[pi15]

I graduated with a BS in Accounting in June ’12 (3.2 gpa) . I was able to do some temporary work for about 2 months through Accountemps, but since September I’ve been unemployed. I started studying for CPA and I took FAR, but failed miserably. I just took REG last week and I’m hoping that I passed. I know I’m not alone, but I need a job! I’ve tried other recruiting companies, but they haven’t really helped. I applied to companies using LinkedIn, Monster, Indeed, and sometimes craiglist. I have about 8 months of accounting experience through internships and leadership positions from college. October, I had several interviews and one with a well-known company in the automotive industry and even got to the final round interviews (for A/P Specialist position). But never got an offer. All I know is that my lack of experience is probably the main reason. What am I doing wrong?

[Anonymous]

Hey 15,

I think you just need to keep your head up and keep applying. It's still a tight market right now but there are signs of growth as compared to prior years. One website I found more helpful than Monster was Careerbuilder.com and you can also check the CalCPA classifieds (or whatever related agency for your state) for job postings in your area.

Keep trying to find work (at this point, if it is business related, it's a plus and shows you are not sitting on your butt).

You can do it, keep applying, keep studying, and be positive. Hiya!

[jgrfan1]

2 words – North Dakota.

There is an unprecedented energy boom up there. If I was young and unattached, I would go up there for a few years. You can get some experience and then go where you want.

I think the unemployment rate is below 4%.

Good luck.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[Tncincy]

@pi15,

Stay with temps until they find you something permanent. Some times the temp agencies can get you work at least til you pass the exam. After the exam, then they can really help you. so temp is not so bad.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[tsokoberst]

I'm also having problems finding a job. I found that a lot of CPA firms are only hiring those with gpa of 3.0 or higher. My gpa is only 2.88 because it was instilled in my mind by my professor that CPA board exam scores can bury whatever gpa you may have in college so I did not take some minor subjects seriously. The sad thing is that it only applies in my home country and never knew that it's different in here. :(((

"It's not about the hours you put in, It's about what you put in the hours."

F-94,A-93,R-91,B-88 ->HELL!

PH CPA exam -87.57 -> DEEPER HELL!!

[Mayo]

Wait, so a professor told you that class grades matter less than a CPA exam score?

I find that hard to believe…

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[tsokoberst]

Yes sir! He told us that college grades will be buried by CPA Exam scores. Perhaps in my home country.

The reason for this is that our CPA exam was way more extensive(in terms of both width and depth) than that here in the USA. We have a total of 7 subjects and there is only 2 exam season per year(held during May and October). You have to pass all subject at once in an exam season(which is a 2 consecutive weekend period). Well, talk about pressure. LOL!! That must be the reason why GPA was not that important there and that CPA Exam scores are everything.

"It's not about the hours you put in, It's about what you put in the hours."

F-94,A-93,R-91,B-88 ->HELL!

PH CPA exam -87.57 -> DEEPER HELL!!

[zerohedge]

I was told that too. “No one asks for GPA when they see CPA.”

As to jobs, try to find every accounting firm in your area. Look on their website and send a nice email and your resume to them if they list a recruiting email address. Many small and midlevel firms will not recruit like big four firms and need people, but don't go through the trouble to post jobs. Good luck. I must have sent my resume to 30 firms before I started to hear back. Now I have a job and am still getting calls for interviews.

Reg - 2/24/12 passed
BEC - 4/3/12 passed
FAR - round 2 7/1/12 passed
AUD - round 2 11/01/12

Using Becker, wiley, and NINJA.

[MCLKT]

Make sure you let all of your friends and family members know you are looking. Sometimes, just having a “name” or a good referral attached to your resume can help. I've been able to help get 2 people hired at my company. All because they let me know they were interested in new opportunities. When I saw some positions open that they would qualify for, I let them know and they gave me permission to submit their resume. It all worked out.

One it only took a couple of months and the other, it was a year later. But she had been working temp jobs and minimum wage in the meantime while still looking for something permanent.

A:[73]97 F:[74]85 R:86 B:[74]82
*NINJA 10 Pt. COMBO & Yaeger*

[pi15]

Thank you everyone for your tips and advice! They're very helpful!

[Author]

Replies