[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!

[mla1169]

Gian you can call them. You're welcome for the education.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Gian you can call them. You're welcome for the education.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Guti]

studylongUstudywrong, you are right and I should be studying. The sad part is that she never understood what me and San were trying to convey.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[Guti]

studylongUstudywrong, you are right and I should be studying. The sad part is that she never understood what me and San were trying to convey.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[mla1169]

I understood that you were trying to say that even though every expert agrees NOT to fudge your salary, two very young professionals agree that its ok and therefore its ok.

You are arrogant Gian, asking me if I want a little star for calling you out.. You also mentioned that you were not going to engage in a back and forth, yet here you are. Credibility = 0.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I understood that you were trying to say that even though every expert agrees NOT to fudge your salary, two very young professionals agree that its ok and therefore its ok.

You are arrogant Gian, asking me if I want a little star for calling you out.. You also mentioned that you were not going to engage in a back and forth, yet here you are. Credibility = 0.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[jw_83]

I started out in a very similar situation as the OP. I was working as an accounting clerk making $11.50/hr. Once I finished my masters they gave me a raise to $13.50/hr. Although, a nice gesture, I went back to school to do something more. So I started interviewing with small public accounting firms (about 10 employees). When asked the question about salary, I know I low balled it, but I wanted to get my foot in the door, get experience, and start studying for my exams. So I told them about $35,000. They offered me $33,500. I took it, it was still over $5,000 more a year. After three years I am up to $38,500. However, I got licensed over a month ago. I was expecting another raise, but haven't received one yet. I am not sure if I should approach the subject or keep waiting to see what happens.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[jw_83]

I started out in a very similar situation as the OP. I was working as an accounting clerk making $11.50/hr. Once I finished my masters they gave me a raise to $13.50/hr. Although, a nice gesture, I went back to school to do something more. So I started interviewing with small public accounting firms (about 10 employees). When asked the question about salary, I know I low balled it, but I wanted to get my foot in the door, get experience, and start studying for my exams. So I told them about $35,000. They offered me $33,500. I took it, it was still over $5,000 more a year. After three years I am up to $38,500. However, I got licensed over a month ago. I was expecting another raise, but haven't received one yet. I am not sure if I should approach the subject or keep waiting to see what happens.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Anonymous]

i agree with san, usually when headhunters or recruiters contact me, i always inflate my salary a bit. rarely do i get asked in a job interview tho

[Anonymous]

i agree with san, usually when headhunters or recruiters contact me, i always inflate my salary a bit. rarely do i get asked in a job interview tho

[Anonymous]

question to y'all: if your current employer asked if you were currently looking, would you say yes or no? sure you could say “i cant discuss that” but that pretty much implies to the employer that yes you are…

[Anonymous]

question to y'all: if your current employer asked if you were currently looking, would you say yes or no? sure you could say “i cant discuss that” but that pretty much implies to the employer that yes you are…

[Anonymous]

and if any employer tried to get a w-2 from me, its prolly not worth it imo

[Anonymous]

and if any employer tried to get a w-2 from me, its prolly not worth it imo

[Not a Quitter]

A friend in a large US city was recently asked for her most recent pay stub while in the process of being offered a job. Just sayin'.

FAR- 85 I'm DONE!
BEC- 75
REG- 60,60,75
AUD- 74,74,83

CPAExcel used for BEC, AUD, REG
Exam Matrix used for FAR plus NINJA Blitz, cpareviewforfree and a little CPAExcel

[Author]

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