[garnerr2]

I recently passed my last CPA exam in December. I was thrilled. I felt like so many doors would suddenly open up.

I was never that into school. I hated sitting in classes when I could just read the book at home and be fine. I kind of assumed I would get a good job when I graduated because I was smart. I didn’t network at all. I ended up taking an Internal Audit position because that was all that was available. After 2 years, I got stabbed in the back and was forced to take another position in the company with a different department.

I am not getting my CPA hours with this new job and there is no room for advancement. I have been actively searching for a new job at CPA firms and other internal audit departments for the past 6 months. I have had multiple occasions where I really thought I would get the job and didn’t.

I really believed that passing these tests (and on first try) would greatly help me out. It has done nothing but add another $2,500 of debt to my name and make me want out of the profession.

The older I get the more I realize the truth behind ‘it is not what you know but who you know’, especially in this profession. I also believe the arrogance of the profession makes it increasingly more difficult to get a job if you haven’t followed ‘the path’. Get good grades, meet recruiter on campus, get internship, etc….

Maybe the sting from finding out I did not get another job today led me to this rant. Maybe I am worn out by the pathetic (and very flawed) hiring process in general. Whatever it is, I am losing hope and worried I studied all that time for nothing.

AUD - 76
REG - 78
FAR - Aug 2016
BEC - 79

[Anonymous]

The real world is very different than school. You aren't awarded just for “getting good grades” anymore. There are opportunities out there, but you may not be in a very high demand area. Have you considered relocating to a different area where there is more opportunity?

You probably already know this, but the truth of the matter is you have to pave your own way in the world. There are many CPAs out there looking for opportunities, so to find the best opportunities you have to get out there and research the market, network, and put in some effort. It's just the truth of the real world, “getting good grades” won't necessarily cut it anymore.

Also in regards to this statement, “It is not what you know but who you know,” I disagree with this as well. The truth of the matter is “It's not who you know, but who knows you.”

Best of luck.

[Wanna_B_TXCPA2014]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you can't win with a defeated attitude.
We are in the exact opposite spot in that I can't advance at work bc I don't have this test passed. Trust me it's going to be ok. Slow progress is progress. So first identify the position you want then research & network to find it.
Getting a job is about creating buzz, showing the potential employer your value as team member, then properly closing the interview.

[Missy]

Here's what too many job seekers lose sight of. It's not about you, nobody cares what you've done or accomplished. It's all about what you can do for them. All those questions they ask on interviews including what you're the most proud of? That's just a way of figuring out how they benefit from bringing you on board. I asked a recruiter once what's the best question to ask when it's time to ask the interviewer a few questions and his response is “what do you need me to be able to do on day one without direction?” Then whatever it is assure them you can do it. Everything you say has to show them they can't live without you or they'll move on to the candidate who makes them believe that.

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

[zchen42]

But if you can not get the interview, how can you show what you can do for them?

[Missy]

If you're not getting interviews there's something with your resume or cover letter that's missing the mark. I've seen too many people recycle the same cover letter which is about them to every job they apply to. That cover letter is like a movie trailer and had better make me want to see more or it's a dud. Both the resume and cover letter should be personalized to the job being applied to.

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

[NeedsA75]

Use a good recruiter

[Dwill2nd]

What type of roles are you interviewing for? How are you selling yourself? Passing the exam shows initiative and that you should be capable of doing/learning the work, but that is not the be all end all. Could you possibly be giving off other red flags during your interview process? You hated sitting in class so how good was you final GPA? You got stabbed in the back and moved to another position in the company, what does that mean? A demotion? Moved from audit to a position outside of Accounting?

Just from your blurb these are questions I would have. Not saying any of these are correct but if there are some potential misconceptions about your history (false red flags) what information are you giving them to put them at ease and confirm to them they are getting a great employee?

Bec, 6/8/2016 - 84!
Far, 7/12/2016
Reg,
Aud,

[Missy]

Also I recommend doing at least three hours of good research on a company before an interview. Trust me they're more impressed if you walk in with a good sense of who they are as a business. You'll get more attention by saying “I saw you moved from a 100,000 sf facility to a 150,000 sf facility in 2015. Can you tell me about the business growth that required that move and if it continues two years later?” than by saying you don't know much about them yet.

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

[Anonymous]

The easiest way is to look at your target position's job description and translate your experience as best you can into the job requirements and expected tasks needed.

If you work with a good recruiter, he/she will help you revise your resume for free (some people pay over $100 to ‘resume specialists'”. Then the recruiter's paycheck relies on getting as many people jobs as possible.

I have used my updated linkedin profile to attract recruiters and both recruiters have gotten over 20% raises for me, within 4 months of me starting to work with them. (I stayed at each company about a year and a half, then wanted more).

1. Optimize Resume (recruiter can help for free, but update linkedin and they should come to you)
2. Work with at least 3 different recruiters
3. Get a better position and more money

[garnerr2]

There have been multiple people respond and I appreciate any feedback.

I tried the recruiter route. I met a couple good people and got stood up by one. It seems as though they aren't great for Staff Positions at CPA firms. The firms know they have enough candidates applying by themselves that they have no reason to pay a recruiter. I haven't had luck with non CPA firm positions with recruiters.

I know all about researching companies and asking good questions. I make sure I spend quality time understanding the company, their values, and other information before any interview. I want to make them feel as though they were my first choice.

Maybe I am unrealistic to think I should get a job this quick. I am sure there are people unemployed that would love to be in my position (employed but looking). It is just frustrating getting interviews and consistently getting turned down. It wears on you…

I feel I am an ideal employee. I do what they ask of me. I have great critical thinking/problem solving skills which I used to pass the CPA exams on one try. I am very physically active and enjoy many things outside of work. I was a food server for 6 years during school which I think has given me many life tools that will serve me well.

This process has just been deflating and thought it would be so much easier once I passed the exams. I just wanted to share my experience. Maybe it could take the pressure off of some people knowing that these exams will not make or break your career/life.

Thanks again for any responses.

AUD - 76
REG - 78
FAR - Aug 2016
BEC - 79

[Anonymous]

Your next-to-last sentence of the post above is the best one in this whole thread….. People get way, way too uptight and nervewracked by these exams. There are many CPAs out there.
Not all of them are good…and you can have a great career without a CPA license. Believe this or not – even though I am not a CPA yet, I have been passed over for many jobs where
they did not want a CPA. And these jobs had high pay and great benefits and such. I'd tell them I was going for the CPA and they said “Well, your resume looks good, you seem to know
a lot about accounting and have done a lot of it but we're not looking for a CPA for this job and I'm just afraid you're gonna quit after a short time and go work for a CPA firm.”
Mind you, some of these interviewers were CPAs themselves. If you're not getting hired at some of these jobs you apply to, it's probably for the best. You just have to keep searching for a good match.

[Author]

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