[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.

[acamp]

I would hold out for a Big4 job, yes, you'll be slowing down your plan, and I think its great you're able to see the bigger picture and willing to sacrifice to get there, but I think the costs are too high. Huge pay hit and no big name recognition on the resume. I mean, you COULD take it, and at least be heading in the direction you want and pursue a big4 job once you get there… but I'd probably lean towards getting in with a Big4 a little later, that way you get exposure to their training from the ground up

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

I would hold out for a Big4 job, yes, you'll be slowing down your plan, and I think its great you're able to see the bigger picture and willing to sacrifice to get there, but I think the costs are too high. Huge pay hit and no big name recognition on the resume. I mean, you COULD take it, and at least be heading in the direction you want and pursue a big4 job once you get there… but I'd probably lean towards getting in with a Big4 a little later, that way you get exposure to their training from the ground up

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Keely]

No!!! I worked in an 8 person firm and I was paid 45K with no experience whatsoever. Well, they started out paying me 35K as a ‘trial run' through busy season, but we both knew that I was being horribly underpaid and if we agreed to extend the employment after three months, I'd get paid what I deserved. Which, for my area, 45K was very fair. For you, though? 46K is a very, very low ball offer, in my opinion. I am now in the Houston area working at a mid-sized firm and I make around 60K, if you tack on bonuses. Unless you absolutely hate your current job, I think you will absolutely regret taking a 10K pay cut, working more hours, having more pressure, etc. I'd strongly reconsider.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Keely]

No!!! I worked in an 8 person firm and I was paid 45K with no experience whatsoever. Well, they started out paying me 35K as a ‘trial run' through busy season, but we both knew that I was being horribly underpaid and if we agreed to extend the employment after three months, I'd get paid what I deserved. Which, for my area, 45K was very fair. For you, though? 46K is a very, very low ball offer, in my opinion. I am now in the Houston area working at a mid-sized firm and I make around 60K, if you tack on bonuses. Unless you absolutely hate your current job, I think you will absolutely regret taking a 10K pay cut, working more hours, having more pressure, etc. I'd strongly reconsider.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Anonymous]

Ok, so now I'm thinking about retracting my acceptance. I need to be honest about one more thing, I told the firm I was making 60, but I am only making 56k. It is STILL still an 10k pay cut, 6k after it.

Also, if I wait things out I am looking to get into big 4, regional, whoever. I am assuming I wouldn't be able to get in until after tax season and the firm would probably be in philly. The higher cost I can think of if I work in philly are city wage tax (4%) and $120 to $150 a month for train.

[Anonymous]

Ok, so now I'm thinking about retracting my acceptance. I need to be honest about one more thing, I told the firm I was making 60, but I am only making 56k. It is STILL still an 10k pay cut, 6k after it.

Also, if I wait things out I am looking to get into big 4, regional, whoever. I am assuming I wouldn't be able to get in until after tax season and the firm would probably be in philly. The higher cost I can think of if I work in philly are city wage tax (4%) and $120 to $150 a month for train.

[Anonymous]

Also, I asked where I would be in one year pay wise if I well and will be licensed. He responded after hesitation with 6-7% possibly 10%.

I also appreciate everyone's criticism. If recommending recruiting or such could you expand more. I've spoke with multiple recruiters and informed them that I will be accepting an offer and taking a considerable pay cut. They both replied that they could maybe get me in somewhere at $50-60 but it wasn't public. One was from firstpro another with accounting principals. Not sure if these are reputable companies.

Also 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 at the same pay rate as them and start from the bottom up.

[Anonymous]

Also, I asked where I would be in one year pay wise if I well and will be licensed. He responded after hesitation with 6-7% possibly 10%.

I also appreciate everyone's criticism. If recommending recruiting or such could you expand more. I've spoke with multiple recruiters and informed them that I will be accepting an offer and taking a considerable pay cut. They both replied that they could maybe get me in somewhere at $50-60 but it wasn't public. One was from firstpro another with accounting principals. Not sure if these are reputable companies.

