AccountingBLOCK - Tax and Accounting Forums

HI, I am currently school for accounting. I am in a rural area of West Virginia, and though I took my first two year at a local college, I am finishing up online with Liberty University.

I am uncertain where to take this next. Still taking classes online, I presently am working construction as an electrician. Average income is around $50-$60K per year. I don't want to take a big cut in pay when I transition from one career to another, but I am not sure if that will be possible.

The other thing I am wondering about is maximizing my next few years. I am cash flowing school, paying as I go. I don't know if it would be better to finish my education before I try to seek employment, or try to seek employment while attending school to get experience ( I do have my associates degree in accounting). At the present rate I am going, I have been able to take about 27 credit hours per year, and still have around 40 h ours to go for my bachelors, and 30 beyond that to sit for my CPA.

Being from a rural area, opportunities for accountants are more available in cities about an hour from here. What I REALLY would love to do is public accounting, specializing in taxes and cnsulting for the small business person.

I feel like I am trying to navigate in the dark, not really being in contact with accountants outside of the 2 or 3 I had as instructors in school.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Marc