3 Tips for Retiring From Public Accounting Under Age 35

If your bean-counting tenure is starting to sour, be sure to check out some key tips for transitioning to greener and brighter pastures.

Firstly, public accounting is a great place to start your career. Boring, yes; but, incredibly helpful at learning the language of business. For those who view public accounting as more of a stepping stone to greener pastures, your 3-5 year term in the bean-counter ranks are like a Ph.D. program. Instead of molecular biology, you just cover topics like cash flow, income statements, balance sheets, tax adjustments, et al. Super helpful if you'd ever like to entertain starting a business one day.

1) Secure the bag. Be sure to be knowledgeable about your personal vesting periods and don't leave money on the table had you only stayed at your firm a month longer. You can always come back from retirement; but, be sure to do some reasonable due diligence regarding personal finances, CPE, etc.

2) Keep your CPA for a couple of years just for peace of mind. The CPA is a valuable credential, and does actually evoke trust in the minds of business decision-makers. CPAs are known for making objective decisions, fluency with numbers, and figuring out complex problems. These skills will make you dangerous for your next pursuit.

3) Keep track of your pension. Accounting firms are old school, and their benefits typically play the part. While an early exit may not be the multimillion-dollar guaranteed benefit you dreamt of, it can at least pay for a trip around the world when you reach the standard retirement age of 59 1/2.