Job/Salary advice for a unique situation - Page 2

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    Topic
  • #162293
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    OK, so here is my story I will try to keep it short, if you don’t care about background info just scroll to the bottom for my main question!

    I graduated in KY in 2010 with a Bachelors in Business-Accounting. I pretty much hated the state(except for basketball of course) and all the surrounding ones so I moved to Hawaii(best decision ever!). I really enjoyed school so I figured that it would be better to just keeping going rather than bumming around trying to find a job right away. I had already gotten my degree with an emphasis in Accounting and had met the CPA requirements so I thought it was a little pointless to get my MACC and went for my MBA instead. School here has been awesome, I’ve gained a much broader understanding of how businesses operate in every aspect. I also had the opportunity to work with people from various cultures that I otherwise never would have come into contact with.

    Over summer I began to work on the CPA exam and passed BEC, REG, and FAR, and have no doubts that I will pass AUD sometime within the next few months. During my undergraduate studies I worked for 3 years(part-time) as an accounting assistant, finance/accounting intern, and in AP. In Hawaii I have only done a small amount of bookkeeping.

    Now I am starting to apply and begin interviewing with CPA firms in the area and I am just curious if anyone has any idea of what I should expect. We have 3 of the big 4, no PWC, and a few regional firms, I plan on applying to most if not all. I know the starting salary for a fresh college graduate is anywhere from 38~55.

    So my main question is…What should I expect as a starting salary for a 24 yr old MBA graduate(3.8~3.9) who has passed all 4 sections, and has, relatively speaking, decent work experience?

    Thanks for your help! Of course if you have any questions or need more info let me know.

Viewing 12 replies - 16 through 27 (of 27 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #304174
    katiekanton
    Member

    @markiux88 I'm trying to plan a “reward” vacation when this is all over to motivate me. I'm thinking Disneyland, believe it or not. We went a few years ago and loved it, and I have about $800 in Disney gift certificates. Acapulco sounds good too, though. Also considered a short cruise to the Bahamas, just to relax on the “days at sea”, plus they're dirt cheap.

    AUD - 88
    FAR - 90
    REG - 85
    BEC - 88

    #304175
    markiux88
    Member

    @katiekanton…I just remembered that I don't know how to swim, so Acapulco, Cancun, and Hawaii are out of my list..Plus I live 1 mile away from the beach so I'm tired of it……I'd like to go to the Rocky Mountains and all those beautiful places..I miss mother nature…I just hope they give a 12k raise once I pass this;otheriwse I'm quitting…lol

    #304176
    katiekanton
    Member

    Well, ok, but I'm a little confused. What exactly does swimming have to do with lying on the beach drinking a margarita? For mountains, I am DYING to go the Tetons after seeing Shane recently.

    AUD - 88
    FAR - 90
    REG - 85
    BEC - 88

    #304177
    markiux88
    Member

    I don't like alcohol, but I'll drink a Coca-Cola with peanuts on the side…damnnnnnnn..life will be good in 12 months..haha

    #304178
    Peanut
    Participant

    Oh a little side of peanut ehhh?? ha

    AUD 81 (X4) Previous scores 59, 72, 72
    REG 80 (X3) Previous scores 59, 60
    FAR 75 (X2) Previous score 67
    BEC 79 (X2) Previous score 58

    #304179
    kandisjoy
    Participant

    @katiekanton – I vote Disneyland. I've been there many times throughout my life, but I went about a year and a half ago with my fiance (boyfriend at the time) and we had such an amazing time. We still talk about it. I think I'm going to try to go back within the next six months or so.

    FAR: 71, 77
    BEC: 70, 82
    AUD: 62, 78
    REG: 71, 68, 85

    CA Licensed 11/2011

    #304180

    I skipped pretty much all the responses, so sorry if someone has said this. The starting salary for my class this year at a B4 firm in one of the top 5 cities in the U.S. was 55K (w a 5k bonus for passing the CPA). I'm pretty sure this is pretty standard no matter what city you start at for a B4 firm.

    AUD - 85
    FAR - 78 (lol@ FAR Sims)
    REG - 85
    BEC - August

    #304181
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    NEW QUESTION

    Seeing that someone else in the thread had a similar concern here is the other question I had…

    Generally firms give a bonus when you pass the exam within the first year or two…How does that work with someone who comes in passing all four parts? Do they just get the short end of the stick or is the bonus tacked on to the signing bonus if applicable?

    #304182

    Uh, TBH, IDK what they would do if you have already passed all 4 parts. Have you also passed the ethics portion as well? If you haven't maybe you could try to say you still haven't technically ‘passed' the CPA yet, and you might still be eligible (if you weren't in the first place).

    Basically this is how it works for most people coming straight out of college:

    1) You are given a job offer 1-2 semesters before you graduate..During this time you are given info on how to signup to get ‘free' CPA study materials (i.e.Becker).

    2) After you have passed all 4 parts of the CPA (and the ethics exam) you fill out a form in your office which shows that you have all the requirements completed and you will eventually get your $5000 bonus in 1-2 pay periods. At this time you can also fill out a form to get reimbursed for any fees you paid to take the exam (limit is $3000 in various fees in my office and DOES NOT include reimbursement of fees for having to re-take an exam)

    Anyhow, I would bet that as long as you haven't actually applied and/or gotten your CPA license yet you would still be eligible to get the $5000 bonus.

    AUD - 85
    FAR - 78 (lol@ FAR Sims)
    REG - 85
    BEC - August

    #304183
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I really don't know, but imo the salaries in Hawaii probably aren't that great because there aren't that many big companies HQ there. The big4 probably have very small offices there and don't employ many people and it's probably pretty competitive which means they can afford to pay less (unfortunately). And when you talk about the unemployment rate and the tourism…tourism doesn't necessarily keep low unemployment rates for professionals, although of course tourism being high will still employ everyone. There still may be a shortage or a tough job market for highly educated professionals, you really never know until you get out there. The market will show you what salary you will earn…

    I've learned and seen that high COL doesn't mean high wages. Here in Southern CA the wages aren't much higher than the midwest or texas, but a house is 2-4x as much for example. Sunshine tax!! It's worth it though to me and I would LOOOVVVEEE to live in Hawaii. I was just in Oahu last year and it's an awesome island, but Maui is my fave, for now. I hope to visit Kauai soon!!

    Good luck in your job search!!

    #304184
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    In theory if you've passed the CPA exam your bonus should be a higher starting wage. And if you've passed all 4 parts or have your license I would certainly use that to your advantage in salary negotiations!

    #304185
    senbi575
    Member

    Been involved with the Honolulu accounting industry for 10 years. Friend worked for Hawaii PWC office with an MBA (before the local office turned into Acuity), only got a $1-$2k premium over BBA 1st years. If you don't have CPA firm (public accounting) experience then I doubt if it will help you get a higher salary/position. Keep in mind that other UH Manoa business students will have a leg up on you unless you were active in some business club while doing your MAcc. I know the larger firms already scout the top students to fill their next few hiring seasons. What I think helps is how you interview, I know firms offer a premium for people that have interviewed well and would be a good fit to their company, however 9 out of 10 times these are business club students that the firm has already built a relationship with prior to the student's graduation.

Viewing 12 replies - 16 through 27 (of 27 total)
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