[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am currently an auditor with the government and have been so for 6 years. I am working on the CPA, one done and taking FAR on the 15th. My goal was to get my CPA and open up my own tax and business consulting business. That being said, I have zero experience. I wanted to get a job with a small to regional firm to learn for a few years in their tax department, but everyone I speak with tells me that I will have to start over as staff at or around 55k. I have a wife and kid and currently make 80k with government benefits. Not sure how to make this work, but don’t want to get the CPA to get stuck in the government for the rest of my career. Would like some help, please tell me I am missing something!

[ruggercpa2b]

I have been an auditor for almost 8 years and thought about switching to tax and one of the reasons I did not do that was because I had to start as a staff. I worked at Big 4 in audit and I sat down with one of the partners and he told me that since I had zero tax experience it would be starting from scratch.

I would maybe volunteer with VITA to get some experience. My friend just started her own little practice, however, she still has her full time job. She does P&Ls and bookkeeping stuff. I would do a search on the forum “how to get tax experience” and see what pops up. I have seen this topic come up a few times where people want to do taxes but do not have experience.

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.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to crush your hopes and dreams but having zero tax experience is going to be extremely difficult to get a job that pays you similar to what your currently making. Are you dead set on starting your own practice? can you still support your family on a lower income? Since you're already in government you can try to get a job with the IRS. Not sure how difficult it would be with no experience. I'm sure the benefits will still be good and you might start off a little higher than a first year staff at a public firm. If your dead set on this goal- you can take a lower paying tax job and do something on the side to supplement the lower income. Remember you might start off around 55k but you won't stay there forever. However, not sure how many years it will take you to get back to what your currently making.

[Tripin93]

Have you thought about getting a part time tax job at night? I work full time as a tax analyst for a software company, and a fellow coworker (who is also a full time analyst) has a night job where he does taxes at a small cpa firm during busy season. Sounds like this would be an easy way to get your foot in the door. And if you get experience, you'll be able to get more money when you finally switch primary jobs. Also, it MIGHT turn out that you dislike tax. This would be a safe way to find out if you like it or not.

Motivated by JC. I do it to make God proud.

FAR: 91 July 2015
AUD: 83 October 2015
REG: 81 January 2016
BEC: 83 February 2016

[Tripin93]

Also, a small cpa firm might be very willing to hire you part time, because they may have a tight budget and need extra help during busy season (but cannot afford to pay someone year round.)

Motivated by JC. I do it to make God proud.

FAR: 91 July 2015
AUD: 83 October 2015
REG: 81 January 2016
BEC: 83 February 2016

[Author]

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