http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees Powered by Another71.com en-US Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:30:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/search.php http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/5#post-142919 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:46:16 +0000 valueofnothing 142919@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>@cannot i totally agree. 25 vacation days + 10 firmwide holidays = almost 20% of "working" days that one does not have to work. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/5#post-142669 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:27:39 +0000 CannotPassAgain 142669@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>eh..i used to complain about not having overtime -- but the fact that we're getting 3 weeks paid vacation, a week paid sick leave, and almost 2 weeks worth of holidays a year kinda makes it okay </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/5#post-142667 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:50:58 +0000 misanthrope87 142667@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>@hustlinhustlin<br /> You get overtime. That's something most of us in public don't have. Vested after 1 year is nothing. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/5#post-142630 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:58:22 +0000 HustlinHustlin 142630@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Straight-out of College, some experience</p> <p>Central Valley, California</p> <p>Staff Accountant<br /> $19/hr (overtime!)<br /> 401K vested after 1 year<br /> Most holidays off +1 floater<br /> 2 weeks vaca<br /> 1 week sick</p> <p>Very small firm (10-12 people). Pretty sure I'm underpaid but I don't really have any excuse to ask for a raise until I get my CPA. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/5#post-142598 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:57:09 +0000 Peanut 142598@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Straight out of college: No experience</p> <p>New York City<br /> Staff Accountant 40k base<br /> 2 weeks vacation, 1 week of summer Fridays off, 1 week off between Christmas &amp; New Years--All 4 weeks paid<br /> 3 personal days<br /> 401k benefits.<br /> 60+ hours per week, every week-- wasn't such thing as "busy season" in the type of industry I was in--every season was busy.<br /> No over time= was not with the money= gave my two weeks notice after being there only a year. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/5#post-142597 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:53:32 +0000 Peanut 142597@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Bump </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-121320 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:18:41 +0000 jakeeee 121320@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I graduated in May and have no prior accounting experience. I currently work as a temp at a finance company. I recently got a job offer at a small accounting firm (~30 people).</p> <p>Position: Staff Accountant (Tax Department)<br /> Compensation: 42k on annual basis, including overtime &lt;- does this mean I'm exempt?<br /> Incentive: Billing and collections for new clients obtained at 8%<br /> Vacation: 2 weeks, as well as 5 days sick pay, major holidays, and two floating holidays<br /> Health Insurance: Eligible 1 1/2 months after start date<br /> 401K Plan: Effective 6 months from start date </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117609 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:52:27 +0000 NolaCpa2Be 117609@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Graduated College a year ago. No prior accounting work experience. Spent a year doing Volunteer work abroad<br /> Small Accounting Firm (About 15 Employees): Staff Accountant</p> <p>Starting Salary: $44,000<br /> Paid Vacation: 2 weeks (goes up to 3 weeks in 5 years)<br /> Personal Time: 1 week<br /> Health Insurance Premiums: Covered<br /> Paid Holidays: 9 days<br /> 401K plan with up to 5% matching<br /> No reimbursement for the CPA exam or bonuses that I know of</p> <p>I think its a pretty good offer. It should go up once I get my license in a year </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117608 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:33:30 +0000 FinallyFree 117608@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>@Keri - Where do you work? I want to apply. lol </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117605 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:19:52 +0000 KERI0323 117605@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I'll throw in another perspective:<br /> Southeast, private ESOP company Assistant Controller (started as Staff Accountant), 62K, 3 weeks vacation, 1 week sick time and we're closed the week after Christmas, 7:30-4:30, there is never a need for overtime except maybe 30 minutes or so, 10% annual bonus, usually 3-6% annual "cost of living" increase, reimbursement for Becker course and exam fees for passed parts once I'm done, flexible spending and dependent care, health, dental, accident, life insurance. Wow, typing that all out just made me realize how blessed I am! I'm grateful for my company and I wish all of you on the job hunt the best of luck!!! </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117598 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:04:31 +0000 RalphDoggy 117598@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I work for a small firm in OR and am experiencing both the good and bad of working for a small firm (we have 17 accountants I think and a couple admin staff). I started out out of school at 42k and am at 45k after 2 years. 