[ajurew1]

I was told by a recruiter that passing the CPA exam won’t help me find a job, and employers will not take it into consideration since I don’t have the kind of experience they are looking for.

I have been working as a lease/recovery accountant since I graduated college. I read tenant leases and bill the tenants based on the terms of their leases. I have been unable to get interviews for Staff Accounting type jobs. Do I have any way out of this position and into something that offers more career growth?

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Mayo]

Pockets and Jtucker perfectly articulated 90% of what you need to know in accounting recruiting. Good job guys/gals

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

@Study monk, you don't need to be discouraged.

I think some other posters and myself are trying to put the point across that this focus on “if I get X degree with Y certification then I'm set” is blind optimism at best and an ignorance about the industry and skills sought after at worst.

Certifications/degrees can indeed be helpful, but one should always consider the context. For those still in school and thinking about taking the exam they should be asking themselves: “would the time spent on studying for the CPA now be better used for recruiting, networking, or any other activity (volunteering, participating in an accounting organization, etc.)?

Sometimes the person can answer no, meaning that they're participating in activities which the firms find valuable. However, too often the answer to this question is “yes” or, even worse, “huh? I thought passing rhe CPA exam would be enough?”.

Which is why there's such a focus on the “total package”. Going into why that's important for firms is a thread in ita own right, but it's definitely the ideal of what firms look for. In my opinion, whether you're looking to go Big 4, regional public, industry, government, one should strive to get as close to this “total package” as possible.

My .02 USD. 🙂

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

@Study monk, you don't need to be discouraged.

I think some other posters and myself are trying to put the point across that this focus on “if I get X degree with Y certification then I'm set” is blind optimism at best and an ignorance about the industry and skills sought after at worst.

Certifications/degrees can indeed be helpful, but one should always consider the context. For those still in school and thinking about taking the exam they should be asking themselves: “would the time spent on studying for the CPA now be better used for recruiting, networking, or any other activity (volunteering, participating in an accounting organization, etc.)?

Sometimes the person can answer no, meaning that they're participating in activities which the firms find valuable. However, too often the answer to this question is “yes” or, even worse, “huh? I thought passing rhe CPA exam would be enough?”.

Which is why there's such a focus on the “total package”. Going into why that's important for firms is a thread in ita own right, but it's definitely the ideal of what firms look for. In my opinion, whether you're looking to go Big 4, regional public, industry, government, one should strive to get as close to this “total package” as possible.

My .02 USD. 🙂

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[fuzyfro89]

Good points. I would echo that experience comes first when evaluating a candidate and then education comes second which includes degrees, licenses, certifications, etc.

Original poster.

“I read tenant leases and bill the tenants based on the terms of their leases…Do I have any way out of this position and into something that offers more career growth?”

Your experience is barely accounting. I don't mean to offend, but it doesn't have anything to do with taxes, GL, or auditing. So where to begin? The CPA is a great way to show you are committed to the field. It is a steep effort, so people value it. However, as other posters mentioned, it does NOT substitute for relevant experience.

Everyone wants to hire someone with experience, but is relatively unwilling to be that first experience if they can avoid it. Sort of a catch 22, right? Yes pretty much. It's a competitive market so you have to cast your net wide until you find someone willing to give you a chance and to take the time to train you in the basics.

It will not be easy. It's not like joining a volunteer event where you sign your name and you're in. Think of it like trying to get into a frat. You need to walk the walk and talk the talk. Everyone was outside the club at some point but found a way in.

Network, keep going with the exams, do some other part time bookkeeping/tax prep/anything to get some more relevant experience. Keep your options open! Like others said, it's not a simple two step proceed of taking the exam and then choosing your job.

Keep at it and good luck!

[fuzyfro89]

Good points. I would echo that experience comes first when evaluating a candidate and then education comes second which includes degrees, licenses, certifications, etc.

Original poster.

“I read tenant leases and bill the tenants based on the terms of their leases…Do I have any way out of this position and into something that offers more career growth?”

Your experience is barely accounting. I don't mean to offend, but it doesn't have anything to do with taxes, GL, or auditing. So where to begin? The CPA is a great way to show you are committed to the field. It is a steep effort, so people value it. However, as other posters mentioned, it does NOT substitute for relevant experience.

Everyone wants to hire someone with experience, but is relatively unwilling to be that first experience if they can avoid it. Sort of a catch 22, right? Yes pretty much. It's a competitive market so you have to cast your net wide until you find someone willing to give you a chance and to take the time to train you in the basics.

It will not be easy. It's not like joining a volunteer event where you sign your name and you're in. Think of it like trying to get into a frat. You need to walk the walk and talk the talk. Everyone was outside the club at some point but found a way in.

Network, keep going with the exams, do some other part time bookkeeping/tax prep/anything to get some more relevant experience. Keep your options open! Like others said, it's not a simple two step proceed of taking the exam and then choosing your job.

Keep at it and good luck!

