[sxy5130]

Hi y’all

Hope everyone is doing great in summer.
I got an offer from bakertilly with $59,000 as a tax accountant. The office is located in philly.
I am currently getting paid $57,500 and started with $55,000 at a small regional firm.
I am not have a cpa yet and have 2 years of public accounting experience. I told them my salary range is $58 to $60.
I am not sure if i should take the offer or keep interviewing. I have a phone interview scheduled with BDO and another 3rd interview with bigger regional firm. Please help me.

[Recked]

You're currently being paid 57,500 and you told them your salary range is 58-60? As in the salary you are currently being paid, or what you expect to make?
Are you unhappy with where you currently work? Switching jobs for $1500 doesn't seem worth it unless you really don't like your current job.
I'd go with whatever job will give you more chance/time to sit for and pass the CPA exams as fast as possible.
Do it now! Do not wait.

[sxy5130]

I got good performance reviews but management basically told me to find different jobs out of no where so after working 13-14 hrs a day during tax season I’m walking away with no bonuses and that’s where I started to look for another jobs and when bakertilly asked me my desire salary I told them $58-$60 didn’t want to be aggressive because I thought they won’t take me or give me an offer and I am not a cpa didn’t think they would give me more than $60k. Do you think that was a mistake? Now I am lost.

[Recked]

Eh, that puts a slightly different spin on things. I think your salary request was reasonable for being more or less on the way to unemployment.
Did they give you any suggestions or pointers on how to do better?

[sxy5130]

Yea I did but they didn’t really give me much of explanation so I was just shocked because I’ve been getting good performance reviews and all of sudden they treated me like that. So what’s your advice? Do you think I should take that offer?

[turo9992000]

I say take it, and work hard to get your CPA. Talk to your current managers and ask them if they could give you honest feedback on what you should improve.

[Josh]

I was a senior (assurance) for BT and can honestly say it's a great place with great opportunities. They float between #11 and #13 through acquisitions nationwide. We often referred to ourselves as the place where Big 4 people go to relax after their 2 year burnout. The PA offices were acquired to strengthen the healthcare presence and those teams are utilized in a lot of other markets to consult on gaining other healthcare accounts. Benefits are pretty great, raises are high, all around solid place.

I've considered going back but Government benefits are just so delicious.

Hope everything pans out for you!

[Recked]

Don't accept it right away, hear what BDO and the regional firm have to offer first.
If this is your only option, take it and work towards the CPA.

[freecloud]

If I were you, I will take it. Basically I hate working at CPA Firm where we need to work long hours but not getting paid. After doing our calculation, we are always under pay and no time for ourselves.

[74phoenix]

Ask for an extension on the Baker tilly offer but overall I don't think it's a bad offer.

Graduated 05/2016.
NY CPA Candidate.
Public accounting.
FAR COMING UP 07/07/2016 !! GOD HELP ME.

[sxy5130]

Thank you all for valuable answer and I think I will going to take the offer and work my ass off to get cpa. Thank you so much!

[Josh]

@Sxy5130 Make sure you ask for study course reimbursement, BT will reimburse you. They will also give you 4 days special PTO, 1 day for each exam, separate from your primary PTO bank. They'll also pay for all 4 exams once you pass but only the cost of one try each, obviously not multiple attempts. You'll get a raise bump + bonus for passing. Third busy season experienced staff is usually bumped to Senior and Senior + CPA in your market will be roughly $67k to $70k (BT specifically). Everyone wants to transfer to the DC market because they brag about how they toss out 14% raises buuuut cost of living is gross.

Make sure you work with your Senior & Manager to develop a study and work plan from the start so they can protect the time you need to get through all 4 sections. A group of us seniors struggled on the assurance side to finish the exams with our workload there but the tax team seemed to do just fine.

Good luck and enjoy!

[Desert Fox]

I know it is region/market specific, but do you know what the CPA Passing Bonus is for BakerTilly?

[runincpa]

If Baker Tilly felt like a good fit, I would take it. Sounds like a good time to reset and give them your best.

[Author]

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