[AlexCPA]

I just finished a Master’s in Accounting program this December and am preparing to apply for jobs. i ended up with a 4.0 GPA, but the school is not a top school–the reason I chose it was because the requirements were not as stringent to get into the program and my undergraduate degree was in something unrelated (psychology). I have some accounting-related experience, about 4 years as a finance coordinator doing some light bookkeeping and mostly A/R, A/P. and General Ledger reconcilliation and a little experience as an accounting assistant. I’m also taking some parts of the CPA exam now before I apply, with my first test coming up in January.

My question is: how hard will it be for me to find work? I have been out of work for approximately 1.5 years due to being in school full-time(nights) and taking care of my kids at the same time. Are these stats enough to make me a desirable candidate or should I be looking for entry level work and just taking anything I can get? Before I got my degree in accounting I had a hard time finding work even with some accounting related experience. I ended up doing a lot of temp work and eventually quit to get a degree thinking that was the main thing holding me back.

Much appreciate any advice or comments.

FAR - 89
AUD - 88
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

Using Becker and Ninja MCQ

[Missy]

You've got great credentials which is half the battle, the other half is interview skills. It's great to put yourself in the position of the interviewer. Chances are on paper they'll have a pool of fairly similar candidates and that's what gets you the interview. Once you're in the door, you have to find a way to set yourself apart. Two tips, tailor your resume for each position you apply to, if you're sending the same copy for every position it's a mistake. Next do significant homework before an interview, even trying to find out the names of who will interview you and, see if you have mutual connections, interests, education. Human nature is people love to talk about themselves and I've had interviewers impressed that we have mutual connections or backgrounds. Last but not least be patient, you may send out a dozen resumes or hundreds. If you've sent out 50+, don't get discouraged. Just means your perfect job isn't available at that,second.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Track55]

I graduated with a near 4.0 from a mid-tier school. It took me a year to find full-time work. That was after I had passed one part of the CPA exam.

I had to work part-time until I found the position I am at now. There's nothing wrong with taking lesser positions for a year.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[AlexCPA]

Thanks for the advice MLA! I know interview is going to be just as, if not more important. I'm just worried right now about getting my foot in the door. Based on past experiences, I had some difficulties getting responses and I was thinking it was based on my qualifications (prior to having a degree).

@Track55 — I'm also in California and I know how competitive it is here. Since we have similar stats I'm assuming I will have the same issues as you. Did you have any prior work experience when you applied? Was it also a MAcc degree that you received a near 4.0 in? Also, were you getting called for interviews frequently and just not getting the job? Or just no responses at all?

I wouldn't really mind working part-time until I finished my CPA exam and at the same time get experience as you did as long as it was related to public accounting.

FAR - 89
AUD - 88
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

Using Becker and Ninja MCQ

[Track55]

Yeah, that's what I meant. Try to work somewhere part-time where you are earning CPA hours. In the year I was part-time, I earned six months worth of hours. No, I don't have a master's. I wish!

I did have over 10 years of work experience in private industry but was never in the accounting department. I had no accounting experience when I graduated.

Eh … was I getting called in?. Well that depends of your definition. In So Cal, government agencies have to call in 200 people for a test and from there offer interviews. I had tons of interviews from Sacramento to south Orange County. Still, they were using me to meet quota and I doubt I was really considered. Meanwhile, firms only interview if they are really considering you, so those are harder to get. I had a few of those.

I finally went back to private industry and now make more than the Mint.

My advice is to pass the sections of the test and earn hours. And if you don't have Linkedin and Indeed, do them this week!

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Vanessachy]

Accounting degree is in demand, also you are taking CPA exams, I think you will not have a hard time to find jobs. However, interview skill is important. I remember I started looking for job while I was a senior, and finally find a job that I want while I was working on my MSA. It might take a couple tries to get the perfect job that you desire, but I am optimistic that you will get a descent accounting job.

