[JPM_Chicago]

Hello All,
First of all, I want to thank everyone on this forum. I am sure I would not be where I am today without all the encouragement and advice on here. I just recently passed the last section of the CPA exam. I am currently looking for a job in public accounting. I want tax to be my focus. I am having a rough time finding a job. I am not sure if it is so close to the end of the year and everyone has already hired for the upcoming tax season or if it is because I have no experience. It might be a little of both. This is a career change for me and due to working full time to support my wife and children, I did not have time for school, CPA exam study, and internship along with family and work obligations. So I focused on school and studying for the CPA exam. Now that I have passed it, I need some career advice. I have interviewed at a few small/medium size firms (I am not interested in Big 4). So far, everyone says they like me and my situation but have not offered a job. Or they have given a tentative offer but rescinded it after talking to partners. Either way I am heading towards the end of the year empty handed. I don’t want a tax season to go by and not have gained any experience. I plan on continuing sending resumes/applying for positions. But if nothing happens, I am not sure if I should take a part time role at Jackson Hewitt/H&R Block for the tax season. Along with that, I would volunteer probably one day a week at a VITA or LadderUp type place. What are your thoughts? Is it worth it to work a season at Jackson Hewitt/H&R Block? How will it look on my resume if I do that option? Thanks in advance. I appreciate everyone’s help up to this point.

Also, I am in Chicago in case anyone needs that info.

AUD - 78
BEC - 83
REG - 5/16
FAR - 7/16

[Anonymous]

With JW or H&R Block you will not likely be exposed to any complicated individual returns. I would also think that you wouldn't see too many S/C corps, partnerships, trusts, 990s, etc. With those two tax shops you're gonna see basic-to-moderate returns. Those are the downsides. However, it will be exposure none-the-less. Sometimes it's nice to start off preparing easy returns before you start getting difficult ones that require more judgement and subjectivity. With the CPA license I would expect you not to have too much trouble finding a good CPA firm but if if you can't then I think the H&R route is sensible.

[JPM_Chicago]

BondVillain: Thanks for the response. I am not a fan of thinking this is what I am going to do and I know that I will not get much experience with anything beyond a straightforward 1040. I have contacted 30+ small/medium size firms and not much interest as of now. I have had some interviews that led to the managing partner saying that he wants to see me work there only to have that rescinded due to holding off on hiring, not enough work, not enough experience, etc. I initially thought having the CPA exam would open the doors to a lot of interest from employers but I am pretty discouraged right now. I feel like I am in this catch-22. I am not technically a recent grad but I am not an experienced hire either. So I am kind of in limbo. I am not complaining about that because I know finding the right job is a full time job in and of itself. I really do appreciate your help and insight. I was initially under the same assumption as you that if would not be so difficult.

I am just curious if anyone else has had experience with this. Has anyone worked at H&R Block/Jackson Hewitt for experience while they were trying to secure a position at a reputable public accounting firm? What was your experience? How did prospective employers view your work experience at H&R Block/JH? Was it a negative/positive? Any thoughts from people that have been down this road before me?

AUD - 78
BEC - 83
REG - 5/16
FAR - 7/16

[Missy]

I'm in industry, never intend to work in public but always wanted to do taxes as a side gig. I did Jackson Hewitt last year and it was ok, the training was very good but omg on sitting in a Wal-Mart every weekend. Picture every terrible meme about people of Wal-Mart and it was worse. Then you get to charge some poor college kid $300 for what couldn't have been a simpler return. Made the same as any other preparer even though I've been licensed for years. Block may be better but I'd never do Hewitt again lol

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Cjsr]

Mla – was there a non-compete agreement with J & H?

BEC. 83. 9 Jan 2016
REG. 83. 30 Jan 2016
AUD. 92. 27 May 2016

Becker FastPass with in-class videos

[Missy]

No or at least not that they asked me to sign.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[GitRDone2017]

I worked at H&R Block before I graduated with my Bachelor's. Their tax course was pretty cool and I had no problem with the State exam. Working there was a whole different story though, the competition was extremely fierce, the more experienced tax preparer's received almost all clients. It was a tense and hostile working environment for sure, but the experience with the client's was really good. It is good experience, but be prepared to work for some nasty people as Block pay's people differently after working a few seasons. Apparently this is why I was complained at for taking walk-ins as the other preparer's had some “quota” to meet while I was hourly. This was several years ago, so maybe it's different now.

"Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking tartar sauce with you" - Zig Ziglar
Ninja book + Ninja MCQ + Roger
AUD Oct 2016
FAR Nov 2016
BEC ?
REG?

[Author]

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