[Anonymous]

Let me get this out of the way: Im 40. 🙂 While raising a severely disabled child, I abandoned my career. I had to. My choice was quit work and stay at home to be with him or stay at home to be with him and quit work. There were no other choices. By that time, I had my associates in paralegalism and was working on my bachelor of science in business. After him, I had a daughter who was disabled. So there I was, two disabled kids in tote, a guarantee to not have more kids and a useless bachelors as I couldnt work. My days were filled with therapies for them, etc so on and so forth. Fast forward: ALL of them are out of the house. When my disabled son turned 18 and my daughter was 16, I was working at my then company with my live in doing all of the bookkeeping and I loved it. But I realized I was missing a huge chunk of the inbetween information such as intermediate accounting, so I went back to school and got my associates in accounting. I took the usual: accounting 1, accounting 11, intermediate 1 and 2, audit, taxation and the higher courses were managerial accounting, Financial Reporting and Control, business finance etc. In the last past year I have worked two jobs. The first one, I absolutely loved doing AR, AP, Payroll, Weekly Cash Flow projects and balance sheet reconciliation, bank reconciliations. I love that stuff and Im a geek for it. However, I was let go. The second job was A/R, A/P, expense reports, internal auditing of accounts, etc. However, I was wearing so many hats, I wanted to scream. I would have if the pay wasn’t 48K. I was doing all that plus clearing holding and subsidiary accounts, parts and oil inventory, answering phones, filing, greeting customers, etc etc etc and barf. I wanted to be doing more accounting but wasn’t. They closed a sister company and brought in a girl that worked at the plant they closed who had been there for 8 years and eliminated my position. It didn’t help that I was having issues with the service manager there. I’m still working on my social skills after raising kids so long, but I really wanted to throw him through a wall. 🙂

So here I am, 40 years old, unemployed with two associates and a bachelors and starring down the barrel of the CPA exam. I recently submitted everything to NASBA and am waiting for them to tell me I can sit or jump off a bridge. In the meantime, I’m looking for work and the anxiety of all this is driving me insane. Where I’m at, you don’t have to work in public accounting just work under a CPA. I could never do public accounting. I love private accounting and that is where I want to stay. EVERY. SINGLE. job I look at (where I am already qualified) wants a bachelors in accounting. Its driving me bonkers. Then there are the jobs where they want not only a bachelors in accounting (or related field which is where I get excited) but they want you to close the books.

I. have.no.. idea how to close the books. Thats the one skill I cannot put on my resume. Obviously, getting my CPA isnt going to show me how to close the books. I actually just had an interview for doing A/R, AP, payroll, some calculations and accruals and monthly closing and he was willing to show me how to do that. .The job was 50K as a “staff accountant” under a controller with a CPA. I balled my eyes out when I learned he chose another candidate.

I feel stuck. How did you all break into things in your career even before taking the CPA? I get sick in my stomach that I went back for an associates instead of just getting a post bacc and Ive been beating around doing that. However, my associates is IDENTICAL to the post bacc and thats still not going to teach me how to close the books.

Im starting all over at 40 and it stinks. Any advice?

[Mike J]

I'm in a similar position.

Im 34 and will be 35 in March.

I have a Print Journalism degree, worked as a no-fault and personal injury paralegal before taking a job in collections with the IRS.

I also had to quit my job due to a family situation. My dad suffered a stroke. My mom had the health insurance through her job so I had to quit. I used the time to take classes at a community college and state school to obtain the credits I need to sit for the exams.

Dad is back on his feet. He's kinda like the Road Runner and that he just won't go down. I can joke about it now because he's doing much better. Onward to my son story to help you feel better…

Unlike, you I have very little experience. At the IRS I've compiled financial statements as a basis for settlement terms, but it was on primitive software. I've also volunteered as a VITA volunteer. I also have transferable skills and have trained members of the litigation Dept.

Ironically, when I first began studying–after I obtained the coursework–I got interviews but no job offers. After I passed BEC, my third exam, I attended an Accounting Career Fair. I thought for sure I'd get a phone call. Nothing.

Currently, I work in customer relations for a dental insurance company. Fittingly, it's been like pulling teeth to get any positive attention to my resume. At my current job I pull teeth by calling parents in NY metro area and try to get them to use their insurance plans and take their kids to the dentist.

