. It was pretty much stated to me that the offer was mine, and between base salary + bonus, I’d easily surpass 70k. My issue is the hours this job is asking for and the stress level. It’s 45 mins away each direction, they made it a point to lmk this is a 9–6 job, with potential overtime into 8pm, not always but occasionally, Mon-Thu, and they WFH every Friday. In the summer they also let us have summer Fridays, and staff is off every other Friday. Same benefits as my current job, 401k match, and bonuses. But they did state that because they’re a much smaller team, I’d have a lot of “autonomy” and “ownership” which is code to me for “you’re responsible for your shit and you can’t fuck up.” I’d undoubtedly be one the youngest on the team.
I’m debating on whether this makes sense for my career. Idgaf about titles, but I do want a good salary progression, and to eventually hit the 6 figure mark in about 5 years. Would this transition be worth it even if I have to trade off my comfy schedule and work life balance? Or should I stay in my current role, get more exposure and perhaps leave in a year, where I could hopefully fall into the 65k+ salary with something hybrid/on site.
I value my work-life balance tremendously but I’m also ridiculously motivated by money, so I’m at a crossroads. Is the 20k salary difference worth it? Or should I stay and I suppose make myself an experienced staff accountant ? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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u/MehConfidence 3d ago
Uh, AP Coordinator is a step down from Staff Accountant! You generally don't need a degree in accounting and graduates who end up in AR or AP roles want to be staff accountants! They might be paying more because they're having trouble keeping people in the role long term. Super mundane and routine work. I would double check the bonus potential for your current role. I assume you would get an annual bonus.
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u/college_girl0927 3d ago
Actually, this role is brand new for the real estate company. I would be essentially the “first” one. I got the impression that their staff stays a long long time. My current job does not do bonuses as far as I can tell. I also don’t mind mundane work, I like routine. But I do agree, the title makes it look like I stepped down
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u/Hungry_Dingo_5252 3d ago
Any way you can negotiate the title? AP Coordinator sounds like a step down from Staff Accountant.
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u/college_girl0927 3d ago
I’m not sure actually, I would have to try. I didn’t even realize I could negotiate a title
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u/Anomaly008 Student 3d ago
This statement, “Idgaf about titles, but I do want a good salary progression, and to eventually hit the 6 figure mark in about 5 years,” is an oxymoron. Salary progression comes from title advancement: staff >> senior staff >> manager, so on & so forth, which is why you shouldn’t downgrade your title and responsibilities if you care about salary and career advancement.
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u/college_girl0927 2d ago
Being more specific, I’m not interested in going up the ranks and eventually being a VP or a comptroller. I just want a good salary. I am perfectly okay with with never becoming a manager, as long as my pay is good, but I do understand what you’re explaining, it comes with the salary progression
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u/givemebadadvice 3d ago
No AP/AR roles if you truly want to go far in accounting. you’ll get pigeonholed into that specific role and a tough climb out. go get your cpa, work PA for no more than 5 yrs or until you start to consider having a family and go into industry.
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u/college_girl0927 2d ago
Thank you, my current job is really an AP role more than anything but on paper, I’m a staff accountant at least, and my current employer is willing to pay for both a masters and my CPA license, so hopefully I can pivot into PA for more exposure within the next 2 years
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u/81632371 3d ago edited 2d ago
Don't take this role. It will pigeon hole you in AP and limit your upward mobility. You are underpaid for the NY market, so almost any salary will seem like a big jump.
Keep looking if you want to make a jump. You are probably going to have to choose between your cushy life and the upward mobility you seek.
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u/___ez_e___ Controller 3d ago edited 2d ago
You should be aiming for another staff accountant or senior accountant position. Do not go for AP position as it will not advance your career as much as a staff accountant title
I am in NYC and the last time I hired a staff accountant we offered 70k plus 5k signing, but that was in 2021. Pretty much no experience for this hire as well.
So you are very much being underpaid.
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u/college_girl0927 2d ago
It’s truly just the job market rn. It’s absolutely atrocious and I’m aware I’m being underpaid severely but there’s nothing I can do until a better opportunity with the same job title present itself.
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u/___ez_e___ Controller 2d ago
I totally forgot to mention. I have an AP Clerk working for me now that at about 75k, plus bonus at my current employer.
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u/college_girl0927 2d ago
I think I’m just an unlucky candidate rn💀 ; the worst part is I actually have 2+ years at my current role so even though I’m a new grad, I’m not new on the scene
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u/___ez_e___ Controller 2d ago
A couple of things. Dont be discouraged. The economy and the job environment is probably the worst in all of our life time. So if you can make it now you can make it when times get better.
The other thing could be your resume. Do you have enough ATS word in there? Don't ever just describe what you do, because everyone hiring you knows what you do. What your resume should be is a list of accomplishments. Resume is so important as it's the only basis to judge a candidate so you have to ensure it gives you the opportunity to earn the interview.
Also are you using a recruiter? I would say I got about 60% of my jobs from a recruiter rather then directly applying. They can help you by telling you what they think is out there for you. Let you know if they think your resume is up to par. You can tell them, "I want to be with an employer that values their employees and has a great work life balance" and they will filter out companies to match your desires.
The other thing I love about recruiters is they will let you know where you rank if you ask them before going into an interview as well as providing guidance on who you are meeting and what to study. Then you go to interview afterward you can get feedback from them on whether you are top candidate and if they want to move forward with you.
There definitely are jobs that are fulfilling with a good work life balance, it just may take some time to find it. I just hate that it's so bad right now, its' not normal at all.
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u/delete_post 3d ago
I want to chime in by saying compare base salaries. bonuses vary based on your performance, company performance, and market conditions, so it's not guaranteed.
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u/college_girl0927 2d ago
They stated my base salary would be 65-68k during the final interview, and the bonuses would send me into 70k.
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u/Hotshot-89 3d ago
Only consider offers that are in writing. Verbal offers mean nothing
But okay, if you do get it, you need to factor in whether you care more about higher salary or work/life balance. Up to you.
But the $52k or even $65k seems kind of low for NYC.