u/AmbiguousTundra

I’m a first-year tax manager at a small public accounting firm that I’ve been with for about 4.5 years total (started here early in my career and got promoted prior to tax season). Before this, I had a year-long internship at another small firm. CPA licensed.

I’m trying to think strategically about the next few years of my career and would appreciate advice from people who have been through this stage already.

A few things about what I want long term:

• Eventually I’d like to own my own tax /accounting firm
• I’d ideally like to move into a fully remote role at some point (currently fully onsite)
• I still feel like I have more to learn technically, especially around more complex returns/planning
• I’ve mostly worked in small firm environments so far

A couple questions I’m wrestling with:

1. Would it make sense to leave for another firm to broaden my experience?
2. Should I start building a side client base now? And how do you know when the right time to make the jump is?
3. For those who eventually started their own firms, what experience did you wish you had gotten beforehand?
4. How realistic are fully remote tax manager roles right now? Seems like there are fewer than a couple years ago unless you already have very strong experience in a niche.

Would appreciate any advice.