[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

No it's not. You're talking about unicorns. Stop acting like rare incomes in your profession are "somewhat common."

My dad's a professor. He makes a little over $1 million a year ($400k base plus $1000 an hour consulting). It is by no means common to make that as a professor. It's incredibly rare. Most professors barely hit six figures and senior professors may make it up to $150,000/year.

He would never recommend that my brother and I become professors just because he makes a million a year. In fact he actively warned us against doing so.

It's the same story with CPAs. To suggest someone go to grad school and then cite some CFO/CPA that makes $2 million a year as an example is deceptive.

It really isn't that atypical. I know half a dozen CPAs who make at least 300K per year each. And both of my parents were full professors and made 150K per year, plus, each 30 years ago.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

No it's not. You're talking about unicorns. Stop acting like rare incomes in your profession are "somewhat common."

My dad's a professor. He makes a little over $1 million a year ($400k base plus $1000 an hour consulting). It is by no means common to make that as a professor. It's incredibly rare. Most professors barely hit six figures and senior professors may make it up to $150,000/year.

He would never recommend that my brother and I become professors just because he makes a million a year. In fact he actively warned us against doing so.

It's the same story with CPAs. To suggest someone go to grad school and then cite some CFO/CPA that makes $2 million a year as an example is deceptive.

FWIW - I live in a very low paying part of the country and here is the current opening availability from my local recruiter.

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by eluded

I heard a similar story like this. A Doctor friend I knew just seemed poor for some reason and it just did not add up. Later I found out she was supporting her ex-husband with alimony and child support and that is why she had no money.

When I was told this story My friend took a look at me and asked what was wrong.... And I told her, please just give me a few minutes to take this in and enjoy this moment.

Doesn't sound like you're much of a friend, honestly.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

FWIW - I live in a very low paying part of the country and here is the current opening availability from my local recruiter.

#datadrivenlife

[stevenc]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

Sorry man, you're wrong. Literally every single manager or above in accounting in a decent size company is making six figures. This would be about 4-6 years of experience.

There isn't a single big 4 accountant who is a manager or above making less than six figures. Just those four companies alone probably employee over a hundred thousand people.

If this is news to you, then I don't know what else I can say. I am a CPA - I don't have a single friend who is in the accounting field that I know who is making less than about 80k a year - and those making that are young kids. Anyone at mid level management or better is 100k plus.

In addition - I never said 2mil a year was 'common' - I said $200K a year was common - and it is.

Both of you are right. Since im the guy who sparked the conversation, ill say i make around $400k as a partner for regional firm. HOWEVER that is not the norm. A good CPA can expect to make around $100,000 - $130,000 once they make manager. There are plenty of average CPA's who will make $75,000. To make real money you will need to make partner or go into industry (senior management level).

As with all professions, you need to be smart and hard working to earn the real money. Average people will earn average wages regardless of their certifications.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

So go back to school? I did. I started out in the government intelligence sector. After being blown up, I got out of that line of work and went back to grad school.

Can make partner at a big four firm in about 12-15 years. Income will typically be high 6 figures to start, several million per year after some seniority.

CFO at last employer was a CPA, made about $750K/yr plus about another $1.2m/yr in deferred comp, total around $2m/yr total compensation.

He was 36.

I clearly took the wrong route 25 years ago with engineering and need to go back to school. Lol.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

I clearly took the wrong route 25 years ago with engineering and need to go back to school. Lol.

Lol - probably not. Engineering pays quite well and probably less stress than dealing with the numbers.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

Lol - probably not. Engineering pays quite well and probably less stress than dealing with the numbers.

I've always been pretty good with numbers and math came easy...that's why I went into Engineering. But I wouldn't want to "crunch" numbers all day long...no offense Run Silent .

In the last 10 years or so, most entry level Engineers I have worked with depending on type typically start in the $90's range and end up breaking $100K after the yearly bonus.

Amount of time in and management is when you really start to break into the Mid $150's+. I have a ME and CH E...plus a Maintenance group reporting to me.

You can also do freelance work like you mentioned in the other thread especially if a PE. I used to do a lot of that (7 years) almost doubling my salary....but came to realize that it wasn't worth my time once you average out the extra taxes you pay past a certain point vs. the time away from family.

So now I just do consulting work on the side if I want to. I consider it "play" money whether it be cars or investing. But I support maybe 2-3 local businesses now...so not much.

But something as simple as programming terminals for POS in restaurant chains can bring in easy money very quickly especially if you offer fair rates and have good customer service skills in my field of work.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

Lol - probably not. Engineering pays quite well and probably less stress than dealing with the numbers.

