[sd2011]

I recently made the move back into accounting after working outside of business for several years. Prior to my original career switch out of accounting, my experience mainly revolved around more business-related work that included AR/bookkeeping, etc.,–not public accounting or staff accountant level work.

I was able to get my exams out of the way before coming back to accounting, and took a position at a very small firm to get my hours in. The pay that I took is quite low and I am doing everything from moderately complex individual tax returns to bookkeeping/year end review to financial statements–no audits, though, and my state doesn’t require them for licensure.

I am just not so sure where I am heading career wise. I think I would eventually like to eventually work as a controller for a small business, move into a private company with a large accounting department, or into move a larger (but still local, not even regional sized) firm.

I live in a large suburban area about an hour out of a major city, and I am in my late thirties, so not really a traditional age to be entering accounting . I am enjoying what I am doing so much more than my last career, but know that as soon as I get licensed, I have to make a jump to get my pay back up to something reasonable and get into a position that will put me on some sort of track where continues to increase (I def. see professional growth where I’m at, but don’t see the kind of salary growth I would want).

Has anyone started out at a small firm (handling the same type of work (small business accounting, no audits, etc.), and if so, where did you go from there? Am I really going to be able to find something without audit experience? How common is it during your first year to not be doing 1120’s and 1065’s (I do the prep work, but not the actual returns)?

Sorry for the rambling post, I just need some feedback!

A-87 Oct 2011 (Becker, Yaeger)
B-77 Jan 2012 (Yaeger)
R-92 Aug 2012 (Yaeger, WTB, Ninja Notes)
F-81 Jan 2013 (Yaeger, WTB, Ninja Notes)

[Study Monk]

Simple recipe:

panko breadcrumbs a small handful

Jar pasta sauce

2 pounds ground pork

2 pounds ground beef

1 diced yellow onion

Italian seasoning 2 tablespoons

couple handfuls Parmesan cheese

diced parsley

diced garlic

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Mayo]

Pasta sauce…hmm, I dunno…

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Pasta sauce…hmm, I dunno…

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[tough_kitty]

Jar pasta sauce – yes! I know how to use that one!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Jar pasta sauce – yes! I know how to use that one!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[TargetCPA]

@ teeteen, Thanks for your reply. Of course, you are right but I have a plan to follow ELL plan.

@ Mayo,

1. How many hours do you have at the CPA firm?

24hours per week right now. (Tue, Thu, Sat)

2. What's your long term goal?

I like public accounting firm job but I couldn't get any full time offers from CPA firm.

This is the reason that I am switching from CPA firm to non CPA job (basically all works are same in both places except tax related work)

3. Can you afford to stay working part time at the CPA firm?

Perfectly fine in part time job but would like to settle in routine 8 hrs job.

4. What's the main reason for only working 24 hours? In other words, is it your choice or theirs?

My boss doesn't wants to pay for full time. So he chose 24hrs per week.

Its flexible for my studying schedule.

@tough kitty CPA, Sorry I am the original hijacker :0

[TargetCPA]

@ teeteen, Thanks for your reply. Of course, you are right but I have a plan to follow ELL plan.

@ Mayo,

1. How many hours do you have at the CPA firm?

24hours per week right now. (Tue, Thu, Sat)

2. What's your long term goal?

I like public accounting firm job but I couldn't get any full time offers from CPA firm.

This is the reason that I am switching from CPA firm to non CPA job (basically all works are same in both places except tax related work)

3. Can you afford to stay working part time at the CPA firm?

Perfectly fine in part time job but would like to settle in routine 8 hrs job.

4. What's the main reason for only working 24 hours? In other words, is it your choice or theirs?

My boss doesn't wants to pay for full time. So he chose 24hrs per week.

Its flexible for my studying schedule.

@tough kitty CPA, Sorry I am the original hijacker :0

[StephAV]

For those of us studying for the CPA exam, a meatball recipe:

Open bag of frozen meatballs and arange desired amount on baking sheet, bake per bag instructions

When cooked dump into a pot with pasta, open pasta sauce jar and empty contents on top.

Viola!

I like the Ikea meatballs BTW. I bought some a few weeks ago and they are not italian per se but good.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[StephAV]

For those of us studying for the CPA exam, a meatball recipe:

Open bag of frozen meatballs and arange desired amount on baking sheet, bake per bag instructions

When cooked dump into a pot with pasta, open pasta sauce jar and empty contents on top.

Viola!

I like the Ikea meatballs BTW. I bought some a few weeks ago and they are not italian per se but good.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[sd2011]

@Mayo, thanks for the feedback!

A-87 Oct 2011 (Becker, Yaeger)
B-77 Jan 2012 (Yaeger)
R-92 Aug 2012 (Yaeger, WTB, Ninja Notes)
F-81 Jan 2013 (Yaeger, WTB, Ninja Notes)

[sd2011]

@Mayo, thanks for the feedback!

A-87 Oct 2011 (Becker, Yaeger)
B-77 Jan 2012 (Yaeger)
R-92 Aug 2012 (Yaeger, WTB, Ninja Notes)
F-81 Jan 2013 (Yaeger, WTB, Ninja Notes)

[Author]

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