[ChicagoCPA]

Hi there,

First post, excited to be here. Long story short, I graduated with an accounting degree years ago, couldn’t find a job so I spent the next few years working deadend jobs. I want to go into the field now and bump up my pay.

1) I’m currently at 146 hours and need 4 more hours. Any online courses anybody would recommend? I’ve seen good things about UNA as well as has a list of other places. If anyone know of any poker online credit courses please tell (I unfortunately haven’t found any besides the MIT one). Long term goal is pass the CPA and short term is hit 150 so the Big 4 will see me as a potential hire.
2) Any short term ways of landing a job? I’ve tried recruiters, LinkedIn cold “spamming”, and hitting up former classmates and friends. Nothing has landed. I don’t understand the industry enough but wouldn’t people start hiring for tax “bots” now or weeks ago? Man I’m desperate. My university has thrown me to the side. Don’t get me wrong there’s networking events and the alumni network but whenever I go into their offices it’s always “Yeah go to the career center.” And then when I go there it’s “Yeah we can’t find you a job.”

I honestly appreciate any help I receive. I’m pretty tired of working my dead end jobs and want relief.

[Adam]

Look at Oakton CC or CLC or Harper online courses..since youre in chicago..they qualify for the CPA as well..

As far as getting hired..youre a little late being green and all..best advice is to write up a resume and good cover letter trying to sell yourself..Im a SR CPA in barrington now..Live in Jefferson Park

My experience in chicago is small firms in the city want 3-5 years experience and they try to pay them entry level, the big firms only hire directly out of college.unless you have experience..

So you are between a rock and a hard place..nobody in public cares about your experience outside of public..since you arent adding value to the firm..

As far as Big 4 goes..they will never see you as a potential hire (In chiago anyways) chicagos job market is over saturated with college kids willing and eager to be taken advantage of to learn little and work 80+ hrs week for no reason..I have 4 years expirience and like I said am a SR..I got contacted by a recruiter from big 4 asking me to quit my position so I could work tax season for them..and then they would let me go..is this a place you want to be a part of anyways? the majority of people are fired every year anyways..the rest quit after 2 years..

[Adam]

When i say little late..its end of Jan..busy season is about to go into overdrive..hiring is done in fall or the latest end of Jan.

[ChicagoCPA]

Thank you for the response Adam.

I just want to get my feet wet. What you have just posted affects my overall career plan. Would you then recommend working in the suburbs then? I don't want to keep working in deadend jobs (Big 4 included). Yeah I can muscle it out for 2 years but then I'll be back in square one.

Thanks, I greatly appreciate it.

[Author]

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