Engineering doesn't pay THAT well!

As for stress, well, I had a nice low-stress job for 10 years when I was just an engineer, doing my engineer thing. Punch in, punch out, design truck parts. Then I had to go and get all ambitious and move into "management." I do very little actual engineering anymore now that I'm a VP. I set global product strategy and have teams in the UK, Manila, and China. So with the time zones, my day starts at 6:00 AM and ends whenever I finally put the phone down; usually around 10:00 PM. Stress is up, blood pressure is up, wife is on my case. Most days I wish I was "just" an engineer again.

Oh well. 15 more years and I'm out!

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

Engineering doesn't pay THAT well!

As for stress, well, I had a nice low-stress job for 10 years when I was just an engineer, doing my engineer thing. Punch in, punch out, design truck parts. Then I had to go and get all ambitious and move into "management." I do very little actual engineering anymore now that I'm a VP. I set global product strategy and have teams in the UK, Manila, and China. So with the time zones, my day starts at 6:00 AM and ends whenever I finally put the phone down; usually around 10:00 PM. Stress is up, blood pressure is up, wife is on my case. Most days I wish I was "just" an engineer again.

Oh well. 15 more years and I'm out!

Pace yourself, my man - it isn't worth it. I get into the office about 815am and typically leave the office around 630pm or so. The only major issue is that I have a very long commute.

I don't take work home and rarely answer emails when not in the office. It's pretty stressful and go-go-go when I am here at work, but I leave it there when I pack up as much as I can.

Don't live to work, my friend.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

Sorry man, you're wrong. Literally every single manager or above in accounting in a decent size company is making six figures. This would be about 4-6 years of experience.

There isn't a single big 4 accountant who is a manager or above making less than six figures. Just those four companies alone probably employee over a hundred thousand people.

If this is news to you, then I don't know what else I can say. I am a CPA - I don't have a single friend who is in the accounting field that I know who is making less than about 80k a year - and those making that are young kids. Anyone at mid level management or better is 100k plus.

In addition - I never said 2mil a year was 'common' - I said $200K a year was common - and it is.

I’ve been a self-employed CPA for 19 years and my clients are corporate CPAs. I think this is exactly right.

[FuriouslyFast]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

What successful female with a high income especially in NYC is not? Shit doesn't exist.
She's pretty frugal but does have her bag collections.

That's my point. They ALL are...regardless of income

[adc100]

Originally Posted by ragingpanda

Isn't that what women do when they 'win' in family court (which women win 90% of the time)?

That is a ver biased statement and is not true. You are saying in a divorce where the woman did not work and stayed home to raise the kids made out bc she got half and support for the kids??? Is that what you are saying. Family court is a joke in many cases but it in general does not favor the woman.

[adc100]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

2 words...Pre...Nup...

Exactly!!!!

[FuriouslyFast]

Originally Posted by adc100

That is a ver biased statement and is not true. You are saying in a divorce where the woman did not work and stayed home to raise the kids made out bc she got half and support for the kids??? Is that what you are saying. Family court is a joke in many cases but it in general does not favor the woman.

Proof?

[Bunnny]

I spent $300 on my husband's ring. We were only dating for a year and a half, and I asked him to marry me. He said yes!

[maul3d]

Originally Posted by Bunnny

I spent $300 on my husband's ring. We were only dating for a year and a half, and I asked him to marry me. He said yes!

The way it should be!

Jewellery is a hoax... I have so many dense friends, brag about the rock they bought that was "appraised" for Xxx amount.. and they bought it for 25 cents on the dollar... HAHA.. Yah, right..


I paid $100 for my wife's ring.. we were young and in love.. and broke. 17 years later.. lifes gold

Cheers

[adc100]

When I got engaged 52 years ago, I bought my fiance' a 3/4 Carat brilliant cut diamond. At the time that was $800. A lot of money. Even though I was in college I made tones of money over the summer as a quarry drillers helper. Usually made $2000+ over the summer.

Fast forward for your 25th anniversary I bought another stone identical to it and a custom setting. For our 45th I made it a trio and another custom setting.

This things dazzles. I have truly never seen a nicer ring. I'll post it tomorrow. The cost would be under $8K for 3 very nice (not perfect stones) Approx G SI1.
The rig appraises out at $12K. She has gotten a lot of compliments.

But My message: 2 Smaller stones may look nicer than 1 larger stone.


jstnstr: Sounds like a good divorce. Glad it worked out!!!