[PAC]

I am planning to start a career in public accounting and am having difficulties getting even an interview!!!!. I need professional advice of how to get into this field. My current situation: I am working towards my masters in accounting in USA (GPA is 4.00; i have only finished one semester; expected grad is Dec. 2016), I also hold a bachelors in accounting and did some graduate work outside the US (international education). I have about 5 years of working experiences in administrative and accounting positions outside the US. The only work experience I have in the US is a billing rep for a medical provider. Now I work full time, study part time.. and actively looking for job in public accounting. What are your suggestions?

Is there any age preference to start in a public accounting company, I am 28 now.

Does the school really matters or its just the GPA?

Are internships designed only for undergrads? Is it a good way to start with an internship after graduation and then apply for a full time or it is better to apply directly for a full time position after graduation? Are there any skills preferred by CPA recruiters? Would I be able to find a job before graduating from the masters program, what are the possibilities?

I feel like I am starting from Zero and every thing I did before just doesn’t count.

I know I am asking a lot, I would really appreciate your help. It is just exhausting that you study something and work on something else.

P.S. I am authorized to work in USA for any employer.

[UM1868]

Is the problem that you just aren't getting interviews after applying? Or have you not went to any school sanctioned recruiting events?

If certain firms do not recruit at your school, the best bet is to reach out to someone you know in that firm and have them refer you to the recruiters.

With that type of GPA, experience, and as long as you don't mess up conversation too much, you should at least be getting an interview.

Bec-76 (7/14)
Aud-81 (8/14)
Reg-82 (7/15)
Far- 82 (10/15)

Moral of the story, don't do your CPA while working in Big 4 Public Accounting.

[Mayo]

“Does the school really matters or its just the GPA?”

The key is that firms cannot possibly target every single university. So some universities, usually the higher ranked, are prioritized over others in terms of recruitment. I'd check with my career center to see what firms traditionally recruit interns or full time workers from your school.

“Are internships designed only for undergrads?”

Depends on the firm. But the typical target recruit is Junior year in undergrad, as that gives them time to complete an internship. The bigger firms usually have more set guidelines on length of time, etc. However, the smaller firms are usually more flexible with this.

“Is it a good way to start with an internship after graduation and then apply for a full time or it is better to apply directly for a full time position after graduation?”

Getting an internship is better than shooting for a full time position for a few reasons:

1. Public firms recruit 90% of entry level employees through the internship process. This is mainly due to intense competition for talent. They will predict their personnel needs for the coming year, and then recruit as many interns as they estimate. If some interns turn down a full time offer after the internship, then firms usually have to look for graduates to fill those holes. In other words, recruiting for an internship has many more slots and givers you a better chance. Full time positions have much more competition as the slots are fewer.

2. An internship allows you to get used to the type of job you'll be doing, introduces you to the firm, being in an audit team, the firm software, the firm culture, the firm procedures, etc. So when you go full time you kind of already know what to expect. Which makes it easier to adjust to the new position. A full time grad doesn't have that luxury and must learn everything from scratch.

“Are there any skills preferred by CPA recruiters?”

Firms want well rounded individuals that have good communication skills. To summarize they ideal candidate has these attributes:

1. Great interpersonal communication skills

2. Experience in a leadership role

3. Experience in a team environment

4. A likable personality (aka they like you and would like to work with you)

5. Work experience in dealing with clients or customers

6. Volunteering experience

7. Good or great grades

8. Involved in on-campus activities…preferably in a leadership role (see #2)…also preferably in an accounting-related organization

“Would I be able to find a job before graduating from the masters program, what are the possibilities?”

It's harder to recruit during a Masters only program, as your time frame is much smaller than if you are an undergrad student. My advice is always the same: Do as much as you can in the list above while still keeping your grades as high as they can be. Basically, you need to network and recruit heavily to make up for lost time.

“I feel like I am starting from Zero and every thing I did before just doesn't count.”

If all you have is good grades from the list above then you are starting from zero, for the most part. If you can come to grips with that, then it might help you understand what you need to do to maximize your chances.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[PAC]

Thank you so much for your suggestions and ideas.

#Mayo: From the list above, I do have a supervisory role in A/R and Collections and also experiences working both in a team environment and with clients in international trade.. But these are international experiences in totally different markets; are they taken into consideration by recruiters?

What about the age preference? Do u have any idea about what a grad intern's age is preferred to be?

[fuzyfro89]

If you aren't getting interviews, then your resume and your networking needs to improve.

If you get lots of interviews but don't get any offers, then your interviewing needs to improve.

No one cares about age because no one knows age. Obviously, they'd prefer you are young rather than old, but that's mostly because of a concern that you will be unhappy or not fit in if your supervisors are more than 10 years younger than you (assuming you are 35+). So long as you can show you fit in, then age won't be a problem. Also, you don't have to tell and they won't (and can't) ask.

[Author]

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