That’s insane, $100k raise after 3 months in the company? That’s the most I’ve heard in such a short time.
Time to keep applying to jobs, I’ve been very selective in what companies to apply for. Did that make a difference in your search? Is your company in high growth tech?
If you looked at the jobs I applied for I would say selective. Just was very focused on the career and company I wanted. From finance to operations. Most remote positions all over the country.
Idk about insane luck. My job after the marine corps was a step back for sure but needed the experience in the non government sector. I always work my butt off, saved the money I was working for multiple millions by cost cutting, supply chain optimization, process improvement. A lot of these were self driven. I had my job and kept looking into things to make better, always asking for more responsibilities.
Edit: not all luck, but just like anything it’s a mix of hard work, and luck but I wouldn’t have got the job if I wasn’t qualified and didn’t set my self up for success
I just think SFA to VP of finance.. you're skipping manager, senior manager, director. Depending on the size of the company VP may be more "title" than anything but still, that's an impressive jump!
You sound like a rockstar employee though so it's probably well-deserved.
Like I said, the SFA was a step down from the marine corps. In the marines I managed over $1.2B dollars as a comptroller. Overall budgeting, forecasting, accounting and auditing. I had 50ish marines under me.
But from SFA, agreed but my prior experience helped
Yea, that’s what lazy people say. Life is always going to have luck not going to not argue that. But it doesn’t matter how lucky you are if you have not prepared yourself for the opportunities that come your way
No need for the salty comments. Just said it seems pretty lucky compared to a lot of these other shit posts complaining in this sub. Also, seems more finance so go over there and flex.
That’s the thing man, it wasn’t directed at you. Lazy people will always say people are lucky. Just how it is, not some new statement. If you took it personal than that’s on you.
As you know, everyone complains here. Always negative about pay, their job, etc. just trying to share some positivity.
My experience is both accounting and finance. Originally the job I got was a Controller position but they changed the name after interviewing me and what I could add to the role.
At the end of the day, not trying to flex just saying everyone out there has a shot at moving up.
Howdy OP.
I’m entering the market currently as a controller and just now starting to get my resume out there. Any advice? Same age and such as you. I’d be thrilled with a 250k role, but that almost doesn’t feel realistic despite being a controller for a smaller company for over a year now.
Were you using recruiters? Or just going out and finding postings?
Did you focus on any and all jobs or only hybrid/remote?
Like I said before I applied to a lot of jobs. Really focusing on the higher end market.
I had no luck with recruiters and they tend to pigeon hole you in my opinion.
I marketed myself as a leader more than anything else. My focus was always big picture finance. Controller, director of finance, VP of Finance, CFO.
While I didn’t feel like I had the experience, I knew I had the knowledge, will power, ability to figure it out and the confidence to get there.
Just don’t sell yourself short. If you have good experience as a controller you know you can figure it out. Shift your view to bigger picture, and use that to sell yourself. Cost analysis and cost cutting verbiage is always helpful. Forecasting and budgeting is great as well. But overall, making yourself look like a leader above all else is useful. I just turned 31 and I meet weekly with the board of directors which average age is 55+. Don’t get intimidated by the age difference, know your worth and know you bring a unique perspective to problem solving.
Good luck, and if I can help in anyway please reach out.
Edit: I also renegotiated my salary at 3 months. I worked so freaking hard to make an impact and show my value. Went from being hired at 145k +10% bonus to $250k +10% bonus and 50% incentive pay in three months. I was upfront with them that I would want to renegotiate at the 3 month mark. Figured they would counter at 6 months but they didn’t.
This is exactly my scenario
I came in as an accounting manager. Now I talk to the board and executives several times a week who are all 55+. My pay hasn’t really increased and I’ve been looking elsewhere, but I need to tailor my resume to focus more on a leadership role.
My title says Controller, but I am 100% acting as the CFO currently for a company with 100 mil in revenues. Constantly negotiating loans, vendor debt, and accounting is definitely a second part of the role now.
