[ForgottenOne]

Until when you are no longer at “entry level”?

I have 2 seasons of tax experience, and 2 years in private accounting as AR/AP. I got EA in 2015 and CPA in 2016 but the recruiter is still considered me for “entry level” position.

I am just wondering at what point I will be out of this so called “entry level”

[MaLoTu]

I guess it would depend on what job you are applying for and how applicable your experience is to it.

[itooshallpass]

I would think that once you are in a position to train or supervise others you are out of entry level land. But it would depend on the size of firm and nature of the work. I think if you're a brand new CPA then you get into “entry-level cpa positions”, just based on job advertisements I've seen…
???

[MaLoTu]

If you are asking from the prospective of staying at your firm… typically you are experienced after one year and after 2 seasons I would not consider anyone being entry-level in their area of specialized.

[Anonymous]

I don't know how to consider not an entry level for tax team, but for accounting function, if you just have AR/AP experience, I would still consider it is entry level regardless of the number of years. People without accounting background can do AR/AP as well.

[PNS2CLT]

It's firm specific. Every firm has its own criteria for various promotional levels and will evaluate its needs against your experience to determine where you fit in.

I have three years tax experience (but no CPA) with a large, middle market firm and have interviewed with about a dozen firms over the past month. I've targeted experienced roles but have been considered for entry level roles. Earlier in the week I received an offer for a Senior Accountant position from a well-known local firm; the same day, a similar firm made me an offer for entry level staff at just 60% of the base wage and less than HALF of the overall compensation (including bonuses and medical contributions — although it does offer three additional weeks of vacation in lieu of a cash bonus). At the senior staff firm, I'll be in an office with interns/entry level staff reporting to me; at the entry level firm, I'd be mostly drafting returns and reporting to 1-year employees. Gee, I wonder which offer I took? The entry level firm has called me repeatedly, asking me to reconsider, but does not think I'm senior staff… hmm…

[D.O.]

Hello all,

I wouldn't get too caught up on the idea of “entry level” positions. The sheer size of the company often determines the specificity of your role(s) within the organization. However, it is your performance while at the company which will ultimately determine the growth of not only the company, but the professional experience you'll obtain both in fact, through taking on additional responsibility/making more income, and ultimately, in title and respect from those around you.

I'll be the first to admit that I fell victim to getting caught up on compensation jumps & job titles early in my professional career. It was a very slippery slope which led me to the point of being unethical at times. I fell victim to being the smart, young guy who had the world at his fingertips and needed help from noone. Long story, short….I ended up in a position where I never actually finished the CPA exam since I was so busy putting on airs and worrying about what others thought of me. I ended up in a position where I was a decade removed from school and hapless.

Fortunately I discovered a structured review course like Roger CPA Review which was willing to give me a shot. I have had a tough few weeks staying up with the course but sometimes a reminder that all of us are fallible human beings is enough to remind you to get back on the horse. It helps when Mr. Philipp, the online instructor, is so engaging that you almost feel as if he is speaking directly to you as a student and pushing the right buttons to get you off your ass and back on track. The sun will rise tomorrow and most will have the same opportunity to pursue whatever goals you may have, whether it be a title, compensation, experience or simply finding hope in your life. Keep on keeping on!!!!!!

[Author]

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