[Study Monk]

I'm not discouraged. There is a fear, deep down in my soul, that after all my hard work I won't be able to land a job. Especially now that I decided to start a MST degree. It will be a huge set back if I don't land a tax job this next recruiting season. My reason for optimism is that public accounting firms seem to have a lot of entry level positions, and they used to recruit a lot people with no experience and no CPA license. On interviews, the very mention of pursuing the CPA exam got recruiters excited. I have had conversations with partners here in the Bay Area who have said that once you have your CPA license you will never have a problem finding jobs in public accounting. However, that was six years ago so maybe the economy/industry is different. I understand that there are many qualities that employers look for, but maxing out your education with a masters and a CPA license used to put you in a strong position for public accounting firms. Big 4's might be another story.

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"

[Study Monk]

I'm not discouraged. There is a fear, deep down in my soul, that after all my hard work I won't be able to land a job. Especially now that I decided to start a MST degree. It will be a huge set back if I don't land a tax job this next recruiting season. My reason for optimism is that public accounting firms seem to have a lot of entry level positions, and they used to recruit a lot people with no experience and no CPA license. On interviews, the very mention of pursuing the CPA exam got recruiters excited. I have had conversations with partners here in the Bay Area who have said that once you have your CPA license you will never have a problem finding jobs in public accounting. However, that was six years ago so maybe the economy/industry is different. I understand that there are many qualities that employers look for, but maxing out your education with a masters and a CPA license used to put you in a strong position for public accounting firms. Big 4's might be another story.

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"

[IAMENOUGH]

I had the exact same experience with my recruiter at a Big 4 Firm. Honestly, they do just want to get you into the position quickly so that they can get their commission. They also may be trying to save the company some money because they will have to pay you more as in a bonus or for exam prep material. Recruiters that aren't for your advancement are obviously miserable and you should let them kick rocks! Your dreams are your dreams and God put them there for a purpose. Handle your business!!!

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 75
REG - 79

We know this because scriptures teach us that it’s not “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6)

God Help Me!
AUD 77 - Expires 4/3/16, BEC - Retake July 2015, FAR - AUG 2015, REG - Retake Oct 2015
Using Becker and Ninja
Proverbs 3:5-6

[IAMENOUGH]

I had the exact same experience with my recruiter at a Big 4 Firm. Honestly, they do just want to get you into the position quickly so that they can get their commission. They also may be trying to save the company some money because they will have to pay you more as in a bonus or for exam prep material. Recruiters that aren't for your advancement are obviously miserable and you should let them kick rocks! Your dreams are your dreams and God put them there for a purpose. Handle your business!!!

AUD - 77
BEC - 81
FAR - 75
REG - 79

We know this because scriptures teach us that it’s not “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6)

God Help Me!
AUD 77 - Expires 4/3/16, BEC - Retake July 2015, FAR - AUG 2015, REG - Retake Oct 2015
Using Becker and Ninja
Proverbs 3:5-6

[Anonymous]

@Shamir215 I am from Philadelphia area too and studying hard for the CPA exam. When I was first out of college 5 years ago, I made a fatal mistake of not trying to get into public accounting.

Long story short, I have experience in non-profit and grant accounting. I just passed REG and sitting for AUD in May. Do you have any tips for getting into public accounting? I would take any entry level job at local or medium firms. I have been also applying to internal auditor jobs. How did you break into CPA firm?

[Anonymous]

@Shamir215 I am from Philadelphia area too and studying hard for the CPA exam. When I was first out of college 5 years ago, I made a fatal mistake of not trying to get into public accounting.

Long story short, I have experience in non-profit and grant accounting. I just passed REG and sitting for AUD in May. Do you have any tips for getting into public accounting? I would take any entry level job at local or medium firms. I have been also applying to internal auditor jobs. How did you break into CPA firm?

[ajurew1]

I received an offer and accepted a job at a consulting firm specializing in lease audit and analysis, with a 8% increase in pay from my prior job. I got the job partly because I will have the CPA exam completed hopefully today. Many of the leases require a “CPA” to complete the audit of operating expenses. I guess it wasn't worthless in the end within the area of my prior experience, and I could probably have a nice career within Real Estate accounting.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[ajurew1]

I received an offer and accepted a job at a consulting firm specializing in lease audit and analysis, with a 8% increase in pay from my prior job. I got the job partly because I will have the CPA exam completed hopefully today. Many of the leases require a “CPA” to complete the audit of operating expenses. I guess it wasn't worthless in the end within the area of my prior experience, and I could probably have a nice career within Real Estate accounting.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[mena je twa]

CPA is the best thing ever happened to me. I got a public accoutning offer after i passed. No one wanted to look at my resume since i had no prior experience with audit and only had industry experience.

So, guys/ gals go and get this sucker…

Words cant decribe how important it is!!!

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

CPA is the best thing ever happened to me. I got a public accoutning offer after i passed. No one wanted to look at my resume since i had no prior experience with audit and only had industry experience.

So, guys/ gals go and get this sucker…

Words cant decribe how important it is!!!

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Author]

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