[CPA CMA]

I was fresh out of college and started working for my current CPA firm (about 20-25 ppl) in Midwest since last summer, now I am about 800 more hours until I can officially call myself a CPA. I am making 42k as first year staff accountant. Are they going to volunteerly give me a raise once I am certified? What do you guys think? Any inputs are appreciated, I am a total newbie in the real accounting world and I don’t have much clue how these things work. Thanks in advance.

Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) 12/17/2014

BEC 76 (10/3/14)
FAR 75 (10/24/14)
REG 83 (4/6/15)
AUD 75 (4/20/15)
Anticipated Licensure: August 2016

CMA part 1 passed (6/15/15)
CMA part 2 Passed (9/4/15)
Anticipated Licensure: August 2017

[sar_rah]

In the big 4, as a new-hire staff accountant, the pay doesn't change whether or not you have your CPA. You do get a $5,000 bonus if you pass the exam within your first year or something. But as far as base salary goes, no difference! You just can't make manager without a CPA license.

AUD: 98
REG: 91
BEC: 86
FAR: 83

DONE DONE DONE and DONE all on the first try! It IS possible, just keep on studying!

[Anonymous]

@cb_6185

What if you're going from first year associate to second year associate.. would they look at your advance degree and CPA then?

[CPA2BEE]

@CPA CMA – I also work for a small firm and they are all different. I wouldn't assume they are going to voluntarily give you a raise. I made a point to bring it up to the partner when I had my review last December that when I get licensed, we will adjust my pay accordingly. So I kind of had to nudge him in that direction, but many firms might not adjust your pay at all when you initially get licensed, but maybe acknowledge it when you're up for your next review. Each firm is different, but I think its best to just ask for it if you want it.

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[CPA CMA]

Thanks everyone for the inputs so far!

Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) 12/17/2014

BEC 76 (10/3/14)
FAR 75 (10/24/14)
REG 83 (4/6/15)
AUD 75 (4/20/15)
Anticipated Licensure: August 2016

CMA part 1 passed (6/15/15)
CMA part 2 Passed (9/4/15)
Anticipated Licensure: August 2017

[jessica8926]

In a big 4 like cb_6185 said you only get a bonus. Otherwise, you are just like everyone else. You only need your CPA if you want to make manager. I do not have mine yet and was getting paid the same as others who had it at my firm. Your pay raises depend on your personal performance not on getting the CPA. If you perform better than others your raise will be more than someone who did not do as well. So when I left after two years I was actually making more than someone who had their CPA because i was a better performer than them.

Sounds like you are at a smaller firm though so like CPA2BEE said you should nudge and or ask for it.

AUD - 69, 77
REG - 74, 81
FAR - 75!
BEC - 71, 82

IL candidate!

Finally done (5/24/16)!! Yahooooooo!

[Author]

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