Job Search in CA - Page 2

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #183280
    Jack_J
    Participant

    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?

Viewing 15 replies - 16 through 30 (of 58 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #508111

    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.

    #508055
    tough_kitty
    Member

    I didn't realize San Diego was more affordable than the rest of SoCal. I'd love to have a beachfront house! 🙂 but traffic in SoCal is too crazy and so is the cost of living, so for now I'm staying in Sacramento. It's more affordable and still in California!

    In terms of jobs, you have big 4, a few regional CPA firms, some smaller CPA firms, and a lot of state agencies to choose from – all located in Sacramento. And then there are a few other options for private industries/corporate accounting.

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

    #508113
    tough_kitty
    Member

    I didn't realize San Diego was more affordable than the rest of SoCal. I'd love to have a beachfront house! 🙂 but traffic in SoCal is too crazy and so is the cost of living, so for now I'm staying in Sacramento. It's more affordable and still in California!

    In terms of jobs, you have big 4, a few regional CPA firms, some smaller CPA firms, and a lot of state agencies to choose from – all located in Sacramento. And then there are a few other options for private industries/corporate accounting.

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

    #508115
    mystical guy
    Member

    @NeverGiveUpCPA and @Tough Kitty, CPA…

    I think I can deal with the fires, and I heard about the issues with the water shortage. I can deal with those easily.

    But let's talk about the real issue for me, which is the numbers.

    What would it cost me to get a one-bedroom apartment in a quiet/nice neighborhood… be it San Diego or Sacramento, assuming the cost of living is about the same both cities? And if I was starting out at the Big Four, say in Assurance, what I'm I looking to make? Thanks people!

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

    #508057
    mystical guy
    Member

    @NeverGiveUpCPA and @Tough Kitty, CPA…

    I think I can deal with the fires, and I heard about the issues with the water shortage. I can deal with those easily.

    But let's talk about the real issue for me, which is the numbers.

    What would it cost me to get a one-bedroom apartment in a quiet/nice neighborhood… be it San Diego or Sacramento, assuming the cost of living is about the same both cities? And if I was starting out at the Big Four, say in Assurance, what I'm I looking to make? Thanks people!

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

    #508117
    tough_kitty
    Member

    Big 4 starting salary in CA is about $55K – Sacramento or Bay Area, however, the cost of living is WAY lower in Sacramento. You can get a 1 bedroom apt in a decent area for as low as $800/month. Better areas charge about $1,200. If you were to look in San Jose, for instance, you'd be looking at $1,300 for a studio. Unfortunately, cost of living isn't the same in each area. Renting near the ocean is way more expensive.

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

    #508059
    tough_kitty
    Member

    Big 4 starting salary in CA is about $55K – Sacramento or Bay Area, however, the cost of living is WAY lower in Sacramento. You can get a 1 bedroom apt in a decent area for as low as $800/month. Better areas charge about $1,200. If you were to look in San Jose, for instance, you'd be looking at $1,300 for a studio. Unfortunately, cost of living isn't the same in each area. Renting near the ocean is way more expensive.

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

    #508119

    @mystical…Oh Sacramento is definitely more affordable than SD. But SD is more of a tourist town, so there are a lot more activities down here. It's a trade-off…depending on what you prefer. I haven't rented in awhile, but based on my children renting in the area, you can probably find a 1 bedroom in a quiet neighborhood in the $900 – $1400 range. My all time favorite neighborhood to live in SD is Tierrasanta…which is on the more expensive side. But when it came time to buy I had to look elsewhere. You can find cheaper, but I don't think it would be in such a great neighborhood. As far as what you can earn at the Big 4…I don't know, since I've never worked there. But I assume it would be competitive for the area. I work in La Jolla, and I think Ernst & Young and KPMG are both in this area. But renting there is on the super expensive end.

    #508061

    @mystical…Oh Sacramento is definitely more affordable than SD. But SD is more of a tourist town, so there are a lot more activities down here. It's a trade-off…depending on what you prefer. I haven't rented in awhile, but based on my children renting in the area, you can probably find a 1 bedroom in a quiet neighborhood in the $900 – $1400 range. My all time favorite neighborhood to live in SD is Tierrasanta…which is on the more expensive side. But when it came time to buy I had to look elsewhere. You can find cheaper, but I don't think it would be in such a great neighborhood. As far as what you can earn at the Big 4…I don't know, since I've never worked there. But I assume it would be competitive for the area. I work in La Jolla, and I think Ernst & Young and KPMG are both in this area. But renting there is on the super expensive end.

    #508063

    @kitty…I almost moved to the Sacto area, when I worked for the state, but my heart just would not let me leave SD! It just kills me that it's so much cheaper up there.

    #508121

    @kitty…I almost moved to the Sacto area, when I worked for the state, but my heart just would not let me leave SD! It just kills me that it's so much cheaper up there.

    #508123
    tough_kitty
    Member

    Bottom line, you go wherever your job takes you 🙂

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

    #508065
    tough_kitty
    Member

    Bottom line, you go wherever your job takes you 🙂

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

    #508125
    tough_kitty
    Member

    NeverGiveUpCPA: haha, and it kills me I am so far away from the ocean! 🙂 but like you said, it's a trade-off… I bought a house over here. I doubt I'd be able to find a 3 bed 2 bath brand new house in SD for under $300K.

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

    #508067
    tough_kitty
    Member

    NeverGiveUpCPA: haha, and it kills me I am so far away from the ocean! 🙂 but like you said, it's a trade-off… I bought a house over here. I doubt I'd be able to find a 3 bed 2 bath brand new house in SD for under $300K.

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

Viewing 15 replies - 16 through 30 (of 58 total)
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