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re: Calling LSU Internal Audit alums…anyone made a switch to a more finance/accounting role?
Posted on 10/15/26 at 8:38 am to Penrod
Posted on 10/15/26 at 8:38 am to Penrod
audit is a good way to get experience right out of college but yes transitioning into other roles is certainly doable and the experience you have should help you do that
having certifications also helps but is not a must and it doesn't necessarily have to be a CPA in this day and age
having a masters degree can be valuable and help you move up the ladder as well, some places might even help with tuition and is certainly doable with online options out there
having certifications also helps but is not a must and it doesn't necessarily have to be a CPA in this day and age
having a masters degree can be valuable and help you move up the ladder as well, some places might even help with tuition and is certainly doable with online options out there
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:32 am to Mingo Was His NameO
quote:
hen you aren’t going to get a real controller, CFO, CAO role. That just is what it is
This...
We live in a world where credentials are the Key/passcode to unlock the doors of opportunity...
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:33 am to Mingo Was His NameO
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/15/26 at 9:35 am
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:35 am to LetThem2026
quote:
But I think comparing studying for the CPA to your daily jog is a silly comparison. I doubt you run 3-4 hours every day for 12 months.
I studied 60-90 minutes after work during the week and 2-3 hours a day on the weekends and did the entire thing between July and January
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:39 am to Mingo Was His NameO
I wasn’t trying to take a shot at you either. I failed to mention that I also took FAR 2 times unsuccessfully.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 10:29 am to LetThem2026
seems like a lot of external audit folks go this route. Auditing is good money but it takes its toll.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 10:41 am to LetThem2026
I would not say it's a dead end, but you are definitely limited with your options.
Your planned route of a finance/accounting route and growing into a controller/upper management role is doable without a CPA, but it will take you a lot longer to manage and you may even get bypassed a few times on the way. But, like the internal audit route, you will be limited in a smaller area when it does not have as many major corporations as a city like Houston. You will be competing with the people that stuck with the public accounting roles for a longer period and sought out their CPA.
I would think your best bet would be to latch onto a recruiting company that can help you navigate what is out there in the New Orleans area. Many of these smaller companies will be hesitant to interview/hire someone trying to relocate
Your planned route of a finance/accounting route and growing into a controller/upper management role is doable without a CPA, but it will take you a lot longer to manage and you may even get bypassed a few times on the way. But, like the internal audit route, you will be limited in a smaller area when it does not have as many major corporations as a city like Houston. You will be competing with the people that stuck with the public accounting roles for a longer period and sought out their CPA.
I would think your best bet would be to latch onto a recruiting company that can help you navigate what is out there in the New Orleans area. Many of these smaller companies will be hesitant to interview/hire someone trying to relocate
Posted on 10/15/26 at 10:50 am to LetThem2026
Ole Dr Glenn Sumners and that incredible helmet of hair.
This post was edited on 10/15/26 at 10:51 am
Posted on 10/15/26 at 11:47 am to Weekend Warrior79
Thanks for the feedback. I have no problem facing reality. It is what it is.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 12:03 pm to LetThem2026
quote:
Thanks for the feedback. I have no problem facing reality. It is what it is.
You can do it if you want to. It’s not “hard” in the sense of you know exactly how they are going to treat. The hard part is the amount of preparation it takes from a time perspective. Just hammer the questions and sims or you’ll pass.
You have a good career, but if you want to take the next step, you are going to need at least some sort of certification, and realize that these upper level management jobs aren’t 9-5. So if you are “too busy” to study, you’re too busy to be effective in the roles you want.
If you are happy with your job and content with the salary you make plus COL adjustments, there’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s where you are at unless you put in some additional effort
Posted on 10/15/26 at 12:13 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
That makes sense. I wonder if it’s pointless for me to try and continue audit as a career. I have experience, it just seems absolutely dead end in a small city like New Orleans.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 12:19 pm to LetThem2026
I’d stay in internal audit if I were you….
More avenues for career progression , but you absolutely need to get that CPA
Internal audit with a cpa unlocks operations career path-COO, while still having CFO path there as well
More avenues for career progression , but you absolutely need to get that CPA
Internal audit with a cpa unlocks operations career path-COO, while still having CFO path there as well
This post was edited on 10/15/26 at 12:21 pm
Posted on 10/15/26 at 12:30 pm to baldona
With the prep materials that are available for the CPA exam, you will have time if you want to find the time. Nick Saban would give you an earful. If you wanna do what you’re doing become a CPA and quit putting it off. I understand some people are scared of success. If that’s your case just continue to put off the CPA.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 12:42 pm to lsupride87
I feel like this is a tough route in New Orleans. Also, I’ve had people advise me that a CIA is just as useful for someone who never wants to leave internal audit (which I disagree with)
Posted on 10/15/26 at 12:44 pm to LetThem2026
quote:
Internal audit with a cpa unlocks operations career path-COO
How does internal audit with cpa unlock a COO role
Posted on 10/15/26 at 12:51 pm to Texas Tea 123
quote:Because nobody knows more cross functional operations of a company than the internal audit department
How does internal audit with cpa unlock a COO role
And most companies aren’t going to want to hire a COO without a solid credential such as the CPA
This post was edited on 10/15/26 at 12:52 pm
Posted on 10/15/26 at 2:02 pm to lsupride87
I feel like this is totally dependent on which city you are in. If you are in Louisiana, there aren’t plenty of these opportunities.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 2:05 pm to LetThem2026
There are as many COO and VP of operations jobs as Controller or CFO
You won’t find as many CAE roles in Louisiana as other places though, that is accurate
You won’t find as many CAE roles in Louisiana as other places though, that is accurate
Posted on 10/15/26 at 2:14 pm to lsupride87
Regardless, I don’t know how I would make the transition…especially at a smaller company with no CPA
Posted on 10/15/26 at 2:40 pm to LetThem2026
Go work in advisory at a public accounting firm in their IA/or internal controls group
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