[Anonymous]

I am sending out emails to local CPA firms for jobs. Need help with one or two lines.

So far,

To Whom it May Concern:

I am pleased to say that I recently passed all four parts of the CPA Examination, which I believed makes me a great candidate for your Accountant I position as advertised on your company’s website

Please kindly review and see if I can be a good fit with your company.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

[Anonymous]

“believed” should be present tense, “believe”. Need a period after “website”.

Are you attaching a cover letter? I would recommend doing so, something that allows you to “sell” yourself a bit more than the email. An email needs to be brief, but a more detailed letter is also good! Also, make sure all attachments are PDFs so they don't get the formatting corrupted when emailed.

However, for maximum results, I would strongly advise dropping off the resume in person. If you are able to see the person who will do the interviews, that's great…but even if not, a resume on fresh, crisp resume paper, and the secretary saying that you handled yourself professionally, will go much further than an email! Of course if the ad specifically states that they do not want people stopping by, don't do it, but generally, an in-person visit is far more effective than an online submission.

[Nocturne808]

I think it's better to just approach CPA firms on your list and drop off your resume. Chat up the receptionist and make a good first impression with them. Email is too passive and at least an approach shows them you want it…the worst thing they can say is no or we're not hiring.

Crack open the phonebook and whichever firm has 2 or 3 names is fair game, good luck!

[jvcpa]

Which day, and what time would be best for visiting a firm? Is it good to bring a token gift, such as donuts, or is that too much?

Passed: R-F-B-A - Persistence is the key to passing.

[MBA MST CPA]

I would not do this by email or start out with “To whom it may concern.” I would take the time to find out who the hiring manager is and mail a letter directly to him or her. Finding who that person is might take some time and effort but a generic email will most likely wind up in the trash. LinkedIn can be a good source of information about companies.

After a week or so, I would follow up the letter with a phone call. If the hiring manager does not have any positions open at this time, I would very politely explain your situation and that you have always wanted work for their company (again, research some reasons why) and ask if he or she might have a few minutes to meet with you for a networking meeting.

The worst they can do is hang up on you but, if you make a good impression, they might either refer you to someone who is hiring or call you when a position opens up. Just make sure that you have done your homework and are knowledgeable about their company.

REG - 11/5/2012 - 80
BEC - 1/17/2013 - 76
AUD - 2/22/2013 - 70 4/5/2013 - 75
FAR - 5/28/2013 - 75 - Done!!!

Question: What do you call someone who only gets 75's and 76's on the four parts of the CPA exam?

Answer: A CPA

[Anonymous]

Too generic. Anybody can say that.

Also, passing the CPA exam is like the new bachelor's degree…everyone who's thinking of making a career in accounting is trying to pass it.

What else makes you different?

To re-hash what some of the above posters have said, definitely try to drop it off in person and ask to speak with the hiring manager for a minute.

[Jason2345]

The CPA is like the new bachelors degree?

Last time I checked, you've needed a CPA to practice public accounting for quite some time, so I'm not sure how it is just now the hot new thing for accounting.

Kind of like how the BAR is the new bachelors for Law?

Try not to degrade something that is incredibly hard to achieve.

[mla1169]

Passing the exams IS difficult but it does not translate to hiring potential. Many applicants to accounting firms have or will soon pass the CPA. Some are exceptional employees, some think that just having passed the exams makes them somehow “superior” to others who haven't. It's great that someone can pass one of the 2-3 toughest exams in the country. Now tell me why I would present you to my clients and why you'd be a good fit with my staff.

Token gifts to employers, or potential employers is a big no, btw.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[SeattleAccountant]

Absolutely no gifts!

I know it is customary in many other countries, my native land included. And, I often still to this day catch my self thinking of what is appropriate to bring in to this or that particular office while on business and then, realize wait, NOTHING is appropriate, no gifting in US!

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[Princesseva]

Thanks for sharing the idea! I am looking for one local CPA firm too, I will hand over my resume in person or mail it directly, see what is going to happen.

[Princesseva]

Thanks for sharing the idea! I am looking for one local CPA firm too, I will hand over my resume in person or mail it directly, see what is going to happen.

[Princesseva]

Thanks for sharing the idea! I am looking for one local CPA firm too, I will hand over my resume in person or mail it directly, see what is going to happen.

[jsimus]

Just read the comments which state that one need to walk to the CPA firm and drop the resume to a receptionist. Do you need book an appointment ? Or one just walk to a CPA local firm office on a bright day and greet the receptionist state her/his mission and drop the resume and cover letter without any prior contact with the company via at least phone. A walk through of the process will help as CPAs we got to be meticulous in approach. Let talk to this…

[Anonymous]

I just sent an email to a local cpa firm and had an Interview 2 weeks later. I am starting on the 22nd already 😉

They haven't offered any positions, I just sent my CV and a short email, explaining that I found an ad of their office in a magazine (a german magazine) and that I recently moved and was looking for a position in this area. And if they were interested in hiring a highly motivated and eager person they should please contact me.

Yuppiiii I have a new job!!! Was already sick of studying and working from home … I have to get dressed everyday again – hahaha

[Anonymous]

Cessna – That's great! 🙂 The fact that they were advertising made an email contact quite reasonable.

For the others asking how to drop off a resume when the company isn't hiring…just walk in. They won't schedule an appointment for someone looking for a job if they're not actively looking to hire…but they might receive a favorable impression from a random contact. It's likely the receptionist will say that the hiring manager isn't available, and in that case, I'd ask if there would be a better time to talk to him/her or if you could leave your resume etc for him/her. As others have said, if you can find out who the person is, that's 100000% better! So, rather than “Is the hiring manager in?”, you can say, “Is Jack available?”

[Anonymous]

Thanks!!

Maybe I wasn't clear. The firm wasn't offering a job in this magazine. This was just a simple advertisement in a magazine, with the office name and adress/tel/email.

So it is definitely possible to send a resume without a job even being offered. And if they hadn't responded to my email, I would have dropped off my résumé at the front desk as well. I think this is really worth a try 🙂

[Author]

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