[Anonymous]

So… an unfortunate and foolish set of circumstances has resulted in me being unemployed. I was a top performer at my firm (mid-sized, “international”) but was let go due to an error in judgment. I took some time to reflect on my mistake, accept it, and learn from it. I will never do it again.

That being said, I have to start looking for another job in public accounting so I can get my CPA license (and because I liked the work). I passed all four exams, passed my state’s ethics exam and have the required university credits.

I have 8 months of full-time attest experience and 5 months of part-time attest experience from an internship. According to my state’s experience requirement, this equals 11 months of general public accounting experience (8 months full-time, 5 months part-time = 3 months of full-time). This, unfortunately, puts me just one month away from getting my CPA license (huge bummer).

I am planning on applying to other mid-sized/big 4 firms and notice that most say they require one year of experience for experienced associate positions. On my resume, should I say I have one year of audit experience (which is true, if measured in actual time) or should I say I have 11 months of experience (as per my state board’s definition of work experience)? I don’t want to mislead anybody but I also want to put my best foot forward.

I look forward to hearing from you guys and thank you in advance for your input.

[mla1169]

You don't have to say you have a year of experience on a resume. You put the employer names and the dates.

Taco Bell Jan 2008-May 2009

Apple Computer May 2009-June 2012.

If they want to clarify that either or both jobs were part time, they will ask (I don't ever recall being asked if a position I held was full time) and of course you will need to be honest.

Frankly if they want to split hairs over 30 days of experience, its not likely a great place to work.

Hope that helps.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Gerg, CPA]

i'd put “pursuing CPA license – passed all 4 sections & ethics exam” and then list your experience how you would normally on your resume, making no reference to specific hours. In all likelihood they will ask you about it and you can explain the dealio

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Anonymous]

Forgot to mention that I am having a summary section at the top instead of an objective. I've had a lot more success listing out three main points that explain it all rather than making the recruiter/interviewer read the entire resume (they don't usually read it).

So if one of the main points reads “one year of experience in auditing of…” will I get dinged for it?

[Gerg, CPA]

Instead of that I'd say “pursuing cpa license in (State), etc” and then they will ask you about it and you can give more detail about only needing a month more of experience. you definitely don't want a straight-up untruthitude on your resume.

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Anonymous]

Great feedback. Thanks a lot.

[pnielsen1982]

I agree that putting that you're pursuing your CPA and have passed the exams might be a better idea. If you still want to list your experience, though, I don't feel like putting you have 1 year of experience would be lying. Technically, you do have more than one year of experience. You might consider saying you have X amount of full-time experience and Y amount of part-time experience, if you really want to break it down.

Either way, I think you'd be okay.

CA licensed CPA

AUD - 08/31/13 - 84
BEC - 11/26/13 - 84
FAR - 08/10/14 - 85
REG - 11/30/14 - 72, 02/20/15 - 87

What have I gotten myself into?

[Author]

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