[PowerShifter]

I’ve been hired as an external auditor by a large staffing firm. I think it’s the largest staffing firm actually. Does this count as “real” audit experience, in the sense that, if I make a play for large CPA firms in the future, will they still consider me entry-level, or experienced based on my audit work here? My understanding is I will be auditing legit clients (a college, a car manufacturer), and they are using the staffing firm because it costs them less, hence I get paid less. So, eventually, I want to leave for a large CPA firm where the pay can increase over time.

Does anyone have knowledge on whether this is good for my career path? I am about to graduate (MS-accounting), so it’s going to be hard to participate in on-campus recruiting again, unless I delay graduation, or possibly take a non-matriculated class in a the future. I’m seeking insight from those with true knowledge and experience.

[soyanks]

If the staffing firm's engagement team actually issues an opinion with the FS (or whatever is being audited), then yes. It's a real audit work. If this is the only offer that you have and you are either graduating or have graduated already, it's still a good first job out of college. You can leverage the experience and try to switch to a big 4 or mid size firm after a year. Big 4 and mid size firms lose a lot of staff before/during/after the busy season and they are always looking for experienced hires

FAR - 86
REG - 85
BEC - 90
AUD - 84

[PowerShifter]

It is the only offer I have. And I have had 7 final round interviews, so 21 interviews in total, all rejections. I'm assuming it's because I have the grades, but not the experience. Also being almost 30 and not having the CPA exams complete make me less impressive. But, again, 7 final rounds, and I don't think I interview poorly either, there's just only so many ways I can spin my lack of experience in an interview I suppose. But at this Staffing Firm engagement, I don't know if I'm actually issuing an opinion on the overall FS. I'm fairly sure I can't get my CPA here, even if I pass the exams. But again, it is audit work. I just don't know if it translates to me being an experienced hire at a public firm, or if I would still be entry-level. That's what I'm trying to figure out, because if I can transfer as experienced, then I should take my degree. But if not, I should delay graduation or take a non-matriculated class to do campus recruiting again, because that's the only place most firms recruit from.

[soyanks]

You should never delay graduation in the hopes of attempting OCR for another year.

1) There's no guarantee that you will land a job

2) The firms that you've already interviewed with in the past, might not invite you back for the interviews because they've already met you and gone through the process

3) Others (class below) need their shot at OCR

4) You have to pay tuition

5) Loss of income

There was a study published couple of years ago that only about 15-17% of accounting graduates end up in public accounting. Although the offer that you have now is not what you've expected, there are plenty of others without any offers at all. Also, consider that you are not a traditional graduate (due to age, etc).

You can always reach out to the staffing firm and try to get more information about the job before accepting that offer. More information will allow you to make a better decision.

Also, passing all 4 sections of CPA exam is a priority. For experience, you can get it with your first job, second job, etc. it really doesn't matter. After a year at the staffing firm, if you do decide to apply to Big 4 or mid size firms, you can mention on your resume that you've passed all 4 sections of the CPA exam, and that does count as a plus (even without an actual license).

FAR - 86
REG - 85
BEC - 90
AUD - 84

[PowerShifter]

Thank you for your insight. The biggest question here is whether or not this job makes me an experienced hire, because then being out of school is fine. But if I am still going to have to apply to be entry-level, then I need school, because that's generally the only way you get an entry-level audit job, at least a mid-to-large CPA firm.

[Anonymous]

I'm still trying to figure out how you are an external auditor, but work for a staffing firm.

I thought CPA firms were the only ones able to issue an audit opinion…

[PowerShifter]

Well, I thought so too. But apparently not. I literally would be doing the same type of work, except at a lower cost to the client, hence I can't get paid as much either. But it's legitimate audit work. I don't know how far into the FS this goes, however. It probably is supplemental to other audit work being done by a CPA firm.

[fuzyfro89]

How exactly could we answer whether you'll be an experienced hire or not given we don't know what you'll be doing in your job nor how long you are estimating you'll be there?

3 months? 6 months? 18 months? Real audit work? CPA license?

Lots of factor go into the experienced hire process.

If you do real audit work for a year, you'll be an experienced hire. You'll have to generally meet the skills of someone who was already in public for a year.

[Author]

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