[Anonymous]

I work as an accountant for a large corporation (5 years of experience) and recently passed the CPA exam. I am currently working on my ethics exam, and am turning in my license application in June. I am not a fresh out of college grad…but I was wondering about a switch to public…I have heard that the Big 4 would probably not give a candidate like me a chance. I was wondering about a smaller regional firm…there is a local firm here that I might try. Anyone have any luck with these types of firms?

[Keely]

Why wouldn't you? You have some experience, you've passed the exam. What else would they want? I mean, I would hope you have a shot, otherwise I've got no hope and might as well quit now! I have no experience at 27, just passed my first part…etc. I don't have any pertinent advice other than to tell you it doesn't hurt to throw your hat in the ring.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[See Pee A]

Definitely apply, but don't expect the offers to fall in your lap without some hard work and serious efforts. Network to get your resume/application actually viewed and then think about how you will answer “why switch to public now?”. If you have a real answer, and can demonstrate why you want to be in public, nothing is out of reach.

Personally, I work in Big 4, and don't see the hype. I do work on a variety of clients, get to expense a lot of things, and have a lot of cool colleagues, but the work is also time consuming, meticulous, and can be very detailed. I am in it for the opportunities, and perhaps at the senior/mgr level I would like it a lot better. As a staff it's a lot of grueling tying and testing things.

In any case, we are all seriously understaffed, and with Fortune 500 companies doing better, more colleagues are leaving the firm for industry jobs than in the past couple of years, so the openings will be there, but as an experienced hire the openings vary depending on the size of your market, etc.

Keep your head up, and network! That is the real way to get yourself noticed. For example, if I refer an employee, it will go directly to HR with my info attached, whereas if you apply online outside of any organized event or reference, HR will see it but you will be a faceless applicant (many get hired this way.. but odds are tougher). GOod luck!

BEC 86 (08/30/11)
FAR 84 (10/13/11)
REG 88 (11/08/11)
AUD 86 (11/29/11)

Exam prep - Becker self-study

[Anonymous]

See Pee A, you seem like a recent graduate. But your expertise and knowledge deceives your age. Unless of course, you are one of those mysterious smart people in class who always set the curve on the exams!

[See Pee A]

@Home. I am a recent grad (Dec '11), and it feels so strange that I am no longer a student. I had a particular interest in recruiting/applying while I was in school. I want to say I sat in the career center for a campus interview 50+ times while I was in undergrad between internships and full time recruiting over my years. I had some ideas as far as what I wanted to do, but I also threw in a few random things just to see what else is out there and to just get the practice! (Aldi district manager, Marsh risk analyst, Goldman Sachs sales & trading, Eli Lilly pharma sales.. just to name a few).

Honestly, had the economic outlook been better I would likely be in the finance arena since even decent offers there blow public out of the water (relatively speaking). Alas, I adapt to survive, and public is my home for the time being. We never know where we shall end up but every job is an opportunity. Here, I work with tons of decently qualified people and a small (but still significant) number of highly intelligent people from whom I try to learn as much as I can. Some people see public as a bunch of value(less) adding professionals, and to some extent they are correct, but the experience in public to which original poster alludes is invaluable.

Speaking from experience, never stop yourself from applying, but don't do it halfheartedly either. If you do it, at least put forth an honest effort otherwise you've quit before you even begin. Luck has nothing to do with it, persistence will take you anywhere you want to be! Good luck to you @Chromatic, never settle.

BEC 86 (08/30/11)
FAR 84 (10/13/11)
REG 88 (11/08/11)
AUD 86 (11/29/11)

Exam prep - Becker self-study

[Author]

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