[Lilywhite90]

Hi guys,

I have been following this forum for a while and decided to register today and I merely seek for advice and guidance from you all who have been through CPA.

For starter here is a brief bio about me:

I graduated in 2011, Bachelors degree in Accounting & Finance and currently work for a small financial services company in the Operations Department :”( I’m 22 years old and the clock is ticking, I am not getting any younger and in constant fear that I will never be able to start a decent successful career.

My plans after graduation were:

1- get a job in Big 4 to secure good training and experience.

2- get over with CPA or ACCA

Unemployment rates in my country is dramatic, and I was lucky to get a job in the small firm (where I am working at now).

I am neither satisfied nor happy with where I have ended up and not sure of what I want or what to do anymore.

I am seriously thinking about CPA, and my question is do I have to have a relevant job experience before I take it? Do you guys think that I should first secure a job as an accountant before CPA?

What is your advice for someone who wants to start a career and do CPA, again I am a lost disoriented 22 year old.

Your help :'(

[Mayo]

I think we need a bit more info…

1.) What country are you in. I gather you're outside the U.S…?

2.) what are your undergrad grades and where would you rank your university (top, pretty good, middle) in terms of prestige and recruitment from firms?

3.) Do you have the qualifications to sit for the CPA in the respective state you're in/plan on moving to?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Lilywhite90]

Hi Mayo,

1) Yes I'm outside of US, Bahrain.

2) My GPA is high, 3.98 – university ranking (middle)

3- According to NH Board of Accountancy, yes I have the qualifications

[Mayo]

There's tons of info on this forum on Big 4 and recruiting in general. I'd do a search for that first. But some generic advice:

-Not sure what your status is, but foreigners can sometimes run into trouble with firms sponsoring their Visas. It can be a real hassle paperwork-wise, and firms see no reason to go out of their way with plenty of good candidates here. That's not every firm mind you, but many smaller firms have this attitude.

-85-90% of entry leel hires in accounting are through on-campus recruiting. In other words, being a student at a university is your best shot statistically.

-Passing the CPA exam is no guarantee of finding a job. It will definitely help, but you still need to make an effort in networking and searching for a job.

-Even getting a Macc involves risk if you still don't get a job.

Not trying to discourage you, but want you to realize that the accounting world is a competitive place at the moment. If you decideto come here I would take my best crack at it and leave no stone unturned (i.e. work and network my tail off).

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Lilywhite90]

Mayo thank you so much for your reply

[Author]

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