401k with annual 3-5% profit sharing plan. Medical totally covered. 3 weeks PTO per year. The biggest plus is that I get my salary plus any overtime I work goes into my comp time bank which I can take as extra vacation or get paid out. So it looks like I am on the low end salary wise but the comp time plus the relaxed work environment (I am actually wearing shorts to work today) totally makes up for it. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117596 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:34:27 +0000 jomarie 117596@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I really enjoy working for a small firm. I wouldn't have worked here for 11 years now if I didn't :)</p> <p>I think I would have left public accounting a long time ago if I worked for a Big 4 or Regional firm. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117590 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:44:43 +0000 Jeff - another71.com 117590@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>JoMarie - I worked for a small firm...there are pluses (less politics *usually*) and minuses (pay/benefits not as great).</p> <p>I bet there are people working the public accounting grind that would love to trade less pay for less stress. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117589 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:40:26 +0000 FinallyFree 117589@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>@jomarie - That's actually pretty awesome. I'd love to be able to work from home during part of the year. Also becoming a partner will be totally worth taking the lower pay for a while!</p> <p>I work at a publicly traded bank with just under $1 billion in total assets. I had one year of public accounting experience and about 6 months of pension accounting experience before I started. Here's my breakdown:</p> <p>Starting Base Pay: $48,000<br /> Title: Staff Accountant, I work directly under the controller<br /> 401(k) with 100% matching for first 3% of pay contributed, and 50% matching for next 2% (so 100% matching for up to 4% of my pay, which I take full advantage of)<br /> Health, dental and vision covered 75% by employer<br /> Life insurance covered 100% by employer<br /> 10 days vacation<br /> 14 days sick time<br /> Annual bonus (usually at least $500)<br /> They paid for all of my CPA exam attempts (which took me 9 tries, so they dumped around $1,800 in that) and they also paid for my ethics exam, fingerprinting, etc. They will pay for my continuing education also. They also covered one section of my CPA exam material.<br /> The environment is pretty cushy. I work hard, but not like Public Accounting. I get paid overtime. I have a lot of busy seasons (4 per year that last 2 months each, for quarterly reporting). But the most I work in a week is around 55 hours.</p> <p>First year raise: 2.5% (this was a bank wide standard raise, nobody got anything more. Officers at the bank haven't had ANY raises in a few years)<br /> Second year raise: 2% bank wide, and then I got an additional 2% for earning my CPA license. At first I felt pretty insulted by this, but my boss apologized for how meager the raise was and said that I am literally the only person in the bank getting more than 2% this year. Earnings just aren't where they need to be yet. Ever since the economy went under, banks have been struggling. He said he wanted to give me more but I have a feeling he couldn't get it cleared with the CEO.</p> <p>At this point I'm not sure what to do. I think I will probably keep an eye out for other opportunities, but unfortunately I live in a small city with hardly any accounting jobs (except for some in public accounting, which I'm not interested in). Also I just bought a house, so moving is out of the question until the market gets better. My significant other is in college and we are planning on moving to a bigger city so that he can get a good IT job once he gets his bachelor's finished up in 2014.</p> <p>I'm actually thinking about enrolling in school to become a math teacher... Sounds silly, and I know the pay won't be as good. But maybe then i could actually enjoy my work. I feel like I need to make a difference, and preparing financial reports for a company just doesn't feel like enough. Anyone have any input? </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117584 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:11:45 +0000 jomarie 117584@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Reading this is actually makes me sad. I don't make as much as a Big 4 or regional firm. I work for a small CPA firm (Family Owned). I'm the only full time person in the office besides the partners. Couple of pluses: 1.) Work one on one with clients (small business owners - a lot of S-Corps and LLCs), 2.) Very flexiable with schedule, like during our busy season I can work all my overtime at home, 3.) After I pass the exam, the partners want me to become partner (that's a major plus to me) </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-117580 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:41:39 +0000 Jeff - another71.com 117580@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Bump - this was a good thread. