[Anonymous]

Looking for some general career advice, possibly on moving up

Graduated with a BS in Accounting and a BS in Finance – 3.3GPA, something like 185 undergrad credits.

Couldn’t find a job – passed CFA L1 and BEC with the free time. Also started an MA in Economics. Finally got a job in mortgage processing-worked there full time for 6mo while still going to school. Then got my current job in AR at a publicly traded firm. Mastered it in 1mo, programmed a bunch of it away in months 2-3 (from my high school comp science), now i’m incredibly bored and want to move up/over. Getting 40k currently. Will be done with MA this year, planning on finishing CPA exams after. Every job I see that’s the next step up in my company and with others wants 3-5 years experience, and I basically have 0.5 yrs accounting experience.

Do I have to sit here and churn, be bored and just get more acronyms after my name, or can I feasibly apply for positions with higher experience requirements?

[fuzyfro89]

You sound too smart for your job. You even passed cfa l1. It's not impossible, but I have no doubt you'll get through the remaining CPA exams.

Are you having trouble in interviews? Is there not a strong and diverse economy in your local area? Are you willing to look in new locations?

More letters after your name won't help unless you can get a job with commensurate reputation. No one would know what to do with a licensed CPA who passed 1/2 levels of cfa if all they had was AP experience.

What's the deal? If your facts are true, you're far too intelligent for where you're at now.

[fuzyfro89]

You sound too smart for your job. You even passed cfa l1. It's not impossible, but I have no doubt you'll get through the remaining CPA exams.

Are you having trouble in interviews? Is there not a strong and diverse economy in your local area? Are you willing to look in new locations?

More letters after your name won't help unless you can get a job with commensurate reputation. No one would know what to do with a licensed CPA who passed 1/2 levels of cfa if all they had was AP experience.

What's the deal? If your facts are true, you're far too intelligent for where you're at now.

[Anonymous]

Answer is pretty easy – start looking for entry-level jobs not necessarily ‘higher experience requirement' jobs, although doesn't hurt to do those ones too. a) apply to entry level staff accountant/financial analyst type jobs at other companies and b) try to network your way into a staff accountant role at your company. A lot of AR positions work closely with the GL team – maybe your supervised by the same people – ask for more responsibilities and bring it up to your supervisor that you'd love to try to take on some GL duties.

And, no, getting more acronyms won't help (you don't actually even really have one yet), fuzy is right, you just need a solid entry level job (not A/P or A/R) – no need to go start studying for the CMA too. And taking CFA lvl 1 & one CPA exam makes you look indecisive (pick 1 and finish!) not accomplished. I would only mention one, if any, during interviews.

I know this is just a message board, so it is okay, but some of you statements seem a little smug. To the point that employers could think that you believe the staff accountant position they may give you won't be good enough for you. In other words don't say/carry the below statements/attitude during an interview.

”passed CFA L1 and BEC with the free time'

‘Mastered it in 1mo, programmed a bunch of it away in months 2-3 (from my high school comp science), now i'm incredibly bored and want to move up/over.'

‘Do I have to sit here and churn, be bored and just get more acronyms after my name,'

[Anonymous]

Answer is pretty easy – start looking for entry-level jobs not necessarily ‘higher experience requirement' jobs, although doesn't hurt to do those ones too. a) apply to entry level staff accountant/financial analyst type jobs at other companies and b) try to network your way into a staff accountant role at your company. A lot of AR positions work closely with the GL team – maybe your supervised by the same people – ask for more responsibilities and bring it up to your supervisor that you'd love to try to take on some GL duties.

And, no, getting more acronyms won't help (you don't actually even really have one yet), fuzy is right, you just need a solid entry level job (not A/P or A/R) – no need to go start studying for the CMA too. And taking CFA lvl 1 & one CPA exam makes you look indecisive (pick 1 and finish!) not accomplished. I would only mention one, if any, during interviews.

I know this is just a message board, so it is okay, but some of you statements seem a little smug. To the point that employers could think that you believe the staff accountant position they may give you won't be good enough for you. In other words don't say/carry the below statements/attitude during an interview.

”passed CFA L1 and BEC with the free time'

‘Mastered it in 1mo, programmed a bunch of it away in months 2-3 (from my high school comp science), now i'm incredibly bored and want to move up/over.'

‘Do I have to sit here and churn, be bored and just get more acronyms after my name,'

[mla1169]

Do you have a solid year experience anywhere yet? Remember what potential employer are looking for in part is someone not likely to bounce after 6 months. I know you're doing mindless boring work but if you can hit that year mark you've got more leverage in your search.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Do you have a solid year experience anywhere yet? Remember what potential employer are looking for in part is someone not likely to bounce after 6 months. I know you're doing mindless boring work but if you can hit that year mark you've got more leverage in your search.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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