[CarrieM]

Hi:

You might want to grab your coffee, this could be a long one.

I currently work as an administrative assistant in a Fortune 50 company. I’m also 45. I’ve been here for 7 years and am the sole support for my two children (single mom). I have also been going to school full-time for the last four years, first to get my BA in accounting and this year my MSA. I have two classes left and will graduate in May of 2014. I plan to celebrate for all of about 5 minutes and begin the deep, all-consuming dive into CPA prep. I submitted my transcripts (and hunk of cash) to the IL Board of Examiners two days ago in order to get the ball rolling – my plan is to sit for FAR in August.

I was hopeful that I would finally be promoted at my company but the writing on the wall here is that it is unlikely to happen. I believe this to be a perfect storm of business conditions (which are awful – we had 4 weeks of rolling layoffs here last year plus we lost 12 employees in permanent layoff and we are an engineering group in my division), cost cutting and sadly and most unfortunate for me, the inability for my company to recognize that an administrative assistant, can and does possess a brain and can aspire to do and be qualified for more. I knew going into this that the jump from admin to not-an-admin was going to be a huge leap over a deep crevasse. I had hoped that graduating magna cum laude with my bachelors would have at least made some impression.

Anyway, I cannot go the typical route of internships and such to obtain my experience because my children have gotten used to frivolities like indoor plumbing, heat and groceries. 🙂 This combined with the fact that my current position does provide me with good benefits (just not very good pay) and well… I need to find something better, but I’m a little limited.

I have worked for some big companies in the past. And if my current company would put me in an accounting position for a year, I know this would fling open doors for me as far as corporate accounting is concerned. Eventually things will probably turn around and opportunities may open up. But I am unwilling to wait – and feedback from coworkers, one in particular yesterday, is too much to ignore.

My company offers a tuition reimbursement benefit but it was shut down last summer for my division, right as I was beginning grad school. I was told “why don’t you wait a year?” but honestly, as a mom and a 45 year old, this didn’t feel right to me. Taking “time off” is a foreign concept to me because as a person who works full time and a mom, you just don’t get “time off”. I haven’t had a vacation in seven years. All my days off have been either for things for my kids or because I had a midterm or final that night and I planned to get some extra studying in. So I bit the financial bullet and stepped into even more debt, because I strongly feel this degree will pay off in the end.

Now as I prepare to graduate and begin my CPA prep (another thing my company *would* pay for if I was working in the accounting department) I’m again being told “why don’t you wait until you have a job in accounting, then we will pay for it”. But again, this seems pretty stupid to me – I constantly go to the manager of the accounting department for my group – a group which used to have 6 employees and is now down to two because of cuts and attrition – and I volunteer to take on “whatever work you need me to do”. I am very good at what I do as an admin and if there is a way to do it faster and with less effort, I find it. I work smarter – and harder if need be – but mostly smarter and I have learned through many years of experience how to get things done quickly and efficiently. This allows me the time (with the blessing of my boss, btw) to pursue additional work in our accounting group. I have presented this as :think of me as an intern that doesn’t add to your headcount.” And… they give me nothing but empty promises.

So— and thanks for sticking with me—- how do I get some accounting experience? I have 20 years of solid work experience, including running my own small business when my children were very small. I have seven years with one company – but no promotions, unfortunately, because there is nowhere for me to go in this position.

How did you make your big leap? How do I get companies to see me for who I am – a woman who decided “I can do more” and then went out and did it.

FAR: 5/12/16... and if I don't die from an anxiety attack...
AUD: 7/8/16
REG: 8/25/16
BEC: 11/3/16

[teeteenounouche]

lol Thanks, crossing my fingers!

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

lol Thanks, crossing my fingers!

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[Anonymous]

TeeTee: Good luck with FAR on Friday! I'm cheering you on from cold, wintery IL.

CarrieM: What city are you in? I work at UIUC and they would fall all over themselves to get someone with your skills and the CPA. They don't reimburse testing expenses but I'm doing my masters at UIS for free and the benefits are very good,,,unless you want to retire and that's another story.

I just received my license this month after 5 years of “back to school” and testing. Don't let the naysayers keep you down. Go for it!!

[Anonymous]

TeeTee: Good luck with FAR on Friday! I'm cheering you on from cold, wintery IL.

CarrieM: What city are you in? I work at UIUC and they would fall all over themselves to get someone with your skills and the CPA. They don't reimburse testing expenses but I'm doing my masters at UIS for free and the benefits are very good,,,unless you want to retire and that's another story.

I just received my license this month after 5 years of “back to school” and testing. Don't let the naysayers keep you down. Go for it!!

