[Hieutnguyen22]

Okay, so I am pretty sure most of the people on the forums have or had an accounting job or at least some kind of experience related to accounting. What I would like to know is can a graduate student with an MBA in general accounting find a job along with passing the CPA exam? After graduating in 2017, I decided I was going to obtain my CPA license to further improve my education and success of getting a job. I wanted to have some more leverage and lets not forget the money we could be earning over the long years of hard work and hours I have put into studying.

What really worries me is the fact that I need a year of accounting experience in order to receive my CPA certificate and if I am not able to find a job would my scores expire after passing all 4 parts of the CPA exam? I am a very shy person at first and I find it hard to just come up and talk to people and network inside and outside of college so I had a hard time networking with others. Maybe because I am scare of being judged by others or just feel like I would not fit in. Can someone reassure me that it is possible to land a job after so many years of hard work and education?

The reason why I came across this topic is because I had a family member who recently talked to me about a friend who graduated from pharmacy school with no experience. No one till this day has hired him and lets not forget pharmacy is not cheap at all! What else is crazy is once he starts working he has to start paying off his debts but is not working at the moment because he is still trying to land a job as a pharmacist. I know this is totally off topic and this situation is not a bad as mine since I have no debts at all but its the scary idea how someone who has worked so hard in persuing a 6 year degree can’t even find a job. I just hope this is not the case for an accountant.

[DoubleBogey]

I think the scores are good for 3 years upon passing all 4. Having an MBA and passing the CPA would make you very desirable in public accounting. MBA tends to send the signal of drive and climbing the ladder,even if it is just general business. If you've passed the CPA exam the firm doesn't have to pay for your study system and you've already passed which should fast track you to promotion.

[noclady]

I agree with jsdaily. I would think with your MBA and a CPA (once you've passed), you would at least land an interview with a public accounting firm. It's harder in industry to get in without experience, in my opinion, but I have friends who don't have their CPA or experience who get in public accounting.

[Hieutnguyen22]

Wow, thank you guys! I am so relieved to know that it is still possible given my situation.

[Josh J.]

I was in a similar situation. I had no experience in accounting and tried for 2 years to land an accounting job. Once I finished my MBA (2 weeks after) I was able to land a job in accounting. So with passing the exams, I would expect it would be even easier to land a job. It may not provide a great starting salary, but as you get more experience you will be in a better position to land higher paying jobs.

For reference, I work in industry accounting and after 2 years I switched jobs for $15k more. I just finished the exams and I’m waiting on my application for license to be approved. Within the next 12-18 months I expect another promotion worth about $15k-20k.

[Missy]

In most states once you pass all four they never expire, but you may be subject to changes in license requirements.

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

[Anonymous]

I wish you luck in your situation.

In a bit of a similar one myself, but without the CPA exams, I haven't been able to land squat for almost 2 years now.

[Meg267]

Don’t compare yourself to someone else, especially in a completely different field like pharmacy. Pharmacy is an entire different ball game. I should know – my husband graduates with his Pharm.D in 2 weeks. 🙂

You can get a job without experience, you just need an employer willing to give you a chance. I didn’t have a job lined up when I graduated college, but eventually found an industry job that took a chance on me. Once they saw that I was a pretty good catch, I got multiple raises and a promotion.

You can totally do it. Good luck! 

[Author]

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