[WhyEvenTry]

If currently work for firm, big or small, have they offered you some sort of raise if you pass the CPA exam? If so, how much? Maybe state your company name, if a big 4 or regional firm, or state the size if a small firm.

– I just found out today that I will received a $5,000 raise starting next week. I work for a small CPA firm in Texas (about 12 employees). I have 4 years experience and an MS in Acct.

I am trying to compare my firms offer to others that may be in the same situation. Anyone….?

BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

[HazeEastwood]

I didn't receive squat! No offer of a raise or anything. All I got was a congrats a-hole! I figured as much though. I work for a small manufacturing company that is listed on the NYSE. It doesn't seem that the CPA carries as much value at this company. Most of the controllers don't have CPAs so I believe I will stay here maybe another year to gain some additional experience and then I am out!!

FAR-81
BEC-84
AUD-91
REG-89

[WhyEvenTry]

@ Haze

I see. Probably a good idea Haze. A congrats a-hole would be alot nicer with a congrats a-hole and here's 10k. Either that, or when your next review is up, see what up about a promotion or something! More money is well deserved for all CPAs for sure! I like it, just found out I passed about two weeks ago and more money is coming my way next week. I was hoping for more, but don't want to come across a greedy or anything, just feel like I was underpaid before like all of us accountants.

BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

[Anonymous]

I worked at a regional firm in CA, about 150 employees, and they did not give you a raise for passing the CPA! You got a $250 bonus for every section that you pass on the FIRST try, but other then that you get nothing!

[WhyEvenTry]

@CalCPA

Did they at least cover your CPA costs? Like exams and/or review courses?

My co. covered the 1st attempt of each exam. I was OOP after that. They also covered the review course.

BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

[Anonymous]

They paid for Becker, but not any of the exam fees. Also, if you left the firm within two years of passing the exam you had to REIMBURSE them for the cost of using Becker. And they were on your a** about taking at least two sections a window, even if you werent ready. It was a total waste of time and money to take an exam when you aren't even close to being prepared just because your boss said you have to. They also expect you to pass all four sections within the first year, it came up in you semi-annual reviews if you had not made progress towards the exam, and they made you turn in the becker questions as homework every week! In my opinion, they were totally unreasonable, and if you told them that you didn't do your becker homework because you were out of town and billed 70 hrs that week, it didnt matter and you would still get yelled at.

I hated working there, but couldn't quit because I didn't want to pay them back for Becker. Luckily they had a big layoff last year and I was off the hook. In my exit interview they said “We're so sorry about the layoffs, but at least we are doing you a favor by not asking you to repay for Becker.” Um excuse me?!? I sure as hell am not paying you back $3500 for Becker after YOU fired ME! ha, ya right, good luck getting that money back ever! I seriously had to laugh because they really felt like they were doing me such a huge favor by not asking me to back them back for Becker.

[WhyEvenTry]

Ha, that's a relief right?!?!? “We are letting you go….but at least you don't have to pay us for the review course.” What a-holes!!! I had something similar, it was tied into my MS in AIM. My co. paid for the majority of it, and said I had to remain with the firm for 3 years since starting classes or else I would have to pay the prorated difference back to them. My 3rd year is up this December. Funny how all companies seem to tie in these annoying scenarios. Especially a small firm. All it does is leave a bad taste in my mouth and comes across as annoying. I realize larger firms may need to do this because of the mass amount of employees that may be participating. But really, make me pay you back after I am trying hard as $hit to get this done so that you can bill me out higher and make more money off of me. Really!!!

BEC - 71, 74, 77 (Feb - 2011)
FAR - 73, 78 (Feb - 2011)
REG - 83 (Nov 2010)
AUD - 71, 84 (May 2011) - Done!! CPA licensed in TX (July 2011)

[UAcpa]

Which would be ridiculous if they made you pay 3,500 for Becker since most firms get a large discount for the materials anyway. I know the Big 4 firms pay a flat 1,200 for the materials. This obviously has to do with the fact that they buy the materials for every single new hire and they buy in such high quantity from Becker.

[rknight21]

hazeleastwood by any chance u live in nyc n attend queens college? u remind me of a class mate who passed the cpa and works for a manufacturing co. in a senior role. He also said he looking to leave for an accounting firm soon

[rknight21]

calcpa that sounded like a good deal…let you go n not having to pay back anything…..lol at what they said in the exit interview, smh

[Anonymous]

Lol, ya, I really could not get away from that place fast enough!

[jomarie]

I work for a small CPA firm 2 partners and 4 employees. Well I was told once I pass I become partner, therefore I'm trying my hardest to pass this thing!!!

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[Laura]

I work at a very small CPA firm, 2 staff accountants (counting myself), and 2 partners (husband and wife) and an office manager. I get $1 per hour raise with each section passed. The last section will be $3 per hour with a passing score so overall $6 per hour raise when I pass all of them which comes to $12,480 raise annually. What sucks is they don't pay vacation or sick pay for me. I also pay all my testing and review material fees. Overall pretty decent raise with each passing score!!

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Herbieherb]

I got the same as hazeastwood. Congrats a-hole lol…I actually didn't even want them to give me a raise/promotion or increased responsibiltiies. I just want to make a quick exit. HOpefully sooner than later

NEW YORK- DONE

[jelly]

How funny – I'm in NYC, also a Queens College accounting alum. (Nope, not in manufacturing) Hi out there!

When I passed my last section, I didn't tell my employer at the time, as nothing good was going to come from revealing that. I paid for all the Becker stuff, registration and test fees. Yes, it was pricey, but at least I don't owe any company, or anybody, anything, now, or further down the road.

Couldn't pass again!

[Author]

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