[teeteenounouche]

Thanks Baxter! I appreciate it 🙂

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

Thanks Baxter! I appreciate it 🙂

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[fuzyfro89]

Companies, in general, may be less willing to give you a chance given you are a non-traditional candidate. You'll face an uphill battle for 2 reasons: age and being a non-traditional candidate. Not everyone is a scumbag, but in this economy it's definitely the employers who win since they have plenty of choices.

I interviewed at tons of places in undergrad and also when looking for my second job. I definitely got 1 offer for every 4+ interviews, maybe less. You should start putting yourself out there and network. I know lots of articles say this, but it really is true! Imagine if the director at Verizon or even an employee was a neighbor or acquaintance from church or the YMCA? They couldn't opine on your work skills, but could at least put your resume on someone's desk and probably make sure that you would pass the “airport test” (likability). Apply like a madman, mad-mama?, to everything you are even slightly qualified for and start talking to external recruiters. I shudder to think they are useful, but they work on commission and will put you in front of anyone they think you have any chance with. You can always say no if the offer isn't better than what you already have.

[fuzyfro89]

Companies, in general, may be less willing to give you a chance given you are a non-traditional candidate. You'll face an uphill battle for 2 reasons: age and being a non-traditional candidate. Not everyone is a scumbag, but in this economy it's definitely the employers who win since they have plenty of choices.

I interviewed at tons of places in undergrad and also when looking for my second job. I definitely got 1 offer for every 4+ interviews, maybe less. You should start putting yourself out there and network. I know lots of articles say this, but it really is true! Imagine if the director at Verizon or even an employee was a neighbor or acquaintance from church or the YMCA? They couldn't opine on your work skills, but could at least put your resume on someone's desk and probably make sure that you would pass the “airport test” (likability). Apply like a madman, mad-mama?, to everything you are even slightly qualified for and start talking to external recruiters. I shudder to think they are useful, but they work on commission and will put you in front of anyone they think you have any chance with. You can always say no if the offer isn't better than what you already have.

[mla1169]

Fuzy age isn't a factor really in your mid 40's except maybe in intetnships. Age is more a factor as one approaches 60 but trust me the OP is far from where that is actually a hiring issue.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Fuzy age isn't a factor really in your mid 40's except maybe in intetnships. Age is more a factor as one approaches 60 but trust me the OP is far from where that is actually a hiring issue.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I was told when I applied for an accounting position right out of college (I was 40) and was turned down because I was “too encumbered”. I found out later that they wanted someone younger, single and preferably a non-homeowner. They knew I was settled and wouldn't relocate if necessary.

[Anonymous]

I was told when I applied for an accounting position right out of college (I was 40) and was turned down because I was “too encumbered”. I found out later that they wanted someone younger, single and preferably a non-homeowner. They knew I was settled and wouldn't relocate if necessary.

[Anonymous]

I'm 45, and having the same issues. Big 4 recruiters actually seem to like me, and all of them are surprised I haven't landed a position yet (but none of them have offered me anything, so take that for what you will.) I actually look young for 45, most of my fellow students thought that I was about 32, and I have no wife, ex-wife, or children to worry about, so I'm a little confounded.

However, I have plugged on. I do not have the big business experience, but I did work as a full charge bookkeeper in a small business for 10 years, so I have that going for me. Only thing I know is to keep applying, and keep not taking “no” as a final answer.

I wouldn't say I'm being discriminated against, but I don't look like a 23-year old recent college graduate, and I always have to answer the question in interviews “Can you work for a 25-year-old?” To me, that answer is yes, because that 25 year old has more PA experience, and I can learn a lot from that person. I guess I haven't convinced who I need to yet to land the good job.

I'd like to do PA, but I know that private is a good way to go as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm 45, and having the same issues. Big 4 recruiters actually seem to like me, and all of them are surprised I haven't landed a position yet (but none of them have offered me anything, so take that for what you will.) I actually look young for 45, most of my fellow students thought that I was about 32, and I have no wife, ex-wife, or children to worry about, so I'm a little confounded.

However, I have plugged on. I do not have the big business experience, but I did work as a full charge bookkeeper in a small business for 10 years, so I have that going for me. Only thing I know is to keep applying, and keep not taking “no” as a final answer.

I wouldn't say I'm being discriminated against, but I don't look like a 23-year old recent college graduate, and I always have to answer the question in interviews “Can you work for a 25-year-old?” To me, that answer is yes, because that 25 year old has more PA experience, and I can learn a lot from that person. I guess I haven't convinced who I need to yet to land the good job.

I'd like to do PA, but I know that private is a good way to go as well.

[Author]

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