[runhomejack]

I am at my wit’s end trying to find a job at a public accounting firm. I have 3 sections of the CPA exam complete, I went to a top 10 University 4 years ago, I have 4 years of industry experience, and I am not socially awkward. I think I am a good catch. I’ve gone to events where people (partners, directors and managers) urge me to send a resume without my solicitation only to get no response when I do.

Anyway, tomorrow I am going to call the top 20 firms in my area. However, who do I ask for and how? Just HR? Or the Recruiter?

Right now my plan is to simply say,

“Hi I am Dave and I would like to speak to the recruiter in your area please.”

The reason why I ask is because I already called one firm and the secretary was extremely curt and rude to me. I suspect that they get inundated by calls like mine pretty often. However, I feel like the only way I can charm the pants off a recruiter is by talking to them instead of online applications and e-mail conversation. Anyone have a better script? This is so silly lol

BEC - Pass
FAR - Pass
REG - Pass
AUD - Pass

[testsz]

Hey runhomejack,

I hope you find a job in public accounting! As a recent graduate, I am having one hell of a time finding any job. If you don't mind me asking, how was your job at industry, where did you work, and how did you get in without having any public accounting experience?

Best of luck on your search!

[heathbar09]

As someone who works at a large, public accounting firm and is heavily involved in recruiting, perhaps I can give some advice.

Right now is prime recruiting time for public accounting firms for the coming spring and summer, so you're timing couldn't have been better. I work in the Southeast, so it may be different for other regions.

My only suggestion to your first point of sending resumes to partners is that you should ask for a business card and then follow up. Chances are if they are a partner/director, they will forget about you the minute they leave the building. That's not an insult to you, that is just the way they operate. If you follow-up, there is a much better chance that they actually take a look at your resume and forward it on to the recruiter or suggest that they interview you. Once you have gotten “in” with a partner/manager, request the contact information of the head recruiter. They will likely be the one to set you up with an interview/dinner, etc. However don't pester them. One or 2 calls to a partner at most and probably the same for a recruiter. If they don't call back or offer an interview, take the hint. If the seem nice, perhaps asked why you weren't selected for an interview. You may have been a great candidate, but they could have already filed the positions they needed.

You're idea of calling a recruiter is not a bad idea at all. Yes, they get a lot of calls, but that is their job. Have something prepared to say that shows you know a little about the firm. Nothing too corny, just a tid bit of info to show you've done your homework. Chances are you will be able to talk yourself into at least sending your resume and perhaps a follow-up interview. However, the drawback is that your resume is likely to piled in with other hundreds of resumes they already have. Similar to what I mentioned previously, a follow-up call will certainly help your chances. If you're going down that path, it would also help to ask if the firm has any upcoming events you can attend. Like you said, face to face is better than phone/email. (My personal advice, I wouldn't call 20 firms in one day. If you treat each firm as 1 of 20, your tone and conversation may reflect that. You want to treat each phone call as a separate interview and give your best effort. 5 a day maximum. 20 and you'll be tired/bored by the 8th call.)

I also suggest trying to attend a few career fairs. Ones at prominent Universities are the best (perhaps the one you attended!).

Also, use your resume as an advantage. Anything can be spun in a positive way. Even though most people jump from public accounting to industry, state that your experience will give you a unique and helpful perspective not many public staff accountants have.

Lastly, anytime you speak with a recruiter/partner/manager, show genuine interest. They can tell when it's fake. Be engaging, but not over the top. If you are friendly and can find a way to relate to the person you're speaking with, they have a much better chance of remembering you. Make friends, and then worry about getting a job. Sometimes the best thing you can talk about in an informal setting is anything BUT accounting.

Sorry if I came off like I was trying to give you social advice. I am only trying to give my perspective on recruiting! Good luck!

[Mayo]

Heathbar, what are your thoughts on high quality candidates who have previous corporate accounting roles, but are unable to get in public accounting because they lack direct experience in audit or tax?

To me it seems like a waste of good talent, but I'm sure the policies are there for a reason…

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[heathbar09]

Mayo,

The issue with that is most people with 4-5+ years experience would not want to come into public accounting as a tax/audit staff. And who could blame them since it would likely be a significant drop in salary. If you lack any experience in tax/audit, it would make it difficult for a firm to start you out as a senior or manager. In those roles, you would have to spend much of your time reviewing staff work. And since you would have had no experience performing that particular work, it would make it difficult to perform a quality review.

I think you make a good point about a waste in talent. Someone with industry experience could help a firm out in a sales role and in the customer service aspect (since public accounting is a customer service business). Or, they might be useful if they have any industry knowledge such as experience in the manufacturing/not-for-profit industries, etc.