And, I haven't even been shooting high (Big 4 Firms). I've seen similar posts of people venting about trying to get in one of those. That's the brass ring. You have to be a legacy or a special breed. I get it.

I've been applying to medium-sized firms. Not a word, when I'm more qualified!

So, I don't know what to tell you other than you're not alone.

[Missy]

What do you mean you have no idea how to close the books? There's not much more to it than reconciliations, internal auditing of accounts and clearing holding accounts. If you mean accruals those couldn't be easier and you'll be reporting to someone who's going to basically spoon feed you the entries at least at first. You're not ready for a controller role but your experience sounds pretty well aligned with a staff accounting position. And yeah the search is frustrating and competitive but keep sending our resumes and I'm confident you'll find something.

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

[Anonymous]

Its frustrating to say the least. I absolutely loved the one job where I did AR, AP, weekly cash flows, etc. I had to rec the balance sheet as well. There was an issue with a liability account that was holding up the controller closing the books. All I got told was “fix it”. Of course he could of, but I had that associates and this was in private accounting. It was then that I noticed I understand alot more than I give myself credit for. However, this must have a bachelors stuff in accounting and know how to close the books is nuts. In theory, I can close the books. Revenue and expenses to Income Summary if used and different to retained earning. Dividends if the company has them. Tada, books closed if you can accrue properly before doing any of that. Thats why I decided on the CPA.

Im NOT going to go plunk down 18K for my post bacc. I took ALL THE SAME CLASSES in my associates. They will only let so many transfer in. I HAVE to do 30 credits there to get the post bacc but Ive already taken those. They agreed it would be like doing my associates again. Thus, the CPA exam came to mind when I realized I had enough credits to sit for the exam. Business Law 1 and Business Law 2 with my paralegal degree really helped.

I wouldnt chase public accounting. At least for me, I never will. I just want to work in private accounting and Im already qualified minus the PROPER degree. Ugh.

[Missy]

And apply to jobs that say a bachelor's in accounting is required, you'd be surprised how often the ultimate hire doesn't fit a cookie cutter job description.

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

[Mike J]

@mIa11692,

Silly question, but are you an HR Manager that's hiring? 😁

[Missy]

I am but sadly not accounting positions. I still do all the accounting solo for now because I promoted my assistant to inside sales (she wasn't very good at accounting but had a great way with customers on the phone) and don't get to replace her for about a year and a half. I've been hired for jobs that require a degree when I had little more than a high school diploma, and my current job said it “required” big 4 experience but I've never worked in public accounting. They want the best person for a job, the listing online is basically just to keep folks with neither experience or education specific to accounting from applying just to test the waters. If you've demonstrated between multiple degrees and jobs in accounting the lack of a bachelor's isn't the deal breaker.

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

[Mike J]

@mIa,

I've operated under the assumption that having all four CPA exams under my belt would trump (perceived) lack of evidence.

So, I've applied to jobs that require 1-3 years experience. I figure they'd rather train me because I already have the ability to mock-up quickly (within 1 year) because of the professional certification. It is a well-tempered industry standard, versus like the QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification. I found out how little employers view that.

Time will tell, I guess.

Also, are you from Far Rockaway? I presume so from the numbers in your user name. I live in western Suffolk, fyi.

[Track55]

I'm also 40 and just finished one year at a publicly traded company. It took me year to get the job. I agree, cpa firms look down their noses when they see gray hair on the sides (I did have interviews). I will never go public either as what's the point? It will be a waste of time again.

Like you, I'm also in a state that does not care how you get 2,000 hours as long as two cpa's can sign the hours. So you are not alone – me and many people are/have been in your shoes. I found that once I passed one exam, added “CPA candidate” and built a profile on Indeed, recruiters started contacting me for positions in Industry. The job I have now I found on my own, also on Indeed.

My best advice is to do the same. Use Indeed and work with recruiters who can send you to positions in Industry. I will say that passing one exam made the difference for me. Once you pass one it shows you can pass them all. Therefore I think you should start with the one you think is easiest. BEC or AUD in my opinion. Then again, you have accounting experience and may think FAR is easier (it was my hardest).

I'm sorry you're going through a tough time. I agree – looking for a job at 40 freakin sucks. Tax work is not for me, but that is something you may want to think about. They need people for the spring, even if it's just part-time or for a few months. You will get part of your 2,000 hours. I hope it works out – keep applying.

