[Anonymous]

Okay so I just want to explain my situation as briefly as possible and hopefully get a little feedback.

I graduated in ’09 with a BS in (general) Business Administration from a small state school in NY. Unsure of really what to do, I wound up working mostly customer service type jobs for a retail bank for about 4 years. Then, not having a significant other or any children tying me down, I decided to pick up and move to Tennessee to be closer to my mom who was having some health issues. Now that I’m here in TN I feel like I am really ready to do whatever I have to do to break into accounting (preferrably public, I believe, for the broad exposure).

I’m 29, will be 30 early in 2017, and I don’t want to let any more time pass me by before I start to take the necessary steps to succeed in this field. I feel a little bit underqualified as my undergrad GPA was around 2.8 (though my accounting classes were all A’s and B’s), and I honestly didn’t do much outside of class. I am a hard worker, and again I have nothing tying me down, so I feel like I can do whatever I need to do. Being that I was not an accounting major during undergrad, I am pretty sure I’ll need to take some prerequisites before I’ll be able to begin a MAcc program (which I assume would be the best route to take to get the exposure to the accounting firms).

I’m just wondering if anyone here would be able to give me any words of wisdom as to where to go from here, and if this is a feasible type of plan? Would love to talk to anyone that has either done something like this or has seen people be successful taking a similar kind of route that I am looking to take. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and any guidance you may be able to provide!

[Pete]

I graduated in 2010 and haven't had much solid accounting experience myself. I basically graduated at 120 credit hours, so I haven't been able to get into a public accounting firm. I did get into a firm for a few months, but nothing substantial.

Did you have the 150 credit hours? If not, I would highly advise you get them. Here, in the northeast, it's INCREDIBLY difficult to get into public without said hours, especially at a larger firms. Occasionally, smaller firms do hire, like the one that hired me, but this seems to be very infrequent. Even if a big firm were to hire you, it would be contingent to you getting the hours within 6 months of hire; otherwise, your gone. At least this is what campus recruiting told me a few years back and a few years after graduating. You can get the credit hours through community college, which is how I'm getting them this summer. Nice, cheap, easy credit hours.

I would also suggest completing the CPA exam ASAP. Start banging that beast out because passing that test will help you move up the ranks, much more quickly at a firm. The test SHOULD help you land a job as well; however, I haven't seen much benefit yet. Perhaps, I just need more time to see a benefit from the test.

Your main strategy for finding a job should be networking; this entails conducting informational interviews and trying to help others out. I provided a very brief synopsis of it, but you should definitely be primarily utilizing that strategy. You can easily find information about being a successful net-worker and informational interviews through the internet.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Anonymous]

Hey it's great to hear someone sound so motivated. I would do what you need to do to get qualified to sit for the exam and get this beast out of the way. As bad as it is, the great thing about the exam is your sucess is largely under your control. Then you can leverage those three letters into getting a position that's a good fit.

[jenpen]

Here is my sad little tale to hopefully help:

I did things very untraditionally and ended up deciding on accounting after working in the legal field for around 8 years. I wasn't able to break out of the secretarial role, and knew that my BS wasn't enough for me to take the exam. I did an online MBA program that had a concentration in accounting. That helped me get the necessary accounting hours, but I did have to go back and pick a few up besides that to reach the state's requirement. Towards the end of my MBA I started applying to accounting jobs in the hopes that I could find just the one place to give me a chance. I ended up getting an offer with a small CPA firm and have been here now for exactly 2 years. I am starting to think about looking for a higher paying job but really want to focus on the CPA to hopefully get that wrapped up this year.

Anyway, point is, it can be done you just have to be patient and find the right place to give you a chance without experience.

AUD - 85
BEC - 84
FAR - 82
REG - 78

Ethics - 95
Licensed in IL & MO

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Anonymous]

If you are serious, then you should do the following (IMO):

1. DO NOT try to sit for the CPA Exam right now, even if you are able to. You need to take more Accounting courses from a decent school, so you will be better prepared – trust me (unless you are a genius). Also, you probably do not have enough Accounting Units/Courses to sit yet. But, that depends on your State.

