[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]

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

[Keely]

@Chikn, I was making $45K at my 8 person firm, with a $2500 bonus once a year. I left there after six months and moved across the country, and a mid-sized firm offered me 54K with semi-annual bonuses (which I think should be around $4K total), and I also received $2500 sign on bonus for passing the exam. I am in a pretty comparable part of the country to where I used to live, cost of living wise, so I got a huge raise.

Long story short, it took me six months, but that's because I transferred jobs, not because I got a 20% raise! I think if you're working in public, in a 30 person firm, and you have some experience (even if it isn't public), AND you've passed the exam? Anything in the 40s is scraps. Think of the hours you'll be working…and what your hourly rate comes out to! That's the quickest way to depress the hell out of yourself, haha. Just think long and hard about what you're leaving behind, and it doesn't mean you can never make the jump to public. I do think you should hold out for a better offer, though, because one will come along.

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

VA CPA #42010

[Keely]

@Chikn, I was making $45K at my 8 person firm, with a $2500 bonus once a year. I left there after six months and moved across the country, and a mid-sized firm offered me 54K with semi-annual bonuses (which I think should be around $4K total), and I also received $2500 sign on bonus for passing the exam. I am in a pretty comparable part of the country to where I used to live, cost of living wise, so I got a huge raise.

Long story short, it took me six months, but that's because I transferred jobs, not because I got a 20% raise! I think if you're working in public, in a 30 person firm, and you have some experience (even if it isn't public), AND you've passed the exam? Anything in the 40s is scraps. Think of the hours you'll be working…and what your hourly rate comes out to! That's the quickest way to depress the hell out of yourself, haha. Just think long and hard about what you're leaving behind, and it doesn't mean you can never make the jump to public. I do think you should hold out for a better offer, though, because one will come along.

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

VA CPA #42010

[Anonymous]

I am going to call them on Monday and retract my acceptance. I am starting to have a feeling of regret about accepting the offer already and I don't want to put myself in a position where I feel underpaid and undervalued from the start.

I think I made myself feel desperate and didn't give my job search enough time.

Thanks everyone for the advice!!!

If anyone could give me tips on my job search it would be greatly appreciated! (recruiters, networking, cover letters, job search sites,etc..)

[Anonymous]

I am going to call them on Monday and retract my acceptance. I am starting to have a feeling of regret about accepting the offer already and I don't want to put myself in a position where I feel underpaid and undervalued from the start.

I think I made myself feel desperate and didn't give my job search enough time.

Thanks everyone for the advice!!!

If anyone could give me tips on my job search it would be greatly appreciated! (recruiters, networking, cover letters, job search sites,etc..)

[Anonymous]

have you told your current employer youre leaving yet…i hope not….

[Anonymous]

have you told your current employer youre leaving yet…i hope not….

[schor662]

Are you being selective with what you apply for? Do you enjoy doing tax work? The reason I ask is I had a very hard time finding anything in 2008 when I graduated from college as it was during the massive Big 4 layoff period. I had governmental budget experience, but nothing else. I eventually got a job in a financial services firm doing specialized tax work that fall. I started with a low salary, but with my experience there and the niche tax field I'm, it has lead me to a consulting role where I'm making a significant amount of money more than a typical CPA. They don't tell you this in school, but if you can develop a niche in the accounting field, there's less competition for a position and usually a greater salary. Good luck in your search and really think your choices through.

[schor662]

Are you being selective with what you apply for? Do you enjoy doing tax work? The reason I ask is I had a very hard time finding anything in 2008 when I graduated from college as it was during the massive Big 4 layoff period. I had governmental budget experience, but nothing else. I eventually got a job in a financial services firm doing specialized tax work that fall. I started with a low salary, but with my experience there and the niche tax field I'm, it has lead me to a consulting role where I'm making a significant amount of money more than a typical CPA. They don't tell you this in school, but if you can develop a niche in the accounting field, there's less competition for a position and usually a greater salary. Good luck in your search and really think your choices through.

[jlough]

chiknstrips— what did you end up doing?

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[jlough]

chiknstrips— what did you end up doing?

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[Anonymous]

Bump.

[Anonymous]

Bump.

[Anonymous]

I ended up taking it, I consulted with people in my area and the majority said to take it. I also spoke to someone familiar with the firm, they informed me that it was a great place to learn.

If it turns out to be a bad move I can always take my position back with the state.

[Anonymous]

I ended up taking it, I consulted with people in my area and the majority said to take it. I also spoke to someone familiar with the firm, they informed me that it was a great place to learn.

If it turns out to be a bad move I can always take my position back with the state.

[Author]

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