[MrCPA2B]

Hey Ninjas! Hadn’t posted in a while! I am in my final days of my Masters in Accounting program and will graduate next weekend! Recently, I have been interviewing and applying to different accounting jobs that more closely align with my career goals. Now I work as an accounting clerk or as they like to say at my job accounting associate for $12 bucks an hour. During my last 2 final interviews i had with 2 different companies last week they wanted to discuss salary and asked how much are you worth? He stated I’m not sure how much per hour typically a person of your caliber is worth. I completely blanked and said the stupidest thing “I honestly can care less about salary, I am more focused on the experience and growth”. My question is How much should I be expecting with a Masters in Accounting? Also, how can i explain to employers that working as an accounting clerk will make me valuable to their position? Sorry but this has been on my mind ever since the interview and now im depressed because I feel worthless! Mostly because i didn’t secure a job in public accounting right after undergrad.

I live in Virginia BTW…

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[fuzyfro89]

Does anyone actually get asked about your salary in an interview? It's probably not a place you want to work.

Most companies have target ranges for different levels.

Your current (true) salary will be uncovered during the background check.

Tricky situation though, for sure. I hope it works out for you! Good luck!

[fuzyfro89]

Does anyone actually get asked about your salary in an interview? It's probably not a place you want to work.

Most companies have target ranges for different levels.

Your current (true) salary will be uncovered during the background check.

Tricky situation though, for sure. I hope it works out for you! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

@MrCPA2B

I think that was a great answer to the salary question. If you say a number too high, then they might just pass you over for someone else. If you say a number too low, then you would just lowball yourself. So saying something like, “I honestly can care less about salary, I am more focused on the experience and growth,” is actually a pretty good answer.

[Anonymous]

@MrCPA2B

I think that was a great answer to the salary question. If you say a number too high, then they might just pass you over for someone else. If you say a number too low, then you would just lowball yourself. So saying something like, “I honestly can care less about salary, I am more focused on the experience and growth,” is actually a pretty good answer.

[005]

about tree fiddy

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[005]

about tree fiddy

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[san4596]

Iron – I am only suggesting a small fib regarding something they should not be asking for. You should be truthfull about everything else. He would be lowballed if given the current salary, and that is why the employer is asking. In fact, they would probably offer him $32K for a position with an average salary of $50K-$55K. So, tell me why my answer is wrong?

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

Iron – I am only suggesting a small fib regarding something they should not be asking for. You should be truthfull about everything else. He would be lowballed if given the current salary, and that is why the employer is asking. In fact, they would probably offer him $32K for a position with an average salary of $50K-$55K. So, tell me why my answer is wrong?

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[mla1169]

1. Never lie about your current salary. There are actually employers out there who will ask to see a W-2.

2. You're not obligated to tell them your current salary and they almost never press for that information. Generally when asked you can dodge the question entirely by saying “I've researched salaries for this position in this area and am confident that the salary for this job is within my range.”

If a potential employer is hell bent on basing their offer on your previous salary, they're likely not someone you're going to like working for.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

1. Never lie about your current salary. There are actually employers out there who will ask to see a W-2.

2. You're not obligated to tell them your current salary and they almost never press for that information. Generally when asked you can dodge the question entirely by saying “I've researched salaries for this position in this area and am confident that the salary for this job is within my range.”

If a potential employer is hell bent on basing their offer on your previous salary, they're likely not someone you're going to like working for.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Iron_Victory]

@san4596 If you were the owner/partner/hiring manager would you want people to lie to you about their previous salary?

I understand that typically your ending salary is the starting negotiation point to your new salary, giving some an incentive to not be truthful.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Iron_Victory]

@san4596 If you were the owner/partner/hiring manager would you want people to lie to you about their previous salary?

I understand that typically your ending salary is the starting negotiation point to your new salary, giving some an incentive to not be truthful.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Guti]

The best way to get a pay increase here in South Florida is to switch to another company and tell your prospect employers that you were making 7K more than you did. I have never heard of an employer asking for a w-2. I think that is part on an urban legend. They don’t really care because either you are on their budget or you are not. I don’t understand all these stories about 12 per hour. There was another individual writing about how he makes 12.00 per hour as a CPA.

AP and AR clerks with a high school diploma or GED make about 18/Hr on this part of the nation. Either we are overpaid here in South Florida or there is just too much competition up north.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Guti]

The best way to get a pay increase here in South Florida is to switch to another company and tell your prospect employers that you were making 7K more than you did. I have never heard of an employer asking for a w-2. I think that is part on an urban legend. They don’t really care because either you are on their budget or you are not. I don’t understand all these stories about 12 per hour. There was another individual writing about how he makes 12.00 per hour as a CPA.

AP and AR clerks with a high school diploma or GED make about 18/Hr on this part of the nation. Either we are overpaid here in South Florida or there is just too much competition up north.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[mla1169]

I was asked by 2 companies to provide my W-2. I excused myself from the interviews both times when the person asking couldn't understand that your W-2 is not your salary because it shows your wages net of pre tax deductions. One has since offered me a job.

And clerks are most definately overpaid if they're making $18/hr with a high school diploma, I'd like to look up jobs in that area. I'm less than 20 min north of Boston and ap and at clerks start around $12/hour here.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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