[outrenthome]

Hello guys, I need once again your honest opinion.

I am currently working at a small CPA firm, consisting of me, my boss, another associate and an office manager. I just completed my second tax season and my salary is $40k + $1,500 bonus on April 15 and $1,500 bonus on October 15. I work in Dallas, TX. No benefits at all, but a reimbursement of $140 on my individual health insurance which I purchased by myself.

I am an MST and already passed 3 sections of the CPA exam out of 4. I am planning to take my last section in May 2014.

I keep receiving emails and calls from recruiters all across the DFW metroplex trying to get me out of this small firm, I finally decided to see what I may actually be worth as an MST, soon-to-become CPA, so I went ahead and set up an interview at a firm in downtown Dallas. They immediately wanted to hire me as a staff tax accountant. However, their job offer is $45k plus benefits, which I think is a little on the low side..

Can you please tell me if this is how much I should expect to make even in other job opportunities I may get in the future?

The recruiter told me that since I am from a small firm, I can only command a lower salary. She also said that companies base their offer on what a person made in his/her previous job. What if the next time I am not going to tell them how much I currently make and just give them a salary requirement?

Besides. I am busy studying for my last CPA exam, should I go into the trouble of changing jobs right in this moment for almost the same amount of money I am currently making?

Thank you for your help!

[Anonymous]

To me both your current and offered salary seem on the low side ($40k and no benefits?), but I am from a different part of the country and not as familiar with the tax side. Coming out of 2 audit busy seasons at a big 4 in my region, I'd expect a salary in the 50's (potentially low 60's depending on the role/company).

Since you are from a very small shop, your recruiter may be right – in that it is a decent offer. However, don't necessarily feel pressured to leave at the first offer if you think it is suspect. Sounds like you are getting flooded by multiple recruiters, so there must be a market for your talent – talk with them – see what salary range their clients have in mind (typically a recruiter with have a salary range given to them by the hiring manager).

And if you pass your section and become a CPA – you WILL be more marketable – so waiting is an option as well and may be more beneficial as there is more likely to be someone at your firm that is able to sign-off on the experience requirement for your license anyways.

[Anonymous]

To me both your current and offered salary seem on the low side ($40k and no benefits?), but I am from a different part of the country and not as familiar with the tax side. Coming out of 2 audit busy seasons at a big 4 in my region, I'd expect a salary in the 50's (potentially low 60's depending on the role/company).

Since you are from a very small shop, your recruiter may be right – in that it is a decent offer. However, don't necessarily feel pressured to leave at the first offer if you think it is suspect. Sounds like you are getting flooded by multiple recruiters, so there must be a market for your talent – talk with them – see what salary range their clients have in mind (typically a recruiter with have a salary range given to them by the hiring manager).

And if you pass your section and become a CPA – you WILL be more marketable – so waiting is an option as well and may be more beneficial as there is more likely to be someone at your firm that is able to sign-off on the experience requirement for your license anyways.

[fuzyfro89]

I agree with Anthony.

If you get an offer that's not better in terms of experience and/or compensation, then keep looking unless you are trying to get out soon for some other reason.

Passing your CPA exam and getting your license will be huge and you'll easily be able to compete for better pay (I'm assuming since you mentioned $45 is low for your area).

I used to live in a large city in the southeast, and Big 4 and mid-tier (think top 10 in revenues firms) started new hires around $50K base (this was in 2011). I honestly don't have much insight on recruiting opportunities for people from smaller firms, so I'm just guessing, but I think once you have a CPA license, you have a solid floor in terms of what you can expect.

[fuzyfro89]

I agree with Anthony.

If you get an offer that's not better in terms of experience and/or compensation, then keep looking unless you are trying to get out soon for some other reason.

Passing your CPA exam and getting your license will be huge and you'll easily be able to compete for better pay (I'm assuming since you mentioned $45 is low for your area).

I used to live in a large city in the southeast, and Big 4 and mid-tier (think top 10 in revenues firms) started new hires around $50K base (this was in 2011). I honestly don't have much insight on recruiting opportunities for people from smaller firms, so I'm just guessing, but I think once you have a CPA license, you have a solid floor in terms of what you can expect.

[KBinMN]

You can always counter. Worst they can say is they aren't coming up.

[KBinMN]

You can always counter. Worst they can say is they aren't coming up.

[Anonymous]

Don't take the offer! IMO you should be getting paid at least ~$60k once you're done with the tests and also done with 2 busy seasons. I'm from the Seattle area and got hired at a mid-size regional firm out of college getting paid $54k doing audit, and I know that tax generally gets paid more (aka you should be getting paid more than me).

[Anonymous]

Don't take the offer! IMO you should be getting paid at least ~$60k once you're done with the tests and also done with 2 busy seasons. I'm from the Seattle area and got hired at a mid-size regional firm out of college getting paid $54k doing audit, and I know that tax generally gets paid more (aka you should be getting paid more than me).

[vanadium3]

It really is low if you look at Robert half salary report etc. I think your firm just doesn't have the capacity yet as it's only 4 people..

best bet is stay where you are since you are already there for 2 busy seasons and get that cpa done (1more whoo!). once you get your license jump ship and recruiters can market you far better. you should be making 50k+

I also live in dallas, we can possibility network 😮

CPA

[vanadium3]

It really is low if you look at Robert half salary report etc. I think your firm just doesn't have the capacity yet as it's only 4 people..

best bet is stay where you are since you are already there for 2 busy seasons and get that cpa done (1more whoo!). once you get your license jump ship and recruiters can market you far better. you should be making 50k+

I also live in dallas, we can possibility network 😮

CPA

[tomq04]

$60k or bust. Don't take that offer.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

$60k or bust. Don't take that offer.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[outrenthome]

Thank you so much for your answers. I responded that I will not leave my current job for less than $55,000.

I want to be done with the CPA and get certified with my work experience from my current employer before I will think about changing company, unless they will come up with a serious offer that I cannot deny. $2,000 increase does not sound like a serious offer, especially while I am studying and I am already stressed. They can hire other people less qualified than me who will accept that amount. I also do not want to feel embarrassed if my peers with my same qualifications earn at least $10-$15k more than I do. I know my job and I love taxes with my heart. I even dream about tax laws and tax rules. There are not even that many MST's available in the market, why should I settle? Besides, by refusing their offer I am actually stimulating the job market. They will need to work harder and pay more to find another qualified employee.

[outrenthome]

Thank you so much for your answers. I responded that I will not leave my current job for less than $55,000.

I want to be done with the CPA and get certified with my work experience from my current employer before I will think about changing company, unless they will come up with a serious offer that I cannot deny. $2,000 increase does not sound like a serious offer, especially while I am studying and I am already stressed. They can hire other people less qualified than me who will accept that amount. I also do not want to feel embarrassed if my peers with my same qualifications earn at least $10-$15k more than I do. I know my job and I love taxes with my heart. I even dream about tax laws and tax rules. There are not even that many MST's available in the market, why should I settle? Besides, by refusing their offer I am actually stimulating the job market. They will need to work harder and pay more to find another qualified employee.

[Topsya]

good call

AUD - 90
FAR - 83
BEC - 81
REG - 80
ETHICS - 100

[Author]

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