[BRITTANY.CAMP]

I have received my license back in August. The only experience I have is working in a business office accounting department mainly accounts payable. I am wanting to gain experience with tax returns or auditing. How should I go about getting hired without experience or get someone to give me a chance and train me? There are a few smaller CPA offices around my area. Anyone have some good advice?

[Porma Fierles]

Do not expect an online application alone to get you a job.

[Chris]

My local chapter of Society of CPA's published a book of every accounting firm in my state. They all listed a name and email of a hiring manager. I reached out to every firm that I was interested in. Not the prettiest approach, but I got a few hits. Maybe you can see if your state society does the same.

NH CPA
REG: 07/03/2014 - 88
AUD: 08/30/2014 - 73 - Retake 10/16/14 - 86
BEC: 05/31/2015 - 77
FAR: 08/08/2015 - 64 - Retake 11/23/15 - 77

Becker*NINJA Notes/MCQ*

Now I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem
Or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams ~ Kanye West

[hasy]

There are a couple of ways. When I graduated 2 years ago, I literally had that list of top firms within my county and I emailed like 15 of them? I got 2 offers, tax and audit, which led to other firms as well (since I was referred). It's not a bad way, I still recommend it, despite the amount of work. The fact that you're licensed means firms/companies SHOULD want you, maybe not at the pay you'd prefer.

Also, reach out to recruiters on linkedin from the companies you desire. I've been sought out before and it's not at all uncommon for you to reach out first. Show initiative. At the moment, it may be JUST past the prime hiring time for bigger firms but I know firms are always looking for people who are already licensed.

In addition to that book, reach out to the local CPA chapter and check out the events that they have. If it's expensive, find the cheapest one and attend it. Start speaking to people and ask for their cards. Follow up with coffee/informational meetings, see if their firm is hiring.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

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BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Pete]

As others have stated, I would heavily lean on your board's membership society. If you need the credit hours, I would double up. Take classes at your community college while you get the student membership (heavily discounted or free); that's what i'm doing anyways.

Additionally, I wouldn't recommend on tossing resumes to people. What you want to do is ask for informational interviews; it's ironic, but it's more effective. Instead of tossing resumes at those people, who meet you, you should give them a marketing plan.

Why should this method work better? The person you conduct the informational interview KNOWS YOUR LOOKING. Why the F else would you meet with them like that? They will absolutely ask you for a resume if they like you and the firm is hiring for a suitable role with your experiences. If the firm isn't hiring though, now you can get even more introductions to other people, who might know of others, who are hiring. In the meantime, you'll stay in the minds of that first firm/company, if something does come up because you will now have a “friend” there.

Of course, campus recruiting is a much, much more effective means of getting hired; even in that case though, networking will have tremendous benefit. I knew of a guy, who had a 2.8 GPA, back in 2010, when I was on campus, with offers for BIG 4 FIRMS as well as fortune 500 companies. The guy turned down the Big 4 offers because he made more at a fortune 500 company (60k+/year starting in 2010 was pretty damn good) and he was very lazy and didn't want to work long hours. The guy got these positions because he networked well and was very strong socially, not because his meager GPA. The guy didn't have the 150 credit hours either, so he might have had a 6 month contract stipulation, but still. Also note, at that point, my school had a min Big 4 GPA of 3.4; I barely got interview on campus, but couldn't get past first rounds.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Author]

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