[jternida1]

Today I was let go from my accounting firm due to lack of work. It was a small firm which specialized in bankruptcy and litigation. I have been working there for six months, and this was my first accounting position. Previously I earned a BS in Biology with a poor gpa. A few years later I decided to change careers and took accounting classes to pursue my CPA. Eventually, I passed all sections of the exam and was able to land a job very quickly.

I am now looking into pursuing a staff position at a larger firm in Los Angeles and have a couple of questions. I was wondering what is a reasonable rate to ask for when interviewing. I was making $20 per hr. Moreover I didnt have the best gpa for accounting either, as I received a “C” and a “D” for two of my accounting classes. However when I took the CPA exams, I drastically changed my study habits and passed all exams. I am not sure if GPA is a big deal for larger firms even tho you passed the cpa exam.

My second question would be if my 6 months of experience would count towards my cpa license, and would need another 6 months at a new firm to be licensed. Or would I need a full year at one firm to be licensed.

Any help from you guys would be much appreciated. Thanks

AUD: 74, 67, 76!
BEC: 70, 75!
FAR: 76!
REG: 67, 73, 79!

Using Roger Review Course, Ninja Flashcards, WTB & book

[jternida1]

Bump

AUD: 74, 67, 76!
BEC: 70, 75!
FAR: 76!
REG: 67, 73, 79!

Using Roger Review Course, Ninja Flashcards, WTB & book

[Anonymous]

Call California state CPA people and find out about the experience.

In NY you need audit experience or need to work under a CPA who will sign for you

if they want to.

Do not worry about the GPA.

It is fine and you are not the only college grad with a low GPA.

Not sure if you need to list it on you resume either.

Just try to get into a public CPA firm who works on audits.

Salary open. You say you are open in terms of salary.

And take anything you get over $20.

This is the best time of year for finding an audit job.

So just go to that and do not worry.

[WaivingMyHands_ALOT]

As far as the licensing questions go, I have no answers. I agree with the above post. Get in touch with someone from the state CPA society for an official answer.

For interviews, I wouldn't bring up your grades. Take it off your resume if you can and just put your college, graduation date, major, etc.

Try to make the focal point that you passed all CPA sections. From my experience that's really all the big CPA firms care about. I can't guarantee that your grades won't be a factor. But if you interview well, you're personable, etc. I would hope it's not a deal breaker.

Not sure if you are trying to come in as a entry level staff or experienced higher. I would think entry level would fit your current circumstances, but could be wrong.

Starting Salary in for Entry Level in South Florida is probably around the 50K range, +/- a couple thousand depending on size of company/specialty/etc.

LA should have a decent COLA increase compared to Florida. So maybe $55K? Most large firms will give you a bonus for passing the CPA exam within your first year of being at the firm. Since you already have yours IDK if you'd be eligible, but if not maybe you could swing it into a higher starting Salary?

Hope that helps

AUD 99
BEC 96
FAR 94
REG 96

[jternida1]

I appreciate all of the responses. I am looking for an entry level position, so i'll try for 50k-55k. I hope this will not price me out when considering me. You guys are right in that I see open positions at larger firms for audit advertised on their website. By the way, other than a firm website, what is another good way to find open postions at firms (ie monster, craigslist)?

AUD: 74, 67, 76!
BEC: 70, 75!
FAR: 76!
REG: 67, 73, 79!

Using Roger Review Course, Ninja Flashcards, WTB & book

[Anonymous]

First of all, I'm sorry you're going through this. I was laid off out of the blue and it's a really shitty feeling. But my new job was closer to home, had better hours, better PTO, and paid 20% more. I would never have found that job had I not been laid off. Here's hoping your silver lining is even better.

No one has ever asked me about my grades, but then again, I didn't work for Big 4 (zero regrets there), and only had one public accounting job. My resume says that I graduated cum laude and the one public accounting job I had included a pop quiz during the interview (I scored 100%), so that could be part of the reason. Still, I wouldn't expect it outside of Big 4 and I definitely wouldn't bring it up.

Your 6 months would count toward the experience requirement in Colorado, but as others have said, it varies, and ask your state board. $20/hr seems low to me for someone who has passed all sections, but google the Robert Half Salary Guide for a ballpark # (being sure to adjust for LA cost of living per the index in the back of the booklet).

Speaking of Robert Half, they were the ones who got me the new job (along with several other interviews and another offer) and negotiated my raise. Some RHI offices/recruiters will go to the ends of the earth for you, others won't return a phone call, so if you have bad luck with one office, try another.

Best of luck to you.

[Track55]

2000 hours is 2000 hours. It doesn't matter how you get it. I am halfway there, so I would only need to work at the next place for 6.5 months to get to 2000. You don't need to get it at one place.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

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Business and Industry

[zoctoman]

As far as the 1 year experience, I believe that experience needs to be continuous. I wonder how long in between jobs NASBA allows.

For me, I got laid off and had 3 months in between jobs. I didn't even try to get my 4 months experience to count. I live in GA so maybe other states it is different. It doesn't matter anyways because I will be finishing up my undergrad business courses as the last part of my requirements 2 months after my 1 year of experience is up at my new job. But If I was just waiting on experience I would be pretty upset if I lost several months due to time off between jobs.

Audit(11/5/13) - 89
Reg(5/16/14) - 86
FAR(7/18/14) - 82
BEC(11/14) - 85

[Author]

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