[Anonymous]

Hello to all those who already have a job within Public Accounting CPA Firms, I just get a few questions regarding the entry-level job. Hopefully it won’t take too much of ur time.

Does passing all 4 CPA exams actually help u finding a job in Public Accounting CPA Firms? I know nothing is guaranteed, but will it give u a competitive edge over those who doesn’t have it?

I am a Canadian and a recent university accting graduate. I wanna work in New York City, and I don’t mind a entry-level CPA job in a small public accounting firm, so will it really help me finding a CPA job if I passed all 4 CPA exams?

Do employers expect candidates to have some audit/tax experience for entry-level positions?

Also, I need a firm to sponsor me for a TN-1 work visa, I heard canadians are a lot easier to get sponsors?

If possible, plz give me some professional advices from those experienced CPAs.

Much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

This whole concept of “volunteering” for a for-profit CPA firm (however large or however small) or any for-profit entity is in my opinion foolish.

Volunteering, should in my opinion, be for societal good, such as the Food Bank, United Way, Greater Newark Cares and religious or community groups. Gaining experience from those efforts such as serving as a volunteer assistant treasurer for a not-for-profit veteran's transitional housing community organization and applying it to full-time experience is perfectly acceptable, in my opinion.

Additionally, I believe New York State law requires that the experience component for CPA licensing be part-time or full-time compensated.

As for GPA, its been discussed here before and its emphasis depends largely on the hiring manager and organization. IMO, If you have above 3.5 GPA, I would be inclined to include it in your resume.

[Author]

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