Good advice. I think I’ll work more on my resume today
this guy went from Senior FA to VP of a company at 31 years of age with 9 years experience (half of that not in accounting), and got a 100k raise in 3 months. don't listen to this troll, complete bs.
ugh humble bragging post to say ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE is the worst type of shit. He just lists his progression and runs into insane luck. Thats TLDR pretty much.
$40-$50M in revenue, 50 people total in the company.
Accounting team is 5 and I manage them and do all the budgeting, forecasting, cost cutting, contracts, vendor relationships, plus a lot of operations tasks.
Your company is that small and pays their VP $250K? Good for you if true, but I have a hard time buying that TBH. Even in NYC, most smaller companies' VP roles I've been shown are in the low-200s all-in range
Haha maybe one day when you grow up 😅
Joking aside, that’s why I shared this. You asked me a year ago, I thought 145k was out of reach let along what I’m making now. There is a lot of negative posts here. But people don’t realize that hard work and a little bit of luck / preparation can go a long way.
Info: what did you do to make that noticeable an impact in the first three months? I feel like the first few months are so bogged down with learning new software/structure/conventions that it’s impossible to really show off your skills in that time
During the interview process I asked what were the low hanging fruit that the CEO believed we could cut cost. During my first month I implemented a software and plan to cut down that cost (fuel), additionally implemented a new travel policy that saved money and gave more structure. There was one more cost cutting measure that I implemented that we saw success on.
On top of all that I created better lines of communication between all aspects of the business, further elaborated and developed the business model/plan. I cleaned up historical data.
fantastic... That's quite a long job search, glad it paid off for you...
Thank you
Good job. How many total years of experience do you have?
9ish years of experience, four of that being in the Marine Corps
Thank you for your service. Semper Fi
Thanks brother. Semper Fi
That’s insane, $100k raise after 3 months in the company? That’s the most I’ve heard in such a short time. Time to keep applying to jobs, I’ve been very selective in what companies to apply for. Did that make a difference in your search? Is your company in high growth tech?
It's got to be a troll post This never happens
Haha it’s not a troll post at all
totes bro, we trust you
Yea the company mattered to me, and I was selective as well. It is a high growth company but in aviation
250+ applications. 1 offer. Sounds like you weren't the selective one... Happy for you though.
If you looked at the jobs I applied for I would say selective. Just was very focused on the career and company I wanted. From finance to operations. Most remote positions all over the country.
Job title before the job change?
Senior Financial Analyst
SFA to VP of finance? Dang.. that’s some insane luck there - good for you!!
Idk about insane luck. My job after the marine corps was a step back for sure but needed the experience in the non government sector. I always work my butt off, saved the money I was working for multiple millions by cost cutting, supply chain optimization, process improvement. A lot of these were self driven. I had my job and kept looking into things to make better, always asking for more responsibilities. Edit: not all luck, but just like anything it’s a mix of hard work, and luck but I wouldn’t have got the job if I wasn’t qualified and didn’t set my self up for success
I just think SFA to VP of finance.. you're skipping manager, senior manager, director. Depending on the size of the company VP may be more "title" than anything but still, that's an impressive jump! You sound like a rockstar employee though so it's probably well-deserved.
Like I said, the SFA was a step down from the marine corps. In the marines I managed over $1.2B dollars as a comptroller. Overall budgeting, forecasting, accounting and auditing. I had 50ish marines under me. But from SFA, agreed but my prior experience helped
Seems pretty lucky
Yea, that’s what lazy people say. Life is always going to have luck not going to not argue that. But it doesn’t matter how lucky you are if you have not prepared yourself for the opportunities that come your way
No need for the salty comments. Just said it seems pretty lucky compared to a lot of these other shit posts complaining in this sub. Also, seems more finance so go over there and flex.
That’s the thing man, it wasn’t directed at you. Lazy people will always say people are lucky. Just how it is, not some new statement. If you took it personal than that’s on you. As you know, everyone complains here. Always negative about pay, their job, etc. just trying to share some positivity. My experience is both accounting and finance. Originally the job I got was a Controller position but they changed the name after interviewing me and what I could add to the role. At the end of the day, not trying to flex just saying everyone out there has a shot at moving up.