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-99807 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:13:58 +0000 IwannaBaCPA 99807@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Northeast, Big 4<br /> $54,000 starting salary with 150 credits (I will get this)<br /> $50,000 without<br /> 25 days PTO, 10 of which can roll over and 10 can be borrowed from the next year<br /> $5,000 bonus if pass CPA within first year, $3,000 within 2 years<br /> Becker course and flashcards paid for by firm<br /> Exam fees reimbursed upon passing all 4 parts (no failed parts are reimbursed)<br /> Overtime is unpaid</p> <p>Signing bonus was removed this year, but was $5,000 the prior year (bummer for me...)</p> <p>I too am sure I will be working like a slave, but the experience will be very valuable to have on my resume...<br /> I landed this offer from a winter internship that had paid overtime and I made a killing! </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-99766 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:17:46 +0000 kperrucci 99766@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Big 4 office in San Jose, CA. Tax<br /> Interned during summer before senior year of undergrad<br /> paid: $25.50 an hour. Paid overtime<br /> Full-time offer: $50,500<br /> Firm paid for Becker review and flashcards and reimburses for exam fees.<br /> $5,000 bonus if exam is passed w/ in first year of full time employment<br /> $3,000 bonus if passed within 2 years<br /> $1,000 bonus if passed within 3 years</p> <p>I was given the option to defer my employment in order to get my MSA in Taxation. I start the master's program in August. The firm is paying for the tuition. The program includes a winter internship during busy season. paid $27.50/hour.</p> <p>I don't know exactly how much my yearly salary will go up once I complete the master's , but it should be about $5,000.</p> <p>I don't know any of the benefits off the top of my head.</p> <p>And I will probably be working like a slave as well. At least the winter internship has paid overtime. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-99747 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:04:55 +0000 CPAMan 99747@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Wow! A lot of firms give nice salaries and a lot of days off!! In this kind of economy, $50K is a great starting salary. I can’t wait to finish these exams and get me a job in one of those places! </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-99739 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:24:00 +0000 TexasTechalum 99739@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I have 6 years experience in public accounting. I was making 18/hour plus time and a half overtime. I thought after I passed the exam they would do the right thing, but i got a $2/hour raise. It is a very small firm, both partners are pretty old, and that's why I took the job because I thought it would be easier to make partner here. But I'm now looking for a new job. I don't think negotiating is an option. I'll try it, but I'm so far off of where I think I should be I don't see it happening. Plus, they are old school and act like they are the only game in town, and you should be grateful for whatever they give you. I'm so angry! </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-98827 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:41:40 +0000 valueofnothing 98827@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>no prior accounting industry experience, but BS in accounting. getting to 150 on my own.</p> <p>b4 advisory, starting this fall<br /> northeast<br /> 61,500 salary<br /> 5,000 exam passing bonus<br /> 25 days pto<br /> prob gonna be working like a slave </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-98786 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:12:21 +0000 jimboace88 98786@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Here's my tale:</p> <p>BS in Accounting<br /> Have not taken any parts of the CPA exam yet<br /> Two internships (one private, one public), and a full-time position</p> <p>Internship #1:<br /> This was my first internship in the second half of my junior year in college. I basically did all of the accounting for a small business. It was all Quickbooks and not very complicated. I actually uncovered a lot of errors that the owner made when she was doing the books.<br /> Length: 6 months<br /> Pay: Started at $9/hr., increased to $10/hr for the last two months<br /> Hours: 20 - 40 depending on my class demands</p> <p>Internship #2:<br /> Tax season internship at a large regional accounting firm (300+ people). This was during my last semester of college.<br /> Length: 4 months<br /> Pay: $25/hr.<br /> Hours: Ranged from about 28 - 50 depending on my school work. Very flexible. </p> <p>This internship likely would have resulted in a full-time position had I chosen to pursue it. However, here's the rest of the specs:<br /> - $48k salary<br /> - No overtime pay<br /> - Flex time<br /> - $5k loan for CPA exam prep/fees (forgiven after 3 years of employment)<br /> - $5k loan for education to get to 150 hours (forgiven after 3 years of employment)<br /> - Common hours during tax season for non-interns ranged from 70 - 80 hours </p> <p>During this internship, I was also interviewing for a position at a much smaller firm (about 40 people). That is the job I ended up accepting. </p> <p>Small/mid-size firm (starting in the fall)<br /> - First summer off (preparing for CPA exam)<br /> - $46k base salary plus overtime for any hours over 40<br /> - Option to take overtime as cash or bank it for additional time off<br /> - 55 billable hour minimum during busy season</p> <p>I don't know too many more details about the position yet, but my time is valuable so the option to bank my overtime for more time off absolutely sealed the deal. It's also an excellent work environment. