[jkpoker1]

Hey, I just wanted advice about my career path. I just graduated college and started studying for the CPA (took BEC 2 weeks ago and will take REG in 3 weeks). So I’ve done poorly in interviews over the past 6-9 months (probably have had 10-15 and have gotten no job offers). I just had another interview this morning and I thought it went pretty well (was introduced to employees as #1 candidate- haha and i fit the mold of what the employer was looking for- recent grad looking to learn).

However. I’m worried because taking this job would require me to move to my college town (45 minutes from home and the area is not ideal imo- solid party atmosphere I’m not in college anymore). Also the pay is disgustingly low (he said $10-12/hr for an accountant position at a textbook store where i would do front end selling of books and 20-25 hrs of accounting work per week). I honestly can’t believe they would offer someone such a low wage with a recent degree. Any advice on what I should do? I think I want to counter-offer and say I will work for $15/hr minimum. Everywhere I read, people make 35K+ in entry-level positions so idk what I’m doing wrong. Finally, he said he wanted me to stay 1 year minimum (unwritten rule), and I would honestly feel pretty bad if I couldn’t live up to this or at least close. I honestly can’t believe someone would offer me $12/hr and ask for me to move closer.

I honestly think my best bet is to ask for more money. I’m going to have to get an apartment in the $350-500 range probably (which is cheap) but when making $12/hr, it honestly isn’t that cheap. I honestly think I would be better off sitting at home and just studying for the CPA and waiting for a better job opportunity. I’ve interviewed for a few jobs where the salary was 35-42k so I feel like taking anything under $15/hr to be a joke. Thanks for any advice. I just feel like I’ll waste a year of my life making a low wage if I take this job and have to live in my college town which I honestly hated.

Quest to be a CPA

BEC-74 (7/13),
REG- ?? (8/13)
AUD-TBA
FAR-TBA

[kmaahs]

If you go into the career fairs with a couple parts of the CPA exam passed, that will be HUGE. A GPA tells employees you “should” be smart enough to do the job and “should” be smart enough to pass the test. If you go in with half of the exam done, they know you are technically capable of performing the job and “are” smart enough to pass the tests.

But to reiterate what others have said, your attitude with relation to your internship was lousy. Internships are not for pay, they are for experience, resume padding, and potential FT offers. Accountants are lucky that we are even paid for internships, as many fields are not.

The job you are talking about sounds like something with an associates in accounting might do. Some sort of sales/bookkeeper hybrid. I don't think this type of role will help you very much if your goal is CPA level accounting. A few years down the road, a public company would still probably consider you entry level despite your years of “experience”.

I'd skip it, continue your CPA exams, and hit the career fairs this fall hard. Go to the school and polish your interview skills and use your past experience to get you a good role in public accounting or industry.

But take your focus away from X salary or x dollars an hour. Look at what the role will do for your career, what type of work it will be, who you will work with, etc. Those are more important factors early in a career than dollar signs attached to the job. No one is entitled to anything just because of a degree.

C.P.A.

[RedOctober]

I think $12/hr is an insult at where I live (Washington DC). I was lucky when I started freshment in College. I worked part time as an AP clerk and went to school full time. Through out college I've worked in different fields in the accounting department and by the time I graduated I knew how to do AP/AR/GL and audit work too. I was making $40k right after college and a year later I moved to a different company and am making $75k a year. I paid off my loans and bought a house too. I was raised by a single mom and I had to pay my way through everything. Now I feel that I have to achieve my last step in my career by passing this exam. Dont give up, its all about planning! If you're smart and know what you're doing, you'll get where you want to be in life.

[Anonymous]

Attitude is everything. This position may not be right for you, but you have to realize that the world doesn't owe you anything. You don't deserve $35k/yr or $75k/yr. You don't deserve a comfortable schedule, a good town to live in, or anything else. You didn't deserve an internship that paid, or that paid any certain amount. Anything that you get, you will have to fight for, and you will have to make the world give it to you.

If you have the attitude that you deserve this, or deserve something better, you won't get far, because that attitude will show and is repulsive to those who are in positions over you. Whether it is right or not, since they had to fight through the rough stuff to get to where they are, they'll expect you to do the same!

