[IWPGirl]

So I talked to my boss today and I thought I’d throw my situation out there for some Ninja advice…

I am in my early 30’s and passed three sections with one more to go in July. My current job in private accounting is the only accounting experience (2 years). I always wanted to work in public accounting to get wider experience and to work for a bigger office. I interviewed with two firms within the last year but there was no hiring decision.

So… my boss wanted to know whether I am currently looking for another job because we have some people leaving and he might need to hire (which I understand). But some interesting points came up during our conversation.

1) Passing exams and getting a license is really nothing without work experience. So what to do and where to go to get that “great” working experience that will get most benefit in the future?

2) Smaller CPA firms do not pay well to start if there is no experience (pay cut). Bigger firms avoid hiring people after 30 if they come from private because these people do not stay. So are there any Ninjas who went to public at my age or is it something people do straight out of college? Any experience to share?

All comments are appreciated…

AUD - 90
REG - 78
BEC - 84
FAR - 91 woo hoooo!!

Becker and Ninja MCQ

[Anonymous]

@stag…I developed my resume after sitting down with Big 4 recruiters, some next 6 recruiters, and a few partners. Our business school has a resume session twice a year where you can sit down with employers and get feedback on your resume….I take advantage of this every time this session happens just in case my resume needs updating or tweaking. The resume has stood scrutiny….I don't think the resume is the issue. I'm getting interviews, but not getting offers. The easy answer to that problem is that I need to improve my interview skills….but I am absolutely killing it on most of these interviews and still not getting offers. I am still positive I will get a position, though. I'm qualfied, someone will recognize that and hire me. It's only a matter of time, but it shouldn't be this hard.

[stag]

@chappyfade stay positive and keep on at it. I had to admit, I lost faith for a while myself when my classmates all had offers and I was the only one left holding the stick. But I never thought it was an issue with my age, since couple guys from my class older than I had gotten offers from Big 4. Rather I tried to focus on my interview skills, presentation style, improve my resume such as passing CPA exams and getting a staff accountant job. Like one recruiter told me, when they brought me in for an interview, they had no doubt about my academic capability, it was a matter of would I be able to work in a team for 60+ hours a week, and coexist and thrive with people in different ages. I know its going to be unpleasant financially, but maybe you can try to get an positive at a private firm for now to build your work experience in the accounting field.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[Anonymous]

@IWPGirl It sounds like your boss is trying to discourage you from leaving. I've had bosses that tried the same thing mostly because it benefits them. It is very disruptive and risky for a manager to hire someone new. Personally I'd never indicate to my boss that I am planning to leave unless I had a job offer in-hand or nearly in-hand and needed the reference.

I'd would have simply answered his/her inquiry by stating: “I am concentrating on the CPA exam for now; I enjoy working here, but just like you I have to manage my career.”

I do disagree with your premise that having the CPA license without public accounting auditing experience is worthless. Being a CPA gives you instant credibility. From my perspective employers are willing to pay a premium for people that that can combine being a CPA with other types of Finance and/or IT skills and experiences.

AUD – 96 (May 2014)

BEC – 95 (Feb 2014)

FAR – 83 (Oct 2013)

REG- 90 (Apr 2013)

[Anonymous]

Do an internship or take any public accounting position you can to get your foot in the door. I got a job offer at a public accounting firm about 2 weeks before my intenship was over. I finshed my internship up and started working full time at the accounting firm I'm at now after it was complete. After the first year I was there I finished the CPA exam and got a 20%+ raise.

Get in somewhere, work your but off, and move up.

[Anonymous]

I'm not against taking an internship, but I'm ready for full-time. Got down to the last two with a next 6 firm today, and I was unfortunately #2. Folks, I'd like to get an offer at this point. @dahebvruii, your advice is reasonable, but it unfortunately doesn't really apply to me, since I'm not getting offers to do those things.. If I could get an internship or full-time offer with public or private it would be an improvement. It doesn't make any sense that I haven't gotten an offer at this point, at least not to me.