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

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Anonymous]

Thanks mla. I'm going to start doing that-just sending out resumes even if they say bachelor's in accounting. No joke though, I've applied to about 200 jobs. Six interviews later, no job. I think my resume may need revamped. 😎

[letsrun4it]

I don't have any advice for you beyond wishing you well and commend you for making sacrifices for a disabled child. I am planning to adopt a special needs child in the near future and dedicate my life to them. The CPA journey is worth it once you make it through I hope NASBA comes through for you, they did for me with some classes that could have gone either way. Best wishes!

BEC: 85
REG: 74, 78
AUD: 86
FAR: October?

[Missy]

Yeah I was 42, when I got my license, but had 20+ years experience (not under a cpa but in MA a master's degree can waive the experience requirements) and it took 300 resumes and 40 or so interviews to land this job. My best advice is to customize your resume for every position bumping the parts of your experience that match the description to the top.it's all about marketing yourself and convincing an employer they need you. Problem is first you have to get past an HR person who likely knows little about the position they're trying to fill other than the keywords they're given.

Mike nope those numbers are the month and year I was born, I'm actually north of Boston. I'm assuming you mean long island?I've got family there as my dad grew up in Bay shore and my uncles are in Babylon and Islip.

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

[Pete]

If it makes you feel any better, i've had over 20 interviews with nothing to show for it. I also have 6 years book-keeping/accounting experience (even worked at a firm for a while), passed the CPA exam, am working on the CFE exam, and should have the 150 credit hours very soon, yet I can't break in either (been over a year so far).

You can definitely send your resumes out, although this method is far less effective than a networking based approach. You should be reaching out to people asking them for informational interviews, then seeing in what ways you might be able to help them out as well and whom that other person might know (people are a lot more inclined to help-when you help them first).

The problem with this field is that it's a very structured hiring process i'm finding (ie. you NEED to get an internship, while in school, to land a position at a firm, where a client will hire you).

Fingers crossed my next interview, next week will amount to something, but having been on so many, I'm starting to lose the hope/faith :(.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all your answers. mla gave me the idea of more than one resume. I actually forgot that in order to get my last job, I did that. I had various resumes ready to go and would change the info according to what they were looking for. At that time, I also had two physical locations (boyfriends house and mine) so I would change my address to whatever house was closer. I have been networking as well. My one girlfriend is close friends with someone who works at a very large firm in Pittsburgh. I was glad when they said I did not have enough experience as they were an hour and a half drive without traffic and also in public accounting. Ick! This time of the year is completely awful to land a job, but I have to keep trying. We had just closed on a house on a Friday when I was let go on a Monday and my wedding is in six months. Not to mention the house is a fixer upper because that is what I wanted. But I tel ya if this hadn't happened I wouldn't have signed up to take my CPA.

I signed up to take FAR first as I figured that would be my hardest. Calculations and I do not get along but I know my entries and pulling out T accounts is still my friend. I'm a geek for that and making adjustments. I just follow what accounts were affected and it clicks. Oddly though, throw info at me and tell me to build you 4 financial statements and Id be lost on the cash flow statement. Go figure.

[ultrarunner]

I am in mid-40s. I got my current job (in a private public company) last year. I didn't have accounting degree but had bookkeeping/accounting experience from a very small company (less than 10 employees). So I didn't have a good experience. But I eventually got the job because the hiring manager liked me. That's what mattered. Many accountants in my current company have accounting degree but not all of them have the degree. Surprisingly, I was the only person pursuing CPA; none of them are qualified to sit in. Most of them got the job through personal connection. Once I joined the company, a few of my colleagues left to join their former colleagues' company. Hiring is sometime all about connection or luck (in my case). I would think that pursuing CPA will definitely impress hiring managers. Best of luck.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[neaux]

If I were you, I would still enroll in a post bac program at a highly recognized/recruited (not expensive) school. You can enroll in classes that you are actually interested in, but meanwhile use the school resources to meet with recruiters. You will have a huge leg up with experience and being CPA eligible. Being enrolled in the school allows you to network much easier than alone. I don’t think you would be wasting any money at all. Plus, once you secure a job, you don’t have to finish the program, if you do not want to, but get the CPA of course.

Good luck with everything!

[Author]

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