[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)

[fuzyfro89]

@ajurew: Headhunters are basically sales people. Some are truly good at what they do and have built good relationships with corporate leaders and can help to push for you (assuming they believe in you). These people will tell you the truth about what is easy, reasonable, and what would be a stretch for you.

Others do not have deep relationships, particularly the 23 yr old grad who couldn't get anything else, and they'll just be put to sift through resumes on whatever positions come in for them to fill. These recruiters are not very useful if you are looking for a stretch assignment.

Not to validate what the recruiter said (in some rude way), but I think the milder truth is that while passing the CPA exams does demonstrate good things, it is not as strong of a credential unless paired with good tax/audit/accounting experience.

I would agree with the notion that not all CPAs are created equally, or viewed equally, depending on the role you're applying for AND the experience you have.

Will passing the CPA help demonstrate your commitment to the field and understanding of core concepts? Yes.

Will passing the CPA help get your resume past round 1? Yes.

Will passing the CPA without getting actual accounting experience help you progress? Ehh… maybe not.

I tend to think that once you pass the CPA, you will have solid prospects in public accounting since they don't have to wonder whether or not you'll get the license later on like they have to bet on for campus hires.

[fuzyfro89]

@ajurew: Headhunters are basically sales people. Some are truly good at what they do and have built good relationships with corporate leaders and can help to push for you (assuming they believe in you). These people will tell you the truth about what is easy, reasonable, and what would be a stretch for you.

Others do not have deep relationships, particularly the 23 yr old grad who couldn't get anything else, and they'll just be put to sift through resumes on whatever positions come in for them to fill. These recruiters are not very useful if you are looking for a stretch assignment.

Not to validate what the recruiter said (in some rude way), but I think the milder truth is that while passing the CPA exams does demonstrate good things, it is not as strong of a credential unless paired with good tax/audit/accounting experience.

I would agree with the notion that not all CPAs are created equally, or viewed equally, depending on the role you're applying for AND the experience you have.

Will passing the CPA help demonstrate your commitment to the field and understanding of core concepts? Yes.

Will passing the CPA help get your resume past round 1? Yes.

Will passing the CPA without getting actual accounting experience help you progress? Ehh… maybe not.

I tend to think that once you pass the CPA, you will have solid prospects in public accounting since they don't have to wonder whether or not you'll get the license later on like they have to bet on for campus hires.

[jw_83]

@Ajaz,

No I am located between Peoria and the Quad Cities. Very small City, cost of living is at least half of what it is in Chicago. Right before tax season I saw in the paper that two other firms were looking for help. There aren't any big firms here, so each one is only looking to fill one or two positions. However, there are more opportunities in either Peoria or the Quad Cities.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[jw_83]

@Ajaz,

No I am located between Peoria and the Quad Cities. Very small City, cost of living is at least half of what it is in Chicago. Right before tax season I saw in the paper that two other firms were looking for help. There aren't any big firms here, so each one is only looking to fill one or two positions. However, there are more opportunities in either Peoria or the Quad Cities.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Matt]

Man, this is a pretty disappointing thread. Literally the only reason I'm taking the CPA exam is to get an entry-level position at whatever firm will hire me (public/private, I don't care). I'm studying full time instead of working because my GPA from university is not so good, and I doubt I could get a job on the merits of that alone. I just don't understand how you can be “overqualified” for a position for which you're willing to take the standard pay that's offered for it.

I'm starting to wonder if it might actually be a BAD idea to pass the CPA exam before looking for a job, as if firms want to get you BEFORE you become worth too much as a result of having passed the CPA exam. It's kind of like when guys are intimidated by the hot girl and don't even bother pursuing her because they think they wouldn't be able to keep up with the competition, and so they all fight over the “average” girl while the hot girl can't find a date. (Feel free to switch the gender roles if that strikes you as misogynistic…)

Will passing the CPA exam actually make me less employable? Maybe I should start applying for accounting positions while I'm still studying for the CPA exam, and if I get hired, just accept the position at the expense of my CPA exam progress. This world is insane. -_-

AUD: 88
BEC: 79
REG: 81
FAR: 72 » 74 » 88

Study method: 100% watching videos, including solving problems covered therein; no books, paper, or pencils

[Matt]

Man, this is a pretty disappointing thread. Literally the only reason I'm taking the CPA exam is to get an entry-level position at whatever firm will hire me (public/private, I don't care). I'm studying full time instead of working because my GPA from university is not so good, and I doubt I could get a job on the merits of that alone. I just don't understand how you can be “overqualified” for a position for which you're willing to take the standard pay that's offered for it.

