[Anonymous]

Got my Masters’s from a state school a few years ago, now working on CPA. My GPA was 3.0, so I was having trouble landing a job in public. Having worked a mediocre accounting job and seeing employees of my level constantly getting passed up for promotions over external hires with public experience is very discouraging, and I’m not sure that getting a CPA will completely solve this problem, as I believe public accounting shapes your career trajectory.

Has anyone had any experience trying to get into public accounting after working in the industry? i know they rarely look beyond interns they find on campus – does having a CPA help or would it make me even less appealing as an entry-level hire? What would be the best way to approach my less-than-desire able GPA?

[jvcpa]

Coffeelover25, I'm in a similar career situation. I'm almost 30 and have been pursuing my CPA while working in industry. My state board requires work experience under a licensed CPA. My current employer doesn't even have a licensed CPA on the payroll. There is only one big 4 in my city, and they recruit from the state schools here, so I'm not even going to look there. After I pass AUD, I'm going to start networking heavily with the top 50 firms in the area. There are three firms within one square mile of my office that look like potential landing spots.

Regarding the CPA, my opinion is that it would help more than hurt. It shows that you've taken the time to pass the exams, so you're trying to knock down the barriers of entry to public accounting, regardless of your work experience and personal profile. I'm not sure about the GPA. I have a 3.65, nobody seemed to really express an opinion on it except for an attorney that I once interviewed with. It's probably best to emphasize more of your career success rather than academic success. To me, the key is getting the interview, from there, just try and nail the interview and charm them.

Passed: R-F-B-A - Persistence is the key to passing.

[Anonymous]

Get the CPA, some good references, and join the local CPA society in your area. Don't actively look for a job for a few months. Don't even mention to people that you're looking. Just get to know them on a personal/professional level.

Once your network is in place you can start inquiring on openings at firms.

Also, try looking at smaller firms. It's a lot easier to transition than a larger firm.

[wizards8507]

I don't really see the obsession with the public firms. The recruiters I've talked to from all Big 4 and other medium/large firms have taken the position that “this is a great place to work because you'll get experience so you can leave in ten years with a good job at a client.”

My thought has always been to stay away from companies whose biggest selling point is that they can land you a job with DIFFERENT companies. Most of my friends in public are actively trying to leave that lifestyle and land jobs with clients.

NY CPA

[Anonymous]

“I don't really see the obsession with the public firms. The recruiters I've talked to from all Big 4 and other medium/large firms have taken the position that “this is a great place to work because you'll get experience so you can leave in ten years with a good job at a client.”

My thought has always been to stay away from companies whose biggest selling point is that they can land you a job with DIFFERENT companies. Most of my friends in public are actively trying to leave that lifestyle and land jobs with clients.”

*Shrug* When you see, “Big 4 Audit Preferred”, it speaks pretty clear to me that there's value there.

[Anonymous]

Getting in with a smaller firm is definitely easier, regardless of your prior experience. I got an accounting job in public with no experience, no questions about my GPA, and an only quasi-accounting degree…but it was at a firm that at the time had 3 employees counting me! So, if you're looking to get out of private and get into public, I'd say don't look over the small places. At a small firm, you'll do some of everything, which will help your potential to get hired somewhere else (if you don't want to stay small) since you'll have experience to some extent with all public accounting positions!

However, if you like private, just want to move up, then I'd say look to be the outside person hired in somewhere else. With a Master's, CPA, and however many years' experience in private, I would guess that your career outlook is a lot better at another company in private than jumping into public…because you've already started climbing the ladder in private.

[Author]

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