[Anonymous]

Hi Ninjas,

Here’s the situation:

– recently passed exams

– no accounting experience

– GPA < 3.0

– current salary in sales = $65k to $80k

I’m assuming entry-level staff accountants in my area are starting off around $45k to $55k. What are your thoughts on taking a $10k+ pay cut to gain the experience needed to get licensed?

[ipasscpa]

What's SB 823?

CPA- VA

[mla1169]

First red light to me is you're assuming what a salary in public might be. Look on Robert half's salary guide, and get a feel for what it actually might be in your area. Your GPA may be a challenge getting into a big 4, but you don't have to work in public, I think CA accepts any general accounting experience if signed off by a CPA. Then again you'll be considered entry level and the salaries might not be any better than in public.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

First red light to me is you're assuming what a salary in public might be. Look on Robert half's salary guide, and get a feel for what it actually might be in your area. Your GPA may be a challenge getting into a big 4, but you don't have to work in public, I think CA accepts any general accounting experience if signed off by a CPA. Then again you'll be considered entry level and the salaries might not be any better than in public.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[UNC MAcc]

You absolutely should dump your sales gig. You will likely eventually burn out of sales. You may take a pay cut now, but it will be worth it in the long run.

LOL you can forget about Big 4 though.

B - 89
A - 80
R - 78
F - 86

CIA, CFSA, MBA, MAcc (too many f'ing degrees and certs, I know, trust me)

[UNC MAcc]

You absolutely should dump your sales gig. You will likely eventually burn out of sales. You may take a pay cut now, but it will be worth it in the long run.

LOL you can forget about Big 4 though.

B - 89
A - 80
R - 78
F - 86

CIA, CFSA, MBA, MAcc (too many f'ing degrees and certs, I know, trust me)

[tough_kitty]

Do they even look at GPA when considering people who passed CPA exam and have some work experience??

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Do they even look at GPA when considering people who passed CPA exam and have some work experience??

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Senate Bill 823:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml;jsessionid=8ce511829c7d45a68d2e0072f8af

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Senate Bill 823:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml;jsessionid=8ce511829c7d45a68d2e0072f8af

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

I appreciate all the feedback. Definitely some great advice here. It seems like there's a consensus that taking a pay cut is the way to go.

Ideally, I'd like to stay in sales for at least year to save money, then go into public accounting, however I'm concerned that waiting so long after passing my exam would lessen my chances of getting hired.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate all the feedback. Definitely some great advice here. It seems like there's a consensus that taking a pay cut is the way to go.

Ideally, I'd like to stay in sales for at least year to save money, then go into public accounting, however I'm concerned that waiting so long after passing my exam would lessen my chances of getting hired.

[stancesc5]

Sales make the most in any field, accounting is just a cost to any company, unless ur in accounting firm where u won't be making that much anyway unless you make partner, which incidentally u will need sales skills to make, because u need to get ur firm more business

[stancesc5]

Sales make the most in any field, accounting is just a cost to any company, unless ur in accounting firm where u won't be making that much anyway unless you make partner, which incidentally u will need sales skills to make, because u need to get ur firm more business

[Anonymous]

You probably won't make more in accounting at first… and you probably will continue to move up the sales ranks too right?

Do accounting if you don't like sales, if you like sales then stay where you are at.

[Anonymous]

You probably won't make more in accounting at first… and you probably will continue to move up the sales ranks too right?

Do accounting if you don't like sales, if you like sales then stay where you are at.

[Author]

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