[UnderemployedCPA]

Anybody else feel this way?

I personally went from 0 accounting credits to passing all 4 parts in just under 2 years.

I have also went from “you don’t have the education in accounting we are looking for” to “You are far too overqualified for an entry-level position”

Btw, i have an MBA-Finance and am a licensed CPA.

I am currently an accounting tutor at a local community college.

Anybody else feel this way/similar experience?

[Minimorty]

The CPA license is only as good as what you make of it.

What do you want to do? Tax? Audit? Other? Start putting your application it at smaller firms and get some experience and knowledge. Since you are licensed, I am assuming you have some experience. What did you do for the experience to get licensed?

Start attending networking events. You have to put forth the effort to make things happen.

[mla1169]

It paid off big time for me, however I'd been looking (very actively) for a new job for 3+ years. The timing just happened to work out that I finished my masters and CPA at the time I interviewed for this position. Comparable positions generally pay 15% more than what I make but I figure if I hang in there for a couple of years, get senior management experience, and the economy (knock wood) improves, I'll be golden!

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

For some reason people are obsessed with this illusion that if you get a masters degree and/or CPA you're supposed to land some high paying job immediately. Nothing is further from the truth. If that's your motive then it's just a big waste of money in most cases. In the real world, the most valuable thing you can bring to the table is experience. All those pieces of paper you earn only add value once you have experience. That's what sets you apart from the next guy. The best thing you can do is take that bachelor's degree (if you haven't yet got an MBA and/or CPA) and get any accounting job you can. Even if it's a grunt at a very small firm, you can then start building up your credentials.

If he has a nonreporting license he may not have any experience. Some states offer those.

[Keely]

I felt this way until I started getting offers for employment. I was annoyed that you have to practically have a Masters (or at least 150 hours), shell out a LOT of money for an exam, etc. just to get an entry-level job. I am starting to appreciate it now, though. I think accounting opens a lot of doors.

We all have our down days (I've definitely had a few going through the job-search process) but you have to have a good attitude about it. Be confident, you obviously have a lot to offer. I suggest joining your local CPA society and getting on their volunteer committees. It's a good way to meet people who can point you in the right direction.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Herbieherb]

No you need real experience not just degrees and titles. Is your CPA one of those that require only passing exam and a masters degree? No exp while passing CPA is a double edged sword

NEW YORK- DONE

[UnderemployedCPA]

No non-reporting license, whatever that is. I have exactly a year of tvm analysis, which counts for my state board. So no practical “accounting” experience as it were.

Never thought it was an automatic gateway to some high paying job, as you put it. I did think it would be a gateway to, you know, a job. I cannot get one of those apparently because i am way to overqualified for any entry level position and nobody will give one to me because they think that i will bolt a few years in for a better job once i have some experience. Can't get an experienced level job because of no experience. So i am currently in a limbo where all i have to show for my 2 years of work is a pretty piece of paper and 10 grand in new debt.

[Marc]

I feel your pain. I graduated in 2009, and decided to just do my masters and graduated in 2010. I had an internship that year while I did my MBA. It took me a few months to get a job in 2010 and I definitely felt like I wasn't even getting calls back because I had an MBA with no experience. I finally settled with a small company getting paid way less than I thought I should ($36,000 and had to live with my inlaws to get by because I had $90,000 of student loan debt), but I worked my butt off and got a raise 6 months in. So you may have to just bite the bullet and take whatever and make yourself valuable to them. Good luck.

FAR - 67, 85
AUD - 50, 68, 79 I'm DONE!
BEC - 81
REG - 78

First Expiration = 8/31/2013

[Anonymous]

I agree. The CPA makes you overqualified for a lot of positions.

Firms don't need a CPA to do a job that a non-CPA can do and they don't want to pay you extra.

There are also many dumb accounting managers, who don't have a CPA and feel threatened by employees who do.

[mla1169]

Are you getting interviews? Call backs? Feedback from your interviewers?

Are you sabotaging your own job search efforts by applying to jobs you are overqualified for or underqualified for?

Have you had your resume professionally critiqued?

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[nextstopCPA]

I echo every thing @mla said. You have to sell yourself to the right employer! Stop complaining and hit the pavement. Finding a job is a full-time job. Are you putting in the time and effort? An unimpressive resume and lackluster interview will never get you a job. Get your resume critiqued and enhance interviewing skills…and don't have an unrealistic salary expectation.

FAR Passed
REG Passed
AUD Passed
BEC Passed

All aboard, this train's leaving. Next stop, TBD!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, you can't go on this economy….things are far from ‘normal'.

As for the MBA it will most likely never help you get a job. It will help you advance farther up the food chain than you would without it.

As for the CPA, most likely the same. You might get the nod over someone without it, but you also have to take into account that many of the hiring managers I've encountered didn't have them. Suddenly you are a threat to them.

Hang in there. Work your network and something will come along. I'm living proof, I was laid off and had another job in 8 hours thanks to my network–making more money and back in Finance to boot.

[UnderemployedCPA]

nextstopCPA,

I didn't intend for this to be a “give me advice” thread but more of a venting thread for other people in the same situation, but thanks for making a lot of wild assumptions…

[Minimorty]

Leave the CPA off your resume. You are no longer over-qualified. Problem solved.

[UnderemployedCPA]

Now that is interesting advice. Are you saying the license part or everything to do with the exam? I do not have a degree or certificate in accounting, as i just took the classes to qualify for the test, so i wonder how that could affect decision-making.

Also, is this really an ethical thing to do, as it is essentially lying on a resume, not to make yourself look better but in actuality to make yourself look worse?

Hmmm…Interesting thought.

[nextstopCPA]

You're welcome! It was the stop complaining part that ticked you off, right?! Because I am pretty sure just about everyone gave you advice but no snap backs to them.

Actually, I thought I was being firm but rather kind. Venting is ok but it will not get you a job. I was merely SUGGESTING areas that MAY need improvement. My resume and interview comment was a generalization not directed towards you. I don't know how you interview or if your resume needs work. You only provided vague comments from hiring managers. I believe in tough love. I only want to help.

Honestly, you have to tailor your resume to each position you apply for. With some positions, your resume may be too impressive and with others unimpressive. Also, your interview skills should be critiqued as well. Are you saying too much or not enough when interviewing? Are you saying the right things? Non-CPA managers can be jealous but why would you want to work for someone who isn't a CPA. There will always be some level of threat unless they are near retiring.

Like others have said, network.

Spread your wings. Are you open to relocating? You say you tutor. Do you like teaching? Do you have a Master's? A lot of schools will hire you as an Adjunct professor with just a Master's? Consider PhD?

As for similar experiences, I have been there. But I was diligent about matching my skills with open positions and tailoring my resume to that position. Also, gone are the days of task-oriented resumes. Employers today are looking for results-oriented resumes. Do you have this?

Don't call me out like that again! LOL

Keep plugging away, you will find a satisfying accounting job.

FAR Passed
REG Passed
AUD Passed
BEC Passed

All aboard, this train's leaving. Next stop, TBD!

[Author]

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