2. Enroll into a Masters of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program asap. You will probably need to take the GMAT to be admitted, so I would start studying for the GMAT asap. Also, try to get into an MSA program that has at least a Hybrid or in-class lectures, so you can network more. Try to enroll into an MSA program that is heavily recruited by public firms – this is very important!

3. After doing well on the GMAT and enrolling in a decent MSA program, then you need to join an Accounting club on campus and start networking with recruiters asap. Attend club meetings and Meet the Firms! Also, try to get an internship through your University's accounting clubs while in Grad School!

4. Graduate with a MSA and good GPA. At least a 3.0, but 3.5+ from a good school always stands out. And, line up a job with a recruiter prior to graduating.

5. Take the Exam immediately after graduating, but prior to going to work in public. If you are Brave, then start taking the Exam while in Grad School, but I caution you it will be brutal. However, if you can line your grad school classes up with a specific area of the CPA exam, then it will greatly benefit you. For example, take REG while taking Fed Tax 1 and Business Law. Or, FAR while taking Intermediate and GOVT/NFP. Taking BEC while taking Cost Accounting would be a good idea, especially since you already have a broad knowledge of business related subject. Btw, you will catch on to my “lingo” and acronyms when you become more serious 🙂

I would do exactly what I just posted if I was in your shoes. Of course everyone is different and may have differing opinions. But, use my Plan as a general guideline to your short and long-term goals. Btw, I just graduated from University and I am 31 with a job lined up in Public. I worked my butt off at a State School in California and graduated with Cum Laude Honors (3.7 GPA). It was A LOT of work – to say the least.

Hope my advice helps and goodluck!

[Anonymous]

^ Typed all of that by cell phone. Lol. Now back to studying FAR!

[MOAC]

great Advice by CPA4928. Was exactly going to post this!

However I'll add two more things.
1)Pass your CPA exam while you're getting your masters done. I know it would be a lot of work but it will put you in much better situation.
2)Join your local CPA society and network as much as you can.

FAR May 2012 81 (lost credit, didn't sit for other sections.)
FAR 86 Aug 2015
AUD 85 Nov 2015
BEC 84 Dec 2015
REG 78 Mar 2016

Passed ALL sections in first attempt!!

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the replies!

To answer a couple questions: I do not have the 150 hours, I graduated with 122 hours so I know I'll need the additional hours before I can sit for the exam. However, I'm positive I'll need to take some prerequisite classes before starting a masters program (which I intend on doing), so by the time I begin the masters program I should have enough hours to sit for the exam.

The program I am looking to get into will be the one here locally at the University of Tennessee, both because it's nearby and because it is a well known school that I'm sure many public accounting firms recruit from. Since I just moved down here at the beginning of this year my hope is that by the time I have satisfied the prerequisites I will be able to attain in-state residency for tuition purposes, otherwise the out-of-state tuition is probably more than I can afford. As far as paying for the Masters program, does anyone have any tips/advice on that?

Anyone already working in public – have you seen people come in with similar situations to mine? How do those people fit in to the company culture, etc?

Thanks again!!

[MaLoTu]

I am starting in public accounting and I am going to be 34 this year! I know that at least one of my peers in tax that is starting is a little older than me, I am going into audit.

I was very upfront with my firm about my background and my family. Not all firms have the same culture so it is important that you utilize any means of making contact with the firms as possible. I went to a couple meet the firms events and had the opportunity to talk with a lot of different people. I hit it off with a member of the firm I am starting with and got a chance to interview and hit it off with the partners, as well.

Some firms I met you could tell that they were not interested in hiring someone who wasn't fresh out of college. The smaller firms seem to be much more inclusive of people from different backgrounds.

One big thing that helped me was that I was already sitting for the exam. The CPA exam doesn't mean you are smarter than anyone, but it does give them a little piece of mind knowing that you will not have that obstacle while you are working. Many of my peers do not have the exams complete. I am done with 3 and working on the last one now (sort of, lol).

