[Anonymous]

Hi all, I’ve passed all four parts of the CPA exam and would like to land a job in one of the big 4s. I had 3 years of general accounting experience, none in public accounting. I’ve looked at senior position listings in big 4s and all of them are in very specific area which I don’t think I’m qualified for. So I think my best shot would be entry level positions. But from what I heard, big 4s mainly hire their entry levels through campus. I’m currently not in school and I guess campus hiring for this year was just done?

Someone give share their experience and give me some advice. Thanks.

[ExhaustedCPA]

Public accounting…blah. It's like what Rodney Dangerfield always said: I get no respect. The hours are ridiculous and they have an assembly line mentality. After all, there's always another intern around the corner. I make 50k right now as a state auditor, barely working 40 hours a week, and my per hour pay calculation is better than the one I was offered at one of the Big 4, assuming a 60 hour work week. I'm about to get my CPA and I already have other job offers for a lot more money. I tell ya, government is the place to go. Good hours and you will be surprised how much some government jobs pay.

Aud 4/2/11 - 86
Far 5/27/11 - 83
Bec 7/1/11 - 82
Reg 8/13/11 - 86! It's over!!!!

[Peanut]

@keeptrying, you're awesome. I was thinking of Austin because I have friends there, it's more my cup of tea than Houston. But I think that's the point I'm trying to make is even if you have “an in” it might not work if they hire at certain times of the year! 🙁

@ExhaustedCPA, lol. I do agree, but, my old job I was working 60 hours a week, in NYC, getting paid 40k! Not that's insanity. I figured since 60 hours a week is okay with me, as long as I'm being compensated…As long as I can afford my freaking groceries without worrying I could do it. You're right about government jobs, goooood benefits come with those too. I just want to find a damn company that will give me a sign on bonus so I can move out of the east! CA or Austin, anyone, anyone!?! lol

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[Laura]

@peanut–sounds like you are an experienced hire…you have a better chance if you have an “in” than if you were fresh out of school.

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Peanut]

@keeptrying, I think you are right. If I remember correctly when that recruiter from PWC in NYC called me back in the day, she had mentioned something about a “level 1” or “entry level” hires for September. At the time I was still completing my undergrad and had no experience. She was probably referring to those hires fresh out of college. I should probably stop thinking so much ahead and just pass these exams already lol

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[ExhaustedCPA]

@Peanut – I would definitely try to get a job in Austin. It's an awesome city. 40k in NYC is like 25k here in Texas. So if you found something for say 60k in Austin, that's probably like 85k in NYC! Plus, no state income tax! God I love Texas.

Aud 4/2/11 - 86
Far 5/27/11 - 83
Bec 7/1/11 - 82
Reg 8/13/11 - 86! It's over!!!!

[valueofnothing]

my advice: big4 or die trying

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[kandisjoy]

@Peanut – I live in California… I advise go to Texas. 🙂 I don't like Southern California. Northern California is OK (where I am) but there aren't a lot of jobs. If I lost my job, I would be in serious trouble. I'd probably have to move or take a much lower paying job.

I've heard a lot of good things about Austin. I've even thought about moving there, but my fiance can barely handle the 110 degree summers we have here… doubt he could handle Texas. I'm thinking maybe Portland or Seattle someday… Or just stay here in northern CA, as long as my job stays stable. It's beautiful up here. And by Northern I don't mean Sacramento. I mean close to the Oregon border.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Minimorty]

@kandis – Just wondering why you are not a fan of So Cal? I have lived here all my life and I absolutely love it. I've traveled all over the country, and I just cant find any place I love more than here. New York City was pretty spectacular, but I could only handle that for short periods of time.

[Laura]

@kandis–I love Nor Cal…So Cal…not my cup of tea….I lived in San Jose from the time I was 3 weeks old until I was 11 almost 12. Would love to move back but who the heck can afford that!!! Also there is just something about Texas…there is a pride that no other state I've ever been has. We are the lone star state…the state that keeps the right to secede from the rest of the US in our constitution. Call it arrogance or call it pride….I call it being a Texan!!!

