[Rocky123]

I thought that once I became a CPA, I would have better career options. I didn’t expect to become a CFO over night, but I thought that it would open some doors.

Now, I think prospective employers just view me as someone with past crappy jobs and now a CPA.

They probably see me as “overqualified” for some jobs and “underqualified” for others. I’m lost in the gap.

I want a more challenging position that will someday lead me to becoming a controller. I see my next job as a stepping stone where I can get my hands dirty, so to speak. Now I need someone to take a chance on me…

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[mla1169]

And one more point. A few months ago you were overwhelmed with the pressure of studying for the exams and wanted nothing more than that pressure to be behind you. You passed your last exam 2 months ago so if you've received your license it was very VERY recently. Why on earth are you trying to recreate the same level of stress thar the exams gave you by getting all worked up that a new job and a boyfriend who's ready to make babies right this minute? If you don't learn to enjoy the trip you'll never appreciate the destination. Make goals by all means, but oy on the lamenting already.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Rocky123]

Don't get me started on the boyfriend issue! Ha ha.

I'm just frustrated because I made poor career choices in the past. Always took the easy way out. Now it's biting me in the ass.

If I was married and covered under my husband's insurance, I might be tempted to go the temp route and get experience/possible hire that way. But I need something permanent.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Mamabear]

You definitely have to give it more time, be patient, and learn to deal better with stress. I had an MBA with several years of experience in various areas of accounting and it took me six months to find a job and it wasn't even a good job. It took me six more months to find a good job as a financial analyst and a couple of years after that they promoted me to accounting manager. I finished the CPA, but won't be licensed for a while. Everything has taken time and a lot of patience. You seem to worry about a lot of things without taking the time to enjoy your current situation. you just finished the CPA exam and the job will come. You may have to start low and beef up your resume. I actually removed MBA from my resume after five months of searching and I did get more interviews. I am not suggesting you do that with the CPA, but I can tell you right now that I wouldn't hire a CPA for an entry level staff accountant position because we don't have a lot of upward mobility at my company and I would assume they would not be happy working as a staff accountant for year after year. I tailored my resume to fit the job I was applying for so I could get a chance somewhere and it worked well for me and then I got a job that required the MBA. Then I got a promotion to a job that required a CPA without even having an accounting degree, let alone a CPA. I had to be patient and realize it would come if I was persistent and determined.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[kcrc]

I'm in a very similar situation as the original poster. I graduated with a degree in Finance in 2005 only to see all the good finance jobs go to accountants. After a couple years of low-level accounting (investments, payables, receivables), I landed a good job with a great engineering company doing financial analysis. I decided to go back and study for the CPA. I finished my MSA in 2011 and picked up a CPA and a CMA along the way. I was laid off of the engineering firm in 2010, but got a job as a Senior Accountant at a large hospital in 2011. The hospital is very top heavy on management with no clear path for advancement. I've selectively applied for management jobs around Kansas City, but my lack of actual management experience always comes up. Companies only seem to want someone who has been a controller for 10 years to be controller. I'm now 33 and I'm too old to take an entry level job, too inexperienced to take a management job, and I'm wise enough to know that taking a lateral move at this point is very risky.

If you don't go through the Big 4 channels, the CPA won't advance your career.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I want to hear more people's opinions regarding a CPA won't advance your career unless coming through big 4 or other public accounting firm. Anyone disagree?

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[mommyof3texans]

I don't have anything to back this up with as I'm just beginning my CPA journey, but I do believe obtaining my CPA will open up opportunities within my current employer as well as outside opportunities and I have never worked in public accounting. While I don't expect sudden promotion opportunities or offers to land in my lap once licensed, I do think it provides an extra leg up against other candidates in some types of roles.

BEC - 02/21/15 - 82
FAR - 05/29/15 - 82
AUD - 07/09/15 - 93
REG - 11/14/15 - 80

All done!!!

[Gabe]

@scarlet I think it depends. Where I work, only a handful of us have Public experience. I am the only one sitting for the CPA. However, our boss has his CPA, so he is encouraging everyone to get the certification. It's kind of an unwritten thing…once you get your CPA=promotion. Again, it depends on the industry and management.

CPA, CFE
CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

[Anonymous]

I spent a year doing taxes at a micro-firm (my boss was the only other employee half the time I worked there), but aside from that have no public experience. I'm a CPA and a Controller at a college. Public experience is not required to get a good job.

[Anonymous]

It totally depends on your starting point. If “CPA” is the most impressive thing on your resume, then no, it's not going to help you very much. But neither would “MD” or “JD” help you very much in landing a great job if you didn't have a bigger story to tell. There are too many licensed accountants and doctors and lawyers for any hiring manager to throw rose petals at your feet just because you have initials after your name.

If you've only worked as a staff accountant, getting your CPA license isn't going to suddenly turn you into a controller. You are going to have to get over yourself and put in some time in that “in between” space. If you've worked at a more senior level, then getting your license will help you a lot more because that is likely the one thing holding you back. How do you get to a senior level without the license? You've got to find the right opportunity and then work really, really hard.

I've been a controller for almost 4 years, and I have not yet finished my license. I started as a staff accountant and quickly worked my way up because I was in the right company at the right time (this part is luck … I do not deny that), and I worked very hard. Getting my license will definitely advance my career because it is the one thing I don't have. I have management experience, I have a proven track record of doing quality work. But there are jobs I would never be considered for without those three letters. When I have those, a lot of currently closed doors will open up.

[kcrc]

I work at a very large hospital and we practically do throw rose petals at MD's feet. Also RN's. There isn't a single business support position that doesn't require an RN.

RN + MBA = $$$$$$$$

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Yeah I don't think you can compare CPA or JD to MD. MD pretty much does mean guaranteed big bucks, not so much for CPA or JD

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Anonymous]

I work in medical malpractice insurance. MD definitely does not guarantee big bucks, especially not these days. But that wasn't the point. The question was about whether or not having a CPA license advances your career outside of the Big 4, not what your maximum earning potential is. And my response was that being a newly-minted CPA doesn't automatically give you management-level credibility any more than being fresh out of med school or just passing the bar would if you don't have experience to back it up.

[kleon52]

BUMP for more input

REG: 80
AUD: 82
BEC: 83
FAR: 83
Finished Feb 2015, 5-6months

Ninja MCQ for AUD, BEC, & FAR

[Anonymous]

I'm in a very small, very rural Parish. There are literally 2 CPA firms in the entire Parish, one of which I used to work for. I don't work there now for reasons that I discussed in another thread. I'm in the process of starting my own firm and right now I'm in limbo, because, even though I passed the exam and got the license, I can't put myself out as a CPA until I get the firm permit. That being said, I'm getting two or three calls a day from people either wanting me to do their taxes or their monthly Write-up. I have to be honest and say that I can't do anything until the state board approves my permit, please God let it be this week. My point is that if you can't get a job working for someone else, then work for yourself. You are a CPA! All you need is a computer and some software. Believe me when I say “If you build it. They will come.” Just make sure you check with your state board about the rules before you hang out a shingle.

[jrosen92770]

Thanks Kricket. Very inspiring.

BEC - 5/26/2013 75
REG - 8/31/2013 82
AUD - 11/24/2013 74, 2/9/2014 92
FAR - 5/25/2014 85

NY CPA

[Author]

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