[Stgeorge]

Hi I am very new to another71 and been floating around the forum just reading posts and reading other peoples recommendations. I thought it was about time I asked the community some questions that have been on my mind. Any help is appreciated and I hope this post can also help others in my position.

My back round : I am 23 and I graduated with an accounting degree on may 2012 from the university of college park (robert h. smith school of business). I have a total of 132 credits but signed up to take the exam. I am scheduled to take my first exam(FARS) on Jan. 7, 2013. If all goes to plan I hope to pass all four sections by June 2013. My G.P.A. is only a 3.0

I have been working part-time at a small CPA office since winter of 2010, which only has a total of 10 employees. I currently still work here, but would like to start looking to go into public accounting once I have passed the CPA exam. On my resume under experience: it mainly consists of basic bookkeeping, preparing individual, and business returns(partnerships, s corp, c corp, etc…) , filing extensions, filing monthly and quarterly sales/payroll tax, and other basic tax accounting duties.

I am very grateful for being able to learn and get some experience related to tax accounting, but would like to push myself to bigger and better things. I know that the best time to apply is during the winter and before the tax season starts, but I would like to start applying when I have actually passed all parts of the exam. I also have the needed accounting Hrs to get my certificate (i think it is 2000hrs?) , but i need 18 more credits.

My question : What is the best way to get my 18 credits? although I just want to get the credits I also want to challenge myself and take classes pertaining to my industry and not take classes that are not related to accounting/finance.

Also I want to start applying to public accounting firms after I passed all 4 sections which will probably be around the early summer of 2013. Is it a bad idea to start applying before I take the remaining 18 credits to be fully licensed?

Also I never applied to any of the big4 or public accounting firms and need advice on how to go about applying for entry level positions. Is getting into at least one of the top 10 accounting firms a stretch for me?

Seeing that I have some experience when I do apply should I apply under experienced hire or recently graduated?

Thank you for all who reply and give input.

FAR 81
AUD 65, 84 (Used Ninja MCQ which I say contributed to my huge increase in score I love you Jeff)
REG 87 (CPA excel Wiley Self Study Book, Ninja 10 point combo)
BEC 86! I Must Pass or I lose my FAR Credit, Pray for me(Becker, Wiley, WTB, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes)

DONE!!!!!!

Using : Wiley CPA Exam Review Textbook, Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQ

[mmcgrad1]

I've never heard of your school. I would say to get your MAcc at a school with an accounting reputation and take the CPA exam later. It will prepare you better for the CPA exam and will give you a chance to get into on campus recruiting with public accounting firms. It will be very difficult to get into public accounting outside of on campus recruiting. You need the credit hours anyway so I think this would be your best approach.

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[Stgeorge]

sorry it is the University of Maryland college park. Not the university of college park.

thank you for your reply mccgrad1, but I feel confident in my abilities passing the CPA exam without the need to get a MAcc in accounting.(currently using beckers) I also would like to get my MAcc in something other than accounting since I plan on passing the CPA exam. Before enrolling in a program I would really like to get more experience in public accounting. Any other advice or anyone who has been in my position with advice would be greatly appreciated.

FAR 81
AUD 65, 84 (Used Ninja MCQ which I say contributed to my huge increase in score I love you Jeff)
REG 87 (CPA excel Wiley Self Study Book, Ninja 10 point combo)
BEC 86! I Must Pass or I lose my FAR Credit, Pray for me(Becker, Wiley, WTB, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes)

DONE!!!!!!

Using : Wiley CPA Exam Review Textbook, Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQ

[mmcgrad1]

Oh, ok that makes sense. I will say that finding an entry level position in public accounting is tough to do outside of on campus recruiting. That's why I recommended going for the Masters class since it will give you your credits for the licensing requirement and give you the best chance of getting into public accounting. Going back to do the Masters after the exam doesn't make sens (I've considered it myself) but on campus recruiting is the most likely way to get into an entry level position. That's why I recommend you get the degree before taking the CPA exam. Otherwise, try and network with people who work in the industry; that's probably the only other way you will get interviews.

NIU CPA Review Correspondence is awesome!

I passed all four sections on the first attempt

[jelly]

For the last 18 credits, it is up to you, risk-wise and money-wise. You can take the other 18 credits as random classes at a community college elsewhere, or if you feel like it, a graduate program. The issue with OCR at the undergrad or grad level is that they are seeking entry-level positions, which you may be too qualified for, even if a lot of your clients at your current workplace are on the smaller side.

You may be somewhat experienced, so OCR may or may not work for you. For experienced accountants, it's about tracking down other experienced accountants and companies to see if they're looking for similarly experienced staff.

I would not wait to apply to anything or anywhere. It can be a little tricky knowing exactly when you'll finish the exam, and a lot of people already in public accounting are in various stages of finishing the exam anyways (some haven't even started!). Definitely note in your resume where you are though, i.e. 2 parts passed, etc.

Couldn't pass again!

[Whatdidyou]

“My question : What is the best way to get my 18 credits? although I just want to get the credits I also want to challenge myself and take classes pertaining to my industry and not take classes that are not related to accounting/finance.

Also I want to start applying to public accounting firms after I passed all 4 sections which will probably be around the early summer of 2013. Is it a bad idea to start applying before I take the remaining 18 credits to be fully licensed?”

Generally, at least in my area, firms won't let you start working until you've got the credits necessary. Usually, they'll hire in Fall/Winter of Year 1, you'll continue going to school for the rest of your school year to get the credits necessary, and then you'll start in either the summer or the Fall/winter of Year 2. That is how on-campus recruiting works anyways (and they'd probably be even more strict with non-campus recruits). If you are not actually attending school now to get the credits necessary, I don't think you will have much/any luck with interviews, especially if it is clear that you don't have the credits necessary and don't plan on getting them before you start. But maybe other regions/areas are different than mine.

” I just want to get the credits I also want to challenge myself and take classes pertaining to my industry and not take classes that are not related to accounting/finance.”

“I also would like to get my MAcc in something other than accounting since I plan on passing the CPA exam.”

These statements are sort of contradictory IMO. My solution to the first statement would be to get a MAcc. Also, MAcc stands for Master of Accountancy, so I don't think you could get a MAcc in “something other than accounting.” Also, a MAcc (at least mine wasn't) is not solely there to prepare you for the CPA. Many are designed to give you challenging classes that are relevant to the accounting/finance industry. My MAcc degree was NOT a review course, it was much more challenging/useful than that.

Picking the right program is key.

“Seeing that I have some experience when I do apply should I apply under experienced hire or recently graduated?”

You could go either way. Some websites may spell out what they mean by “experienced hire” vs. “recently graduated.” Otherwise, you'll have to use your discretion.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[Stgeorge]

Thank you for all of your comments and although they made me feel a little more screwed I feel like now I have a better understand of how i need to push myself. I guess i will start to apply as soon as I pass FARS and AUD. Hoping to find a firm that would be willing to let me finish my 18 credits before starting to work full time. I just really want to get my career started and feel like I have been immature and not committed enough before toward a career in accounting. Feel more motivated to and thank you again for all the helpful posts.

FAR 81
AUD 65, 84 (Used Ninja MCQ which I say contributed to my huge increase in score I love you Jeff)
REG 87 (CPA excel Wiley Self Study Book, Ninja 10 point combo)
BEC 86! I Must Pass or I lose my FAR Credit, Pray for me(Becker, Wiley, WTB, Ninja MCQ, Ninja Notes)

DONE!!!!!!

Using : Wiley CPA Exam Review Textbook, Wiley TB, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQ

[Author]

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