[Anonymous]

Is it possible to work 25 hours a week and make $20,000 a year as a CPA?

[peetree]

Possible? Yeah.

Amount of variables that will determine if it is doable? MANY

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[Anonymous]

I am working 25hrs until I am done with BEC. I hope I will ever done with this……..

I wouldn't work for 20k unless you have important reasons (experience, waiting for a full time Position…).

[Anonymous]

peetree,

Like what variables?

Cessna,

So you think 20K for 25 hrs is too much money or not enough?

My reasoning is I want more free time. 20k is enough for me.

[peetree]

If you're a sole cpa practicing by yourself, what access to clients do you have? what type of services will you be rendering for people? etc.

If you just want to work for someone and earn 20k, a CPA designation isn't really necessary.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[Anonymous]

peetree,

So how many hours/week would a cpa have to work to earn 20k (if they worked for someone else)?

Thank you both btw.

[Anonymous]

20k gross or net? From my experience, most CPA's can clear 20k net and only work 20h after they have about 10 years of experience. The problem is finding clients or a firm that will work with you on those hours. Now if you are a fledgling CPA expect to make accounting clerk wages. $13 to $22 an hour!

[mla1169]

20,000/1080 hours (20 hours a week) works out to $18.51/hour. It can be done but remember you won't be getting benefits working 20 hours a week. Comes a time you're not covered on mom & dads health insurance anymore.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Dustymack,

Thank you. 20k gross. What percentage of accounting firms would let your work such hours?

mla1169,

Thank you.

[Jennifer241]

@Dave451

Definitely!!! Working in public accounting you can work part time. Practices LOVE having to not have to pay for the benefits of a full-time employee. 20k a year is what our current estate and trust accountant makes and she works 20-25 hours a week. She even takes work home and does some work from home.

You need to have 1 thing that you specialize in.

I have worked at 2 public accounting firms, and they BOTH hired part time Trust and Estate CPA's, either as a part-time employee or an independent contractor. 18.51/hr is CHEAP for trusts and estates. Food for thought.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

If you were willing to work more hours through busy seasons and less through the others, to average out to 20-25, I know that our firm would love to have you! It's hard to find quality workers when you can't quite afford an entire new full-time position…so someone who just wants to work part-time, but who is great at what they do, is a rare and awesome find!

[Liss, Master of Coin]

Where do you live that allows you to live comfortably on $20k gross a year? My mind can’t comprehend that at all. My mind also doesn't understand the phrase “free time” – ha!

You need to look at the jobs available in your area to see if anyone is hiring part time CPAs for $15-16/hr. Start with newspapers, and if there are CPA firms that have websites, look at them.

CPA (MA, Non-Reporting)

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting - Walt Disney

B - 33, 71, 79!
A - 32, 61, 70, 83!
R - 33, 58, 73, 69, 81!
F - 47, 78! 🙂
After 3 long years, I'm finally DONE!
I could not have done it without NINJA MCQs.

Used: Roger for his Videos, WTB, and NINJA Audio, Notes and Test Bank.

[Anonymous]

Jennifer241,

That sounds great. Thank you so much :)))

liss_ will_be_a_CA_CPA,

Thank you. COL is pretty low here in the South, but I've heard much of the Midwest is similar. Also, roommates, etc.

[Anonymous]

@liss Where I live SE KY, one of the poorest counties in the nation, you could live on $20k. Not necessarily “comfortably”, but safely. You can buy a 4BR 3BA house for $23.5k (I've been watching a listing for that amount), if you don't mind it needing a bit of TLC (ugly paint, but appears to be structurally sound), and the tax returns we do for people with rental houses tend to be $300-600/mo, depending on location and condition. So, when your housing expense for the year is under $5k, it makes $20k much more comfortable!!

Also, if you have a spouse or annuity or other source providing part of the household income, $20k is a lot more comfortable!

[Tncincy]

@lilla,

I was thinking of reciprocating license with KY is the qualification a big difference from TN. I'm NW TN so I was thinking of an advantage to use the license provided I pass the test of course.

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

[Anonymous]

@tncincy From a brief look at the TN site, it looks like they're stricter than KY. I'm in SE KY, just a few miles from the border, so may look into getting a TN license at some point…but it looks like they require a couple extra credits. But, looks like if you qualify in TN you'll qualify in KY! Shoot me an email for more comparisons – elisabethr90@aol.com

[Author]

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