[jessie424]

I am a CPA with 2 years of Corporate Accountant experiences and 3.5 years of small CPA firm experiences (Single state business tax return. bookkeeping, sales/used tax, payroll etc…). I have been applying for experienced tax associated level position with some medium to large firms. There were some telephone interviews and some in-personal interviews but they all have decided not to move on with me because they need someone with more experiences. I don’t get that!!! Maybe they expect me to join the firm as a senior but I have no experiences on complex tax returns? I have been looking for jobs for almost 2 months but only small CPA firms would like to move on with me. I really want more challenge but it’s hard to get into any bigger firms.

Anyone with the similar experiences? Should I get a MBT degree and apply big firm through campus recruiting? I’m in Southern CA so thinking of USC, Golden State or CSU Fullerton. Any suggestions?

Thanks

REG: 81 expired. Schedule in July 2014. 86 done!!!
AUD: 86
FAR: 80
BEC: 75

[jessie424]

I have been also trying to add tax partners and managers from Linkedin, sent them message asking for opportunities. They said they would help me to submit my resume but there's no feed backs neither. Is a CPA with small firm experiences too weak for their associated level positions?

REG: 81 expired. Schedule in July 2014. 86 done!!!
AUD: 86
FAR: 80
BEC: 75

[Missy]

If they're telling you that it's about the experience, an MBT won't fill that gap. Two months is fairly short to get frustrated with a job search especially if you've only gotten out a dozen or so resumes. Go for the MBT if it's what you really want for your own personal satisfaction but it's not a guarantee of a job offer.

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

[jessie424]

Thanks mla11692 for your reply, then what should I do to get into a bigger firm? do I have to stick with simple tax returns and bookkeeping forever?

REG: 81 expired. Schedule in July 2014. 86 done!!!
AUD: 86
FAR: 80
BEC: 75

[acamp]

Does your corporate accounting and small CPA firm experience equal the background these firms are looking for in an experienced hire?

You might need to consider applying for entry level if your experience does not line up.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[MOAC]

MBT won't help if you're being turned down due to lack of experience. How many total number of years of experience do you have? When did you graduate?
Maybe you should look into private industry or a decent small size firm? Anyway 2 months period is not that long, keep hunting.

FAR May 2012 81 (lost credit, didn't sit for other sections.)
FAR 86 Aug 2015
AUD 85 Nov 2015
BEC 84 Dec 2015
REG 78 Mar 2016

Passed ALL sections in first attempt!!

[jessie424]

I graduated at 2010. I don't mind start as entry level position but am I too old for entry level? Is MBT gonna help for campus recruiting?

REG: 81 expired. Schedule in July 2014. 86 done!!!
AUD: 86
FAR: 80
BEC: 75

[MOAC]

You're not too old and you can apply for entry level. You should mention during interviews that you want to challenge yourself more, push yourself more and need a bigger platform show your skills. MBT will help you to get into entry level role in a large or a midsized firms through OCR. You don't want to work in private industry?

FAR May 2012 81 (lost credit, didn't sit for other sections.)
FAR 86 Aug 2015
AUD 85 Nov 2015
BEC 84 Dec 2015
REG 78 Mar 2016

Passed ALL sections in first attempt!!

[jessie424]

Well, it's also not easy to get into big company without big firm's experiences. If I go with industry, mostly likely I will be doing AP, AR and bookkeeping. Anyway, I find myself enjoy working in accounting firm more than industry.

REG: 81 expired. Schedule in July 2014. 86 done!!!
AUD: 86
FAR: 80
BEC: 75

[Missy]

After a few phone interviews, and in person interviews you must have some idea what experience specifically they were looking for, sounds like tax was only a fraction of your duties when you worked in public so that leaves you entry level in a big firm or maybe senior in a smaller firm

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

[Smarty_Pants]

Hey There! Try attending an Accounting focused conference. I think you totally bypass the “online application” phase. The recruiters are all there for one purpose only and you get “face time” with them first opposed to getting to know you via “paper” first.

[Author]

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