Far 10/26/2015, 64, 1/4/2016, 82
Reg 7/10/2015, 60, 2/27/2016, 86
Aud, 5/9/2016, 74 (ouch), 7/26/2016, I cannot wait to take this test again
Bec, 6/10/2016, 70,9/8 retake

[MaLoTu]

Hi Alex,

I am in CA, I was also a psychology major in undergrad, and I too went back to school to earn my MBA and MSAC so I could sit for the exam and have the 150 units. However, I had no work experience in the field. It took me about a year to land a job at an accounting firm.

Getting your foot in the door is going to boil down to how much foot work you put in. I never received an interview from simply submitting my resume through the online data base. I made good use of any and all events that I felt could help me.

You didn't specify if you were interested in public or industry … but your experience will probably be more beneficial in industry. Just reach out to companies that you are interested in working for. You may also consider a accounting industry specific head hunting group that hires full-time employees.

[AlexCPA]

Thank you for all the comments so far. It's been a while since I've been in job search mode, so nervous, but excited to finally start a new career. I will start cold e-mailing recruiters and partners and checking indeed/linkedin for job postings. I want to be in public accounting because I feel you get the most exposure there, but I'm willing to take anything as long as I work under CPA and can use those hours towards licensing.

I'll updated every now and then for anyone who is interested and in the same situation as me.

FAR - 89
AUD - 88
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

Using Becker and Ninja MCQ

[Track55]

People don't realize how hard it is in CA. My graduating class had about 250 accounting students and that's not counting the other CSU's. And USC is right up the freeway.

I agree with Malotu. You may want firm but it may be easier to get into industry. That is what I did. I found Indeed way more helpful than Linkedin. But I had more recruiters contact me from Linkedin than Indeed.

Keep studying for the tests as you can add those to a resume. Good luck.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[shanda98]

Alex,
I was in the same boat. My degree was in Forensic Chemistry working a state job and working part time at HR-Block. I found a joy and passion for preparing taxes so I decided switch career fields. So, I got my Masters in Accounting and after getting my degree with a 3.9, I decided to start looking for a job while I was studying for my CPA exams. After lots of searching, I got called in for 3 different job interviews, spread out over 8 months. Each of them resulting in me being called back for a second interview/top 3 candidates but I always lost the job to someone with the experience or a CPA. It wasn't until I forced myself to attend a State CPA Society event, (because I knew I had to market myself and meet/know someone on the inside) that I landed my big break. I forced myself out of my shell and spoke to the director of our State Society and said “if you hear of anyone hiring, would you please introduce me or let them know I'm looking”. Within 15 mins, she came back to me and said, “you see that lady over there, she is a director of a great firm and I want to introduce you to her”. Long story short, afterwards the director gave me her card, and told me to forward her my resume. This was on a Friday, the following Tuesday I received my last CPA score for which I passed. I was so excited, I started emailing everyone (that director, firms who weren't hiring till the fall and jobs I had interviewed for) updating them on my status that I have passed all of my exams. That director immediately emailed me back telling me she was happy for me and then forwarded me on to their HR Manager to start the interview process. Within a little over a week I was given a offer. That day was one of the best days EVER!!! The struggle and worrying was over.

I say that all to say, yes we may have our Bachelors in another field and our Masters in Accounting, but it's passing those CPA exams that clearly demonstrates, we do know the material and we can do the work. So focus on passing those exams, because after I did, people started CALLING ME for interviews, even though I hadn't applied with them (and I had already accepted a job offer.)

Good Luck! Join your State CPA Society to attend events and network, and PASS THOSE EXAMS!!!

ps. This all happened this year, and this job at this firm IS THE BEST JOB I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!!

I LOVE IT HERE!!

[AlexCPA]

@shanda Looks like I have my work cut out for me. I'm not the best at networking, but if it comes to that I'm willing to give it a shot. You think having passed at least 1 exam will help? At least show that I am competent and serious about obtaining the license?

You said you had people calling you even if you did not apply after you pass the exams? How did they get your information? Also, were you able to get licensed right away? Or did you still need the year experience after you passed the exams?