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Peanut]

@kandisjoy, I'll take anywhere that'll give me a job, and anywhere where it doesn't snow 4 feet at a time! I've been to No CA and So CA put I think I would probably live in so CA over North. But you're right, I look at jobs on indeed.com every night for fun and there is not an abundance of jobs out there.. Austin is such an awesome city, so those would be my two choices.

@Minimorty I was in NYC for 4 years… that was definitely enough time. It's more of a stepping stone in life, rather than a place to settle, for me anyway.

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[kandisjoy]

@Minimorty- I have a lot of family down in Southern California.. in fact, my mom, grandparents, uncles, pretty much everyone except for just a few people live there. They all wish I'd move down there. I was born in Anaheim. I've thought about moving to So Cal, but there are a lot of reasons that I prefer Nor Cal to So Cal.

1) Traffic (this is a big reason – I get terrible road rage!)

2) Smog – everytime I go down to So Cal, I notice that the sky just isn't quite as blue as it is in Nor Cal

3) The home that I just bought for $150k would have probably cost at least twice as much in So Cal

4) I've noticed that the people that I know in So Cal tend to be a bit materialistic… maybe this is just the people I know though. Namely my family, lol.

5) Reasons I love Nor Cal: I live 15 minutes away from amazing mountain biking, 1.5 hours away from a cheap place to snowboard, and 20 minutes away from two beautiful lakes and awesome hiking trails

There are definitely some great things about Southern California.. like.. cheaper airports closer (I have to drive to Sacramento 2.5 hours away, or pay $100-$200 more to fly out of my town), more culture, more restaurants, theme parks, concerts, etc etc. I definitely appreciate the good things about city life. I really enjoyed Seattle and Portland when I went there.. maybe I just don't feel at home in So Cal. Not sure!

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[kb24]

@keeptrying

You forgot to include that TX was a sovereign country for 9 years so the TX flag is flown at the same height as the US flag. I moved to TX for college 35 years ago and have been here since. The summers are brutal, but the people are great. My dad couldn't believe that we liked it here and kept trying to convince us to move. He grew up in the upper midwest and Kansas but spent about a year in Galveston when he was in the service and hated it. I understand why he didn't like it back then because his barracks didn't have air conditioning, but I was never able to convince him that things were better now. He refused to visit because he couldn't handle the heat. The thing is, though, he lived in Phoenix. However, as he frequently told me “it's a dry heat”. I'm sorry but 110+ is unbearably hot no matter how dry it is.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

[kandisjoy]

@kb24 – I agree with your dad, “dry heat” is way different than heat + humidity. I live in Northern CA (it's supposed to be 106 degrees this weekend) and I lived in Tennessee for a couple years (hot + humidity). A 95 degree day in TN felt like a 110 degree day in CA. The humidity makes it much worse, especially if you're not used to it.

But I'm tough so I can handle both kinds. :o)

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Peanut]

Bring on the heat!! Fall is already here where I am, in a couple of weeks we'll have frost.. Oh depressing.. Okay I'll stop complaining about my location now…lol

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[Anonymous]

@CalCPASoon – The only reason Big 4 is a “big deal” is because some snotty private sector employers will actual only interview accountants with “Big 4 experience only”. Otherwise, I agree a national firm would be just as good.

@Exhausted – You got that right. I work for gov't on the federal level and I made a higher salary 2 years in than a Big 4 employee 2 years in. I also only work 40 hours a week and I get awesome benefits including a pension.

@OP – Big 4 will obviously open alot of doors for you but it's not the only road to take. You still can make a six figure salary in 5+ years without ever going near a Big 4 office. Don't get suckered in by the hype. They want naive 21 year olds who will work 60 hours a week because they're foolish enough to believe they'll make partner. A tiny percentage do, the rest of them battered and broken are tossed out like yesterday's trash.

I always picture a partner who looks like Matthew McConaughey from Dazed and Confused saying to himself, “That's what I love about these entry level accountants, man. I get older, they stay the same age.”

It's a shameless ponzi scheme. Big 4 motto is, “Your either moving up or your moving out.”

[Author]

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