[mystical guy]

I’m keeping this forum alive but I also have a serious question, so don’t get tired of me just yet lol.

I recently was informed by a friend that his friend’s friend’s friend (not a typo), could “fix me up” with an industry job that pays about $80k/year, entry-level (Big 4 in my area, around $50k).

However, some people suggest getting the Big 4 on my resume, then going to industry, to ensure that I survive out there. Plus, I can’t be sure that I’ll be supervised by a CPA in industry. I’d have to get lucky.

Any thoughts?

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[fsugirl2005]

@ mystical guy & teeteenounouche

Thank you! I am a single mommy and work in the real estate industry full time as a full charge bookkeeper. I enjoy it a lot and my work hours are flexible. When I first started the business, I took on a lot of new clients. Much of what I know today is from working on clients. When I started the business, I had just ended a temp position and I figured that was the perfect time to start the business. I hit the ground running and haven't looked back. I've done bookkeeping for retail, ecommerce, executive staffing, consulting, real estate development & property management, restaurants, dental office, an inventor, and even photography. Over the years, some of my former clients decided to find someone locally but I still have several I do on a regular basis. It's enough to supplement my income but not to get overwhelmed. Every now and then, I'll take on new projects. Now that I'm studying again, I won't be taking on new people.

I got my first client online through a freelance website and I've been using the same freelance website to land clients for 6 years. It is a lot sometimes especially when I have my baby but I still manage to squeeze it all in and get to spend time with my boy. The awesome thing about this is I have one local client but the rest are all over the country.

I'm so happy for you teeteenounouche that you're almost done. My advice to you mystical if you want to start a business is save up 6 months of your salary. Depending on your location, you may not have a hard time finding a client. If you find an industry to specialize in, that may be your “in”.

Many people hate bookkeeping but I looooove it. I love the details and how a company works from the ground up on the financial accounting side. It gives you great insight because if you're asked a specific question about the financials, the bookkeeper is the first to really know. Of course once I pass the CPA exam, my ultimate goal is to become a Controller(maybe CFO) in real estate company/firm.

GO NOLES!!!! =)

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[teeteenounouche]

Sounds like you're doing awesome fsugirl2005, thanks for the encouragement…I am trying to knock out FAR and it is a beast as they say…

Do you mind sharing the freelance website…I would love the supplement my income once I am done with the exam…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

Sounds like you're doing awesome fsugirl2005, thanks for the encouragement…I am trying to knock out FAR and it is a beast as they say…

Do you mind sharing the freelance website…I would love the supplement my income once I am done with the exam…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[fsugirl2005]

Sure. I hang out at Elance.com. Watch out for those cheap skates though. When I first started out on there, my rates were painfully low so I could get my feet wet. I don't recommend doing that now though. Anyway, when I take on a new client, I don't charge less than $30/hr. Every now and then, I may go down to $25.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[fsugirl2005]

Sure. I hang out at Elance.com. Watch out for those cheap skates though. When I first started out on there, my rates were painfully low so I could get my feet wet. I don't recommend doing that now though. Anyway, when I take on a new client, I don't charge less than $30/hr. Every now and then, I may go down to $25.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[mla1169]

Yes, I graduated high school in 1987, and started working in consumer credit and collections in 1991. By 1994 I was doing collections and billing in the semiconductor industry. In 1996 I moved on to billing and receivables in a non financial auditing company. That company kept promoting me and moving me around to payables, international reconciliations, time and expense review, fixed assets, and ultimately staff accountant. In 2003 I went back to school while working full time and raising 2 kids as a single mom. Got my BS, then my MS, then my CPA. I accepted an accounting manager position at a small manufacturer in 2012 which is where I stayed until 2 weeks ago. So yes, 20 + years in industry.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Yes, I graduated high school in 1987, and started working in consumer credit and collections in 1991. By 1994 I was doing collections and billing in the semiconductor industry. In 1996 I moved on to billing and receivables in a non financial auditing company. That company kept promoting me and moving me around to payables, international reconciliations, time and expense review, fixed assets, and ultimately staff accountant. In 2003 I went back to school while working full time and raising 2 kids as a single mom. Got my BS, then my MS, then my CPA. I accepted an accounting manager position at a small manufacturer in 2012 which is where I stayed until 2 weeks ago. So yes, 20 + years in industry.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[teeteenounouche]

Thanks fsugirl2005!! I will check it out in March, God willing 🙂

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

Thanks fsugirl2005!! I will check it out in March, God willing 🙂

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[How many letters do you need]

80K is a large sum of money for an intro level accounting position unless you are in NYC. Jeff pretty much summed it up perfectly. Get the offer(s) and then evaluate.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

80K is a large sum of money for an intro level accounting position unless you are in NYC. Jeff pretty much summed it up perfectly. Get the offer(s) and then evaluate.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[yourmomsaCPA]

Just curious…what's the ultimate job's (OP's “someday” job he needs the big 4 experience for) salary?

FAR - 87 2/18/14
AUD - 84 4/2/14
REG - 87 7/23/14
BEC - 78 8/26/14

I'm finally an *official* CPA - TX

[yourmomsaCPA]

Just curious…what's the ultimate job's (OP's “someday” job he needs the big 4 experience for) salary?

FAR - 87 2/18/14
AUD - 84 4/2/14
REG - 87 7/23/14
BEC - 78 8/26/14

I'm finally an *official* CPA - TX

[Author]

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