[smarthas]

I graduated last year with Accounting major, and now I am working as a Staff Accountant. I recently looked for an entry level audit position on public accounting firm and got an offer. At first, I am ecstatic that I got that offer because I thought that I finally would be able to get into public accounting and get abundant amount of knowledge. I know that the hours would be awful but I thought that’s what I need as a stepping stone to get a higher pay and position later in the future when I come back to private. However, I just got a pretty big bump on my current workplace which bring me to a manager level salary. And now I am confused!! Should I stay or should I take the offer and obtain the knowledge with lesser pay? Is it worth it? My concern is why would I spend my time in public accounting when I am already at that level now? But I won’t be learning as much as if I work in public. I wonder if its possible to go to public again later after 2 years working in private. I heard the longer the harder for me to go to public, well this if I decide to switch in the future. If I stay in private, can I get up to Controller without having public accounting experience though?

I really want to hear what will you do if you are on my shoe.

Thanks though!

[Study Monk]

If money is the major factor just call the firm and tell them you need X amount to accept the offer. If they say no than stay in private. Its an idea anyway. I would double check what the work requirements are for your state are and probably get confirmation from someone in person. It would be a shame to pass all the exams to find out that you over looked something.

Some states actually require public accounting experience.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[tough_kitty]

@smarthas: I can see you are located in SF, so this info should be relevant to you if you are still in California!

In California you can get a general license if you get pretty much any accounting related experience as long as one of the supervisors/managers in your office is an active CPA and can sign off on your experience.

General license is good enough if you are not planning to sign off on attest engagements. So, if you don't plan on working in public accounting as an auditor, you don't really need this part – 500 of attest hours……and after you get the general CPA license, you can always “upgrade” to the attest license later.

Here are some forms you can look at:

https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/forms/index.shtml#applicants

And here is the handbook with details on general (page 20) vs. attest experience (page 21):

https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/publications/applbook.pdf

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

[tough_kitty]

@smarthas: I can see you are located in SF, so this info should be relevant to you if you are still in California!

In California you can get a general license if you get pretty much any accounting related experience as long as one of the supervisors/managers in your office is an active CPA and can sign off on your experience.

General license is good enough if you are not planning to sign off on attest engagements. So, if you don't plan on working in public accounting as an auditor, you don't really need this part – 500 of attest hours……and after you get the general CPA license, you can always “upgrade” to the attest license later.

Here are some forms you can look at:

https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/forms/index.shtml#applicants

And here is the handbook with details on general (page 20) vs. attest experience (page 21):

https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/publications/applbook.pdf

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

[smarthas]

@tough_kitty: Yes, I am in SF still! Thank you for the links, it is very helpful. What is the different between Pathway 1 and 2, do you know?

@Study Monk: I don't think that I can ask that firm for the X amount of money because what I'm getting now is way beyond the entry level.

So, I accepted that offer with the CPA firms because it remains open until yesterday. They want me to start on Feb. The employment is at will. If I decide not to come on-board anymore,what should I tell them? I'm scared that I will look unprofessional by doing so. But if I give them at least a month notice, wouldn't it be more than enough?

[smarthas]

@tough_kitty: Yes, I am in SF still! Thank you for the links, it is very helpful. What is the different between Pathway 1 and 2, do you know?

@Study Monk: I don't think that I can ask that firm for the X amount of money because what I'm getting now is way beyond the entry level.

So, I accepted that offer with the CPA firms because it remains open until yesterday. They want me to start on Feb. The employment is at will. If I decide not to come on-board anymore,what should I tell them? I'm scared that I will look unprofessional by doing so. But if I give them at least a month notice, wouldn't it be more than enough?

[Anonymous]

stay with the current firm, enjoy the raise and if you wanna go public you can do it later preferably for a position that matches your current salary. you can always take the test and get your experience later as well…

[Anonymous]

stay with the current firm, enjoy the raise and if you wanna go public you can do it later preferably for a position that matches your current salary. you can always take the test and get your experience later as well…

[Author]

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