[Anonymous]

I have gotten few calls for phone interview regarding accounting jobs, but no office interview 🙁 . Bio on me, is that I finished all 4 parts of CPA already, but no accounting experience.

One interview I said 50K (Audit Associate). After that I felt like it was too much, and I haven’t gotten an call back

So, how should I answer the question about how much I want? At this point, I feel like, if someone ask again, I would just say, “what your average range or what do you usually pay someone at my qualification”?

Feedbacks will be appreciated

[mla1169]

Well you know its going to depend on your location (50k in NYC is not the same as 50k in Smackover Arkansas-yes its a real city!) So I'd start with your idea of asking them what the salary being offered is.

If pressed, I'd be prepared by having used a website like glassdoor or salary.com and read some job descriptions that are in your local area. Find one closest to you, and give a general figure ( low 50's as opposed to 50k). Also be prepared to adjust a bit for your lack of experience. If an audit associate pays 50k, take 5% off for having no experience at all.

Good luck!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I would love to hear some more comments on this as well. Most jobs I have been looking into require listing prior salaries or providing salary requirements.

To me it depends heavily on benefits and the expected hours and responsibility of the position. But I'm afraid of selling myself short. I was also told that giving a range is always a mistake because if an offer arises it will target the lower end of your range.

It seems like in my area salaries and benefits vary greatly. I would rather avoid salary questions all together and let them make an offer so I can decide if it will work for me. How do you do this successfully without alienating the company and putting the offer at risk?

[littlenumberrobot]

I gave a range for my current position, yes my boss took the lower end, but I didn't fight to get higher. I was happy with all the options in the range. I'm currently doing research for my asking for a raise. I have been looking at the Robert Half salary guide. They tailor the ranges for locations and size. Like bluegirl, I could be making more but I have an awesome work life balance in public accounting so I take that into consideration. Health benefits stink because its a small firm, but I am young and unattached at the time so it's okay for me. Just got to get this CPA thing over! Also, I refused to tell my current boss how much I was making at my last job… and he still hired me!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

wonderful everyone, this is exactly what I was looking for. cheers !!

@mla1169 I did look glassdoor.com and min was 49, and avg was 55K. so I get 50k is good. But next time, I will just use range or ask what they offer. because right now, I am shooting for a job,not necessary a salary.

[ti807910]

Just throwing this out there, I have heard the correct response to the interview salary question is “Something comparable to my peers with same level of experience and qualifications.” You don't name anything. Can anyone verify?

FAR: 72, 68, 73, 78 (passed)
REG: 61, 70, 73, 63, 78 (passed)
AUD: 65, 84 (passed)
BEC: 89 (passed)

NASBA gave Doby a passing score, Doby is freeee!!

[someaccountant]

I think it's better to offer a range based on market, experience, and position. Blatantly stating an exact going-rate for your employment can be a putoff to most employers and you are already discounting the value of the benefits, which are always different. For that reason, I've always used a range.

In my experience, I was always offered at least mid-range.

FAR - 84!
REG - 76!
AUD - 80!
BEC - August 2013

[One day….]

I was offered 8k more than the highest amount in my salary range I gave. My range was lower than average, but I had no experience and didn't want the salary to be the reason I didn't get a call back. So just because you offer a range doesn't mean they won't exceed it.

One day is today! I'm DOOONNNNNEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

[samdiegoCPA]

Yep, do some research on google and you will see people saying that you should NOT mention any salary to them, wait til they offer you something instead. You risk lowballing yourself. Say like “I think we can come to an agreement” etc. You will find a lot more in your searches!

I am in the process of interviewing as well, so I have been reading everything about them. askamanager.com is great.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[littlenumberrobot]

@samdiegoCPA

Thanks for the website askamanager.com… I love it! It may consume my downtime today instead of A71 lol

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Author]

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