[Pete]

Anyone else in my shoes?

I passed the CPA exam a few years ago; however, I still haven’t met the work experience requirements. Granted, I do have an accounting job and haven’t been searching the whole time. Before getting my current job, I was looking pretty darn hard to get into a firm, but ended up settling for another role. At one point, I even took an internship, but was told the firm “wasn’t hiring” at the end of it. I just couldn’t land at a firm to fill the requirement. I thought my current boss had the license; however he did not (he never said he had it, but was a former cpa).

I’m back to searching for a new position as I’ve been at my current position for 2 years (a resonable amount of time); however, i’m in the same spot. I’m attempting to get into a CPA firm to no avail. I got a little excited, since the firm I interned at in the past recently reached out to me with a potential para-professional job. Unfortunately, (as seems to be the case with all audit jobs) the position was filled months prior with another intern and the firm was merely posting the position. Someone at the firm reached out, unaware it had already been filled.

I’ve been trying to network like crazy, coffee meetings etc. (where I don’t ask about jobs, but other connections). I also plan to get involved with my local CPA society again as well. Am I going about things the right way or should I change my strategies? It seems the only way you can land at a medium/large CPA firm is through campus recruiting. I am targeting small cpa firms as well, but I get nervous that most only have enough work to retain people through tax season. Also, to be clear, my state doesn’t have the NASBA work experience thing people have suggested in the past and the work appeals are very rare. Overall, just very frustrating, since few industry people maintain there license.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[DocJ]

Prob because you can't spell “experience” :p

Job hunting really is a pain. Not much you can do but keep plugging away.

But honestly, don't focus so much on a job specifically just to get your CPA license. If you find something that gets you the experience, then great. If not, then make the most of whatever job you got while continuously looking around. Personally, I think the whole “you HAVE to work under a CPA” thing is a bit outdated and doesn't just magically make you a capable CPA of your own. Worry more about finding yourself jobs you like and are fulfilling and can serve you well long-term, whether or not that includes the CPA license.

If you've already passed all exams and/or education stuff, I'd recommend putting that high up on your resume. “CPA Candidate – Completed all 4 exam sections and education requirements.”

[vbmer]

Why not get licensed in another state? Being a CPA won't magically get you a job anywhere, but it's better to be licensed in another state than not at all. It's not like you'd sign off on audits as a staff accountant anyway, and you can apply for a license in your home jurisdiction by reciprocity/endorsement down the road (or even immediately) through a simplified process in most states. Jurisdiction shopping is very common, even the norm, among non-accountants who get the CPA.

For example, WA requires 1 year of experience verified by any current CPA licensed more than 5 years. I got a friend to sign off on mine. If you're not far removed from school and don't know any 5+ year CPAs, they have international experience verification, which domestic candidates are also permitted to use. Education requirements are pretty generic too – 24 hours accounting with 15 upper-level/grad, 24 hours business. Processing times are very fast.

[Pete]

Can you apply through another state, after passing/applying through the current state? On the test, I put down that I wanted to apply through the current state. I don’t think you can Change jurisdictions, unless you take the exam again.

I got the extra hours I needed at comuniity college. It’s dumb because they can be in anything. In retrospect, I should have paid 45k and got an MBA for the campus recruiting – live and learn.

I’ve been applying like crazy to jobs for months without a single interview. You have to network your way into anything.

Sorry for the half vent, just frustrating to put that much effort into a license not even being used.

And yea, I don’t have a spell-checker ha.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Josh]

Pete – You never have to take the exam again for any reason and the state CPA applications clearly ask you if you originally applied in a different jurisdiction for the exam to check a box so they know to fully evaluate all your credentials and request full transcripts from you to do their own evaluation for license approval. People register all the time in states different from where they live because some states have easier requirements.

[aaronmo]

I'm not sure where you guys live, but there is an accounting shortage and heavy demand at the national level. You shouldn't be having an issue finding employment as an experienced accountant with the exams passed.

[Anne]

There are a handful of states (and DC) that now let you do “experience verification.”

You can transfer your scores to those states ($25/each I believe), apply in that state, and then it's a $500 fee for the experience verification. A CPA interviews you to evaluate your experience & can sign off on it if it qualifies. And I believe I've seen that transferring your license once you have it can be pretty straight forward depending on where you live.

I live in PA, love my current employer, but we don't have a CPA who can sign off, so this is my plan of action.

[Pete]

The problem with the “accounting shortage” is that it pertains to higher level accounting positions, I think. Most firms/other organizations wont even consider you, unless you have “10 years public accounting experience,” it seems; this is what i'm seeing.

