[Anonymous]

About a month ago, I applied for a permanent Staff Accountant position at this CPA firm. There were two opening positions….a permanent Staff Accountant and a Staff Accountant internship. I specifically applied for the permanent position because that’s what I need for the work experience requirement and also because I want a full-time job with benefits. It was even made clear at the interview I went to at the firm. Well, yesterday, I got an offer in the mail from the firm. They said they would like to offer me the Staff Accountant Internship position. Could this be a mistake?? I never applied for the internship position nor did I ever say I was interested in it at the interview. When I went to the interview, they even knew that I’m all done with college, I’m currently a full time worker at a private firm, and am all done with the CPA exam. So, it was made clear that I was applying for the permanent position.

The good news is…this three-month internship could possibly lead to a full time position. But the problem is…why should I take that gamble when I have a stable, full-time job with benefits at a private company? Why give that all up and risk being unemployed after the internship is finished after three months? I know my current job does not meet the work experience requirements to be a CPA, but given the state of the economy, it’s nice to have a stable job, at least. So, I don’t know why they’re offering me an internship position after I applied for the permanent one.

Does this happen sometimes or could this possibly be a mistake? I will give them a call after the holiday and question them, but I’m just curious as to what people here think.

[Minimorty]

Could be a mistake….you won't know until you ask.

How does the pay for the internship stack up to what you are making now?

How does the pay for the full time position stack up to what you are making now?

[Anonymous]

The internship pays more per hour than what I'm currently making. But the thing is, it's only three months and I take a risk being jobless in 3 months if decide not to hire me full time after the internship ends. I will be sure to ask on Tuesday after the Holiday.

If the pay for the internship is higher than what I'm making, then I'm sure their permanent position is higher as well. But they never gave me a salary. The salary usually doesn't get revealed until they offer you the position.

[Minimorty]

Pros:

More Money

Start Getting Experience Towards CPA Immediately

Different Accounting Experience Than What You are Doing Right Now (Exposure to Different Things)

Possibility of Being Hired For a Full Time POsition After Three Months

Cons:

Lose Benefits During Three Month Internship

May Not Get Hired For Full Time Position After Three Months

Feel free to add to the list. Just trying to help you think through the pluses and minuses.

Will your commute change at all? Work hours?

Do you enjoy who you work for/with now?

[Anonymous]

Internships are for kids….

I remember I was at a career fair a few years ago inquiring about a full time job at one particular CPA firm's booth and the punk early 20 something kid (I'm over 30) told me all they had were internships and they would happily submit my resume for that. I remember it vividly because he had this stupid look on his face like it was some sort or honor or privilege to be offered that. Sometimes I think they actually start to believe the garbage they spew out of their mouths but to make a long story short I literally laughed in his face and told him I'm too old for an internship and I got kids to feed.

Point being, if they can't guarantee you stable employment, to me I feel like that's a deal breaker. Now I guess the question is, is it a situation that has long as you do well in the internship they will bring you on or will they potentially can you regardless? Because if it's the former then if you think about it any employer can cut you loose anytime if things don't work out internship or not but if you’re in as long as you don't f*** it up it might be worth the risk.

Good luck whatever you decide…..

[Ying]

@CPAMan – I would definitely call them to confirm. If this one is only an internship, I personally would stay in the current company and apply for other permanent positions in different CPA firms. But that's only my opinion. I'm currently looking for full-time positions as well.

May I ask what resources/website you're using to find the openings? I graduated in May but my career services on campus doesn't help much unfortunately. I'm at the east coast area.

FAR - Passed (11/9/2011)
BEC - Passed (11/28/2011)
AUD - Passed (7/17/2012)
REG - Passed!! DONE!!
Looking for a full-time position now.

[Whatdidyou]

Sounds like it could just be a mistake. Definitely just give them a call and ask.

If they say it is just for an internship. Explain your situation and how you'd have to give up your current position and would really want them to reconsider offering you an staff position instead. Otherwise, it's just not to be.

They may just be wanting to pick you up for busy season and then discard you afterwards, unfortunately smaller firms have a tendency to do that even to those whom they give staff position offers to.

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

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[shiggity80]

Not trying to be a dick or anything, but it seems like you were a bit hasty in creating this thread. You sound like you are panicking prematurely.

Your first thought should have been to call the CPA firm and ask them about the offer. How would any of us really give you a legit answer?

It's a long weekend as well so you probably won't be able to reach their HR/hiring dept until Tues. I assume they gave you some time to decide on accepting the position or not right?

Don't sweat it just yet man. Wait till Tues and give them a call.

FAR: 87
AUD: 86
BEC: 86
REG: 84! Officially Done!

[jelly]

1. It could be an error. I'd say go with the cheery route when you call up and ask, b/c you want to seem grateful that they considered you, even if it's not the position you asked for. You'll want them to keep you in mind for a permanent position, should you decide to not accept the internship.

2. They probably just don't know yet, in terms of how many clients they're going to sign on. Another significant factor is that in about 2.25 months, the US presidential election will be over (and hopefully a winner will be concluded); many businesses are on decision-making standby until the election is over and figured out, b/c this is going to impact short-term planning through 12/31 as well as significantly influence long-term projects to undertake or scrap in the years ahead. Expect to see a lot of mergers and acquisitions closing after the election.

Couldn't pass again!

[titine]

My story is similar to yours: I went to an interview for permanent position, after that they said they can only offer me temp and it's also only 3 months. I refused because I was having a full time job at that time even though it's not accounting related. Few months later they called me back and offered me full time. They even said they wish I took the temp position before so they could train me at that time, not waiting until now, so if this is not a mistake then maybe they want to test the water first? I have an impression that my firm was able to find someone else who was more experienced than me at that time, but I was still a good candidate for them so they wanted me to accept the temp to see if I was a good fit. I didn't but now since they expand the business, they need a junior position and I was lucky enough to get it after all.

[Anonymous]

“Your first thought should have been to call the CPA firm and ask them about the offer. How would any of us really give you a legit answer?”

I got the offer letter in the mail on the weekend of the Labor Day Holiday. I couldn't call until the holiday was over. Kinda silly that they would send an offer and have it arrive during the holiday, but what can ya do?

Anyway, I called yesterday and it was a mistake on their part. Sadly, internships is all they're have to offer me right now; they probably already gave the permanent position to someone else. I gracefully declined….

[Author]

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