[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.

[Anonymous]

@jeff I already tried to counter and nothing. I would never leave my job if I could prepare tax returns, but it's a “conflict of interest”

[jeff]

Essentially, you're paying them $10,000 a year to train you for an advancement that may or may not come.

[jeff]

Essentially, you're paying them $10,000 a year to train you for an advancement that may or may not come.

[san4596]

Chik – I'm a little confused as to why it is a conflict of interest if you Audit Inheritance and Estate returns. I understand that doing a form 1041 or 706 would be a conflict. I would assume that as long as they do not receive a K1 from a 1041 you would be fine.

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

[san4596]

Chik – I'm a little confused as to why it is a conflict of interest if you Audit Inheritance and Estate returns. I understand that doing a form 1041 or 706 would be a conflict. I would assume that as long as they do not receive a K1 from a 1041 you would be fine.

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

[Anonymous]

In HR's mind the public can view it as a conflict, fellow employees can, or employees from different departments can collaborate with each other. For example, it would not be hard for me to submit 1040's or 1120's prepared by me and have other employees push them through without being audited when they should be. I think the whole collaborating thing is the issue. Years ago you could prepare returns, that is no longer the case now.

[Anonymous]

In HR's mind the public can view it as a conflict, fellow employees can, or employees from different departments can collaborate with each other. For example, it would not be hard for me to submit 1040's or 1120's prepared by me and have other employees push them through without being audited when they should be. I think the whole collaborating thing is the issue. Years ago you could prepare returns, that is no longer the case now.

[MintsRGood]

I work at a small firm and let me tell you straight out that we pay our OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR more than $46k. If you are making $60,000 you will want to die living on $46k. Hold out for a better offer. You are worth it!!! This is prime hiring time for public firms looking for tax season help. Get in touch with a recruiter NOW. You've passed the exam. You didn't graduate last week. Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!

@Jeff I would argue that ALL offices are breeding grounds for drama, regardless of size.

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[MintsRGood]

I work at a small firm and let me tell you straight out that we pay our OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR more than $46k. If you are making $60,000 you will want to die living on $46k. Hold out for a better offer. You are worth it!!! This is prime hiring time for public firms looking for tax season help. Get in touch with a recruiter NOW. You've passed the exam. You didn't graduate last week. Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!

@Jeff I would argue that ALL offices are breeding grounds for drama, regardless of size.

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[san4596]

WOW! That really blows! I still would not take the other job.

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

[san4596]

WOW! That really blows! I still would not take the other job.

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

[jeff]

@mints true …

[jeff]

@mints true …

[Anonymous]

I also agree with the others, $46K is WAY too low.

[Anonymous]

I also agree with the others, $46K is WAY too low.

[Author]

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