[MrHopeful215]

A little about myself. I am from Philadelphia and I passed my exams last week. I have a bacholors of business administration majoring in accounting and minoring in management information systems. I graduated in 2012 with 132 credits, so I am 18 credits short in my state. I started working as a fund accountant for my company around 2 years ago.

I went to my old college career fair and met the top 10 public accounting firms. The big 4 basically instantly told me off as soon as they knew i didnt have the 150 credits. Companies such as BDO, Grant Thornton, and RSM took more interest in me. My question is, has passing the CPA exam really given me any sort of leverage on obtaining an interview at all or is the 150 credits really that important. I am nervous after reading numourous posts of people unable to find jobs. Should I be worried or am I just overreacting. Also, is 27 considered “old” in the world of public accounting? I am pretty sure that every person representing the big 4 at this fair were younger than I am.

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[Spartans92]

You definitely are overreacting! passing the CPA exam is the biggest accomplishment and will definitely guarantee you a job! My prof. once said accountants are always needed even during the recession and the field has the lowest unemployment rate. Those who are jobless are the ones unwilling to take a pay cut. The 150 is very important because you would not get the license unless you meet the 150 which is why the Big4 acted the way they did since you have yet to meet that requirement. Are you currently taking classes to fulfill the 18 credits? I hope so, you should do so ASAP. Most accounting firms won't let you start unless you meet the 150 hours. I am sure after completing that it will be you to choose them and not the other way! Congratulations and best of luck! I am sure you will have unlimited opportunities in the near future. As far as 27..that is not old at all! But for public accounting? Perhaps, because most people would start working after their 150 which most likely obtained through their Masters so about 23-24 yrs old.

BEC- PASS

[MrHopeful215]

I guess the 150 is really that important. I will most likely sign up for 3 classes each summer session and be finished by end of summer instead of waiting until the Fall semester to sign up for classes. Im sure that if I can pass these exams, then the classes should be no problem. Just have to devote the same time to them right. Thanks for the input.

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[Andyred04]

As long as you have the accounting credit requirement (like 24 or something like that), which I'm sure you do since you got an undergrad in accounting, you should be fine. You need 18 credits (so 6 courses) which could be in anything. Have some fun with it, take an excel class or something that could be of use but shouldn't be difficult. Or, if you want a challenge, get a graduate degree (got my MBA this past December) that could pay dividends down the road.

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PA Candidate

[Anonymous]

I'm from the area as well. Take classes at Philadelphia Community College or Montco to get the 150 which you need. If you strike out with public, stay private since as long as you work for an active CPA, it doesn't matter to the state. To be honest, most public accounting firms will look for the newbies out of college but will make exceptions for people that passed and have the 150. Unfortunately your chances aren't that great in a market like Philly. At your age, if you have a hard time getting into public, which is reasonably possible, stay private and get an active CPA to sign off. Once you get your license, your options increase as well as your pay. Looking around for senior and especially manager level positions, you need a CPA for the better paying jobs. I would focus on getting to 150 while your responsibilities are light then shoot for the moon once you're licensed. Good luck.

[acamp]

The 150 is absolutely that important, any firm who hires you without it will not being doing you any favors.

Case in point. At the Big4 I work at, a person was hired without the full requirements; fast forward five years, she's an awesome audit supervisor who cannot sit for the exam and therefore has no chance at promotion to manager.

Sure she could have gone to school while working (LOL), but in reality that would be very difficult.

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[MrHopeful215]

Thank you to all of you for the advice, I think I will focus on getting the credits by the end of summer and attending my old college (Temple University) networking events in Fall. Probably looking to get into Mid size firms. I would really like to get into public doing tax, but what opportunities should I look for if i go private?

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[rp 12]

Internal Audit is something to look into as well. it is not a bad field to be working at. Yes, there might be a lot of travel – but it's good to get experience from an operational side of business as well. We all get caught up in the Public Accounting experience (including myself) and lose sight of other opportunities or field. I personally think getting into Risk Advisory Services or Internal Audit is a second best place to start your career as well. Look into PwC (Int Audit), GT, BDO and RSM (McGladrey) they all have Internal Audit LoS. I think in Deloitte it's known as ERS – Enterprise Risk Services. My only advice keep your options open and don't try to get into niche yet. Am 28 yrs old as well and started w/ Big4 audit but didn't succeed in the firm(s) I was at so I ended up going into Internal Audit, still pursuing my CPA certification, and so far I like what am doing and where am working at. I hope this helps.

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

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[Author]

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