Also 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 at the same pay rate as them and start from the bottom up.

[Anonymous]

@Keely how long did it take you to reach 60k

[Anonymous]

@Keely how long did it take you to reach 60k

[Tncincy]

What about rural area? Someone stated in their post about the rural area and everyone knows everyone, which is absolutely correct, and the other cpa's in the area can get a little intimidated by others coming into the business, but I have run my bookkeeping and tax business for 17 years, so how would I negotiate when I need the cpa sign-off or audit experience? The nearest big 4 is 2 hours in either direction, should I prepare to travel two hours for that experience, sign up for Robert Half/ Account-temps? I plan to keep my business (as of now anyway). I don't want to be black balled while looking to work with a cpa for a year.

To answer the initial post, I would not compromise a $10K paycut, once you digress no one will want to bring you back to where you are….unless you are currently unemployed. When you need a job that's different, but from what I understand the desire is to get out of Government and go Public. I would stay in Government if it means lower pay and lower lifestyle to go public. There is no way your life style will stay the same, even with no debt. The cost of living is not worth the pay cut, especially after paying for cpa prep materials, study time, passing the exam, and the cost of continue ed. soon to follow. So, I agree with all the NO's don't do it.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

What about rural area? Someone stated in their post about the rural area and everyone knows everyone, which is absolutely correct, and the other cpa's in the area can get a little intimidated by others coming into the business, but I have run my bookkeeping and tax business for 17 years, so how would I negotiate when I need the cpa sign-off or audit experience? The nearest big 4 is 2 hours in either direction, should I prepare to travel two hours for that experience, sign up for Robert Half/ Account-temps? I plan to keep my business (as of now anyway). I don't want to be black balled while looking to work with a cpa for a year.

To answer the initial post, I would not compromise a $10K paycut, once you digress no one will want to bring you back to where you are….unless you are currently unemployed. When you need a job that's different, but from what I understand the desire is to get out of Government and go Public. I would stay in Government if it means lower pay and lower lifestyle to go public. There is no way your life style will stay the same, even with no debt. The cost of living is not worth the pay cut, especially after paying for cpa prep materials, study time, passing the exam, and the cost of continue ed. soon to follow. So, I agree with all the NO's don't do it.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

@chiknstrips – If it helps just for comparison sake…..I think you said you might be looking in the Philly area for a public firm…..when I graduated in 2008 and went to work for a Big 4 in NJ, I started at $55K per year. That was with just an undergrad, only internship experience and no CPA.

If you are looking in Philly, now with professional experience AND a CPA, I would think you're worth way more than what you're looking at now. Don't sell yourself short – I would think you'd want to look at a big CPA firm where there is more or less a road map for your promotion. That was the good thing about Big 4, you could basically tell almost by year when your promotions would come. I would think structures like that exist elsewhere in the Philly area.

The CPA is such a huge deal, you worked hard for it – now make it work hard for you!

[Anonymous]

@chiknstrips – If it helps just for comparison sake…..I think you said you might be looking in the Philly area for a public firm…..when I graduated in 2008 and went to work for a Big 4 in NJ, I started at $55K per year. That was with just an undergrad, only internship experience and no CPA.

If you are looking in Philly, now with professional experience AND a CPA, I would think you're worth way more than what you're looking at now. Don't sell yourself short – I would think you'd want to look at a big CPA firm where there is more or less a road map for your promotion. That was the good thing about Big 4, you could basically tell almost by year when your promotions would come. I would think structures like that exist elsewhere in the Philly area.

The CPA is such a huge deal, you worked hard for it – now make it work hard for you!

[Anonymous]

I'd consult the 2014 Robert Half Salary Guide found here to try to figure out your worth for negotiation.

https://dbm.rhi.com/web-response-forms/wrf/DM;jsessionid=EB7C67DF62DD1D9E80215A1F05A4802F.node3?execution=e1s1

[Author]

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