[Pete]

Is anyone else in the forum having a brutal time getting a full-time public-accounting position, especially those folks, who no longer have on-campus recruiting available?

I’ve been at a firm for 6 months (during tax season), then did an internship (2 months), yet firms will still not interview me. I’ll also add that I have passed both the CPA and CFE examination. Additionally, I’ve recently obtained the 150 credit hours with a 3.8 calculated GPA.

I’ve been able to land a decent number of interviews in private accounting, but public-accounting seems to be a lot more structured and illusive (Ie. you need campus recruiting). I’m not even targeting Big 4, just regional firms, who won’t even budge and give me an interview (despite getting multiple partner contacts within the firm). Do most firms simply hire almost entirely from their intern pool? Certainly seems this way to me. I even did and internship, where I received good feedback, but was told the firm had already filled all positions-likely because I didn’t have 150 hours at the time (of course the boss’s daughter’s received offers).

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[CPA2BEE]

Where are you located? I think this has a lot to do with location. Where I live, you would get picked up somewhere with your credentials. Try applying in your closest major city or somewhere nearby that is heavily populated.

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[Birdman]

With only 6 months of experience and already looking to jump ship, many may see that as a negative rather than a positive. Something to consider.

FAR- 74, 78 (10/15)
BEC- 73
REG- 65, 88 (05/16)
AUD- 7/16

[Pete]

Cpa2bee-I'm in CT. Might look into NY.

Bird-man-Don't have much choice, the firm ended up laying me off, after tax season.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[CPA2BEE]

I bet you'll find work in NY. I'm in southern California (not LA), and I was able to get into public without ANY experience or even accounting education at the time! And I bet there is more demand for accountants in public industry in NY than there is in Orange County. If you expand your search a bit, I bet something will come up.

FAR - 80
AUD - 82
BEC - 80
REG - 85

ETHICS - 90
EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

[Missy]

Did you just start applying after this tax season? I don't think May-August are typically prime recruiting time because the focus right now is in recent grads. If I'm not mistaken hiring outside the campuses is mostly done early fall.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Pete]

I focus on establishing connections with the hiring managers, more than I focus on applying to positions directly. At this point in the year, I can definitely focus on networking with the hiring managers. Perhaps the time period is the problem though. The other firm, where I worked, did end up hiring me in December for a start date of January.

I've been applying to positions for more than 6 months now. I did land an internship this spring, which was a great experience, but unfortunately, despite doing well, it came to a close. Now i'm back to searching again.

In the interim, I do have an accounting position at a small company.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[almost CPA]

UGH! I'm with you!!! being in the brutal time getting a full-time public-accounting position and I'm even graduated from school.
No big4 has post any entry level position in their website as you know they directly pick them from internship/campus recruiting (which i think it's a bull sh..)

I have internship experiences, 150cr, and almost done with my CPA. I'm even considering to go back to school for masters just to get the opportunity to apply for the firm.

[Anonymous]

You should still be able to attend your school's career fairs and networking events. Most schools have an internal job search site.

Also, I just recently applied to one of the large mid-market firms and received a call back in the same day (though it was for a Senior role and I have a few more years experience than you). They wanted me to apply to all the positions I was interested in, even if it wasn't in my state.

You could also search on Linkedin for recruiters (or Seniors/Managers) at the firms you're interested in. Find their contact information and email them directly. Let them know you're interested in opportunities with their firm and they'll let you know what to do or who to speak with.

[almost CPA]

@BrickellCPA

that would've been a great way to put myself to market but I have moved to different state after I graduate… 🙁
and when I checked my school career website, all openings were for Minnesota based offices only (where i graduate)

When you apply for the position in outer state, did you tell then you are willing to be relocated?
or will they find you a position at the state you live in?

and thank you so much for the last tip! that sounds brilliant!! have you directly talk to upper management for the opportunity before?
among all senior or managers how will i know who is the good one to contact to?
as a senior level accountant would you get bother if someone send you a linked in message saying he/she is looking for a job?

[QueenofWhales]

@CPA2BEE

Would you mind giving me some tips on how you found an accounting position in the SoCal area? We're in the same area and I'm currently having some trouble finding open positions that are entry level. I recently passed all my exams and have almost 3 years of experience as an Accounting Clerk but I'm looking for a position in Audit and have been having a hard time finding an entry level position. Most of the firms I've been looking at are either recruiting people who just graduated or have experience in the area already.

I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

@almost CPA

If you are searching for B4 or large mid-market firms, you'd probably want to stick with only contacting recruiters (and maybe even HR who will forward your resume to the appropriate recruiter).

You can search on LinkedIn for the company and see their titles. Sometimes you can find their contact information on the company webpages.

Usually these large firms have multiple recruiters for many different regions/areas so you want to get in touch with the one who handles the office(s) you're interested in.

When I applied on the site, I almost immediately received an email from the national recruiter and we set up a quick phone interview. They called me the next day to learn more about me so they can match me up to the appropriate positions. So I guess that was step 1. After our convo, they were very nice and mentioned they were glad to receive my resume and seemed eager to have me apply. (I don't have an all star background either I might add, about 4-5 years experience, decent gpa, no Master's Degree, and still working on the CPA).

My resume is pretty tidy I think though. If you have a good and clean looking resume/cover letter, that will probably help you get more interviews.

[Anonymous]

Try being 44 with zero experience. I have a Bachelor's and a Master's with OK GPA, not great but decent.

Have done everything I was supposed to so far. Sent cold e-mails with my resume to a bunch of different firms in my area. Totally redid my resume. Practiced interview questions. Worked on a good cover letter.

Nothing. Unless my school is willing to help me, I'm probably going to have to do insurance sales or something.

[Anonymous]

@brianc2008 I hear ya! Try being 48 with no recent industry experience! Its tough out there!

[Author]

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