[nigercpa]

I completed my CPA in 2014 and got licensed in 2015 and I have not had any success getting an accounting job. I am an International and due to visa restrictions, I have only volunteered for the past 2 years as an accountant . I eventually got my work authorization and I have been looking for a paid full time position since last October. I completed my masters in the US in December 2012 in a non accounting discipline.

Back in my country, I have two years of banking experience as a credit risk analyst. I was recently contacted by a recruiter about a job with a bank in credit research analysis and the process is moving quiet fast and hopefully I will get an offer. However, my concern is that it might affect my chances of getting back on track into accounting. Though the job requirement stated B.Sc. accounting or finance with 3 years experience, it has very little accounting responsibilities. I am a bit skeptical because of the effect it will have , if any on my career down the line. I really wish and hoped that I could get an accounting position, even if it’s an entry level. I am not sure how relevant the CPA will be in this role and if my career goes that route. The pay is not that great, its below what I intended and what I would have gotten from the previous interview I had if I had gotten an offer. I just want to get back to work fully and so I am leaning towards accepting the offer if it comes. Any insight and advice will be appreciated. Do I go with the job or keep looking till I get an accounting job (public or private). Also, what should I do to improve my chances of getting a job.

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[jm962011]

Niger, I am sorry to hear you aren't having any luck.

There are many roles other than “accountant” that individuals with an accounting degree can do – financial analysis roles that help with the financial reporting and/or budgeting, credit risk and analysis, tax, fixed asset accounting… Maybe you hate budgeting or hate tax but do you think you're limiting your self? What do you consider “an accounting job?”

Does your resume show that you do not need sponsorship? I don't want to make assumptions about your ethnicity or country of origin but since you brought it up, you may want to some how show you have a green card/don't need the sponsorship. Unfortunately, that can be a big enough issue to prevent companies from considering you. I know it's not fair but sometimes the amount it costs for an employer to sponsor an employee is just too much and a lot of paperwork, especially if they aren't currently sponsoring anyone.

Are you using LinkedIn? I sure hope you are! Make sure your information is up-to-date and you're using that to find recruiters, or even better, hiring managers! Honestly, many people are in your situation and for some reason I don't think people are using their resources wisely. It took me 3 weeks to find a job after I relocated to the east coast on my own and I contribute all my success to LinkedIn. If I saw a tax job at company XYZ I was interested in, I used the (free) advanced search to find “Tax Manager at XYZ” and I reached out to that person. If I couldn't send them a LinkedIn email, I took shot at their email address… I would try hard to find the layout of the email (first.last@xyz.com, firstinitiallastname@xyz.com, etc.) because if I had their name, I could most likely come up with the email address.

Some jobs on LinkedIn have the actual HR personnel that is the “recruiter” for the position so that was helpful, too.

[wecandoit – CPA 2018]

niger cpa –

You should take the job at least you will be able to take care of necessities with that pay.
Taking the job doesn't mean that you stop looking, it will give you a break in your job search in order for you to re-focus.
Having any kind of experience/job is better than having a gap in employment.
So take the job and continue to look for that job that you really want.

Be merciful my Lord!

BEC - PASSED, Thank you LORD!
AUD - PASSED, LORD! you are able!
REG - 06/10/2016 - I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!
FAR - 08/21/2016

You only fail when you stop TRYING!!
This will be the year!!
All the glory to you, LORD

[ruggercpa2b]

I personally think you should take the job mostly because you are having a hard time finding a job. Another thing I have noticed is sometimes its easier to find something else when you already have a job.

You could consider moving into an accounting role at the company that you getting hired. I know it can be disheartening to have put in all this work and not quite get the job that you want.

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.

[nigercpa]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your feedback. I will accept it and see how it goes before I decide if I like it or not.

@JM. I appreciate your insight. I am not limiting myself, I have been open to financial analyst positions as well especially since I have some analyst background. It is demotivating not to get an accounting position with all the stress, hard work, time and money spent in getting the CPA. I did not state it on my resume that I do not require sponsorship because its very uncommon and I haven't come across a resume that it is explicitly stated. However, I have always responded with not needing a sponsorship or I have a green card when the question is asked. Also I don't think anyone can conclude that an individual needs a sponsorship or is not eligible to work based on the name or reading through the resume. What I consider an accounting job is core accounting functions, journal entries, financial analysis and preparation, reconciliation , auditing, financial reporting. Your like your suggestion on LinkedIn, I will definitely use that hence forth.

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[Hello2016]

You have a outstanding accounting background compare to mine. Credit Analysis sounds like a good start to me. Wish you will get the offer soon.

[Anonymous]

I think you should be fine if you take this job. I have a classmate he worked as a Credit Analyst Intern and after he graduated as a Credit Analyst for 1.5 years. He just took a job as an Accountant at a pretty big hospital. So if nothing better comes up, take this job and continue your search. After 6 moths or a year tops, you will be able to find a good job as a Staff Accountant and your resume will look much better with American real world experience. I would not list any foreign experience on my resume. I am foreign by myself, and I never listed the positions I held in another country, nor my first education. I just makes recruiters biased and YES, they think you need H1B sponsorship. Make it clear that you do not need it your cover letter and your resume will not end up in a trash been.

[nigercpa]

Thanks guys. This makes me feel much better. @SA CPA, If I don't put the experience from my country on my resume, I will have an unexplainable gap, which I think will hurt me more. How were you able to get your first job and how did you remove your experience from your country without creating a gap on your resume? Did you do your undergrad here? It was my undergrad I used to get into grad school and I worked for 4years before coming to the US. I assume employers or recruiters will ask the question at some point.

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[Anonymous]

I transferred some credits from my country. So instead of 5 years (to get 150 credits) it took me ~ 3 years to be done with school. But I worked through college all the time and had internships. But I had my employment authorization right away. So yes, I take it back, your case in completely different. Just say in your cover letter that you were waiting for the employment authorization and explain why it took so long. But say that meanwhile you did not waist your time but volunteered all the time and studied for the CPA. I think recruiters are just not sure about how you will perform at work, because you are foreign, you probably have an accent and some cultural differences. Which is quite normal. Once you can show that you worked successfully as a Credit Analyst and get couple co-workers to be your references, you will be fine and find a good job. Land this job, look for other jobs while being employed and earning some money if that makes sense.

[nigercpa]

Thanks SA. I think you just summed up the issues I have. I just need the first job to breakthrough and prove myself. I think what worked against me after my grad school was my inability to work due to the authorization. I interned while I was in grad school, which should have been a leverage for me to get a job. So the gap and the other factors you stated are the hurdle I have right now. The few interviews I had was because I added the volunteer in the work history just to close the gap and intend to explain when I get to the office interview that its a volunteer and not paid. It is really a challenge for me getting past this stage. Congrats on the success you've had and yes my situation is different from yours….. sharing your experience is a morale booster. Thanks!

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[Anonymous]

I think right now you need to take ANY office job you can get. Then, after couple of months start sending your resume all over the place again. Also, make sure your resume is ideal and free of any errors and that you can answer all common interview questions clearly and without thick accent.

[Author]

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