[yankeeaccountant]

Hey guys,

Has anyone joined prior to finishing their CPA? If so, was it helpful for the job search in any way? Do you think it looks good on the resume???

Thanks for your thoughts!

[markiux88]

I joined the FICPA because it was required for being a member of BAP. I went to some of the meeetings, but most of the people there are very old CPAs who don't give a crap about the young. Some of them are really nice, but when asked about job opportunities they always said things like: “get some experience at H&R Block” lol…Now, girls have an advantage cuz they will usually get @ least something just because they're pretty.

I also joined the IIA and went to a meeting…Mannn, that was fun..lol… I sat with people who work for the government, universiy professors, and guys who work for Fortune 500 companies. I thought it was gonna be the same crap as the FICPA, big mistake. These guys were talking about Covervettes, minors in sex when they went to college, and weird s**t. I probably could've landed a job w/ any of them, but I never went back…

[markiux88]

oh I forgot…it definitely looks good on your resume..All the interviews I went to said how great it was that such a young man was so interested in the acg profession and involved with the acg community..Of coarse they never called me back :'(

[yankeeaccountant]

@markiux,

hmmmmmm not expecting an answer like that. Very interesting. Here is another question: do you have both memberships on ur resume? do you think it opens doors? did recruiters comment on that? just curious about whether to fork over the money now to amp up my resume…the job market isn't so great…and well, I am not a spring chicken anymore! trying to think of all angles……

[markiux88]

Yes to all of the above..the membership is about $50 I think (at least in FL)…Also take into account that sometimes the presentations are usually about complex topics..Sometimes I was like WTF are they talking about…lol

[yankeeaccountant]

@markiux,

Thanks for your response and info! Tn board membership is $115 -eeks–for CPA candidates. I will ponder………

[OnMyWayToCPA]

I joined my state board and the AICPA as a junior undergraduate so the membership price wasn't too bad and my state board helped me to find my first ever accounting internship. And once I had that experience, so many other doors were opended. So in my opinion it was very helpful.

It probably does vary by state but in Oklahoma the state board has a huge network of accounting professionals and a huge network of accounting students as well. Their goal is to connect the two and I benefited from that and so did many of my friends.

The AICPA seems a little less hands on so I couldn't really see them being too helpful in any individuals job search, but you never konw…

I definitely think that both memberships would look good on your resume.

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[Anonymous]

I think the AICPA and most state societies (for sure CalCPA) have free first year membership for CPA candidates.

[Minimorty]

https://www.aicpa.org/MEMBERSHIP/DUES/Pages/Dues.aspx

AICPA has an enrollment fee of $65 and first year dues of $50 for CPA Candidates. Looks like there might be some free memberships for high school/college students.

[markiux88]

I got free memberships because I was in college…and free food too..that parmessan chicken..yummy!

[Anonymous]

Also after you pass the exam, the certificate you get from the AICPA is way bigger and nicer than the one from the state board.

[Author]

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