[univegabw]

I am currently a receiving manager with a grocery chain that doesn’t receive any true accounting experience. I have done an internship with a minor league baseball teams accounting department, but now am interviewing for a recent successful upstart software company’s entry level accounting job. It’s a 4 person department counting the controller (CPA certified). I am going to work on passing the CPA exam within the next year once graduation is over in December. My question is whether leaving my current job that pays the mortgage for this job would make sense or looking for public cpa firm jobs might be a better option?

I live in Colorado and am trying to beat the July 2015 150 credit hour change and am lacking experience under a CPA.

A- 53, 55
B- Passed!
F- Not Yet Taken
R- 1/17/2015

[tough_kitty]

Depends on your long term goals…and whether you can actually afford taking a pay cut. I know I can't (same reason) so I'll stick with the state for now because I know I got a better chance of getting my next big raise and I don't have to worry about job security… My dream of having a big career in accounting will have to wait…. As I said in my other posts here, apply, go to the interview, and if you get the offer, you'll know it was meant to be…

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Depends on your long term goals…and whether you can actually afford taking a pay cut. I know I can't (same reason) so I'll stick with the state for now because I know I got a better chance of getting my next big raise and I don't have to worry about job security… My dream of having a big career in accounting will have to wait…. As I said in my other posts here, apply, go to the interview, and if you get the offer, you'll know it was meant to be…

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Right out of college it definitely makes sense to try getting a job in public accounting if you have such an option in your area.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Right out of college it definitely makes sense to try getting a job in public accounting if you have such an option in your area.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

I agree with tough_kitty. I been with a Telecommunications company in the accounting dept. for the past few years, I work under a controller who is a CPA. I won't have the 150 hrs to sit for the CPA until May 2014. When that time comes I will start applying at different local CPA firms to see if I can get an interview with some of them. Only if I hopefully get a job offer will I quit my job. I think you should make sure you have the job offer on the table before you quit your current job. Just go to the interview, if you get the offer then great, if not, then give up..keep looking while at your current job. Just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

I agree with tough_kitty. I been with a Telecommunications company in the accounting dept. for the past few years, I work under a controller who is a CPA. I won't have the 150 hrs to sit for the CPA until May 2014. When that time comes I will start applying at different local CPA firms to see if I can get an interview with some of them. Only if I hopefully get a job offer will I quit my job. I think you should make sure you have the job offer on the table before you quit your current job. Just go to the interview, if you get the offer then great, if not, then give up..keep looking while at your current job. Just my 2 cents.

[evesocal]

I agree, too. Get the public accounting job if you can but don't quit until you have the offer.

Good luck!

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[evesocal]

I agree, too. Get the public accounting job if you can but don't quit until you have the offer.

Good luck!

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[univegabw]

I wasn't ever planning to quit before I got an offer. Sorry if I didn't make it clear. Just was wondering whether a non public accounting job was worth jump in for if you need CPA hours to get licensed more I think.

Thanks for the feedback.

A- 53, 55
B- Passed!
F- Not Yet Taken
R- 1/17/2015

[univegabw]

I wasn't ever planning to quit before I got an offer. Sorry if I didn't make it clear. Just was wondering whether a non public accounting job was worth jump in for if you need CPA hours to get licensed more I think.

Thanks for the feedback.

A- 53, 55
B- Passed!
F- Not Yet Taken
R- 1/17/2015

[Anonymous]

If you need to have your experience within about 1.75 years, then I'd definitely start looking for a job that counts for the experience requirement. Of course if you can't afford the lower pay, then you might be stuck getting the extra credits, but hopefully you can find something that (with economical living) can pay the bills and get you the experience you need.

If I'm reading correctly on CO's site, the requirement is specifically public accounting and specifically under a CPA's supervision…so no way to “swing” it with the private job. (Like, in my state, it's simply a year of accounting, “public” is not specified…so I could get away with a private job, presuming there was a CPA to sign off on it. And..in my state, the CPA doesn't have to be my supervisor in any way, just has to be willing to sign. But, your state's a bit more strict. 🙂 The good news is that it's not as strict as some – some states require that you work in audit specifically, so at least your options are open to tax as well!) So it looks like if you want to get the experience before July 2015, you have to switch jobs…and in that case, the sooner you start looking, the more options will be available to you. (If it's Jun 1, 2014, you kinda have to take anything that's offered to you – if it's Oct 1, 2013. you can be a bit more discriminating about the offer you accept.)

[Anonymous]

If you need to have your experience within about 1.75 years, then I'd definitely start looking for a job that counts for the experience requirement. Of course if you can't afford the lower pay, then you might be stuck getting the extra credits, but hopefully you can find something that (with economical living) can pay the bills and get you the experience you need.

If I'm reading correctly on CO's site, the requirement is specifically public accounting and specifically under a CPA's supervision…so no way to “swing” it with the private job. (Like, in my state, it's simply a year of accounting, “public” is not specified…so I could get away with a private job, presuming there was a CPA to sign off on it. And..in my state, the CPA doesn't have to be my supervisor in any way, just has to be willing to sign. But, your state's a bit more strict. 🙂 The good news is that it's not as strict as some – some states require that you work in audit specifically, so at least your options are open to tax as well!) So it looks like if you want to get the experience before July 2015, you have to switch jobs…and in that case, the sooner you start looking, the more options will be available to you. (If it's Jun 1, 2014, you kinda have to take anything that's offered to you – if it's Oct 1, 2013. you can be a bit more discriminating about the offer you accept.)

[Skrier]

@univegabw…..have you talked with your current employer about the possibility of moving into their accounting department? I see you work for a grocery chain, perhaps they would have an opportunity for you since you have been employed with them for a few years. I would contact your HR department and let them know you plans, Graduation in December….plans to sit for the CPA exam in 2014.. employers are always looking for dedicated employees…so by letting them know your plans they may see the value in keeping an employee who already has some knowledge of the business. In addition, there may be a CPA on staff that could serve as a mentor for you. Good Luck!

AUD- 84
FAR- 75
REG- 78...I am DONE!!!
BEC- 79

[Skrier]

@univegabw…..have you talked with your current employer about the possibility of moving into their accounting department? I see you work for a grocery chain, perhaps they would have an opportunity for you since you have been employed with them for a few years. I would contact your HR department and let them know you plans, Graduation in December….plans to sit for the CPA exam in 2014.. employers are always looking for dedicated employees…so by letting them know your plans they may see the value in keeping an employee who already has some knowledge of the business. In addition, there may be a CPA on staff that could serve as a mentor for you. Good Luck!

AUD- 84
FAR- 75
REG- 78...I am DONE!!!
BEC- 79

[univegabw]

I work for NATURAL GROCERS, via Safeway for 12 years before that. I am 3 months in so I'm not fully dedicated to staying with the company it was just a great opportunity for a better work life balance from my 80 hr physically demanding job. I wasn't fully sure if Colorado specified Public or not thanks for that @Lilla. In order to work in their accounting department it would be a huge leap moving 100 miles north and forcing my wife and I to sell our house her to switch jobs and school as she is also going for Accounting degree, but is definitely after her masters since she won't beat the deadline.

I think in the next 3 months I'm going to look hard at public opportunities and if this current one is a good move for experience I would probably take it if offered to me.

These are exciting times! Thanks for the help everyone.

A- 53, 55
B- Passed!
F- Not Yet Taken
R- 1/17/2015

[Author]

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