[Poptard]

Hello everyone.

I graduated with a MBA in August (3.9 GPA). Since then, I have been taking the CPA exams. I only have FAR left, and it is scheduled for April 2. While in school and studying, I have been applying for jobs in accounting. I have been trying to get a job in accounting for a year and a half. I have applied to internships, entry level positions, and a few senior level positions. Yet, none of them will hire me because I do not have experience. Even with having the exams nearly complete, I am getting nowhere.

The sad thing is that I have been working for this company for the past two years. Last month I applied for an entry level accounting position with them, and they turned me down because I don’t have any experience. Yesterday, I get a call from my boss offering me a position (not in accounting) that pays over 50K. I would have accepted 30K for the accounting position.

Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong here. I have applied for Public, Industry, and Non-Profit positions.

[Anonymous]

PursuitCPA – I am very sorry to hear about your misfortune and bad luck with the job market. I know many people having a tough time finding a job, and must be even more frustrating as a prospective CPA – you should certainly have an edge on other applicants. With that said, I don't think any of your comments really help – I don't remember reading one positive thing from you. Some of your posts are just ridiculous and deflating. Of course GPA matters. There's less jobs to fill, but that has no correlation to what they look for in candidates. When did companies stop looking at GPAs?

[PursuitCPA]

I had an interview with a fortune 500 company 1 month ago. I have a low GPA. I got it because I know the right people. They stopped looking when this job market got so flooded. Don't you notice only Recruiting firms posting and jobs for 2-3 yrs even 7-10 yrs of experience.

Sorry to give you the grim reality. I am just trying to keep it real, I don't mean to DEFLATE Anyone at all.

CPA EXAM - Passed

[Anonymous]

If anything, GPA matters more. Fewer jobs means they must be more selective. Same thing with your opinion on recruiters and staffing firms. If one is looking for a job, it's more critical than ever given the circumstances of the economy to utilize every possible resource. Thinking recruiters and staffing firms (and GPAs) are a waste of time is not an attitude one can have right now. It may seem that way given the unsuccessful results you've had (again, a product of the economy), but recruiters/staffing firms / GPAs are not any different now than they would be if the economy was good. It's just harder to find a job, and that's the only reality about it.

[PursuitCPA]

I am not the only one. tell that to my whole 2009 graduating class who are looking into different fields such as ups drivers. I have been on more interviews than anyone can count. I know the game out there. I was lucky to land 2 offers in 2008 and work for 1 yr before the collapse. This is why GPA is subjective in my opinion. It might matter to the big 4 or fortune 500 companies but not in all cases.

Again sorry for being a downer.

CPA EXAM - Passed

[sums]

So can we have some success stories through staffing firms/recruiters,professional resume writers etc..Somebody who found a job in this critical time? Can somebody share their strategy on finding a job ?Maybe we can follow the footsteps and get lucky …Help is all we need here .Time is tough and its OK to have divided thoughts ..no one is absolutely right or wrong ..

AUD84,FAR82,BEC77,Reg79

[Poptard]

First of all, I want to say that I am very impressed with the number of responses that this thread has had.

Second, I may have a solution.

Yesterday, I contacted some accounting firms in my area. I spoke with the managers, and I told them my situation.

I asked them if they would be willing for me to work for them on a part time basis with no pay in exchange for experience.

The first firm that I contacted, said that they would be willing to do that, and that they have a CPA who is retiring and that it may be possible for me to fill their position. Other accounting firms that I called were interested in the proposal as well. The economy is beginning to rebound. If you can prove your worth (and can afford to do so), you may just be able to get a head start when they start hiring. If this seems like something that you are interested in, I would recommend contacting the smaller firms, local to regional. I wouldn't try it with the larger firms.

I came to this thought after applying for well over 1000 jobs in the last year and a half. It may not be for everyone.

[Anonymous]

No problem PursuitCPA,, it is pretty grim out there, but obviously the key is strategizing,, recently my company had layoffs of 25% and i'm unsure of what to expect in the next month or even the next week I do appreciate the suggestion to look for firms with alumni and will be scrutinizing profiles on websites…

[Anonymous]

idk poptard,,, i'm sure you're going to get plenty of colourful responses… there's really no way I could and many other people work for free part time …. I also strongly ask them to pay you minimum wage so its at least legal paid experience unless its okay by the board of accountancy to do otherwise bc you might be classified as a volunteer?? … imho

[JM2010FL]

In todays job market, one has to think “out-of-the-box”…….blasting your resume all over the place doesn't work and most likely cheapens you…..

There's alot of things one can do that is different than the average job seeker…….- Like showing up to say, as example, Sony Corp head quarters in NJ and asking to speak with the human resources manager for a quick 5 min chat and explaining to that person that you are looking for temporary consulting work and briefly discuss your qualification and give your resume….if done right, HR will be impressed with you. Furthermore, Corps aren't really hiring, but they are sure using temps….especially in finance

The truth is we are all salesmen….

GPA is not really important, unless that's all you got to show…..

Pursuit, practice changing your attitude and build positive energy, stop creating negative engergy, even if you are right in general, you can change your specific circumstances with the right energy ……….

Next tip, make sure you are up to date in your accounting softwares/are you certified in any of them…

Next tip, make business cards start a business and put your REG skills to use and start doing taxes…

Next tip, start your own practice…..it's really cheap and you at least look important

Next tip, network…get out of your houses…

ect….

[financeguy]

https://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/03/unemployment-rises-in-27-states-drops.html

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[sums]

I am in California ,I should definitely move !!

AUD84,FAR82,BEC77,Reg79

[financeguy]

I'm in CA too, luckily I'm in employed. I definitely feel for those out hard looking for employment.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[financeguy]

https://market-ticker.denninger.net/archives/2129-Consequences-Of-Health-Care-Valuations.html

the health care plan is definitely going to hurt employment.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[Anonymous]

GPA is important for those coming right out of college with no work experience. The only job I've ever been asked about my GPA was for a call center I was applying to when working through my first two years of college.

[Anonymous]

JM2010FL, I have followed several of your posts, and you make a lot of sense. I have been thinking long and hard about starting my own firm, and having seen the success you are having, that is exactly what I am going to do. Thanks for your posts. I am moving forward with that idea. Thanks!!!!!

[Author]

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