I'm starting to wonder if it might actually be a BAD idea to pass the CPA exam before looking for a job, as if firms want to get you BEFORE you become worth too much as a result of having passed the CPA exam. It's kind of like when guys are intimidated by the hot girl and don't even bother pursuing her because they think they wouldn't be able to keep up with the competition, and so they all fight over the “average” girl while the hot girl can't find a date. (Feel free to switch the gender roles if that strikes you as misogynistic…)

Will passing the CPA exam actually make me less employable? Maybe I should start applying for accounting positions while I'm still studying for the CPA exam, and if I get hired, just accept the position at the expense of my CPA exam progress. This world is insane. -_-

AUD: 88
BEC: 79
REG: 81
FAR: 72 » 74 » 88

Study method: 100% watching videos, including solving problems covered therein; no books, paper, or pencils

[MrsBunny]

@ yawn: I would highly recommend you to start applying for accounting position while you are studying for the CPA exam. I passed my first 2 sections while studying full time and passed my last 2 sections while working full time. It is doable.

In private industry, many hiring managers prefer experience over passing CPA exams.

BEC - 80 (10/27/2010)
REG - 82 (11/30/2010)
FAR - 75 (04/01/2011)
AUD - 82 (05/27/2011)
CA Ethic - 90 (12/15/2013) * I am such a procrastinator
CPA Licensed

[MrsBunny]

@ yawn: I would highly recommend you to start applying for accounting position while you are studying for the CPA exam. I passed my first 2 sections while studying full time and passed my last 2 sections while working full time. It is doable.

In private industry, many hiring managers prefer experience over passing CPA exams.

BEC - 80 (10/27/2010)
REG - 82 (11/30/2010)
FAR - 75 (04/01/2011)
AUD - 82 (05/27/2011)
CA Ethic - 90 (12/15/2013) * I am such a procrastinator
CPA Licensed

[MrsBunny]

@ yawn: I would highly recommend you to start applying for accounting position while you are studying for the CPA exam. I passed my first 2 sections while studying full time and passed my last 2 sections while working full time. It is doable.

In private industry, many hiring managers prefer experience over passing CPA exams.

BEC - 80 (10/27/2010)
REG - 82 (11/30/2010)
FAR - 75 (04/01/2011)
AUD - 82 (05/27/2011)
CA Ethic - 90 (12/15/2013) * I am such a procrastinator
CPA Licensed

[MrsBunny]

@ yawn: I would highly recommend you to start applying for accounting position while you are studying for the CPA exam. I passed my first 2 sections while studying full time and passed my last 2 sections while working full time. It is doable.

In private industry, many hiring managers prefer experience over passing CPA exams.

BEC - 80 (10/27/2010)
REG - 82 (11/30/2010)
FAR - 75 (04/01/2011)
AUD - 82 (05/27/2011)
CA Ethic - 90 (12/15/2013) * I am such a procrastinator
CPA Licensed

[Study Monk]

@Yawn

My theory is that passing the CPA exam should make it relatively easy to get a job in public accounting if you are a presentable and likable person. I think passing the exams won't be valued at a lot of private accounting jobs that are looking for specific experience. CPA firms on the other hand have to replace the CPA's leaving to private industry and the massive amounts of retiring CPA's.

I am choosing to study full-time in hopes that my theory is correct, and plan to look for a public accounting job in the upcoming recruiting season.

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]

@Yawn

My theory is that passing the CPA exam should make it relatively easy to get a job in public accounting if you are a presentable and likable person. I think passing the exams won't be valued at a lot of private accounting jobs that are looking for specific experience. CPA firms on the other hand have to replace the CPA's leaving to private industry and the massive amounts of retiring CPA's.

I am choosing to study full-time in hopes that my theory is correct, and plan to look for a public accounting job in the upcoming recruiting season.

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"

[MrsBunny]

@ Study Monk: Are you going to GGU this summer? I might run into you 🙂 I am also taking 2 classes.

@ ajurew1: That recruiter is not someone you want to waste your time on. Are you able to transfer to another Accountant role within your company? Or try Public Accounting?

BEC - 80 (10/27/2010)
REG - 82 (11/30/2010)
FAR - 75 (04/01/2011)
AUD - 82 (05/27/2011)
CA Ethic - 90 (12/15/2013) * I am such a procrastinator
CPA Licensed

[MrsBunny]

@ Study Monk: Are you going to GGU this summer? I might run into you 🙂 I am also taking 2 classes.

@ ajurew1: That recruiter is not someone you want to waste your time on. Are you able to transfer to another Accountant role within your company? Or try Public Accounting?

BEC - 80 (10/27/2010)
REG - 82 (11/30/2010)
FAR - 75 (04/01/2011)
AUD - 82 (05/27/2011)
CA Ethic - 90 (12/15/2013) * I am such a procrastinator
CPA Licensed

[fuzyfro89]

The benefit may not be immediate, but if you want a career in anything related to accounting or even finance, progress toward your CPA will never hurt you.

Maybe the recruiter just doesn't want to wait for their placement commission…

[Author]

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