[jlondon]

I’ve applied to big 4 a total of 13 times in the past 3 years. I even had a few referrals.. and one from a director, and another through the help of another director. But it’s hopeless.

I think it all drills down to it is my college gpa of 3.0 ; which is not that low, but of course compared to big 4, it’s a piece of shit grade. I don’t get why they are so strict on this. I can honestly say, I am well rounded and know how to think outside the box to resolve problems, but my accounting courses in college really did some damage to my future. Had 2 C’s in intermediate accounting, which caused my gpa to be extremely undesirable, and rejected left and right by the big 4. So, just a piece of advice to you college students (future CPAs’)… make sure you get an A, if you get a C, you might as well fail the class and get a petition to retake it, because C’s are permanent on your record. What can I say, I was young and didn’t take school that serious back then, but now I know.

So maybe it’s time for me to start looking at regional firms. I’ll have to take at least a 10 grand pay cut which would really suck. But, hopefully taking this step back, and lunge me forward 3 steps….

Just wanted to give you ninjas who are still in college some advice since I’ve went through it and realize how hard it is when they judge you on your gpa.

Anyway, any advice for me? I’m 28, and it will be very painful to go back to an entry level job at 50k. What’s the average duration for someone to be “experienced” in public accounting. Fyi, I’ve never done public accounting, but I understand to some extend how things work since I’m working a public company.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@Anonny I see what you're saying. Yea, that makes sense. Who wants accountants that are non-CPAs' . And yes, I haven't applied to any regional firm because I did have my eyes only on a big 4. So many companies request big 4 experience, that is the reason behind my thought.

All these companies, glassdoor, salesforce, start ups, all requests big 4 experience.

But I will now go for a regional firm, pay cut it is… Thanks for the advice.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[gaucho]

If you have a partner/director's blessing and you still aren't making it there is probably another red flag. Perhaps you need to polish your interviewing skills.

I strongly believe that getting the certification will be your best bet.

[gaucho]

If you have a partner/director's blessing and you still aren't making it there is probably another red flag. Perhaps you need to polish your interviewing skills.

I strongly believe that getting the certification will be your best bet.

[jlondon]

@Soundwave Thanks!! I have not heard of ASCEND, but I definitely will now. It looks like a very interesting organization.

Also, I was a member of ISACA, but this CPA study has taken me out of it. (Time constraints). But anyway, I do have a similar story to yours as well. My college buddy networked his way into a regional firm, they basically hired him on the spot.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@Soundwave Thanks!! I have not heard of ASCEND, but I definitely will now. It looks like a very interesting organization.

Also, I was a member of ISACA, but this CPA study has taken me out of it. (Time constraints). But anyway, I do have a similar story to yours as well. My college buddy networked his way into a regional firm, they basically hired him on the spot.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@gaucho My last interview actually went great. I mean, it went longer than expected. I'm not sure why I was not selected, I mean, the first 10 minutes I felt the connection right off the bat.

Well, but now that you remind me… maybe I could of asked more better questions and have been better prepared to speak about business side instead of the behavior characteristics.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@gaucho My last interview actually went great. I mean, it went longer than expected. I'm not sure why I was not selected, I mean, the first 10 minutes I felt the connection right off the bat.

Well, but now that you remind me… maybe I could of asked more better questions and have been better prepared to speak about business side instead of the behavior characteristics.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[mw798]

Jlondon – Speaking from experience you putting way too much emphasis on Big 4 experience. I currently work for a large public company in the finance department. We have a lot of former public accounting auditors working in the finance department and in my role I see everyone's salary. We have a mix of Big 4 and non-Big 4 auditors working here and generally, there is no difference in salaries. What matters in the end is your work experience and having your CPA.

As for the part about an entry level job at $50k…I would imagine since you don't have any public accounting experience I wouldn't expect any firm to hire you above the associate level especially since you don't have your CPA yet. So you would be looking at entry level jobs. If you had your CPA and a few years of non-public accounting experience I could see you getting in at the senior associate level. With that said, it's not like being hired directly at the senior associate level is that much more than the mid $50k range.

[mw798]

Jlondon – Speaking from experience you putting way too much emphasis on Big 4 experience. I currently work for a large public company in the finance department. We have a lot of former public accounting auditors working in the finance department and in my role I see everyone's salary. We have a mix of Big 4 and non-Big 4 auditors working here and generally, there is no difference in salaries. What matters in the end is your work experience and having your CPA.

As for the part about an entry level job at $50k…I would imagine since you don't have any public accounting experience I wouldn't expect any firm to hire you above the associate level especially since you don't have your CPA yet. So you would be looking at entry level jobs. If you had your CPA and a few years of non-public accounting experience I could see you getting in at the senior associate level. With that said, it's not like being hired directly at the senior associate level is that much more than the mid $50k range.

[jlondon]

@mw798 I guess at the end of the day, what really matter is the work experience and CPA. But almost every company I've looked at wanted “big 4 ” experience. I guess it's just a name brand, and I agree with you, it's not like an auditor from a big 4 is that much different from an auditor from a regional firm. It's like buying a name brand, just because it got the logo. But what I mean is, companies tend to shop for the brand name candidates and I want to get recognized.

But it's hopeless as for now until I pass the CPA. I'll definitely want to get in at senior level than associate, maybe I'll just pass the exam first since my job is somewhat still chill right now. Thanks!

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@mw798 I guess at the end of the day, what really matter is the work experience and CPA. But almost every company I've looked at wanted “big 4 ” experience. I guess it's just a name brand, and I agree with you, it's not like an auditor from a big 4 is that much different from an auditor from a regional firm. It's like buying a name brand, just because it got the logo. But what I mean is, companies tend to shop for the brand name candidates and I want to get recognized.

But it's hopeless as for now until I pass the CPA. I'll definitely want to get in at senior level than associate, maybe I'll just pass the exam first since my job is somewhat still chill right now. Thanks!

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[Anonymous]

@mw798 Entry level big 4 in my market is ~$58000. Senior Associates must make at least $70000

[Anonymous]

@mw798 Entry level big 4 in my market is ~$58000. Senior Associates must make at least $70000

[mw798]

@CPAOneDayHopefullay Where I'm at first year associates is around $50k to $55k and a first year senior associate is around $63k to $65k based on what I've heard from colleagues and recruiters. Maybe my info is a bit stale? But I would be very surprised to find first year Senior Associates making $70k considering we've hired more than a few Senior Associates at $70k to $75k as Senior Accountants and each one snapped up the offer very quickly without negotiating at all. We haven't hired externally in 2 years, but none of them were making $70k in their current position in public.

[mw798]

@CPAOneDayHopefullay Where I'm at first year associates is around $50k to $55k and a first year senior associate is around $63k to $65k based on what I've heard from colleagues and recruiters. Maybe my info is a bit stale? But I would be very surprised to find first year Senior Associates making $70k considering we've hired more than a few Senior Associates at $70k to $75k as Senior Accountants and each one snapped up the offer very quickly without negotiating at all. We haven't hired externally in 2 years, but none of them were making $70k in their current position in public.

[Author]

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