I don't plan on applying until next year even though I know busy season is now and firms are actively hiring, I have a trip planned and won't be back until February. All of this information is really helpful in preparing.

FAR - 89
AUD - 88
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

Using Becker and Ninja MCQ

[shanda98]

Hey Alex,

I wish I could say passing at least 1 exam would help but it didn't for me. I started interviewing as soon as I passed my first exam but was still looked over. I began to get the feeling that it's good you passed 1, but can you pass the other 3 without: a) any of the other exams expiring and b) getting discouraged and quitting. For me, just passing 1 or 2 wasn't impressive as yet. It wasn't until I received the 4th passing score that people really started paying attention.

I began receiving calls from people I met at the conference. *Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding. After getting over my initial nervousness of talking to people (which I found intimidating because they are all where I want to be someday) and letting my natural warmness and openness take over, I received a lot of business cards from folks. Mainly from speaking to everyone at the table I ate at and sticking around afterwards to attend the first committee meeting I just joined. So, after I received my score the following week, I started emailing everyone whom I met and had their business cards the weeks prior. I few of them mentioned they were sending my name on up to the hiring/recruiting personnel. So that's how I received my calls. It was impressive how it snowballed from there. Literally on the day I was walking out the door for an interview, I got a call with an offer from my current job. Not wanting to be rude, I kept my interview and was told after they liked me and wanted to present an offer. They were looking for someone to start right away so they went over the job and pay during the interview. The offer I accepted at my now current job was a better offer and they have been voted one of the best places to work in my state for 10 years running, so that was a no-brainer.

In regards to my experience, that will be met next month in January. I already had my 1300 of 2000 hours met at HRBlock and signed off by a CPA there.

Alex, I”m sure you can do this. I came from no accounting experience and within the past 3 years, received my Masters within 2yrs and passed my exams within 1 yr. All while working a full-time and part-time job, and having a baby 2 yrs ago. Trust me, if you want something bad enough, you'll find a way.

Good luck to you my friend!

[mystical guy]

Whatever school you went to, I think your biggest challenge would be to demonstrate that you can handle the 8+ hour day, after being out of work for so long. I found that even a few months out of work requires a lot of explaining, even when I was in college etc.

I would focus on answering interview questions, especially around the “red flag” areas (unfortunately, that's how they see gaps in employment). Talking about how hard you were working, including raising your kids, will show that you are determined, diligent and hardworking person. You should also be ready to say that you're pretty close to taking your first CPA exam.

Even if you don't get full-time employment right away, you can still take a temp job and try to rebuild your reputation of having consistent employment.

Obviously, I'm very conservative, based on my own negative experiences. You can get lucky and land your dream job right away. That's always a possibility, but better to be ready for anything.

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

[neaux]

To be quite honest, I would expect to have a hard time finding work if I were you or a long time until you are fully employed. I am not saying it is impossible, but you are right back in the same place you were before when you received your BA. You missed the best time for networking for a college student which is while you are still in school.

I assume mid tier school means at least reputable so I'm sure your school has networking events. If I were you I would attend networking events at your school next semester along with networking at your local CPA society. Meanwhile you should be studying for CPA exam.

It's time to buckle down, networking is now your full time job.

[neaux]

I wish you all the luck.

[AlexCPA]

Update: I just got back from a trip earlier this month and have started applying to jobs while studying.

I interviewed for a Private Company for a staff accountant position and while they liked me, they thought I needed more experience and offered instead a Clerk position which has significantly lower pay, but opportunity to eventually move up within a year. The company is fairly big (revenue in the billions) and there is great opportunity for growth.

My question is: should I take it? Or should I just hold out and concentrate on passing my CPA exams and apply to public firms when I'm done?

I spoke to a recruiter and he told me that it might be better to just find part time work as an accounting clerk or something similar to gain experience, while studying for a CPA exam, instead of taking a full-time lesser role. Again, my major issue is that I have a Master's in Accounting with no real accounting experience (just finance related experience).

Thanks for any help.

FAR - 89
AUD - 88
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

Using Becker and Ninja MCQ

[Author]

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