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-98780 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:27:59 +0000 bevan78 98780@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Started at firm in the Southeast in 2008<br /> salary 50k<br /> bonus - 2k for starting.<br /> 3k for passing<br /> up to 3k for materials or pay for becker. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-27363 Sun, 04 Apr 2010 01:04:48 +0000 NDIRISH 27363@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Oh ok cool.</p> <p>I'll have friends starting in Boston and New York from my program this upcoming fall in the Big 4. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-27350 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:11:13 +0000 dwadecpa 27350@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>nope in the northeast.. my name is from dwyane wade though. i googled dwadecpa and there's actually some guy who goes by that alias.. kinda sucks that i ripped his name </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-27348 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:43:05 +0000 NDIRISH 27348@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Which city? from your name, maybe Miami? </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-27346 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 18:38:36 +0000 dwadecpa 27346@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I do work for Big4. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-27345 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 18:28:55 +0000 NDIRISH 27345@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I agree.</p> <p>I was picky in the fall (only Seattle.) Although I was still picky (mostly west of the Rockies with one exception) I have more opportunities this spring.</p> <p>But be prepared as a non-native in explaining why this office. One of my friend said he want to transfer to New York in a few years got shot down when interviewing for Chicago.</p> <p>Dwade, are you working for the Big 4? (or will, or want to?) </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-27339 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:22:37 +0000 dwadecpa 27339@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>I do not mean a willingness or desire to move around with a specific position/firm. This implies that you lack commitment (and real desire for the given position) and expect the firm to accommodate your requests, fill the void you leave, and pay for your relocation. I apologize for the confusion and thank you for correcting me.</p> <p>My advice was meant to suggest that you have an open mind in the recruiting process. Don't pigeonhole yourself by only applying to a specific position or company. Look outside the big four so you have some "backups" (not to suggest that other firms are inferior - but just that if Big 4 is your goal, you need to have something to fall back on). If you have a lifestyle where you can afford to move to a new city and take a job there (see NDIRISH's experience), then do not rule that out if you get an opportunity to network with recruiters or firms in other cities. In order words, simply stated, do not be picky in the recruiting process. You can interview and network all over the place, and once you have some offers, then it is time to be picky. </p> http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/job-related-benefits-received-by-public-accounting-employees/page/4#post-27338 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:46:28 +0000 AllenA 27338@http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/ <p>Great post, dwadecpa. I agree completely. I wanted to clarify one point for college recruits regarding flexibility in location. I went into the recruiting process thinking, "I'd work anywhere they need me. This should surely increase my chances of getting a job." I spoke informally with a couple of Big 4 recruiters and they each told me that my "go anywhere, do anything" attitude was not a characteristic they were looking for. I was kind of shocked.</p> <p>Like I mentioned earlier, this bit of info only really applies to campus recruiting. Recruiters want a candidate that is sure of the position and location they are applying for. It seems like a Catch 22 because sometimes we want jobs that aren't available in certain locations. However, the propensity to leave a job increases when an employee isn't entirely excited about the location or nature of their employment. Have two specific locations picked out and have a great explanation for why you'd like to work in that location/field. </p> <p>Recruiters are usually pretty happy to speak with you about areas that are hiring. If you do decide to recruit in an area that is hiring, don't mention that during the interview process. Instead focus on other reasons why you want to be in that office. </p>