re: Finding job after getting fired. How screwed am I?

Chances are this is never going to come up in an interview. Just prepare a good explanation. Use words like “Reduction in Force”.

If you can clearly explain the expectation that was placed in you and the actual performance that can be helpful if your performance was in fact good and acceptable. If that is the case you can simply say that you didn’t meet the expectations without overtly saying it was unreasonable.

Do your own gig. Look to the past how your company did things, find the best and throw out the worst stuff. Keep all those contacts and be willing to go out on your own. Once I left my full time gig and was out on my own I never looked back. 20 years ago. Took a lil while to get it going but was worth all the hours it took to make it happen. You got this

quote:

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I am an auditor

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So you’re an accountant? Dude you’re not going to have a problem if you live in even a medium sized small city.

Also, consider lying. Tell them you got burnt out working at a public accounting firm and wanted to focus on getting your CPA so you made some financial decisions and focused on it. You’re refreshed and ready to go.

They will only call the number you give them give them chickens number, hell just say you work for Leidos at McMurdo station buy a burner cell phone with a DC number give it to a buddy to only answer it the way you want him to.

When one door closes , another one opens.

Usually a much better one.

Be positive
Have Stats of your Performance
A Manager should not rely on past history

Look at the positive side: you sound young, which means you’re cheap, relatively. It’s far easier to hire a consultant or potential senior, than it is to hire a senior manager or director that costs four times as much, regardless of background.

I spent a long time in professional services (Big 4 & national firms), including Internal Audit. Trust me - you are not screwed. Accounting is a really forgiving profession, mostly because of the diminishing talent pool (not enough Accounting majors and not enough kids stay in the profession beyond 2-5 year mark).

I'm no longer in the business, but my guess is you won't have too much trouble finding your next gig. However, if you want to pivot and potentially enhance your long-term prospects, I'd consider getting whatever extra hours & courses you need and sitting for the CPA (I'm assuming you don't already have your CPA). CPA is much more valuable than CIA or CISA and really not that much more difficult, especially if you have some real life experience in the profession. After getting your CPA, I'd look into pivoting to either a traditional audit & assurance or "core" tax role. Internal Audit has somewhat of a low ceiling IMHO, and working for a more mainline group gives you more opportunities to network, develop skills, and potentially transition after a few years into either industry or more-lucrative practices (M&A Due Diligence (Tax or Financial / QofE), Restructuring, International Tax, etc).

Finally, it goes without saying, but your prospects are much stronger in large markets like Houston, Dallas and Atlanta vs Louisiana. Those cities not only have big Big 4 and National firm (BDO, RSM, Grant) offices, but the "super-regional" firms are also increasing their presence in the markets. You're also going to have some no-audit firms like Ryan, Alvarez & Marsal, AlixPartners, Andersen Tax, et al which offer great opportunities.

The world needs ditch diggers sport.