[nievjohn]

Just found out that I passed the CPA exam a few weeks ago and having a hard time finding a job. If you know of any firms hiring for entry level positions please email me.

BEC 80
REG 82
FAR 83
Audit 75

[rknight21]

wow how is that possible… i assumed once you passed the cpa the offers would come on in

[nievjohn]

Nope, it actually seems like passing the CPA was easier then finding a job. The only way to get into the BIg 4 is by applying straight from college. If you're not in that category then your next best bet is experienced hires. The only way to get experience is by getting a job at a CPA firm, but its hard to do that since there are so many applicants.

BEC 80
REG 82
FAR 83
Audit 75

[Anonymous]

@rknight:

To be blunt, your assumption is wrong; passing an exam does not mean that 1) you are qualified for a particular job, 2) you are a good interviewer or 3) you are suddenly in demand. Yes, passing the exam is a tremendous accomplishment, but that can't necessarily be what you hang your hat on, either. You might have scored 95 on all four parts, passed them with no problem, but if you aren't suitable for the job, you're not going to get hired. Interpersonal skills, amongst other things, are key aspects that firms look at that can't be measured by a test.

@nievjohn:

I wouldn't necessarily say that you can “only” get into the Big 4 straight from college; that being said, having something lined up out of college is nice/convenient. Don't always assume that Big 4 is always better, either. Regional/local firms sometimes offer things that you wouldn't find in the Big 4, and vice versa. I would also recommend looking for internal audit positions within large corporations within the city and outside (i.e. Northern NJ) where corporate offices might be located. You can obtain your experience in those departments for your certification.

Doc

[nievjohn]

Doc,

I have tried looking, but no one wants to hire someone with absolutely no experience in auditing. My previous position was a staff accountant role at a mid-size manufacturing company, and that experience just doesn't get you in the door. In the end I came up with the conclusion that a cpa firm, any firm in my circumstances, would be fine. But I am still having a lot of trouble. I have send out 100's of resumes with a strong cover letter, but no one seems to be responding. If I do get a response, its just to tell me that the firm either hires only experienced staff members or that the firm is not hiring all together.

In all I'm still keeping my hopes up, you never know whats around the corner tomorrow.

BEC 80
REG 82
FAR 83
Audit 75

[Anonymous]

Here are few places to look:

– Indeed.com

– SimplyHired.com

– TopUSAJobs.com

Good luck.

[Herbieherb]

Actually a CPA pass might be a double edged sword. A firm would want to hire you because you passed, but the wouldnt want to hire you because you passed…makes no sense right? But some how you might be considered “over qualified” for an entry level position…

NEW YORK- DONE

[rknight21]

ok i must ask to fully understand whats being said? how old are you guys? how long have you been out of college? how did your GPA's faired?

i am currently doing my masters and i am looking fwd to being apart of my schools career development in the fall. when i was a senior doing my BA i was able to land a bunch of interviews with many firms but admittedly my interview skills werent so good and at that stage these firms are looking for the best of the best.

so i figured passing a couple of the CPA exams and better interview skills i should have better results next fall.

[nievjohn]

Doc

Thanks for the sites, I have looked at indeed, but haven't touched upon the other two.

Herbi,

You have a very valid point there. That is why my situation is so delicate. There is really no right way of approaching the it. I find the best way of landing a job is through networking, something I lack as of right now.

rknight,

I graduated in 2008 with a BBA in Finance, so my GPA really plays no role in my applications, but some companies still do ask. I'm 25 years old.

I don't think it would be a good idea for you to take the CPA before you finish your degree. Concentrate more on your MBA and the classes. And definitely try to have a job lined up when you graduate college. Most of these firms will pay for your CPA review and will pay you money just for passing the CPA while your working for them.

BEC 80
REG 82
FAR 83
Audit 75

[rknight21]

ok i wish you luck because afterall you passed the exam so you deserve to have a job but i also think there are other factors involved.

Do you have any work experience in a business environment?

BA in Accounting is prefered over a BBA in finance.

How many accounting classes have you taken?

Graduating 3 years ago might be a negative.

Also NYC is way cut throat… I hope to land a job elswhere when i graduate

[zoe0913]

@ nievjohn,

Congrat on your CPA completeness!

Just wondering when you quit your accounting position @ the manufacturing company? Was taking the CPA part of the reason why you quit the job there? Are you looking for the audit position in the city?

Trust me, I know how hard it is to get into big 4 nowadays if you are not newly graduated and sort of have some experiences but maybe not what they are looking for. I went thru the same thing as you. Did you contact any CPA firms HR Dep directly?

@ Herbieherb

I happened to notice that you shared a lot of useful info and experiences w/ other candidates. I'm studying on my very first one, FAR, and will take it on May 9th. But I actually have to finish all 4 before October. All my friends think that's impossible and too intense. Just wondering if you might have any advice on that? I'm pretty frustrated right now…

FAR - 5/9/2011
AUD -
REG -
BEC -

[zoe0913]

FAR - 5/9/2011
AUD -
REG -
BEC -

[nievjohn]

rknight,

Thank you, I need some good luck right now. I only have the experience in the manufacturing company. I have taken all of the classes that an accounting major would take, that's the only way I was able to sit for the exam. NYC is cut throat but they pay the biggest salaries here.

zoe,

I quit the position to go live in LA. Turned out that the job market over there was worse then NYC. When I came back, I decided to take the CPA hoping to make a career out of accounting. Yes, I am looking for an audit position in the city or maybe long island, which ever pop ups first. I contacted the HR at Deloitte, they said that they are full for the entering class for 2011, and if their needs change they will let me know. But I know that's just a nice way of blowing me off. When you say you went through the same thing, were you able to land a job?

Good luck on your CPA tests. It will be very hard to finish everything by October, but not impossible. There is this girl that was able to take all 4 tests in one testing period and passed with 90's +. As long as you have your mind in the right place, you will be able to do it.

BEC 80
REG 82
FAR 83
Audit 75

[SusanStudies]

@ nievjohn

It must be tough for you right now.

Perhaps you may want to look into temp work to gain some more experience. Accountemps specializes in temporary job placement and Robert Half (their parent company) specializes in job placement.

Another option may be to get hired on with a smaller, local, CPA firm during tax season [a little late now] next year. Sometimes they have the need/potential for growth and learning.

Also, check local government agencies. Many have internal auditing departments that are willing to hire at entry-level.

Best of luck!

AUD: 07/11/11 - Passed
BEC: 08/27/11 - Passed
FAR: 01/17/12 - Passed
REG: 04/30/12; Re-take 7/16/12 - Passed

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat and I decided that I won't send out any application because many people in the field told me to go back to school for my MS, then go through career development.

[Peanut]

@nievjohn. I lived and worked in NYC (just moved away from the city a month ago) I had a very hard time finding work. I would not recommend account temps, but I would strongly recommend Ajilon. Have worked with both companies. Accountemps will fling you anywhere they please where Ajilon really works with you, your experience, and what you're looking for. They found me a great full time job with awesome benefits at a great company. Most big companies in NYC use temp agencies. Our company also hired people using winter wyman? I have never gone through them, but they are supposed to be good as well.

AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

[Author]

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