[Jack_J]

Hi CA CPA residents I have been approve by the CBA to write the CPA which I have target 2014 as my completion date I intend moving to CA permanently to practice the CPA .I am currently based in MD and want to start seeking for jobs in CA so that once I complete CPA I just do one/two year practice to satisfy the licensing requirement since I really have not worked under a CPA supervision .My quick question is how do I approach my job search (any suggested websites,agencies) and what is the employment situation like in CA. I really love the state great weather except the standard of living I am told is a bit high but once i get an accounting/auditing job I believe I should be fine. How easy is to get a job in CA applying from an out of state?

[mystical guy]

Great question.. I'm also waiting to hear a response for this. I've been to Stockon, CA, and it was an amazing place. The weather is definitely great and there's lots to do there. I did notice that everything was a lot more expensive than Ohio, where I'm at right now. A CPA told me that someone who makes 90k in CA is worse off than 60k in Ohio, for instance.. I don't know if this is true but that's what he said. I'm tempted to think that it's probably better to start working in Maryland and then ask for a transfer to CA.. Anyhow, Californians please advise 🙂

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

Great question.. I'm also waiting to hear a response for this. I've been to Stockon, CA, and it was an amazing place. The weather is definitely great and there's lots to do there. I did notice that everything was a lot more expensive than Ohio, where I'm at right now. A CPA told me that someone who makes 90k in CA is worse off than 60k in Ohio, for instance.. I don't know if this is true but that's what he said. I'm tempted to think that it's probably better to start working in Maryland and then ask for a transfer to CA.. Anyhow, Californians please advise 🙂

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[NeverGiveUpCPA]

@Jack…the standard of living is quite high in Cali, but if you are willing to sacrifice a little, you can be very happy here. It also depends where you are looking. I live in San Diego and I love it! There is nothing that would convince me to leave this place (even after living in Hawaii for 5 years). I don't know about other companies, but I work a government job (federal) and we hire people from out of state all the time, so that's not really an issue. I think we have a higher rate of unemployment here in CA, but I see a lot of jobs posted, so if you have what they are looking for then I don't think it will be too hard. What specifically are you looking for? And are you looking at a specific area in CA?

[NeverGiveUpCPA]

@Jack…the standard of living is quite high in Cali, but if you are willing to sacrifice a little, you can be very happy here. It also depends where you are looking. I live in San Diego and I love it! There is nothing that would convince me to leave this place (even after living in Hawaii for 5 years). I don't know about other companies, but I work a government job (federal) and we hire people from out of state all the time, so that's not really an issue. I think we have a higher rate of unemployment here in CA, but I see a lot of jobs posted, so if you have what they are looking for then I don't think it will be too hard. What specifically are you looking for? And are you looking at a specific area in CA?

[NeverGiveUpCPA]

@ mystical…I have lived all over CA and can say I love SoCal the best, but that's just my preference. I know a lot of people who love living in the Bay Area or LA area. I think it's cheaper down here in SoCal, and we have better weather too! 😉 When I worked for the state I used to travel up to SF, Sacramento, Vacaville…that whole area, and there are pockets up there that are affordable, but generally, the closer you get to the beach the more expensive it is. In San Diego you can be pretty close to the beach (within 20 miles) and still be really affordable.

[NeverGiveUpCPA]

@ mystical…I have lived all over CA and can say I love SoCal the best, but that's just my preference. I know a lot of people who love living in the Bay Area or LA area. I think it's cheaper down here in SoCal, and we have better weather too! 😉 When I worked for the state I used to travel up to SF, Sacramento, Vacaville…that whole area, and there are pockets up there that are affordable, but generally, the closer you get to the beach the more expensive it is. In San Diego you can be pretty close to the beach (within 20 miles) and still be really affordable.

[mystical guy]

@NeverGiveUpCPA

Thanks for the info. I don't mind living far from the beach but close to work. I'm just concerned about security and the crazy forest fires. If I was looking for the peaceful, quiet, but cheap area, near one of the Big Fours, where would you recommend? I've had thoughts of working at the Big Four then jumping to Government later on.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@NeverGiveUpCPA

Thanks for the info. I don't mind living far from the beach but close to work. I'm just concerned about security and the crazy forest fires. If I was looking for the peaceful, quiet, but cheap area, near one of the Big Fours, where would you recommend? I've had thoughts of working at the Big Four then jumping to Government later on.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[tough_kitty]

Stockton, CA – one of the cities with the biggest number of crimes!!!!!

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

[tough_kitty]

Stockton, CA – one of the cities with the biggest number of crimes!!!!!

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

[tough_kitty]

Mystical guy – SACRAMENTO! 🙂

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

[tough_kitty]

Mystical guy – SACRAMENTO! 🙂

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

[mystical guy]

@Tough Kitty, CPA, Lol. In all honesty, yes it was a poor neighborhood opposite the University of the Pacific. My ex-gf was living there and attending her MAcc and funny enough there were never any incidents, at least while I was there.

Hoping not to offend anyone, I did sense a bit of racial tension, though. That was all. Maybe a lot, but no one got hurt.

SoCal and Sacramento… I'll be doing some research on this.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@Tough Kitty, CPA, Lol. In all honesty, yes it was a poor neighborhood opposite the University of the Pacific. My ex-gf was living there and attending her MAcc and funny enough there were never any incidents, at least while I was there.

Hoping not to offend anyone, I did sense a bit of racial tension, though. That was all. Maybe a lot, but no one got hurt.

SoCal and Sacramento… I'll be doing some research on this.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[NeverGiveUpCPA]

LOL…yeah mystical I don't think I would move to Stockton if security is a big concern. And we do have more than our share of fires down in SoCal. I like the Sacramento area, but it's too far inland for me and my allergies. I prefer living along the coast where the weather is more mild, and my allergies are more manageable. I'm not sure where the Big 4 are, other than the big metro areas (San Diego, LA, SF). But most of the areas in between are much cheaper to live in.

[Author]

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