[mewcifer]

I made it through all the exams and will hopefully have an active license in the next couple of weeks. I have 3 years of industry experience (pharmaceuticals) and I’ve been interviewing for 3 months. I declined further consideration for 3 positions, all because they weren’t very stable companies with either disastrous accounting systems or none at all. I interviewed with 2 companies last week, both of which I was very excited about. I just got 2 emails within an hour of each other telling me that I didn’t get the job for either position. Double ego blow. Anyone else feel like they had too high of expectations for the job prospects once they became licensed?

[Sweet]

Sorry I won't be able to answer your question but I am in the same boat with you. I have 2.5 years of Corporate accounting experience and I am close to getting licensed. I have been wondering without public accounting experience, how far will I be able to go with a CPA license. What job level have you been applying for? Staff accountant/senior accountant/manager? I know it depends on the size of the company too but just wondering.

[Pete]

If it makes you feel any better, I've had 25-30 interviews over the past year or so; 10 of which required a phone screen that I got through as well. I keep getting told that I “interview well,” yet keep getting passed for people with more/better experience. I also have about 4 months of public accounting experience. I have 6 years private accounting experience at a very small company as well and am applying to entry level positions at larger companies/public accounting firms. I'm getting frustrated as well (which is why I vent so much).

I can't even get either the CPA or CFE licenses (both exams I've passed) without the proper experience, which I can't gain. Granted, I've only recently completed the 150 hours; however, I've been sitting on the CPA license/looking for new positions (to fulfill the experience) for over a year now.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[shawn in VA]

I have worked in 4 different CPA firms in 10 years. My first job out of school was a national CPA firm. Every SINGLE CPA firm I have worked at states in their job description “Recent public accounting experience REQUIRED”. I have seen many other similar ads.

Once you make the mistake to go into private its really hard to convince a partner / HR of a CPA firm that they should hire you. You are basically a blank slate that needs a lot of training which many smaller firms don't have that manpower.

I have always wondered why people in private even bother getting a CPA license. My cousin works for one of the big defense contractors and he said out of like 50 people on the finance team only 2 have a CPA.

[shawn in VA]

If you have let's say 10 years corporate experience making 6 figures and are at manager level that means nothing to a partner/ HR of a CPA firm. You would be lucky to even get hired at a Jr. staff level earning 45-50K. There would be a massive learning curve.

[shawn in VA]

There is a reason the CPA stands for Certified PUBLIC accountant. The “P” does not stand for PRIVATE

[mewcifer]

@Sweet, I have a senior title right now and the two companies I was hopeful for an offer from were “Senior Accountant” with another biotech company and “Senior Forensic Accountant” with a forensic accounting company.

@John that's brutal, I'm exhausted after 3 months. I am going through that doubt right now. I've been told in the past that in interview well also but neither of the places explained what exactly it was that was the deal breaker which leaves me to dwell on whether it's an experience thing – hard to change – or that my personality was just not a match which is easier to accept.

@Shawn in VA I hope everyone on this forum understands what CPA stands for, I can assure you that I do. Maybe you don't know anyone in industry that also has a CPA but it also works in the same way as any professional certification or advanced degree does, by distinguishing you. To your comment – Every SINGLE CPA firm I have worked at states in their job description “Recent public accounting experience REQUIRED” – I am not applying to CPA firms. Perhaps if you applied to an accounting position in industry, or even if you ran a quick search for one, you would see that CPA's are preferred and even required there too, despite having public experience or not. I hope that helps shine some light on why some people even bother with such a thing.

[JCVFUTURECPA]

.

[Nima]

Yes! I thought it will be a breeze! But I am getting more rejections and no interviews actually! Been a month only though!

[Nima]

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/moving-on/#post-1639339

[Pete]

Your best bet is going to be networking your way in, especially at public accounting firms. With that in mind, it's still brutal/grueling. I've reached out and stayed in touch with over 20 people, yet i'm still unable to land. My contacts have gotten me a few (3-4 interviews) so far at CPA firms. I'm hoping the last firm I interviewed at will come through because, in addition to being told I interview very well, I have a bunch of people, whom I networked with, pushing positive referrals to others at this firm. Despite all this, i'm doubtful I got the position as it's been over a week.

