[kenmillertime]

I’m curious if any one has any knowledge about how valuable experience as a government tax auditor would be to a CPA firm. I’m going back to school at night and I’m pursuing a Master’s in Accountancy. I currently work for the state government doing purchasing, but I’m trying to transfer to one of the tax agencies to work as an auditor. Many of the auditors are CPAs, so I could get my CPA experience as a government tax auditor.

If I tried to transfer to a CPA firm after earning my MSA, working a couple years as a tax auditor, and (Deo Volente) passing the CPA exam, would I be able to get on with a CPA firm as a Staff Auditor, or would I still have to start at the bottom as a Junior Auditor?

Thanks!

Arrogance cannot be avoided or true hope be present unless the judgment of condemnation is feared in every work.

[Larry]

Currently, I work for a large county government in Miami-Dade as an internal audit manager. Once I pass all 4 sections, I may possibly go into public accounting to get experience. I was told that I'd start at the bottom.

REG - 82
FAR - 78
BEC - 76
AUD - 8/27/16

[kenmillertime]

Thanks for the reply. Not the answer I was hoping for, but its good to know what to expect. As a Tax Auditor for the State of California, I can make about $60,000 per year. I'm not sure I could make that as an entry level CPA. I may be stuck as a Tax Auditor until my kids move out of the house and I don't have mouths to feed anymore! Oh well, I'll put in the time to build my retirement package, and then go do something more interesting for another 20 years before I retire. Maybe I can retire from the State and go work in non-profit accounting for a company that I believe in.

Thanks again,

Ken

Arrogance cannot be avoided or true hope be present unless the judgment of condemnation is feared in every work.

[marqzho]

offtopic

How's your job as a tax auditor for CA? It maybe my next move.

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[Larry]

How many years do you have with the state of California? I'm assuming you have 10. If you pass the CPA, I am sure you can reclassify your position or there has to be opportunities in state government for CPA positions.

Right now, I have 10 years in with county government. I am still young at 36 so I can definitely change jobs to get public experience. But first, I need to focus on passing the CPA. Hopefully I'll pass the next 2 sections by end of August. Praying…

REG - 82
FAR - 78
BEC - 76
AUD - 8/27/16

[monikernc]

Why don't you apply now to office of the state internal auditor?

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Larry]

@monikernc, is that question directed at me?

REG - 82
FAR - 78
BEC - 76
AUD - 8/27/16

[monikernc]

no, to the OP.

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[Andyred04]

To ask the same question as marqzho, how is life as a tax auditor? It sounds like a picture perfect position for me just based on the title but I don't know much about it.

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[csvirk]

My .02$ as a State Tax Auditor. Work Life balance is great. Come in at 8 and leave at 4 with 30 minute lunch break. ( Basically you get to choose your working hours) I am part of corporate tax audit team where we mostly audit S&P 500 companies. Pay is not that great but a lot to learn!

FAR: 71, 77!
AUD: 69, 80
BEC: 72
REG: 84

[JT]

Im a CA state tax auditor as well.

My job is cool. I been here about 5 years. I plan to use my experience and do things elsewhere after I get my CPA license.

Job is real chill. I kind of lucked out and was able to get promotions. I make about 70k which is decent. Again, I got lucky with promotions and took advantage of every opportunity that came my way. Im content with where Im at now because I know that there are opportunities for me elsewhere with the experience I gained here.

People that I got hired with are in a dead-end position making about 55k which isn't bad but again, they are in dead-end positions.

REG-80-1X
BEC-80-1X
FAR-73-1X
FAR-75-2X
AUD-September 2016

[csvirk]

@Dab

I am also at one of those Dead End positions. But Hopefully I will have options once Pass CPA.

FAR: 71, 77!
AUD: 69, 80
BEC: 72
REG: 84

[JT]

@csvirk

Not to be rude…..

I would recommend you try to lateral to a different department and put in like 1-2 years (if you decide to stay with the state for a couple more years). That way when you get your CPA and start looking for positions elsewhere, A TON of opportunities will open for you!!

If you have a dead end job now, you will eventually need to “work your way up”, whether you have your CPA license or not. I would think it would be easier to work your way up being a state auditor (in a different agency) then working your way up in a private/public firm.

That's just my 2 cents.

REG-80-1X
BEC-80-1X
FAR-73-1X
FAR-75-2X
AUD-September 2016

[csvirk]

@Dab

You are fine. Right now I am just focusing on passing my CPA. I will re-evaluate my situation once I pass my exams.

FAR: 71, 77!
AUD: 69, 80
BEC: 72
REG: 84

[MaLoTu]

OP – If you work in SF you should be in the 60k per year range as a staff auditor. Not sure where in CA you are … it could be Sac based on your job. I have no real knowledge outside the SF market.

[Reverie]

What do you guys mean by dead-end job?

[Author]

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