[Minimorty]

What is the going rate right now for an entry level accounting position at a small CPA firm in SoCal?

[Anonymous]

Hey! Long time no “see”. I'm taking a quick break from my REG studies.

My guess would be somewhere in the $32-35K range. Are you looking for work? Only kidding. 🙂

Check out some craigslist ads too.

Hope all is well! I'll be back on the forum in full effect next week after my test.

Shout out to Jenuno10 too. I'm outta here…

[Anonymous]

(Disclaimer, I'm not in SoCal, but in Boston). I don't really want to be too specific since it would involve revealing my own salary for the job I just accepted, BUT let me just say this:

I interviewed last year for entry level positions at regional public accounting firms having my bachelor's degree, and my 150 credit hours (not related to accounting unfortunately, but still counting towards CPA licensure). Decided to put off work for a year and take the CPA exams. NOW, having 3/4 exams passed, my salary offers at similar firms (and some of the same EXACT firms from last year) have increased by $10-$15k. I was NOT expecting this. I knew having, or being close to having a CPA would obviously be worth SOMETHING in salary, but I was thinking maybe more around $5k or so. I. WAS. FLOORED. I ended up accepting a position that offered me $12k more than what they offered me last year.

Moral of the story: GET YOUR CPA.

Also, Glassdoor.com is really good for typing in a job title (“staff accountant”) and getting the average salaries sorted by area.

[mla1169]

Check out glassdoor.com for sure. You hiring? Would you pay my relocation? 😉

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Minimorty]

@cosmo – Where have you been? I never see you any more. Are we still together? Couldn't remember. Perhaps we can rekindle our relationship after your exam. Good luck! $32k to $35k would be perfect. I'm not sure ill be able to find a quality hire for that though. Maybe. Is Craigslist sketchy or a legit place to find work?

@Brooke – Thanks for the Glassdoor recommendation. I'll check it out and see what I find.

@mIa – You are worth a million bucks and I can't afford you just yet. But yeah, we need to bring someone on to help with a bunch of stuff. Good times.

[samdiegoCPA]

Minimorty – craigslist is indeed a great place to find ANYTHING actually. I found all my past jobs, apartments, car, etc on there. Sometimes I check around to see qualifications/salaries for new CPA's or any accounting job, etc. Very interesting at the ranges.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Anonymous]

I've just been studying. This site is like crack cocaine to me (not that I've tried crack cocaine of course). When I'm in study mode, I have to go cold turkey and not post much or I get sucked in. Though I do lurk…alot. 🙂

Craigslist is great Like samdiegoCPA said. I love Craigslist! I found my last job on it with a very reputable mid-large CPA firm in LA and I'm not entry level. Many well known recruiters post their too.

Yeah, $32K might be on the low side. What about 38-40K? These are my mere guesses. At my last firm in West LA, an entry level assistant bookkeeper, not a college grad, who had to be trained was hired at 40K.

[jenuno01]

Cosmoooo! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Class of 2012

[Minimorty]

Email sent. Feel free to pull down your email address if you want.

[Anonymous]

Hi Cosmo!

[Anonymous]

i would say the going rate is around low to mid 40ks for soCal small cpa firms.

[Mr.NiceWatch]

low to mid 50s. Can't live in S. California making 30k – 40k – that will be just enough to cover your expenses.

Journey begins in July 2012.

FAR - 87 (8/7/2012)
REG - 89 (11/19/2012)
AUD - 95 (1/17/2013)
BEC - 81 (2/26/2013)

[UCFCPA]

For a small firm in Florida it seems to be mid-40k. I can't say about S. California though.

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[littlenumberrobot]

Does anyone use the Robert Half Salary guide? 2013 was just released. It has adjustments for areas. Maybe that would help? I'm in central CA, so I am no help otherwise

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

Okay, so it's obvious I have no clue about starting salaries these days. Haha!

@ Mini-You dumped me for Sandra AND Mrs. 300. I haven't recovered. As Taylor Swift says, we hee are never ever ever, getting back together. LOL! But you still have a special place in my cyber heart. 🙂

Thanks Mini and Jenuno for the good luck wishes!! I need it…my brain is leaking all this information. I'm ready to get this over with!

Hey CashMoney!! Are you in my state now? I think I read that you're in SF (I'm in LA). If so, just remember, stand in the doorway for the quakes.

[Anonymous]

It would have to be at least 40k.

[Author]

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