Ok-Swim1814's journey

I'm currently in the process of planning a job search in New York City, targeting junior operations, finance, and accounting roles. I have about 1.5 years of experience in finance/accounting, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Finance along with 18 additional graduate credits in applied mathematics focused on quantitative finance. My current position is with an HVAC company, where I handle accounting and accounts receivable. My responsibilities include high-volume service billing, reviewing technician notes for billable charges, daily financial reporting, and managing payroll for about 40 people in the installation wing. Before this role, I spent six months at the Social Security Administration, auditing claimant records and working extensively with Excel and financial data. I'm looking at positions like Junior Financial Analyst, Financial Analyst I, Staff Accountant, and similar roles, and I've noticed postings in NYC offering salaries between $70k and $80k for candidates with 0-2 years of experience. However, I'm unsure if targeting a salary of $70k+ is realistic given my background. Currently, I feel undercompensated at my job, earning only $25/hour with minimal benefits in a high-cost area. I believe my level of responsibility in my current role should bolster my candidacy, and I plan to leverage my experience and references for government jobs and back office roles at larger companies. I'm hoping to land a position around $70k within the next six months after I start applying.