[Abcd6789]

I’m struggling with this guys. I don’t think I have what it takes to work full time at a Public firm and try to pass the Exam. I have heard too many horror stories and do not want to burn out. I am networked and have a good GPA, so I could get a job after graduation.

Is anyone else just trying to pass the Exam and earn their 150 credits, then worry about getting a full time job in public? I can also work for a very small tax firm through a family friend to earn my hours.

Does this sound like a decent plan even though it will take longer? There’s a lot less risk of burnout and successfully passing the Exam if I don’t immediately start working. I refuse to do the whole 4am-10pm routine others are doing. But, I give u the upmost respect for following that routine and doing public and the exam at the same time.

Thanks for any advice

[acamp]

Finding a job in public becomes exponentially more difficult once you are outside of campus recruiting.

Get a job immediately.

The time at a bigger public accounting firm will do much more for your career than passing the CPA and working at a very small tax firm.

Figure this, I'd guess at least 75% of people who go in to public do not stay until manager. This means, for those people, it was never necessary to pass the exam (yes you're more marketable with it passed, but there is no requirement). So, if you line up with the averages, you work in public for 2-3 years, try to pass the exam, if you dont, then you get serious once you're working your cushy private accounting job.

Career progression > Passing the CPA

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Spartans92]

If you are planning to work for public accounting, from my knowledge I think most require you to complete 150 hours before starting work. Hence, you can study and sit in the exam before starting. If you will meet the 150 and have not yet complete the exam I think it is best to work and study because that really proves your character and capabilities. Many people struggle to balance work and study so if you can complete both tasks that is really good and doesn't that provide you a great sense of accomplishment!? And as Acamp mentioned it does get tougher the longer you wait. There are so many graduates every semester not saying all accountants but the competition gets bigger only so I do not see the point of waiting. Just suck it up for a year or so and put in the hard work/effort things will pay off in future. Best of Luck with the CPA Journey!

BEC - 76
REG- 67, 85
AUD-63, 74, 80!!
FAR-65, 62, 57, 79

3 down 1 more to go. BEC is on the Line 🙁

BEC- PASS

[Abcd6789]

Thanks for both of your feedback. I will reevaluate my options. Are u saying that working in Public Accounting and leaving without passing the Exam is more valuable than a person who has already passed the Exam and has experience at a small firm? Thanks for your feedback.

[B2RAD]

i did all my big firm experience while in school during tax season internships and then graduated and decided i wanted to do the small firm lifestyle while i finish the exam and 150. it is very possible to work, go to school, and do the exam. as long as you have a flexible boss in the off season its not hard and just takes discipline. i had about 6 months before my start where i just studied for the CPA exam and i still failed 3 times so you could spend all your time trying to get through everything instead of getting real world experience earlier in career. I also didnt want to rush through my classes, i want to enjoy my masters classes so being at a small firm that doesn't require 150 is great. i am focused on exam now and will go back to school in the fall.

dont think that passing is impossible while working because a lot of people want a social life, to have friends at work, etc. so they start to put off the exam and not study enough. be disciplined and put the time in.

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[pickanicken]

Skip public accounting all together. Not worth it. I have friends who have been in public for the last half a decade and are making significantly less money than I am. Granted, they probably have more room to grow then I do, but I am way more happy. They say that for most people 75k is all you need to be happy. After that it is diminishing returns. No need to torture yourself in public.

REG - 81
BEC - 83
AUD - 86
FAR - 78 (Done!)

