[laserglare]

Background: Graduated with a science (non-accounting) degree in 2012, took accounting classes at community college to qualify to sit, sitting for exams this july-november of 2013

Assuming I pass, what are my job options like with NO experience. I have plenty of lab and research experience all from ucla, but nothing accounting related. I am worried because even if I can pass the tests, I will have no access to recruiting events and am stuck e-mailing and cold-calling people just to try and get a job. I assume i’ll be very limited.

Did you or anyone you know, graduate with a non-accounting degree, taken the units necessary to sit for the CPA exam, pass all parts, then get a decent job with no experience? Do I have ANY chance at all getting a big4 job? (even if that means working somewhere else for a year or two then trying to switch into big4)

I ask because I have the option to go to grad school to get an MBA or masters in either finance/stats/accounting.

Would it be worth it JUST to be able to go to recruiting events?

Or would this be a total waste because I’ve already passed the CPA parts? (I have scholarships to attend any UC or CSU masters program for free so don’t consider cost against me, however, i want to start working ASAP so consider that too lol)

Please share stories lol.

[gbeste]

I dunno, I am in the same spot.. My degree is in economics and I am not good enough with statistics to go anywhere with that.. I am taking the GMATs in June after my REG exam in May to start a Masters in Accounting at night at the University of DE next spring.. Assuming I pass REG and BEC before then, I dont know if the Masters is worth it while already having the CPA.. A lot of the literature I read about the programs says they will prepare you for the CPA so it wierd going the other direction.. But I dont have like any sort of accounting degree on my resume.. I really want to do it mostly for the career services and connections you can make.. I have had alot of trouble even landing like a staff accounting role with the gap on my resume because I have no real experience.. I currently work in settlements and don't really use any accounting knowledge..

I think if you can pass the CPA you will do fine in a night masters program and they aren't to tough if you dont have many responsibilities.. They just take a little longer than a FT program..

FAR - 84
AUD - 93
REG - 76

[neika822]

I can't speak from personal experience, but I do know of people without accounting degrees going into public accounting. A university close to me has a MSA/MBA program specifically for non-accounting majors, so it's definitely not unheard of. I had a senior at my old firm who was an education major and then went to school and was able to intern at the firm she ended up working at. My starting class also had a math major, and she eventually went for her MSA.

If it's free, I'd definitely consider going. I know it stinks to hold off work even longer, though! Good luck 🙂

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[ParanoidAndroid]

This is the advice/words I got from a Big4 dude:

-We only recruit from selected schools

-We prefer students who have a Masters

-We prefer students who don't have accounting experience for entry-level positions, although internships are a good thing to have

-Most large firms hire a year in advance

In summary, he said that having the CPA passed or being a CPA does not make a difference when hiring for entry-level positions

CPA for life...

[CPApracticer]

Just curious as to why you switched from science major to accounting? I have friends who did that, applied for the Big4, but was unable to get any offers. It was not until he passed his CPA that the Big4s wanted him. I am sure you can get a job with them once you get your CPA without going to get your masters. I would just go to the career services center at UCLA and try to get in touch with their alumnis, instead of spending money on another degree.

F: 54 (4/13) 60 (4/14) 67 (9/14) 66 (10/14) 63 (11/15) 79 (2/16) PASSED
A: 60 (5/13) 80 (4/16) PASSED
R: 60 (7/13) 61 (2/15) 70 (4/15) 77 (7/15) PASSED
B: (6/16)

[Anonymous]

I know someone who had an undergrad in psychology, graduate in accounting. He has either passed or has nearly passed the exam. He is very driven and got a prestigious postgraduate internship and is now working for big 4. He worked his tail off as a leader on campus and was willing to move after graduation.

My suggestion is to take advantage of internships, mentor programs, accounting fraternity, career center, networking events, accounting related volunteer work, whatever you can. If you can spin your old position to reflect an added bonus do it.

[laserglare]

@Careerpractioner – can you please tell me more about your friend? or maybe put me in contact with them, i have so many questions,

thanks guys for sharing.

if possible i want to hear any stories from people who are NOT going for a masters, i'm doing this CPA program at santa monica community college where they offer a lot of the advanced accounting courses – and you get the units to qualify to sit.

to be honest, i dont mind getting a masters at this point, it would be fairly easy because i've already taken all of the advanced accounting/auditing/intermediate classes,

however if i am convinced that it is NOT necessary after passing the CPA, then i won't even bother.

[jelly]

Would you need any extra academic credits to be licensed after you pass, or would you just need work experience after passing? Going back for a Masters would really just enable you to gain access to OCR. See what kind of companies recruit at those UCs that've offered you scholarships.

I have a science undergrad and got an accounting undergrad afterwards. I'm currently licensed, worked in a mid size firm, and am currently in a very tiny shop. I went through what you did almost 10 years ago, before Masters degrees became the norm, before the mortgage crash, and before jobs offers and student loan debt went in opposite directions. I will tell you that after you get about maybe 6 years of public (and maybe some private) experience learning all the technical accounting stuff, it is all about generating sales for the company you work for or your own company.

Couldn't pass again!

[laserglare]

^all i need left to do is to take like 10 units worth of ethics classes to be able to be licensed

what if i were to pass the cpa and then get a masters in like IT knowledge or something that has more advanced accounting knowledge, are there any programs out there like that?

[Author]

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