I may be misreading your attitude. If so, I apologize, and feel free to disregard this post. But if you do have the attitude that you deserve x y and z because you went to college and you have a diploma to prove it, then you won't get anywhere good. You have to realize that the diploma's only real use is for fire starter. That all the stories you heard in highschool about how if you go through college you'll get a sweet job…they were lies. Going to college, taking the exam, etc., won't get you that job or that life. The only thing that will get it for you is the same thing that got it for your great-grandparents – hard work. Going to college just means that, at some point, you'll do that hard work with your mind in an office instead of with your body under the hot sun. Once you realize this, you can start taking what you can from the world. Accounting is a solid field with solid potential for the future…but it will require you making that potential yours. And it might start at $12/hr…or it might start at $35k/yr. But wherever it starts, it will only go as far as you take it!

[topharry123]

When I got offered my job, they told me $50k at the interview. When they wrote me an offer, it was $40k. I was disappointed and felt like I should have been offered $50k, but I took the job knowing that there was good room to move up. Sure enough, 5 years later my salary has doubled and is set to go up again when I finish my CPA exams. Now I know my situation is different than yours, but the point is what are you going to get out of this job and how far do you want to take it? If there is good opportunity for the future there and you can either move up, and increase your salary as you get more experience then it may be worth it. If you won't get an increase but are just looking for some experience then again, it may be worth it. If you want something that is long term with the ability to move up and you can't get that at this place, maybe give it a miss.

One thing i'd like to add is that unless you sign a contract saying you will stay for a year, don't feel bad if you need to leave. If the place isn't willing to progress your career and someone else is, do what is good for you and not for the company. My company right now has put a lot into me the last few years and some might think I owe them a bit of loyalty; however, I have repaid them by billing out $250k + for the last few years so they have made a good amount of money out of me. At the end of the day, business is business and do what is good for yourself and your future career.

FAR - 95
REG - 93
AUD - 91
BEC - 85

[Mayo]

“I would say my resume is solid”

“Also my gpa was marginal in undergrad (3.0) but I honestly didn't focus too hard on my studies”

Wait….those don't really go well together…

As for “Honestly I think gpa is useless. If i pass the CPA exam, gpa means nothing in my book”, yah at this point GPA is pretty useless. But that's like saying a Cruise Ship ticket is useless when the ship's already left port. Let me be blunt: you've already missed the good recruiting jobs boat, which takes places while you're in school. Not saying that there aren't good recruiting jobs out there to be had, but at this point you're basically interviewing in the “Clearance” section of the job market.

Which basically means a lot of competition and your pick of crappy to decent jobs. Not trying to be discouraging, but I think you might need a realistic picture of what is out there. One thing you have correct is that passing the CPA is your best option at this point. Also, continue to network.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[jkpoker1]

Well when i say my resume is solid, I mean its formatted well (went to career center to have it checked out) and I actually have participated in an internship, team sport where I won a juco national championship, and had a leadership position in a business club (wasn't in club long as a leader but obviously keep it on). Also I didn't attend the meet the accountants night last year (when i was a senior), bc i was interning and was tired/ didn't feel like driving 45 minutes to go to campus to be awkard at some social event lol.

I received probably 2-3 interviews in this process (many firms in my area want a gpa of 3.4+), and honestly probably did horrible at them. At my first interview, I asked about pay (in a screening interview) which looking back was terrible. I didn't really research typical questions to ask at interviews and such so I'm pretty sure I looked bad. Also had an interview far from where I live and they basically just read my resume and asked me a few simple questions. Didn't get the job because they found someone more experienced however I believe they just didn't like me (I drove 1.5 hours for a 20 minute interview which they seemed to kinda blow off). Honestly, I think not making a face-to-face interaction at the meet the accountants night probably really hurt me.

Sorry about ranting but it sucks finishing my accounting degree and not being able to find a job. I have really poor social skills in my opinion (think i have social anxiety), so I believe I come off really poorly in normal social interaction and interviews. Thats the only reason why I believe I don't have a job now after 12-15 interviews along with a tough job market

Quest to be a CPA

BEC-74 (7/13),
REG- ?? (8/13)
AUD-TBA
FAR-TBA

[mla1169]

You seem to not want advice but given the venue I'm inclined to provide it. Find a toastmasters club to beef up your public speaking skills. Stop applying for jobs so far away if you're not committed to the commute or a move. Your resume likely needs help honestly. Formatting is a good start but you've referred to your tennis competition in this thread twice, and while impressive doesn't tell me you can do the job I hired you for, nor does your club. They're important to have on there to show you're well rounded, but add nothing to your value as an employee.

