[HowLuckyWeAre]

Let me preface this by saying that my current job in industry has me taking antidepressants and sometimes Klonopin in the mornings to take the edge off of going in. Having a panic attack while driving is not something I want to experience again. My company has a ridiculous churn rate and upper management doesn’t seem to care they the environment is utterly toxic. They just tout all the new people as proof that they’re growing and that people want to work at this company while completely neglecting that these new people are just replacements. In the past 5 years, my department of 10 people has hired 19 new people and 17 of them are no longer here, if that gives you any indication of how caustic it is. And I’m one of the losers that’s still stuck here, almost 4 years in.

I started my CPA journey last year without the knowledge or support of the company to give myself a leg up career wise. I started applying to CPA firm jobs in October, but haven’t had any nibbles at all. Just 100% rejection either by silence or canned message. I know it’s not personal and I’m trying not to let it get me down, but it feels really bad to have my 150 and three parts passed without a phone call from a single CPA firm in Metro Detroit. Ironically, recruiters are constantly contacting me on LinkedIn for industry positions. One of the messages was :

“Thank you for your job application for the Experienced Tax Associate position. While your background is impressive, we feel that other candidates are a better fit for this position. We will be unable to offer you an interview at this time.

However, we will keep your information on file in the event that a new position becomes available which better fits your skills.

Thank you for your interest in (firm).

This particular firm has posted additional open positions in my current city that don’t require public experience and are a step below what I initially applied for, but I don’t know what the protocol is for applying again. They obviously have my resume. Or did anyway. Reach out to the director of recruiting that sent me the canned response about the new position? Resubmit my resume? I’m obviously afraid of getting rejected again but I’m already at “no” so I feel like it couldn’t hurt. Am I just chasing a public accounting pipe dream by trying to go from industry to public? Should I just suck it up and work with a recruiter to get another job in industry? I just have to get out of this company. It literally leaves me feeling so defeated and stupid every day.

It’s just getting really hard to keep my head up while dealing with depression/anxiety, a terrible work environment, the CPA exam, and job hunting. Any help would be appreciated.

FAR - 78
AUD - 85
BEC - 70, 83! Ninja note bump of 13 points!
REG - 65, 70, 2016 Q1 retake before FAR expires 02/29/16

CPAexcel + Ninja Notes + Ninja MCQ = Success

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. And boy, I am HANGRY!

[EuroAddict]

Ever looked into a local accounting/finance head hunter firm? I don't mean Robert Half either. A local firm with people who have had experience in the industry and have connections.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Anonymous]

You need to push everything else aside and pass REG in the next window. You can do it but you'll need to get focused on RIGHT NOW. Everything else is beyond your control and irrelevant.

The people that are getting those other interviews and jobs are probably CPAs.

[ruggercpa2b]

Because you are so unhappy I would not put all my eggs in one basket. I would look for both public and private. With no public accounting experience you may have to start as a staff. Some people are able to come in as experienced hires but because you are constantly getting these rejection emails it may be you are applying for jobs you are not qualified for.

Finding a job is not easy anymore. I had Big 4 experience and it took me a year to find another job. I went on multiple interviews and just never made the cut. I would also have someone look at your resume. If you have passed 3 parts of the CPA and getting no bites at all it has to be what you are sending in for that initial review.

I have always reapplied for jobs if I saw something come up. Only once have I ever had a company reach out to me about an open position after they told me they had my resume on file. Its competitive out there and sometimes you have to take a step back and make sure you have a strong resume and strong cover letter. Be ready to sell yourself as if your life depended on it. I would print job postings and practice what to say during phone interviews to highlight how my experience matched with what they were looking for. Its exhausting but its going to take a lot of nos before you find that next great job.

I was so miserable when I was at the Big 4, it started affecting every aspect of my life. My friend sat me down and gave me The Power of Now to read. I read that book and changed my outlook on that job situation. I stopped thinking negatively and tried to make light of whatever crappy situation I was in at Deloitte. I also stopped hanging out with people that were miserable like me because all we did was just bring each other down. Things started working out in my favor.

Good Luck!

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Gatorbates]

Leave the Detroit market. The city's bankrupt. Move someplace sunnier. You'll be much happier, and appreciated much more. There are opportunities all over the country. Once you have the CPA, you'll be fielding offers left and right.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[jm962011]

I don't know about that “once you have a CPA you'll be fielding offers left and right…” thing Gator. I live in Indianapolis and I actually got more calls from recruiters before I was a CPA. 🙁

[Gatorbates]

I think I'm just spoiled by the market here in Florida. If you have a license, you will be employed. The demand for them down here is disgusting. Plus, no state income tax! 🙂

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[12tang]

I agree with gatorbates. Leave that area. Minneapolis is on the top 10 list for Accountants and it's not too far, neighbor! According to this article, the avg. salary here is close to New Yorkers and the cost of living is substantially cheaper. Win – win! I can attest to the demand here as well as the salaries being right. Something to think about…

https://ledgerlink.monster.com/benefits/articles/582-top-10-cities-for-accountants?page=3

Using Becker self-study
FAR: (82) 175 hours - 1st attempt
BEC: (XX)
AUD: (69) 45hrs of study - 1st attempt
REG: (XX)

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

$69k in NY, NY? Can they afford to eat with that?

AUD 93 Jan 16
BEC 83 Feb 16
FAR 83 Apr 16
REG 84 May 16

99% Ninja MCQ only

[HowLuckyWeAre]

Thanks for not calling me crazy, guys. I wrote that post during my lunch hour while I was crying in my car and now that I re-read it, I'm kind of wincing in shame for spilling my guts out to the internet. This isn't how I imagined by life would be. Me, crying in my car because of a work situation. My therapist says that I can quit at any time, but I don't have the balls to do it. The harsh irony of the fact that I need this job in order to have access and resources for the antidepressants and therapy that keep me functioning enough to go to work in that environment doesn't escape me.

@Gator – You know, I would move to Florida (sunshine! beaches! no snow!) in a heartbeat if it wasn't for my mother. Long story short, kid of immigrants here. Not first generation American, but still fresh enough that my mother would never forgive me if I moved to another state.

My boyfriend (different line of work, but does recruiting and reviews a crap ton of resumes) helped me streamline my cover letter and resume and I'm confident that it's 100% error free and well-written. I just have to keep plugging away and discreetly letting people know I'm looking (help a girl out!). 6silvermoonbeams is right on. I have to finish this my CPA journey and pass REG next window. No distractions. Just work. Got my NTS yesterday and I'm going to go register for a spot right now.

Thank you guys!

FAR - 78
AUD - 85
BEC - 70, 83! Ninja note bump of 13 points!
REG - 65, 70, 2016 Q1 retake before FAR expires 02/29/16

CPAexcel + Ninja Notes + Ninja MCQ = Success

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. And boy, I am HANGRY!

[ruggercpa2b]

Immigrant here rooting for you. You can do this! Pass REG and you will be on your way out of that helol hole.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[win2bet]

public accounting isn't all that great, it does a good job at opening doors though. just have to change your mindset & be more positive, somehow someway. go take a vacation, go on a sunny beach, exercise a bit. sounds like you need a break. but in the meantime study hard hard for REG, can't risk losing credit

REG 68,87
BEC 85
FAR 75
AUD 64,64, 86!

[Author]

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