[1rightanswer]

Hi guys, I have been on this forum since September 2018 when I started my CPA exam journey, I have read a lot of what’s on here but have rarely posted except maybe for replies here and there, so this is the first thread I have created.

I’m starting this thread to get some advice about how to get my first accounting job. My situation is as follows: I’m 38 (39 in October), my first degree and all of my work experience are in AutoCAD drafting and design. When I was unemployed in 2010, I went to a local university to study Accounting because I heard from people that Accounting jobs were plentiful. So, I took all of the required Accounting courses to sit for the CPA exams but I did not graduate since I already had a BS. I found employment in drafting in 2011 and had nothing to do with Accounting until 2018. Fast-forward to September 2018, I left my drafting job (there was no future and I wanted to change careers) and started taking the CPA exams. I finally passed all 4 sections in March 2019. After passing I have been applying for entry-level Accounting positions including A/P clerk, Accounting Assistant, Accountant I, Tax preparer, and Audit Associate positions. In total, I have probably sent out 50 applications, but I haven’t heard back from any of them.

I’m putting my Accounting education and passing the CPA exams on my resume, but I think not having Accounting work experience and having non-Accounting experience is turning a lot of employers off. I just went to the unemployment office and heard from the employment counselor that Accounting is one of those professions where employers prefer experience over education. I now agree this statement probably is true.

What should someone in my position (38, have Accounting education, passed CPA exam, but 0 Accounting experience) do? I thought I would have trouble landing a job because of my age and my imperfect English (Chinese national), but I didn’t expect absolutely no interest in me even as an applicant. I was hoping I could pass the CPA exam and get my Accounting career rolling quickly, but that doesn’t seem like will be the case. Should I keep on sending out resumes knowing there will be little interest? Should I try to reach out directly to CPA firm owners and accounting managers to ask for employment? What are my best strategies for landing entry-level work at my age?

BTW I live in Houston, are there other parts of US I should move to where it would be easier to find Accounting work? I’m willing to relocate. I’m not yet 40, and have a long life of work ahead of me, I was really hoping this career change to Accounting was gonna work out long-term for me.

AUD - 89
BEC - 99
FAR - 77
REG - 91

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[1rightanswer]

Thanks Pete. I believe networking is the best way to find a job too.
BTW I'm not just looking for public accounting work, but any accounting work. I have applied to close to 70 jobs so far, no response. I think there are just too many accounting graduates. Oh well… I hope I will luck into one. Thanks again!

AUD - 89
BEC - 99
FAR - 77
REG - 91

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[Recked]

Just going to point out that after spring in any year is a horrible time to try and get new accounting jobs.
Audit busy season is end of year/beginning of year, and tax busy season ends April 15th. Anyone who needed staffing should have already hired BEFORE their busy seasons.
I'd suggest not giving up hope and keep grinding away at applying. You may want to look into small CPA firms to get your foot in the door.
All the merger and acquisition CPE classes I attend keep hammering away at the baby boomer generation getting closer and closer to retirement.
Sooner or later you'll find someone looking to transition out, that is looking for talent that actually wants to work. No offense to these kids born after 1990, but there just is no work ethic anymore. If you have no success in the large to mid market, start looking at the 2-3 CPA size shops to get your foot in the door and earn some experience. The pay will be poor, but the work life balance might be better.

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[1rightanswer]

Thanks Recked, good points as always! I will reach out to the smaller CPA firms to see if they need someone for the upcoming busy season.

AUD - 89
BEC - 99
FAR - 77
REG - 91

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