It might just be my area. I'm currently employed and have been looking over 2 months. My dad, who works in another field is currently employed and has been searching for over 1 year. I know one guy, who was an accounting manager, but has been working at home depot for the past 4-5 year; he hasn't been able to find suitable work. I was told from a recruiter that I should be earning near 2x what I currently am; the problem is that the market seems unwilling to pay that much for me. I'm just frustrated, earning under 50k/year at employer with an extremely toxic environment. I work at an NFP that works more hours than most for-profit organizations with fewer days-off per year. I'm stuck though because I can't even get interviews elsewhere, unless I look into other fields (certainly an option at this point).

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[DocJ]

“You shouldn't be having an issue finding employment as an experienced accountant with the exams passed.”

Oh my sweet summer child, you have much to learn about the pandemic of nepotism :p

[Mercenary]

My situation is a bit different than most.
I've been working in a totally unrelated field for several years now. After graduating I worked in a government position for a little over three years and then went abroad to study for a couple years. Well that couple years turned into 8.5 years now, and the work I've done has nothing to do with business or accounting. I wanted to get back into accounting though and that's why I decided to finally pursue the CPA. I wanted it done before I return to the states. I'm quite concerned about getting a job at all. So now I'm studying for the CMA as well. Beyond that, I'm not sure what to do.

I originally was completely opposed to the idea of working for larger firms as I hated the idea of those ridiculously inhuman hours they require. But at least for that first year back I'll go with anything I can get. Although oddly, those same large firms seem to be insanely competitive. People dying to work 100 hr weeks for 50k/yr seems odd though. Its like minimum wage at that level.

[lara]

Pete, I am in almost the same situation. I can't get a job at a CPA firm, but there are lots of accounting jobs where I live. I want to work for a small/medium sized firm to be a well-rounded CPA. But, none of them wants to hire me as a Tax Associate or an Audit Associate. I have applied at several CPA firms for an Internship- have not heard from any of them. It is frustrating that they always ask if you know someone who works there. Of course I don't, all of my friends and relatives are nurses lol. Mind you, I have an MSA, 17 years of accounting experience, and hopefully passed all 4 sections of the CPA exam (will find out tomorrow, CA is so slow). I am beginning to think that I am probably too old (38). If I don't get anything by March, I would just find a company where a CPA could sign me off.

[2bigcpa]

@Anne

Thanks for the awesome advice! I have been interviewing for government jobs and I do not believe any of the staff have an active CPA. I am searching for jobs in a state, which requires a licensed CPA as your endorser. 🙁

I went to NASBA's website and I saw it will get a licensed CPA to sign off on your experience for a $500 fee.

https://nasba.org/products/experienceverification/

[MaLoTu]

@lara – are you getting any interviews or just applying with no response?

In your case, you need a very well drafted narrative in why you are looking to join a firm at level 1 with 17 years experience. I don’t think that you needing to work under a CPA is going to give them the warm and fuzzies. When these firms hire they are hoping that people will stay. Especially with the shortage of seniors in the field, these firms have shifted to a strategy of growing talent in house. If you want to tell me more about what you have been doing I can give suggestions on how to tweak your approach.

In general to everyone looking: Make sure that you are not sending mixed signals to the firm. Build a strong narrative for yourself demonstrating why public accounting is right for you and why you think you will be successful.

Also one of my personal big a boos, try to know if yo are an audit person or a tax person. They are such different career trajectories. It could come across as you not knowing what you want if you say either one is fine and I have seen candidates rejected for this.

[Pete]

Part of my problem is that I want to go audit for the career trajectory is provides. Unfortunately, smaller firms are usually 90% tax, if not more. I usually use the “I like the fact audit allows you to be involved in multiple industries- makes things interesting, during interviews response.” I also say audit “allows for a ton of growth opportunities within the firm.” Unfortunately, it hasn't worked too well yet.

For smaller firms, I obviously wouldn't focus on the audit aspect as much.

I know partners at multiple firms (including managing partners), yet still can't get into anything. I guess keep plugin' away at those coffee meetings. At the firm that I interned at, the only interns, who got offers had been interning for years (like 4+). At that point, you have to give them the job, it's still frustrating though.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[MaLoTu]

@pete – Have you been applying to all size firms in your area? Have you considered moving out of your area? What are your general strategies or approaches to applying for these jobs so far?

[lara]

Hi MaLoTu, I guess I was impatient. Yesterday was a day filled with blessings. I found out that I am done with the exam and won every single game at our Christmas party. When I checked my e-mail, I had a message from the CPA firm (first choice). This morning I had a phone interview with them. Unfortunately, I had to decline all the wonderful opportunities coming my way. My current employer has not found my replacement yet (surprise, surprise- I just told them that I am leaving).

When I am 100% ready to look for another job, I will write the cover letter with that in mind (either Audit or Tax). I am definitely an Audit person, but I want to do tax as a side hustle. Thank you so much.

[Author]

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