[sotom3239]

Hello all,

I was wondering if there is something that I am doing wrong. I have applied to multiple CPA firms in my area in CT but no luck with the job/internship offers. I have a strong higher education background along with minimal experience at a CPA firm. My resume has been reviewed by experience employees and all say that the resume is good but I do not get a call back. I have finished my bachelor’s degree and my MBA the next step for me is the CPA but I would like to also gain public accounting experience.

I have had few friends give me advice on what to do but no luck. I was wondering if anyone was or is in the same boat as me and were able to prevail. I am looking for an opportunity which has been difficult to obtain, any advice would be appreciated.

Thank You.

[Pete]

I'm in your shoes man. I couldn't get into a CPA firm, despite passing the CPA and having 5+ years experience in private industry, along with near a 4.0 for the 30 credit hours over 120. I don't think the firms in our state (CT) are hiring, really. Normally, networking would work better; however, I just don't think our state is putting out many jobs, specifically within public. I've had over 5 interviews this fall; none of them materialized (a few firms told me they weren't even sure they were going to hire). I've also done an internship this spring. Unfortunately, despite doing well, I wasn't extended an offer. I later had a partner from another firm, who I was networking with, call his friend from the first firm. His friend told me that the firm had not been hiring full-time in our state for years; they would occasionally hire people related to partners and people who had been interning for YEARS, but no one else.

I would suspect my interviewing might be at fault; however, I've landed 2 offers within private and have typically been told I interview well (at the end). Networking is going to be your best bet (outside of campus recruiting); however, the firms around here seem to have the mentality that once you graduate, if you didn't land an offer from a firm, there is something wrong with you. Firms seem only interested in hiring senior+ level people. I'll add, I did manage to land a gig at a smaller CPA firm; this, or working under a CPA, within industry, might be your best bet. I will caution you that the small firm utilized me and the next guy for tax season, then dumped us (same thing as the firm, where I interned). Networking will be your best bet, but again, IT'S BRUTAL HERE.

I've been working with maybe 5+ recruiters. Like they've been saying, “I wish I could offer you more.”

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[maxb]

U guys are in Connecticut, obv Boston and nyc are your two best options. In the northeast you gotta know your market. There are always jobs in financial services in the northeast. Look at ssc globeop, state street, other fund admins. Great way to break into the industry. Look at their websites and gear your resumes towards the financial services sector. It’s very tough out there, good luck!

[ultrarunner]

Getting into public accounting at an entry level is very hard. In my state (CA), every firm is looking for senior level. Indeed, they are short of senior staffs. But my many years of experience in industry plus CPA is not qualified for the senior position, so I have to start over. Networking definitely helped. I got an interview and potential offer from a firm that I networked with, but I eventually landed a job via campus recruiting. My advice is to try campus recruiting. But if you are not eligible for campus recruiting, then, try networking event. A state CPA society is hosting many networking or chapter meetings. It is very difficult to get into the first job in any industry. So do not give up. Once you get in, there will be many doors open for you. Good luck!

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[Author]

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