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[Anonymous]

CPA firms don't care how old you are..they care if you know your stuff and like what you do? Also know how to sell yourself and be outgoing and proactive in your search..

the big 4 is a joke and i wouldn't let them do my tax return if my career depended on it..

the Big 4 wont hire you but a small to mid size firm will and pay you much better then the big 4 with a better work life balance..I ve seen countless frauds in the financial world that were overlooked by big 4 audits..how come a FA at a hedge fund finds stuff auditors cant? cause theyre all overworked 22 years olds who dont know what they are doing..

I did my classes at CC got hired starting overall comp with completion of exam is around 65k for a small firm max busy hours 65 during tax season..Im 30 going on 31 I get a 10 percent or so raise each year with salary and bonuses as well..

I get to work in all parts of the equation..tax audit and advisory..as opposed to doing one thing every day at a big firm..

[SamfutureCPA]

I'm in the same boat. I have an accounting degree, no experience and I want to get back into accounting. I do have my enough credit to sit for the CPA exams and I have sat for it in 2013. At age 34, I been debating if I should go back and get my master and follow with what CPA4928 has posted or sit for the exam? Any good advice is welcome.

[Anonymous]

please do not get an MSA, that is a waste of time and money. CPA trumps the MSA in the accounting field. if you do have the time/money to go to grad school, opt for the MBA (perhaps with an acct concentration)

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

I got a BA in History in 2006. 6 years ago I took my first accounting course at community college because I heard CPAs make decent money. Passed the exams, got a job at a small public accounting firm. Now I'm in my mid-30s and very close to finishing my experience requirement for my license.

Overall I'm happy with my decision. My pay could be better but I have job security for the foreseeable future and I feel like I accomplished something.

I probably wouldn't go for a Master's degree due to cost. You can get your coursework done at CC for a fraction of the price and you'll be just as prepared as somebody with a Macc. Passing the tests is pretty much all about studying and being determined to pass.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[Missy]

Only do a master's if someone else is paying for it. It has no ROI at all as far as earnings potential and the recruiting opportunities are by no means guaranteed. Read through this forum and you'll see so many posts from people still having a hard time landing a job. You'll see others who get offers from the first or second firm they applied to even with less educational credentials. The difference is marketing yourself.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Anonymous]

Again, I disagree with others on this forum. Here is why:

1. Although getting an MSA will be more costly than taking classes at a local community college you will have much more exposure to public accounting firms at a University (as long as you University is heavily recruited) – trust me. The MSA is a waste of time for students who already have their undergrad in Accountancy. However, you only have a general Business Degree, which means you have barely, barely been exposed to accounting. I don't know if you have even taken Intermediate I or Cost? Clearly you have taken Financial and Managerial, but those are super easy introductory classes compared to Upper Division classes at University. In short, although you could take classes at a community college for a huge discount, you will have much more opportunities at University. Public Acounting firms don't recruit from Community Colleges!! Just make sure that Public Firms recruit from your University. If they do, then you are golden. If not, then definitely don't pursue an MSA.

2. DO NOT and may I repeat Do Not get an MBA unless it is from a Top School with a Feeder Program into High Finance. An MBA in Finance can be very useful if from a decent school. But why the hell would you go back to learn what you already know from your undergrad by getting an MBA? Plus, an MBA does not prepare you for the CPA! Okay, I guess it prepares you for BEC. Lol. And, you need additional Accounting courses, so you can sit for the Exam! MBA's will not provide them…

3. You are not ready for the CPA Exam. You need to have taken at least Intermediate 1,2, Fed Tax 1, and an elective at University before you commit to the Exam – IMO. Unless you are a pure genius who just picks things up on the first try. See how you do after Intermediate 2 and then see where you stand.

4. You can go the Community College route to fulfill the 150 Units with the required accounting courses – no doubt. However, you will have less opportunities for being exposed to Public Firms. If you go this route to save money, then you need to get involved with a local UNIVERSITY asap and join their Accounting Society/Club. Also, attend MEET THE FIRMS and make sure you network at your Local University.

Sorry if I come off as being blunt or rude, but these are he steps you need to take. Along with what I mentioned previously.

[Anonymous]

I think you can definitely go the JuCo route to earn the credits if you are able to make connections. I was able to get a job at a smaller firm without campus recruiting by emailing firms and asking for openings.. I went to a no-name college.

I did have several years experience in industry and passed the CPA.

[Author]

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