[Abcd6789]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Like I said, I may reconsider my options, but I'll probably go with my original plan. No need to be under stress 24-7. Thanks again

[Jdn9201]

Do what works for you. I respect those in public going through the exam process but I value sleep too much. I started working before I had my masters and had started studying for the exams. I was burned out when I got my bachelor's (accounting was not my first major) and I wanted to see if I liked taxes enough to spend more time and money furthering my education on the subject. I worked for 4 years before going back to school, then waited another 2 years before starting to study. I do wish my breaks had been shorter, but I would have a much tougher time had I tried to do it without being motivated. Now that I'm studying, I've put myself on a very tight schedule (never more than 8 weeks studying at a time) because if I have the option of not studying, I will. If I'm under pressure, that option isn't there. Bottom line is you have to figure out what works for you.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[B2RAD]

@pickanicken totally see where you are coming from cuz my friends who went private dont understand why i make so much less starting off. its a great starting point but i am starting to see why so many CPAs who practice dont have fun things in life or they do and they never use them like cars, motorcycles, etc. i rode all through college, sold the bikes for CPA materials and now i am so busy that i dont know if i even have time for another. not sure i want that life. i rather make 90-100k a year, give my future family and kids a solid life and enjoy the life with them to make millions and not enjoy it.

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Abcd6789]

I agree that work/life balance is important. It seems like public does not offer that – at least the Big 4 doesn't. But I have the upmost respect for anyone who put their time in for w Big 4. You have to be a very strong minded person to do so. Thanks for the feedback guys.

[tmacpa]

honestly I would say you need to enter the workforce. Most employers see a time gap where you were not working as a red flag.

Yes, some public accounting jobs don't leave much room for studying. But with many public jobs, busy season is only a few months out of the year and the rest of the year besides when you're out at clients you will probably even be able to study at work!

There are many stories of newly-licensed people with no experience having a very tough time finding.work.

That 1 year of public experience is extremely valuable. If you get a job chances are there will be several other people studying as well.

That's how I see it at least

AUD - 78
BEC - 79
FAR - 78
REG - 90

short-term sacrifice = long-term gain

[Missy]

If you actually want to work in big 4 (which you may not) you should be looking now. It's not like you'll interview Monday, get an offer the next day and start the following week. Many times the offer precedes the start date by several months (ie people already have offers in place for jobs to start in September.) Don't wait until you're done to apply for big 4.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Sand Wraith]

I don't know how is it where you are but I'm assuming your from the states, but here in the Middle East once you have a CPA all the doors will open for you, I'd say it's just as important as working the big firms, if you're asking if you can study and pass yeah you can do it, it's not as hard as people say. I would say start pursuing it immediately after graduation assuming that you meet the board you're applying to and look for a job, it's doable.

AUD ... Passed
REG ... Passed
FAR ... Passed
BEC ... Passed

I'm Done!!

[EuroAddict]

I don't see anything wrong with banging out the exam and then going for a job. Keep in mind that if you choose this route you should finish the exam quicker than normal. Meaning don't take 15 mos to pass it. Graduating then not working for that amount of time won't look all that great.

Not sure where you're located but where I am there are a ton of jobs available. Don't feel the need to get a job asap.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Son]

Srowe2278, if you get a job with a Big4 they usually give you at least 3-4 month to pass the exam. Most offers are with September or October start dates, plenty of time to take care of exam before that if you graduate in May. That being said, it doesn't seem like you're looking for advise as much as validation – I think the overwhelming majority of people would say enter the workforce, especially if it's Big4, and the CPA exam is just a bonus.. But looks like you've already made up your mind, so I would just go with what you're more comfortable with.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Josh1216]

I graduated in late July 2014, I delayed job search so I could study for the CPA exam because I knew I couldn't pass it while working full time. I also went to a small college which didn't have a lot of recruiting. It took me a little over a year to pass but I so far do not regret my decision one bit.

Only you know what is best for you. I knew that was the best decision for me. As for my career, I currently have an internship at a 1400 employee public accounting firm. I'm actually happy it's just an internship, that way I can decide whether I like public accounting or not.

I was never going to go to the big 4, but I can tell you that My brother-in-law was able to postpone his job offer from August to January and he passed FAR and REG in that time. It took him twice as much time just to finish BEC and AUD (and he works in AUD). They work him like a dog. Obviously, his career has a way higher ceiling than mine, but I would rather live! What difference does it make if you have 300k or 350k, not like people at the big4 have time to even enjoy their money lol.

FAR- 69, 81
REG- 78
BEC- 78
AUD- 82

[Author]

Replies