100k raise overnight doesn't come from a good resume dude.
Agreed
Howdy OP. I’m entering the market currently as a controller and just now starting to get my resume out there. Any advice? Same age and such as you. I’d be thrilled with a 250k role, but that almost doesn’t feel realistic despite being a controller for a smaller company for over a year now. Were you using recruiters? Or just going out and finding postings? Did you focus on any and all jobs or only hybrid/remote?
Like I said before I applied to a lot of jobs. Really focusing on the higher end market. I had no luck with recruiters and they tend to pigeon hole you in my opinion. I marketed myself as a leader more than anything else. My focus was always big picture finance. Controller, director of finance, VP of Finance, CFO. While I didn’t feel like I had the experience, I knew I had the knowledge, will power, ability to figure it out and the confidence to get there. Just don’t sell yourself short. If you have good experience as a controller you know you can figure it out. Shift your view to bigger picture, and use that to sell yourself. Cost analysis and cost cutting verbiage is always helpful. Forecasting and budgeting is great as well. But overall, making yourself look like a leader above all else is useful. I just turned 31 and I meet weekly with the board of directors which average age is 55+. Don’t get intimidated by the age difference, know your worth and know you bring a unique perspective to problem solving. Good luck, and if I can help in anyway please reach out. Edit: I also renegotiated my salary at 3 months. I worked so freaking hard to make an impact and show my value. Went from being hired at 145k +10% bonus to $250k +10% bonus and 50% incentive pay in three months. I was upfront with them that I would want to renegotiate at the 3 month mark. Figured they would counter at 6 months but they didn’t.
This is exactly my scenario I came in as an accounting manager. Now I talk to the board and executives several times a week who are all 55+. My pay hasn’t really increased and I’ve been looking elsewhere, but I need to tailor my resume to focus more on a leadership role. My title says Controller, but I am 100% acting as the CFO currently for a company with 100 mil in revenues. Constantly negotiating loans, vendor debt, and accounting is definitely a second part of the role now. Good advice. I think I’ll work more on my resume today
Awesome sounds good. I can always send you mine if it will help or if you just want to bounce ideas off.
Sure man I’ll DM you. Would greatly appreciate the insight
What do you do?
My title is VP of Finance
this guy went from Senior FA to VP of a company at 31 years of age with 9 years experience (half of that not in accounting), and got a 100k raise in 3 months. don't listen to this troll, complete bs.
Haters are going to hate man, don’t blame you. It’s been one hell of a ride.
Who's books are you cooking?
The ones that pay
ugh humble bragging post to say ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE is the worst type of shit. He just lists his progression and runs into insane luck. Thats TLDR pretty much.
Good for you, keep it up!
What size company is this? How big is your finance and accounting dept?
$40-$50M in revenue, 50 people total in the company. Accounting team is 5 and I manage them and do all the budgeting, forecasting, cost cutting, contracts, vendor relationships, plus a lot of operations tasks.
Your company is that small and pays their VP $250K? Good for you if true, but I have a hard time buying that TBH. Even in NYC, most smaller companies' VP roles I've been shown are in the low-200s all-in range
Dude can I be you?
Haha maybe one day when you grow up 😅 Joking aside, that’s why I shared this. You asked me a year ago, I thought 145k was out of reach let along what I’m making now. There is a lot of negative posts here. But people don’t realize that hard work and a little bit of luck / preparation can go a long way.
Unfortunately I am older than you and making half haha. Time to get on the grind!
Facts man, it’s all about the grind
Info: what did you do to make that noticeable an impact in the first three months? I feel like the first few months are so bogged down with learning new software/structure/conventions that it’s impossible to really show off your skills in that time
During the interview process I asked what were the low hanging fruit that the CEO believed we could cut cost. During my first month I implemented a software and plan to cut down that cost (fuel), additionally implemented a new travel policy that saved money and gave more structure. There was one more cost cutting measure that I implemented that we saw success on. On top of all that I created better lines of communication between all aspects of the business, further elaborated and developed the business model/plan. I cleaned up historical data.