Public Accounting vs. Industry: How to Choose the Right Career Path in Accounting

You’re tuned in to #CareerConvos™️with Nikki: unfiltered conversations about what it takes to build a career you actually want in corporate America. If you’re an accountant, analyst, finance manager, controller, or just trying to figure out what’s next in your career… you’re in the right place.

We talk about navigating layoffs, dealing with microaggressions, managing up, and advocating for yourself in rooms where no one looks like you. Grab your coffee, an old fashioned, or some lemon mint water and let's get into this conversation.
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And of course as a Black CPA, I must address the accounting pipeline issues, the fear future CPAs feel about the CPA exam, and how my proven CPA exam review and coaching programs have helped CPA candidates finally pass those exams they keep failing. CPA candidates tell me my CPA exam coaching program helps them easily understand difficult accounting concepts and they appreciate my way of CPA exam review that's less boring.

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Make sure we're connected - I hang out on Threads (@nikkwinstoncpa), LinkedIn, and on YouTube. 

In this episode of Career Convos with Nikki, I share my personal journey navigating the choice between public accounting and industry. I talk about the early career pressures I faced, the stigma around public accounting, and why I intentionally chose a different path. I also discuss the challenges of job hopping, finding the right fit, and how I learned to trust my instincts when it comes to career moves.

I reflect on my time at GE, where I truly grew professionally and developed deep expertise in capital markets and securitization. I explain why it took me almost nine months to get comfortable with my role and how that experience shaped my approach to career growth.

If you’re an accountant weighing your options or feeling unsure about the traditional career blueprint, this episode offers honest insights and encouragement to build a fulfilling career that works for you.

Let’s keep the conversation going at nikkwinstoncpa.com/career

If this episode reflects what you’re living through at work, book time on my calendar for career coaching.  We’ll talk through the realities of your current job, what’s shifting around you, and how to position yourself for the job you love - and loves you back.

CPA exam coaching sessions are available on my CPA Exam page. I've also shared CPA exam coaching session replays, exam tutorials, and the exact steps I took to pass the CPA exam over there.

Make sure we're connected - I hang out on Threads (@nikkwinstoncpa), LinkedIn, and on YouTube.