[almost CPA]

*background*
I graduated school 2016 with accounting degree and currently studied CPA
I passed REG and BEC, took FAR on May, and will take AUD on August.
I completed a few internships, one in public company (tax) and 2 in private companies (AR and PPE)
I live in Grand Rapids MI

I’m an international student and because of that it was almost impossible for me to apply for position in local CPA firm (since company has to to sponsor me…) I almost got into BDO once (right before i graduate) but then recruiter said that there was a mistake and told me company is not sponsoring entry level position :/
I was in process of obtain Green card and I was expecting to have it before Dec 2016, so i told her about that and she told me to contact her back once my status is changed to permanent resident.

unfortunately, it took me a year and i finally adjust my status last month.
During the time, I have moved to (Michigan Grand Rapids) where I have absolutely no connection and all I did was studied CPA as there were nothing else I could do.

Here are my issues…
1. I have over 1 yr gap between graduation date and now
2. I basically missed golden time to get hired (as you know Big 4 hires entry level directly from school)
3. I want to worked at the public accounting firm but they all are looking for experienced accountant
4. what is industry average salary for entry level Tax position?

I even put my name on staffing company but all they are offer me is like book keeping job, temp job, or low paying position ($17-18/Hr).

Should I go back to school so i can at least have opportunity to apply for entry level position?
I really want to work in a public company tax department

What would you do if you were me?

[Missy]

I'd take the $17-$18 job to get a foot in the door and some experience and keep looking for something else until you've got a better offer.

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

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

In building on the previous answer, while you’re working that $17-18hr job you need to network. You need to network in person at CPA society meetings as well as online. Then you should look into being a paid individual tax preparer or working for one of the large retail places like Block or Jackson Hewitt. Also look at your local IRS office’s website to see if they are looking for seasonal help.

Doesn’t seem like you need “Big 4 training” to get started in tax. You could begin building your own book of business that you could service long term or sale. The choice is yours.

[almost CPA]

thank you both for your advice!!!!

today, I turned down an offer from a restaurant chain who were looking for a book keeper ($18-21/h) because I was middle of interviewing process with other company (Private/Tax analyst; 53-54K).
I would've totally taken the restaurant job if I wasn't in the situation waiting for an interview result (which is also a huge risk/opportunity cost)

Now I'm kinda regretting my decision… 🙁

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

No regrets! Learn from your experiences. You don't want to make a habit of quitting jobs, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you accepted the $40k bookkeeper job then had to quit 2wks later for $53K they would just have to understand. Always remember this, your manager usually knows at 1-2 months before you do when the layoffs are coming unless its public knowledge your company is having issues. Rarely will you be given a heads up when the company is ready to make a change. Take that from someone that has been laid off 3x in 18 yrs

[Son]

Contact the BDO recruiter, tell them about your green card, and ask to get you in touch with the Grand Rapids BDO recruiters. Much easier to get your foot in the door if the person you've interviewed before puts in a good word for you, and much easier to explain the gap in employment too since they are already in the loop on your situation.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[ragepsn29]

I would do what Son said. And yesterday, I received an email from BDO recruiter for a phone interview for a tax position in Ohio office. I applied for the tax position online about three weeks ago. I did not have any tax internships nor tax job before but recently I got my CPA. So yes, it is possible to get into public accounting without campus recruiting. Public accounting firms still do hire non-experienced staff if you look hard enough. I turned down the phone interview because I just accepted a position in audit for a local firm and I also prefer audit than tax. I hope you get this tax analyst position though. Good luck!

AUD - 65, 72, 70, 74, 81
FAR - 66, 71, 76
REG - 69
BEC - 80

[almost CPA]

@Son
Yes I thought that was the best option for me and I actually did contact her last month, turned out she already left the company and didn't even reply back 🙁

why is it so hard to get a job :'(

[almost CPA]

@ragepsn29

Thank you so much for wising me a luck!
I would die for BDO Tax position and yes you are right, I saw a few open position in TX and Denver. (i heard that demands are very high there). if only i didn't bought a house a couple month a go i would've totally moved to some other place with no hesitation..

After all this comment i just realized that i was the one who make the situation more difficult that it should be LOL
what a life…

[Son]

That's a bummer, but don't be discouraged. See if you can find the recruiter for Grand Rapids on LinkedIn and send them a message. Mention that you've had an interview before but that you put the hiring discussion off due to your immigration status pending. Mention you have a green card, done with 2 CPA exams and ask if they are hiring in tax and whether you can be considered.

Don't give up too easily, you're in a much better position than most!

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[almost CPA]

@Son
THANK YOU for such a encouraging comment!
I will actually doing that right now! 🙂 I couldn't find recruiters (are they hiding??), but I found a few managers who look ‘not mean' LOL
hope this attemp turned out to be the best thing i have ever done for my career! haha

[ragepsn29]

To look for recruiters on LinkedIn. Put this in the search bar

Recruiting BDO Grand Rapids

You will find a recruiting manager named Katie. Good luck! 🙂

AUD - 65, 72, 70, 74, 81
FAR - 66, 71, 76
REG - 69
BEC - 80

[Author]

Replies