[MMAFEM]

Hi,
A little back ground about me first so that you have a better idea of my situation, I did my graduation in 1999, and had been a stay at home mom raising my kids, hence I don’t have any job experience. I passed the CPA exam March 2017, and was really eager to work this tax season for the much needed practical exposure and experience. I have tried applying every where and reaching out to my local CPA offices but no luck yet. This lack of experience is playing a major role and I have no idea how to overcome this obstacle. Although when I passed the exam I though it would be a BIG deal but turns out no body is paying attention to this and rather want experience! I have 120 credits and still have to earn 30 more credits that will cost me easy 5k-6k in NJ. I am interested in EA exam now, but not sure if its a good idea….my basic question here is DO I have to pass the three parts to become an EA, unlike the CPA where u have to pass the exam and have 1 year experience and 150 credits to become a CPA? Would it be easier for me to get a job without experience if I am an EA?
I really appreciate all the help and advice that I can get, really don’t have much guidance around and pretty frustrated right now with my situation!!!

[Defo]

Are you only applying to the large public accounting firms? Experience is a big deal, but so is passing the CPA! You might have to branch out your search. Small tax offices hire employees with no intentions of becoming a CPA, so I think that would put you well ahead of the pack.

[Anonymous]

Hit up recruiters as well. If you want to you can say you worked as an Accountant for my firm (well my family firm) on your resume lol.

I am more than willing to help. Hope this post does not back fire…

[aaronmo]

OK…I went through some of this. I wasn't an accounting major, had minimal experience in accounting and was essentially applying with only exams. I was not getting many call backs.

First…and I don't mean this rudely, but is that your real writing level? If so…I would recommend taking a class or two. If you were just not editing and being casual, OK…but that writing sample gives me pause. People hiring would feel the same way if that's what you're sending. You're already at a disadvantage and you have to maximize EVERYTHING you can to get a shot. Think of it as people already looking to say no…you can't give them ANY reason to say no…you have to change their mind. At least that's what I went through.

Second…focus on small firms…mom and pops. You're going to have to sell yourself. Use places like craigslist job ads. You're going to start a little lower on the ladder. It sucks…I went trough it too.

Third…consider working for a volunteer tax prep service, or a box store tax outfit. Get some real experience if you can't get into a small firm.

Fourth…consider getting a masters with your missing education needs and using their placement services and partnerships. I didn't do that and regret it. Spend the money, get the loans…whatever. Worth it.

The good news is that once you have the cert…doors will start opening up. Places who weren't returning emails call me now and I say maybe later. It's harder on the front end for SURE.

The stay at home mom thing is going to be a real challenge for anything in public because you work hard hours…especially smaller practice, which I think is your best path. I'm being honest.

I do not think the EA path gives you anything you don't have having passed the exams. To me EA is completely useless with the new tax preparer, unregulated wild west.

It seems so unfair…at least it did to me. You did the hard part…the exams…the doors should open, but you're seeing barriers that are totally arbitrary.

[Demha]

I second everything @aaronmo said. Having the exams passed is a HUGE advantage. You still need the credits and If I were you I'd focus on getting that out of that way. Get a Masters and continue to build a foundation with more Accounting, English and Tax courses. Once you're in a program or a student of a school again, you'd have a fair shot at any of the firms or large companies that recruit there and will be at an advantage against most students as you already passed the exam and will have your 150. Set your aim higher if you truly want a great career.

Gleim baby!
Grand Valley State University - '15
Accounting & Finance
FAR - 2nd Window '16

[aaronmo]

Demha…I wish I knew that when I faced that choice 🙁

It would have meant more money/classes up front…but having access to placement? Recruiting events? Accounting on a degree? I thought once the exams were passed, the heavens would part. Not so. They part when you're licensed with a couple, or three, years of public.

Things ended up OK…but it was harder. And I'm still going to pay cash for a Masters or MBA at some point.

[MMAFEM]

Thanks everyone for the valuable input. @aaronmo & @Demha…I have applied Everywhere…small firms, CL postings, temp/PT positions…even intern position but no luck yet! I don't have an accounting major and Masters is going to be too much financial burden without a second job. I have tried freelancer websites too with no success. As per your advice I will go over my resume and cover letter to improve the wordings and see if that changes anything.

[earth897]

Passing your exams is a huge plus. When did you start applying for jobs? If you're trying to get a job in individual income tax, You won’t find one right now. Most places that hire new employees for busy season will start hiring in October-December.
If you’re interested in corporate tax, you might be more lucky with that since busy season for corporate is usually July-October since basically everyone is on extension. But that’s just my experience from working for a public accounting company that only does corporate tax.

[Anonymous]

I'd consider leaving off the fact that I had passed the CPA exams. An entry level position may think you are unaffordable and will hire someone for an entry position that has the education but has not passed the exams yet.

[PTBP2018]

Hi there,
I was not in the exact same situation, but breaking into accounting in my 30's with zero experience was difficult. I worked for the same company for almost ten years while working on my Masters in Accounting & Finance. It was hard to break out. I ended up working for a small book keeping company and that experience really sealed the deal on my future positions.

There was one company that we used when we didn't have the bandwidth to handle all of our work. It was called CPA Moms LLP. They are awesome. Obviously, they are moms that are CPA's, and they primarily work from home. Maybe give them a shot? When you do book keeping for a lot of different companies, it really gives you a lot of exposure to various systems and processes. When you have a little experience, it goes a LONG way in this industry.

[Author]

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