[Gimme_a_75]

My employer is currently going through a merger with another organization which more and more is being handled like a takeover with my company being on the short end. With each passing day, we seem to be taking steps backward from our organization which operates like a 21st Century operation to their late 1990s structure. I’m growing more and more unhappy every day.

I have worked with this company for 10+ years and have been an accountant, senior accountant, cash manager and currently a senior financial analyst. My entire working post-college career has been in accounting and finance. I have my MBA with a concentration in Accounting and am midway through the CPA process. Although I have the 150-hour requirement, my undergrad degree was in Communications, not accounting. I technically minored in accounting.

I’m actively looking for other positions but am hesitant to apply for positions that state “BA in Accounting or Finance required” but don’t indicate that equivalent job experience can be substituted. How have others handled this? I don’t want to pass up a potentially good job but don’t want potential employers to think I’m a moron who can’t even read job requirements correctly. Going back to school for a BA in accounting is not going to happen. Study for the CPA exam has just about been more than I can handle.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the lengthy post.

[Josh]

@Gimme_a_75 You seem pretty bright to have worked your way up and to have FAR and BEC out of the way. I was told by a co-worker as a temp. when I was being overlooked for accounting interviews, state a Bachelors with a “concentration in accounting.” I don't have an accounting degree yet myself, but I also have a minor in accounting and a MBA in HR. The rational behind the “concentration” shows you're qualified even though it may not be a true specialization or degree.

You have the MBA in accounting. I wish I had done that in my MBA or had the option at my small but growing college. You may have some good intuition to keep your application out there for somewhere you would be happier. Don't give up on your CPA either. I've restarted the window once, may need to again? But I would hang in there until it's done. My mentor in my state society took it for 6 years. When I heard that and was 2 years in, I felt things weren't so bad. Now that I've known him another 2, I'm wondering if his story is more common.

I was a temp. last week and felt I should have walked out, but I hung in there. Now, I wonder if that instinct was correct? I hung in there despite how I felt; and I felt it was good experience for REG even if I wasn't ready for something at that level yet or for my approach, studying all morning before work. They say you see things back 20/20 and not just NOL's either. I keep applying.

I'm also pleased to know how to answer the “greatest weakness” question now honestly and with confidence. I've learned most interviewed use a “traditional” opening 1. tell me about yourself? 2. What's your greatest strength/weakness? You have to know and be able to present yourself or, at least, appear that way from the moment they meet you.

You'll find the right fit. Don't let exam stress or work stress hurt your performance in either. Having a healthy schedule should help there and knowing when to take breaks. I still have a lot to learn, I'm convinced. I hope we can encourage each other. Let's do this!

[Stilgoin]

If I were hiring, an MBA in Accounting and a Communications degree would qualify. Most employers are saying that at the least, you need a BS in Accounting or Finance. You obviously have more than that, and if you are sitting for the CPA, everyone knows that you have the minimum required hours in accounting to sit. I used to put something like “Currently sitting for CPA Exams: BEC (check) FAR (check) AUD (date sitting) REG (date sitting)” That will let people know you are qualified, and Communications is a huge asset for a public firm.

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Missy]

A BA in accounting is never ever a hard and fast requirement. They put that in there because if they said “or equivalent experience” they'd get “well……I've been a cashier at McDonalds for 14 years and my cash drawer is always accurate, isn't that equivalent?” applicants. Never want to trust a job candidates analysis of equivalent LOL. First three professional jobs I had “required” a bachelors in accounting and I had a high school diploma only.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Author]

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