Go to recruiters, who are for the most part a waste of oxygen, but interview practice nonetheless.

And be realistic. I think it's naive to call bs on my claim that rents will be double those of your low cost of living college town. You seem to be very optimistic which is great but don't set yourself up for frustration.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[wizards8507]

“team sport where I won a juco national championship”

No one will care. You're not a kid anymore, you're a professional.

“I didn't attend the meet the accountants night last year (when i was a senior), bc i was interning and was tired/ didn't feel like driving 45 minutes to go to campus to be awkard at some social event lol.”

If you couldn't be bothered to network, then they're not going to be bothered to hire you. “Didn't feel like it” is the worst attitude I've ever heard.

“I received probably 2-3 interviews in this process (many firms in my area want a gpa of 3.4+), and honestly probably did horrible at them”

And you're surprised you haven't gotten a good job?

“At my first interview, I asked about pay.”

Fail.

“I didn't really research typical questions to ask at interviews and such so I'm pretty sure I looked bad.”

Fail.

“Also had an interview far from where I live and they basically just read my resume and asked me a few simple questions. Didn't get the job because they found someone more experienced however I believe they just didn't like me (I drove 1.5 hours for a 20 minute interview which they seemed to kinda blow off).”

Maybe because you come off like an entitled kid. Yes, a large part of getting a job is making people like you in the interview. If they'd have to work with you every day, they want to make sure they like you first before they bring you on board. You seem surprised by this.

“Honestly, I think not making a face-to-face interaction at the meet the accountants night probably really hurt me. “

Ya think?

“Sorry about ranting but it sucks finishing my accounting degree and not being able to find a job.”

Get your CPA. Prove you know it. A lot of people can earn an accounting degree.

“I have really poor social skills in my opinion (think i have social anxiety).”

Sounds like an excuse. Own your career.

“I believe I come off really poorly in normal social interaction and interviews.”

Plenty of awkward accountants have jobs if they know their stuff. “Awkward accountant” is practically the stereotype.

“Thats the only reason why I believe I don't have a job now after 12-15 interviews along with a tough job market.”

Sounds like an excuse. Own your career.

Honestly, step one for you is adjusting your attitude, expecations, and approach to the job market. Stop sending out resumes online and start networking. People aren't hired over the internet, they're hired face-to-face. Get with a recruiter. They'll work with you for free (they get paid by the employer). You might not land your dream job but they'll be realistic about what kind of work and salary you can expect with your experience and in your local market.

NY CPA

[smyoung0521]

I just want to chime and say that I have found that experience is sometimes more valuable than the pay. I am a career changer and the new salary that I just got offered was over 25,000 less than I made when I left my previous career. In fact it is what some people here would probably laugh at but it is a career that I am interested in and I have no accounting career experience. I want the job and am willing to take a lower pay right now because I know my work ethic and that as I grow and learn so will the pay. So if the job that was offered to you is now what you want and the experience isn't going to help you grow career wise then that is one thing but please try and make sure that you don't overlook a job just because the monetary compensation is below what you want. If you can afford to take lower for the experience then I just suggest that you look at the whole picture before making a decision!

I would have loved to be able to get an internship and I am so jealous of everyone that gets that chance! I was a stay at home mom and I had to make sure if I worked that I made enough to cover child care and I could not find an internship that would give me that which is one of the reasons that I am taking an entry level job for a low salary despite having a B.S., and M.S. and then an additional degree in accounting plus 5 years as a statistician.

Take heart and try and maintain a positive attitude. Anything and everything is valuable if you look at it the right way.

Restarting my journey!
Using Rogers and supplementing with Ninja

[jkpoker1]

Thanks for advice in this thread. I honestly think I will not get the job because I have not been contacted about it yet but it honestly doesn't bother me. I agree that experience is crucial but I don't see point of working 40 hrs a week for a low wage when I can just live at home and study for CPA (which is basically all i care about right now).