If I could do everything over again, I would have either ensured I got a job from on-campus recruiting or completely avoided accounting/the CPA and CFE examinations. Unlike for some, it's just not panning out well for me.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Missy]

It sounds like you're looking to stay in industry but getting feedback on how to get into public. I'll address the industry job side for you.

It's a common mistake for newly minted CPA's to think “hey, I'm liscensed, have 3 years' experience, I'm a CATCH!!!” And you are. Problem is, 8-10 of the other 24 people who applied to the same position are also a catch and some even moreso.

It's also very common to have over a dozen interviews before landing an offer. I'm strictly in industry and while those in public like Shawn will stress the public element of being a CPA, in industry its something to set you apart from some but not all of the candidates for the same position.

So, how do you make yourself the BEST candidate if on paper you're pretty similar to your competition?

Well for starters hiring managers want someone with a similar background as the position they're hiring for. If you're a senior accountant for a 20m company, don't expect to be desired as a senior accountant for a 250m company. Its apples to oranges even with the same title.

Don't expect to be the best candidate at a manufacturer if your experience is for a company that sells software as a service.

DO know that even if a job says “cpa candidate preferred”, they're going to get applicants that are already licensed and maybe even with 5-10 years public accounting experience. You've heard of people getting more than the asking price for their home? Companies get much more than the asking qualifications for a job, too.

Don't let any of the above discourage you, just be aware of the playing field you're on. People DO move from 20m companies to 250m companies, but its not easy.

That said you're a salesperson and need to sell your skills and talent to a prospective employer. Do your research, go in there almost knowing what their need is and be prepared to convince them you can exceed that need. Ask questions that show you took the time to do your homework and that you're interviewing THEM as much as they're interviewing YOU. Watch youtube videos on good interviews. And try to remember its as much about convincing them you're a better choice than the cpa they're going to interview in an hour and a half as it is about convincing them that you can perform a list of responsibilities.

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

[Bourne]

Some of these are just flat out wrong. CPA is incredibly beneficial even if you work private. I currently work at a real estate investment firm in NYC and my CFO (a CPA) has had many top executive jobs in the private sector. Yes, to go private for 10 years and then attempt to go public would be very hard. But managers and CEO's value people who have qualifications and knowledge that is trusted when making business decisions, hence the CPA designation.

Right now, a CPA in private may seem pointless if you're young, but with the experience and designation you're much more likely to be promoted quicker. I've worked public (short amount of time, various internships) and now in private and for me, I'd much rather stay private and reap the benefits of shorter hours and paid just as well, if not better, all while having a say and contribute to the direction of a company.

[Lindsey_p87]

Having a CPA in private is very beneficial, especially over time. However, I don't think it's the golden ticket that some people would have you believe. Like missy said, there are a lot of candidates out there with a CPA license. I think the key to private is finding an industry you like and sticking with it. I started out in healthcare in a city where it is a huge industry with lots of options. Companies definitely want the CPA, but they also want relevant experience. I think location also factors into the equation. Around here, there are tons of Staff, Senior, and Manager level options in industry to choose from. And yes, a lot of them want CPA eligible or CPA licensed professionals.

FAR - PASSED 11/14
AUD - TBD
BEC - TBD
REG - First take 2/16

[Anonymous]

It's always so interesting when folks emphasize “the path” and perpetuate it. This is a relevant credential for all accountants no matter what they do. Heck, even if you jump into supply chain or project management–you have a credential that certifies you are a financial expert regardless of your responsibilities.

My intention is to go about it backwards. I started in private and will be forming a firm with a former colleague. It's one way to make Partner 🙂

@mewcifer Consider your market. It's hard, but try not to take anything personally. They found someone that seemed like a better fit. Keep at it.

[JCVFUTURECPA]

I want my CPA license so I will never ever ever ever get played in a job interview or at work for not being a CPA. I don't want to grow old and have regrets of never reaching my full potential. Its not about other people, its not about my bosses its about me not being average.

I may not have the network of some people or come from privilege, but having my CPA license will allow me to go toe to toe with the best in whatever I want to pursue. So everyone lets get these exams done if you haven't done so already!

[Author]

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