[Vlakmir]

Buddy!

You say you don't have experience, but you have lots of experience outside of accounting – right? Sell that.

You need to network. What have you been doing up until now? Join your local entrepreneurship clubs/meetups, go to career forums, etc..

meetup.com is a site that has a few groups that may get your name out there.

Local college career forums, college events that have firm recruitment nights, career forums, job fairs, linked-in, spread the word on social media- everyone should know you're looking for a job and once they do, someone might know someone. You might find a friend that has an uncle in a practice, etc.. etc….It's amazing how this network can work for you.

Account Temps is a place to find a temp position and get some experience. Also, some companies hire their temp people / use it as sort of a probationary period / trying people out kind of thing.

https://www.roberthalf.com/accountemps/accounting-jobs-search

What are you goals with public?

Most people in public want to get some experience then jump to private. I imagine it's because you want to get into a higher private position, or -actually- do public accounting, or try it out? Different goals, different paths.

As for BIG 4,

I'm 25 and am starting big 4 this year. Even I felt old working there. hahaha, not really, but actually kinda….

I networked with recruiters a lot. Interned at 2 different state firms before that. The work experience or exam pass is irrelevant, work experience is always better and will prep you for the exam in many ways.

That being said, no way that being 30 is hindering you from a Big 4 spot. In fact, they love if you have done something else in your life outside accounting or before accounting because they don't want to hire annoying 22 year olds that don't STFU ABOUT ACCOUNTING AT LUNCH OMFG I DONT CARE WHAT YOU TICKED AND TIED TOGETHER……you get my point. Seriously, PLAY that hand hard – talk about all the cool stuff you have been doing until now. I don't care if it's tending bar, traveling, teaching, bla bla bla, it's not about what it is – it's about showing that you've had experiences to broaden your horizons, you have the ability to learn, you are positive, and you have work ethic, people will -want- to be around you, you're not a dolt, etc…

After I wrote this I remembered you're in private accounting. Well that's exciting too right? WOOOOOOO….

REG - 92
AUD - 90
BEC - 82
FAR - 82
BISK Review Materials
DONE! /Happydance

[Anonymous]

My $.02:

You can definitely get hired on at 30+. The only thing is that at a big4 firm you will have to travel a lot and work a TON of hours, so there might be more of a concern that you are in a point in life (wife and kids and what not) where you are not willing to pay your dues, so to speak. They want people they can abuse and get lots of work out of, and they might figure that a 30-something might not be willing to do that.

Those concerns can all be alleviated in an interview by explaining to them that you are a workaholic and that you like slave labor.

…or maybe try a smaller firm.

[Anonymous]

First of all,

I'm 45, no kids or wife. I have traveled with previous jobs. I have no trouble with travelling, and I worked harder than my younger classmates while I was in school. Those concerns are of no consequence to me, and I understand completely what it is that they want.

I'm not saying that it's impossible, but I am saying that it's more difficult. I am doing all of the things being suggested here. To me the effort is worth it and I'm going to find something eventually. Yes, getting a job in public at 45 is possible. But don't kid yourself, it's easier if you're 25.

[Fil-Am]

That would be me too. I am in my very early 30s and would like to get a break in public accounting or even corporation. I have hard time getting one. It is quite harder than I thought. I have been talking to a couple of recruiters and send my resume online. I will have an interview with a small company – an insurance agency this week. If I could just get an interview with any CPA Firm, that would be great.

Well, I just passed the exam last year and actively pursuing my license – which seems to take forever. 95% of my experience is in government. Any advice?

Anything worth doing is probably not easy, but the rewards are worth it. (unknown)
Please feel free to add me on LinkedIn just to say hello or stay in touch.

CPA Exam - PASSED 2014
CALCPA Ethics - Passed 2014
CA CPA License - Pending

To God be the Highest Glory. Little Miracle happens every second!

[Author]

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