Sorry if I come off as entitled. I honestly think I come off as scared in interviews. I recently had an interview with a non-profit and they made a comment like I looked under 21 (discussing retirement and lady said you have to be 21 to enter into it, and said I can't ask you your age but she kinda implied I was young). BTW I like wizards breakdown of everything i said. I lol because most is true but saying someone with social anxiety is using it as an excuse is kinda funny. I think its funny how people don't understand things they don't experience in life.

Quest to be a CPA

BEC-74 (7/13),
REG- ?? (8/13)
AUD-TBA
FAR-TBA

[ZSRizvi]

@jkpoker1

I will tell you this: a few years back when I was fresh out of college, I had a similar sentiment to yours. And, boy did I have to learn the hard way. What Elisabeth said is true. Just because you have a college degree, it doesn't make you entitled to anything.

I graduated at a time when the economy was doing horribly (2010). I got an internship making $10 an hour. I wasn't put off by the pay but by the work because even though they said I would be doing accounting, it turned out to be a semi-lie. I was basically doing A/P 10% of the time and then secretarial/janitorial work the rest of the time. You can imagine what a blow to the ego it must have been. Here I was thinking, “I have a degree. I deserve BETTER than this. Blah blah blah.”

I couldn't find an accounting job so you know what I had to work as? I worked as a cashier, getting paid $8 an hour at a restaurant for a YEAR. It was horrible; I used to cry every day because everyone around me was moving ahead in life and here I was, a college-graduate, working minimum wage.

But boy oh boy am I happy I went through that experience. I'm more sensible, hard-working, mature, etc because of what I went through. And because of that experience I started getting a lot of job offers because they liked the fact that I put myself out there, i.e. worked at minimum wage, even though I had a degree. I stood out from the other candidates because they all had the sense of entitlement that you seem to be exhibiting.

Anyway, it took me a year and a half to find an accounting job and I started at $45K. Another year later I got another job offer at $51K and if I pass the exams, they'll double my salary.

It seems like what wizards8507 said: change your attitude. You might have all the accounting knowledge in the world but if your attitude and likeability factor is poor, no one will hire you.

Seriously, if I had the Big 4 firms coming on MY campus (which they didn't because of the hiring freezes several years ago), I would be all over that in a jiffy.

It really upsets me how some people have the opportunity to start their careers off with a bang but don't take the initiative to do so.

BEC (July 2013)
FAR (OCT 2013)
REG (NOV 2013)
AUD (JAN 2014)

The CPA Exam is an opponent that not even the Fellowship of the Ring would want to come across.

I have a long...long...journey ahead of me.

[Mayo]

I won't pile on any further. It seems like my point in terms of your mistakes have already been made.

A few things though:

-Not being good at social interaction is a pretty big Achilles heel professionally speaking. In today's world, communication is key, and any good job will expect you to be good at both that aspect as well as being technically proficient.

I'm not saying you need to be a social butterfly, but you really need to practice these skills until you get better. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming a replaceable career staff accountant the rest of your working years.

But it seems like you've at least grasped the importance of it. I only urge you to improve by joining networking groups, CPA societies, alumni groups, etc. Get yourself out there and your confidence will grow.

-Learn from your past interviews, and prepare prepare prepare. Obviously, the internet is a great resource. However, try and do a search for “interview” on this forum. I think you'll get some really great information from past posts.

Also, try and put yourself in the interviewer's shoes: What do they expect? What questions would they find strange? What kind of information would they want to know as a basis for a decision?

Look, going back to your first post, I say swallow your pride and take the job for now. In the meantime, pass your exams. Once that's out of the way, you can begin interviewing for better positions, but at least you'll have some real world experience. Plus, you avoid a gap in your resume. If your interview and social skills don't get any better in the near future, passing the CPA exam and experience might just be the little bit to get you over the edge and have someone hire you.

Just don't expect that passing the CPA exam to magically give you access to tons of jobs. It will help, but with zero or very little experience, it is not a panacea.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[fuzyfro89]

You mentioned several topics in the original post, so I'll try and address them:

1) to take or not take the $12/hr job

2) move/not move to college town

3) to ask for higher salary — how much?

