[Anonymous]

I am expecting an offer from a small local CPA firm this week and was looking to see what your opinion is on starting salary and any tips to negotiate to a higher salary.

The Firm:

30-35 Person Firm

Offer a variety of services, main service is tax and consulting…. individual, closely held corps,p-ship etc…

Also offer Estate Planning

Located in Greater Philadelphia area

My Experience:

Gov’t Employee

Audit Inheritance and Estate Tax Returns

Passed CPA Exam, should have license by summer

I currently make $60k and was already told in a past interview that my starting salary will be less and I shouldn’t concentrate on starting salary so much due to possibility of advancement.

I see them using my inexperience in public accounting as leverage, however they recognize that I am not fresh out of college and have already passed the exam.

Thank you for any input.

[san4596]

Chikn – You need to also look at the benefits that they offer. The difference between retirement, health insurance, and other benefits can turn $5K to a $10K cut in pay. If they are the same, you should not take mare than a $5K cut in pay for not having much experience in preparing tax returns. Tax is not any more difficult than the REG portion of the exam, and your audit experience should by far exceed the lack of tax work. Plus, you have the knowledge of what examiners are looking for. If they attempt to low ball you, I would say that you need to look at other firms in the area. Even if it means waiting a little longer for another firm to make an offer.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Anonymous]

@mla I've taken that into consideration also. Health and 401k are good. Work life balance is great in the off season. Vacation time isn't that bad. Obviously the gov't is going to beat any public or industry job in benefits.

This is the first time I will be accepting an offer too. With the gov't everything was cut and dry. How do I go about getting the offer in writing and what parts of the offer should be in writing ?

[Anonymous]

@mla I've taken that into consideration also. Health and 401k are good. Work life balance is great in the off season. Vacation time isn't that bad. Obviously the gov't is going to beat any public or industry job in benefits.

This is the first time I will be accepting an offer too. With the gov't everything was cut and dry. How do I go about getting the offer in writing and what parts of the offer should be in writing ?

[Anonymous]

@sans I understand what you are saying and it brings me to a hard decision. I don't want to undercut myself, however I don't want to sit and wait around for another offer. I will take a harder hit the longer I wait to leave the gov't.

I previously interviewed with PWC and Deloitte for an experienced position and they both told me my biggest drawback was not having busy season experience. I would basically need to wait until next season and come in with college students.

[Anonymous]

@sans I understand what you are saying and it brings me to a hard decision. I don't want to undercut myself, however I don't want to sit and wait around for another offer. I will take a harder hit the longer I wait to leave the gov't.

I previously interviewed with PWC and Deloitte for an experienced position and they both told me my biggest drawback was not having busy season experience. I would basically need to wait until next season and come in with college students.

[Anonymous]

I think you are selling yourself short given your experience and the CPA victory. I would argue with them that you are worth 60K because of XXXXX. I'm almost positive they will come up. 60K is a deal for them. Honestly, I would push it to 65K, but I'm really aggressive when it comes to salary.

[Anonymous]

I think you are selling yourself short given your experience and the CPA victory. I would argue with them that you are worth 60K because of XXXXX. I'm almost positive they will come up. 60K is a deal for them. Honestly, I would push it to 65K, but I'm really aggressive when it comes to salary.

[Anonymous]

@davem Interesting. My main argument will be my experience and how it will help expand their estate planning services, 2nd point will be CPA exam. However, I am not sure about the value they place on the exam, one of the managers I interviewed with has not passed and he performs reviews and compilations.

………….hopefully they're not reading this thread lol

[Anonymous]

@davem Interesting. My main argument will be my experience and how it will help expand their estate planning services, 2nd point will be CPA exam. However, I am not sure about the value they place on the exam, one of the managers I interviewed with has not passed and he performs reviews and compilations.

………….hopefully they're not reading this thread lol

[san4596]

Reviews and Compilations are chicken scratch. I do compilations on a regular basis and have not passed the exam. The manager is not going to show much value for passing the exam in fear of looking less valuable than you. You get hired, and the manager would most likely be looking at you as a threat. You are selling yourself short! Once in with a local firm it will be difficult switching to another, since everyone knows everyone in the small local firms. Waiting a little longer would not push your success any further back. If you can get in at a decent rate with PWC or Deloitte, I would make the attempt for the reputation on those firms is worth taking a small cut.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

Reviews and Compilations are chicken scratch. I do compilations on a regular basis and have not passed the exam. The manager is not going to show much value for passing the exam in fear of looking less valuable than you. You get hired, and the manager would most likely be looking at you as a threat. You are selling yourself short! Once in with a local firm it will be difficult switching to another, since everyone knows everyone in the small local firms. Waiting a little longer would not push your success any further back. If you can get in at a decent rate with PWC or Deloitte, I would make the attempt for the reputation on those firms is worth taking a small cut.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Anonymous]

So… finally received an offer yesterday. It's pretty low, $46k. O/T would bring me to $50K. I am pretty set on taking it.

It is a pay cut I can afford. I have no debt and rent a room from a buddy on the cheap.

The way I am looking at it is if I don't take the position I will most likely have to wait until summer/fall time to receive another offer.

Also, I am pretty set on public accounting since my career in gov't is leading nowhere. Yes, my salary is great now, however with the way things look I would be at $70k in 6 years, $75k if things turn around.

All harsh criticism is welcomed lol

[Anonymous]

So… finally received an offer yesterday. It's pretty low, $46k. O/T would bring me to $50K. I am pretty set on taking it.

It is a pay cut I can afford. I have no debt and rent a room from a buddy on the cheap.

The way I am looking at it is if I don't take the position I will most likely have to wait until summer/fall time to receive another offer.

Also, I am pretty set on public accounting since my career in gov't is leading nowhere. Yes, my salary is great now, however with the way things look I would be at $70k in 6 years, $75k if things turn around.

All harsh criticism is welcomed lol

[mla1169]

A 23% pay cut? Yikes. By the way if you've already told them you're at 60 and they're offering $46 and you TAKE it, expect to be walked all over. They will perceive you as desperate and think they can take advantage of that. I'm sorry but I think you deserve better.

Word to the wise, if after a short time you find that you don't like your new job, don't expect to find something that starts at the salary you're walking away from.

Not sure why you believe you wouldn't see an offer until next summer but even if that were true I'd be more than happy to wait it out.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

A 23% pay cut? Yikes. By the way if you've already told them you're at 60 and they're offering $46 and you TAKE it, expect to be walked all over. They will perceive you as desperate and think they can take advantage of that. I'm sorry but I think you deserve better.

Word to the wise, if after a short time you find that you don't like your new job, don't expect to find something that starts at the salary you're walking away from.

Not sure why you believe you wouldn't see an offer until next summer but even if that were true I'd be more than happy to wait it out.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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