[leebird]

I have about 8 years total experience — over 4 in public accounting (Governmental Audits, Tax Preparation, Low-Income Housing Audits) BUT ABSOLUTELY ZERO (as in none) SOX exposure. Nor have I worked for a Big 4 Firm. My other experience has been with small organizations as a Grants Accountant and Assistant Controller.

My problem is this — and ANY HELP WILL GREATLY BE APPRECIATED: I want to get out of public accounting forever, permanently. I’ve been out of work nearly two months now and have had a few interviews for Staff/Senior Staff Accountant positions with no luck. Where I get jumbled up in the interview process is convincing the Interviewer that although I have not strictly performed month-end closing, and other “roles” unique to those positions, I am very aware/knowledgeable of the process. The interviewers can see on my resume’ that the experience is not there…..yet they call me in a badger me to death on how my skill set translates to their needs.

Just this week, I had a great opportunity for a Cost Accountant role. I met with the VP of Finance and we had a pleasant talk. Secondly, I met with the Finance Manager and she badgered me over lack of manufacturing experience — when the job description listed it as “preferred BUT NOT REQUIRED”.

So guys, how do I break into one of these roles and demonstrate that with over 8 years experience and an ACTIVE CPA license, I can perform bookkeeping and financial accounting tasks? Any suggestions? Some are great interviewers….I am not! It’s getting better, but I need a JOB and refuse to go back to public accounting for personal health reasons.

[ipasscpa]

@leebird: I work in private (real estate) and based on what I have notice, HR likes to bring in people with the same industry backgroud. However, we recetnly hired a property accountant who had public experience and that is becuase he was auditing real estate compaines. I will say apply in similar private sector which you use to audit. good luck

CPA- VA

[nicole2035]

As others said, its only been 2 months. You have to remember, most job positions that go up, the company already has someone in mind for the position. Whether hiring someone internally, or a friend of a friend of one of their current staff accountants. I've overheard managers whom know already the person they're going to hire weeks before HR sends out an email for that same position to see if anyone internally knows someone who will be good for it. Then you'll see that same job “opening” posted on indeed etc, but it's already been filled

[nicole2035]

As others said, its only been 2 months. You have to remember, most job positions that go up, the company already has someone in mind for the position. Whether hiring someone internally, or a friend of a friend of one of their current staff accountants. I've overheard managers whom know already the person they're going to hire weeks before HR sends out an email for that same position to see if anyone internally knows someone who will be good for it. Then you'll see that same job “opening” posted on indeed etc, but it's already been filled

[mla1169]

Fuzy I had an offer of $13/hour about 3 weeks ago LOL. I've been in accounting for almost 20 years and my most recent position was a controller. I looked up the job title that I applied to on both Robert half and salary.com and the avg for that position in my general area was about $70k/yr and I was willing to take that much of a cut in pay.

Believe it or not unemployment is giving me a hard time because I declined a job offer, even though I was only unemployed for 7 weeks and you are NOT required to take a job that would be more than a 10% pay cut in MA.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Fuzy I had an offer of $13/hour about 3 weeks ago LOL. I've been in accounting for almost 20 years and my most recent position was a controller. I looked up the job title that I applied to on both Robert half and salary.com and the avg for that position in my general area was about $70k/yr and I was willing to take that much of a cut in pay.

Believe it or not unemployment is giving me a hard time because I declined a job offer, even though I was only unemployed for 7 weeks and you are NOT required to take a job that would be more than a 10% pay cut in MA.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[StephAV]

I agree, you haven't been looking very long. On the jobs where “manufacturing is preferred” if they have someone with that experience they may choose them over you.

As an asst controller you don't have month end close experience? I'm curious what your duties were? I'm a senior accountant and I'm all about month end close and working towards getting a better title like acct manager or asst controller although I don't anticipate my duties would change much, maybe they'll pile on a little more.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[StephAV]

I agree, you haven't been looking very long. On the jobs where “manufacturing is preferred” if they have someone with that experience they may choose them over you.

As an asst controller you don't have month end close experience? I'm curious what your duties were? I'm a senior accountant and I'm all about month end close and working towards getting a better title like acct manager or asst controller although I don't anticipate my duties would change much, maybe they'll pile on a little more.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[mena je twa]

leebird….

I was a bit confused reading your post. If you were a asst controller, you have to , without a doubt close the books monthly and be familiar, very familiar with the close process of the company.

I thinks its something on your resume that the interviwers think is a big red flag. I did close work when i was a staff accountant and now in public acctg and i see asst controller being highly involved with close process.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

leebird….

I was a bit confused reading your post. If you were a asst controller, you have to , without a doubt close the books monthly and be familiar, very familiar with the close process of the company.

I thinks its something on your resume that the interviwers think is a big red flag. I did close work when i was a staff accountant and now in public acctg and i see asst controller being highly involved with close process.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[leebird]

Thanks for tremendous feedback. I did light bookkeeping duties as Assistant Controller, but primarily worked with our tax preparer (big 4 firm). I served as a liaison in providing needed schedules and generating trial balances for the organization's 50+ partnerships. I never like to embellish on resume, but I should certainly fill in more of actual bookkeeping experience. Its a true shame that many positions are filled before ad goes.out – as mentioned in this thread. 2 months is not long to be outta work, and I just have to hit it each day all day. Thanks so very much for support and advice ! This site helped me complete my CPA exam 4 yrs ago. Wonderful community

[leebird]

Thanks for tremendous feedback. I did light bookkeeping duties as Assistant Controller, but primarily worked with our tax preparer (big 4 firm). I served as a liaison in providing needed schedules and generating trial balances for the organization's 50+ partnerships. I never like to embellish on resume, but I should certainly fill in more of actual bookkeeping experience. Its a true shame that many positions are filled before ad goes.out – as mentioned in this thread. 2 months is not long to be outta work, and I just have to hit it each day all day. Thanks so very much for support and advice ! This site helped me complete my CPA exam 4 yrs ago. Wonderful community

[Author]

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