[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Like many of you, I am very interested and looking to break into public accounting to satisfy the work hour requirements for the CPA license.

I did not have a job lined up after graduation (I did have a busy season internship), so I eventually took a four-month, unpaid gig doing basic accounting work. Needing to get on some solid ground financially, I took a job with the government, doing very basic accounting work, where I am at now. Although the pay is nice, I’m not working towards my certification and there’s absolutely no room to move up. I’m not being used effectively and I’m ready to move on.

I’m worried that skipping around jobs will be received poorly by recruiters (3 months here, 4 months there, 6 months at my current position). Is it a good idea to quit and focus full-time on finding something in public accounting?

Also, I’m a little unsure of how to approach firms right now as busy season gets into full swing. Is it something as simple as sending them e-mails requesting for informational interviews (I’ve heard this is usually the best route to go as far as networking goes)?

I’m unsure of where to turn and I really appreciate any advice I can get.

[Mayo]

“Is it something as simple as sending them e-mails requesting for informational interviews (I've heard this is usually the best route to go as far as networking goes)?”

Umm, what you've described is the opposite of networking. Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful, but it's busy season. However,I'd search for “networking” on this forum or justbrowse posts talking aboutgetting a job in accounting, and I think you'll find some awesome info.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

For what it's worth I did get a job at a cpa firm by sending out a few emails to smaller local firms in my area. I happened to hit it right and was hired within 4 days. Generally smaller firms are not out there recruiting and find having to deal with hiring someone as a big annoyance. They don't have recruiters and special human resource departments to handle everything that comes along with the entire hiring process. So if you can spark their interest at the right time and make their life easier by appearing when they need someone you may have a good chance at it. It worked for me. If you don't mind a smaller firm (20 people at mine) there are some benefits to it – the hours aren't so tough as in a big firm. The downside is they don't have the time or resources for training and you tend to just get things thrown at you. They also tend to track people less. The big firms will often put you in a niche such as tax and then train your for it. In a small firm you have to learn everything all at once. Tax, auditing, bookkeeping/accounting, working with clients, etc… If your someone who likes a focus (like me) this can be really tough. Good luck with your job hunt!

[joeman527]

DrCr –

I was a recruiter for five years in-between my two public accounting positions at one of the biggest recruiting firms in the nation. It was a great position but my window for getting my licence was closing so I jumped back into public.

First – a candidate is always going to be more attractive to a potential employer if he or she is presently working. That is a fact. Secondly, if you are looking to get into public accounting, your timing isn't bad. The 1st of the year would have been ideal but there are several firms still looking for busy season resources. The fact that you have already passed your exam and have some accounting experience should make it quite easy for you to lock down a couple interviews.

As far as your approach to contacting firms, send them an email with your resume and follow up with the office manager or in-house recruiter with a phone call a couple days later. Based on your email, it looks like your communication skills are solid, use them. Sell yourself into a small to medium size firm. Get started today and drop your calls on Monday during any of your several breaks (government job). Don't waste away in a gov't job.

Good Luck! Hit me up if you have any specific questions.

Joe

FAR - 84 (7/21/12)
Audit - 89 (10/8/12)
REG - 81 (1/14/12)
BEC - 4/25/13

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. Keep the stories coming.

@joeman527: Is there a certain way I should phrase my emails to get better responses from HR? For example, do hiring managers (as a whole) look down on asking for a full-on employment interview or do they prefer something much less formal (like spending 20 minutes over coffee chatting/sharing experiences)?

My fear is that I've got only one shot at each firm and if they aren't responsive now, I'd be shutting myself out of talking to them in the future.

[Author]

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