But like I mentioned, the lack of technical knowledge would make it hard for the person you've described to thrive in a role other than staff. I'm sure someone has done it and done well, but they are likely the outlier.

[Anonymous]

Hi heathbar09,

Me next, me next! Your insight would be a great help.

I currently work in a public company as I study for my CPA exam. I only have one section left but I have not met the education requirement. I should have enough credits by the end of 2013, and expect to graduate mid 2014. I have been with my current company for shortly over a year and a half. I have interviewed with a smaller private company. I would have much more responsibilities in the next positions since I would drop the junior title. It would also cut my commute in half.

My end goal is to become an auditor. Assuming I am offered the position, would it look bad if I accept the job and then start recruiting in September of 2013? I heard it might not look bad since I am in my early 20s. I tried going straight to public but every recruiter has told me to stay in contact until I receive my masters.

Thank you!

[heathbar09]

Hey CPASlave,

Your last sentence sums up much of the issue. Most public firms will not hire unless you have 150 hours/Master's Degree. However, I have seen a little lee-way given at much smaller firms.

I think your concern about searching for a new job is warranted. It certainly looks bad to start a new job and then start job searching a few months later. Your original employer will have a bad taste from you leaving so quickly, and your potential employer will be concerned that you are using jobs as step-stones for other jobs. (The analogy for this is if your girlfriend/boyfriend dumped another person just to be with you, don't be surprised when they dumb you for another person).

However, public accounting has a high turnover rate. And the goal in anyone's career is to move up. So, having/looking for 3 jobs in the span of 1-2 years is certainly not unheard of. At your age, just try and get as much experience as you can. When you get your new position, think of it as a learning opportunity and a chance to gain experience, not as a 2-3 month stepping stone to an audit position (even though that is what it may actually be). It could potentially raise a red-flag with recruiters if you are only in your early-20s and have worked for 3 separate companies already.

Of course, forget about everything I just said in the paragraphs above if the perfect opportunity presents itself. Never pass up a rare opportunity just because it wasn't in your original plan.

I think you will be fine though. Just concentrate on your degree and you should have many more opportunities for positions when you have your Master's.

[runhomejack]

Of course I call and nobody is there to answer. Also, all the secretaries are mean.

BEC - Pass
FAR - Pass
REG - Pass
AUD - Pass

[mena je twa]

heathbar09 –

I am working in corporate accounting as well for the past 7 years, finsihed my MBA, did my CPA just 4-5 months ago and now looking for a transition into public accounting.

While i was studying Audit to pass the cpa exam, i just got very interested into how all the financial accounting, JE's etc flows through.

The sad part is i have never worked in Audit ever, and cause of that i dont even get considered. I have extensive knowledge of health care and manufacturing, i handle all the fixed assets, and all the accoutning dept month end duties.

But when i look at a young , fresh auditor – which for us changes every quarter, i laugh at them. They cannot even do a compunding journal entry, and if something doesnt tie, they freak out and send like ridiculous emails,( they love emails they live on emails) to higher ups and make a fool of themselves, when all they have to do is analyze a bit and the difference is right there.. And they work for a Big 4.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[heathbar09]

Mena,

Unfortunately, you're exactly right.

Many of the large, public firms look for robots. These are people with 4.0 GPA's, but no social skills or common sense. They can crank out tax returns/audit procedures left and right, but often don't develop in other areas. A lot of public accounting jobs will go to these type of people, and there is nothing wrong with that. They deserve a job as much as the next guy/gal.

4.0's are great, but like I said above, someone with good grades, good experience, AND social skills/common sense are hard to come by. Those type of people are best suited for the job in my opinion, even if they get overlooked from time to time.

[homerun07]

HELLO! I am a recent graduate working for a public accounting firm and here are some tips i have for you..

It's great that you've met people along the way and they urge you to send them your resume, however, sending a resume isn't always enough– you gotta go the extra mile and have them remember you!

When you're networking around, meeting new people and having meaningful conversations– ask them for a business card and after the event is over, email them saying that it was nice to meet them and thank them for giving you insight into whatever you guys were talking about. it shows that you care and they'll remember you 🙂

(same goes for interviewing– send thank you letters after each interview)

If you turned in a resume and hear no response, try calling them yourself. You could say, “Hello, my name is ________ and I've turned in a resume a little bit ago, I was wondering on the status of my application”.

or something along those lines. This also shows that you care and you really want the position.

You might want to turn in a cover letter along with your resume– this will allow you to really expand on what you can bring to their company.

Keep trying!! Good luck 🙂

[Author]

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