4) general career advice

1) I'm not sure if you have the offer, but this seems like a non-CPA job. You stated your gpa is marginal (~3.0), so I wouldn't already go around calling yourself a CPA or comparing your job prospects to those who are CPA's. Right now, you are an accounting grad from an unimpressive university in a relatively sparsely populated area. $40K+ jobs may be the norm for those who are CPA/CPA-track, but if I was looking to hire you then based on your resume I'm sure I would question your dedication, ethic, intelligence, and ability to succeed in my firm.

–> you need to find a way to sell yourself. A 3.0 GPA is not impossible to overcome, but coming from a non-premier university with a low-ish GPA, it's a tough sell

2) I'm not sure how your potential bookstore employer would know where you live, or why he would care if you move there or not? Regardless, consider two things: a) You take the job, knowing you want something different. Will this experience help you with your next move? How can you leverage this experience for something more close to your goals after 1 yr? b) You don't take this job, you may spend another yr looking for a job. Are you okay with this? If so, then maybe you hold out for something you'd be happier doing, If not, then maybe this is something you should take now.

3) The difference between $12 and $15/hr is not huge, especially if you can manage. Assuming 160 hr/mo that's $1,920 vs $2,400. Ask for a raise, they may say no or they may say yes — but the real questions is if this is a wise career decision for you in the medium term (3-5 yrs). Will this job help you achieve your 5 yr goals, or is it just a paycheck?

4) It seems like you may be entitled, perhaps not. But the fact is that you went to an okay university and didn't really do that well and only managed a 3.0 GPA. Also, you assessed your social skills as “awkward”. Everyone is different, some more awkward than others, but every employer wants to know you can handle yourself in front of clients or at least in a professional office setting. Even if you're a real weirdo, join Toastmasters or do something to improve here. Even if you're just a complete odd-ball, at least be able to sell yourself as a professional during the interview process. Not all of us are born public speakers or geniuses in the classroom, but having neither skill set will be difficult to overcome. In the next six months, see how you fare on the CPA exams and practice talking in front of a mirror, get a sales job, ANYTHING TO HELP YOU FEEL LESS AWKWARD IN FRONT OF PEOPLE!! People skills will get you farther than pure technical ability ever will.

I hope not to come across as condescending, I'm just stating my opinion based on what you've given so far. I hope my thoughts can help you achieve your goals. Please feel free to continue the conversation, I'd love to offer more thoughts if you have additional thoughts/questions. Best of luck!

[jkpoker1]

LOL at last post. I'm not a CPA but i wouldn't say I go to an unimpressive college mate. The pass rate for the CPA exam for my school is pretty high. Also I will be a CPA. The CPA exam is difficult but anyone that puts the time in can pass it. I honestly might just get an MBA in public accounting if I can't find a job. Thanks for advice from this post.

I didn't get book store job but that's fine with me. I imagine telling them I was studying for the cpa exam was a bad idea and the interviewer asked me if I planned to move to my college town and if i would jump ship if i got another offer. I gave the correct answer is saying “no I won't leave if i get another offer” but honestly this guy probably realizes that isn't true.

Quest to be a CPA

BEC-74 (7/13),
REG- ?? (8/13)
AUD-TBA
FAR-TBA

[kmaahs]

I think what fuzyfro meant when he said “unimpressive college” was, perhaps, non-target school.

For instance I went to Michigan State for my non-accounting undergrad and Eastern Michigan for my accounting grad school.

Eastern a good school, no doubt. Many students go on to be CPA's at Big 4. But I certainly realize that Michigan State and University of Michigan are the “target” schools in my state, and they eat up many of the openings.

You said in your OP that you took BEC. Did you pass? I ask because passing even one portion of the exam before recruiting season in about a month and a half will be huge for you. As I said in my earlier post, GPA says you “should” be able to pass the tests. Passing the test means….well…you “did” pass.

Also, I understand the social anxiety you may face. Believe me. Your interviewer may even understand. But how will they view something like that if it may interfere with your work? You need to beat it. The key, in my opinion, to beating anxiety, is raw confidence. If you go into an interview with CPA tests under your belt and an internship on your resume, feeling like a million bucks, that's gonna show to the interviewer. You should be able to dance around the lower GPA issue with the right attitude.

I wish you luck in the coming months trying for something a little more career-oriented than the first job. But again, don't get hung up on income. Focus on what it will do for your career. Good luck!

C.P.A.

[Author]

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