[AGI]

Good day, everyone. I need some advice!

So here is the story…

I passed the exam, but my job doesn’t fit the working requirement… what should I do next?

Should I quit my job to go toward my experience or should I not quit my job and hold on…?

(God knows, maybe an opportunity will come by sometime in the future.)

Here are some useful information:

Age: 23

Education: BBA (Need another 16 credits towards the 150 credit requirements)

CPA Exam: Passed (Seat in with 120 credit)

Current job: Governmental

Salary: 38K

Benefit: Full package on health insurance, dental and vision

Pension: Yes

Vacation: 3 weeks

Sick Day: Yes, couple weeks

Job focus: Perform Non-Profit and Governmental review, general management

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I am pretty sure I am not smart enough to go to Big Four. So I don’t think I will try.

Does anyone knows about the current market? What’s the price for a job to finish the requirement?

Also, what will be a good place to find such a job? Do I work for a CPA or a law firm or something…?

(Especially since I practice governmental accounting, it’s hard to find a market.)

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Also, would anyone recommend going back to school now? Or should that come after working experience?

(I called up state board and they say score never expire, yay!)

I am really debating, going back to school means a tuition loan and I want to buy a house within next five years…

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[Anonymous]

I don't know which big 4 provides governmental and NFP audit. But you can try grant thornton. I heard that they are 2nd in G & NFP service.

Don't assume. Just do.

[Steph08]

Why do you think you are not smart enough for the big four?

[juuustin]

KPMG is the big 4 that has the most Federal clients, FYI

MD Candidate: 10/1/14

FAR - 87 (11/23/14)
REG - 87 (1/30/15)
BEC - 89 (4/19/15)
AUD - 98 (5/30/15)

Ethics - 100

Experience - In Progress!

[thelawnwranglers]

1. You are smart enough for the big 4 so stop with that nonsense.

2. What is your plan to get the education requirement? The gov job might give you the time to that better than public accounting.

3. Get the new job before you quit the current one. Getting a job is so much easier when you already have one.

jmho

[Determined CPA]

If you have your CPA, Big 4 will love you. I used to work at PwC in NYC. CPA is huge! Wouldn't even put your GPA on your resume if you have your CPA and past experience.

38k in NYC is low pay.

I would contact a recruiter and look around.

A - 75
B - 78 God is good.
F - 77 Answered prayers.
R - 84! Done!!

Paperwork sent - waiting for license!!
Still on a cloud and in shock. Through God, all things will happen.

[mla1169]

don't quit your job until you have a written offer elsewhere. Also try to find a job that offers tuition reimbursement so you will not have to pay for your additional 30 credits.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I've met some real morons that work for the Big 4.

That's not a dis. Most of the people there are some of the most talented, hard working professionals out there.

But they have a few morons too.

[Anonymous]

1 – Don't quit your job until you have another one, but

2 – If you can't get the experience requirement in your current position start looking for another one job, and

3 – In Colorado, for government experience requirement, if you work in some form of internal and external audit, installation of internal control systems, preparing financial statements (me), management advisory or consulting services, or regulatory reporting on financial matters, and as long as you are under a CPA then you meet the experience requirement. Maybe NY is similar?

[acctaks]

You need to be assertive. You passed your CPA. Big 4 has people without a CPA. I supported KPMG at one of their training sessions and they had entire ballrooms of LV1 auditors without their license. Just realize that employers want what you have. Don't be afraid to reject low offers or if the job doesn't seem to be a good fit for you. Your pay for NYC is trash though. Pay isn't everything. Your current job could land you a position at a large local firm without the CPA. Anyways, look for an employer that's going to pay for you to get your credits that you need.

F-Pass
A-Pass
R-Pass
B-Pass

I'm a CPA!

[AGI]

Thanks everyone!

No, I have no plan to quit my job right now, not until I find another one.

Years of experience told me quitting a job before you find another is a very bad idea…..

In fact, I just took this job title 1.5 week ago and I am stilling waiting for my first paycheck!

I am looking to see if my union and the government will pay for my credits…

I am only missing 19 credits, which is a little more than one semester. I can finish this at any time.

I am also trying to get a recommendation from my boss to see if I can get myself into one of those “big name” university (like Columbia University…)

YOU GUYS ARE RIGHT. I THINK I NEED TO BE ASSERTIVE!!!!!

It will of cause, be best if I can transfer within the government to another agency to finish this requirement, but I don't qualify for most of the auditing position in the government.. For whatever reason, the minimum requirement is 2 years working experience AFTER you get your degree, which I don't have.

I didn't expect myself to finish my exam within one year…

I think I will try to apply to the Big 4, and to Grant Thornton. My friend recommend me to send my resume to any mid-size Finance / Accounting company, and to post my resume on-line.

I think the Big 4 will at lest offer me an interview? Looking at the fact that I am actually handing a 30 million program, and that I am head of the unit, and that I have practiced governmental review for 2 years, I think they will at least find me “interesting” and want to talk to me? Then if I am good luck, I will get a position.

Anyone know what is a fair salary in NYC? I am not sure. I don't actually know anyone that sit and passed the exam with 120 credit. When I graduated from college, only 2 (including me) out of the whole 150 class wants to take the exam.

Anyhow, I am excited to move on my way to get my license!!!!!

I think I will spent couple month to look for a real good job. Maybe by 2016 I will get my license!

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[acctaks]

Yeah, busy season is coming up. August would have been the best time to start looking. The cost of living is way lower where I'm at and entry level auditors start in the high 40s to mid 50 range at local firms. Check glassdoor and look at your area's salary ranges. I also think you need to work under a CPA for a certain amount of time in addition to your credits. I'm not familiar with the requirements in NY so don't quote me on that. Good luck

F-Pass
A-Pass
R-Pass
B-Pass

I'm a CPA!

[AGI]

Yes. I will have to work under a CPA for a year. Plus, going back to school.

I know the requirements…

In New York City, income is so unequally distributed. Most companies don't even want to offer anything more than 45K. They don't even want to hire you, just get some free college interns to do their job. We got so many immigrants and cheap labor that companies are not promoted to raise their employees.

I have friends who can't find a job 2 years after college graduate. And $15 / hour for recent graduate sounds good for some reason…

Just in NYC, I don't really trust glassdoor. That website is for people and HR who are “willing” to put their salary on. For people who can barely find enough money to feed your family, they don't have the luxury time to go rate themselves.

Also, in NYC, just because you are not white, you can expect yourself to earn as much as 30K less than your co-worker in the exact some job. Not if you are not male, you generally earn 10-20% less than your male co-workers. It's generally true even a lot of people deny it.

ANYHOW…I'M ON THE SEARCH TO GET TO THE OTHER END OF THIS SALARY LINE

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[Author]

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