[Lindrobe]

A little bit about me: I currently work as a tax accountant at a large, private university. I work on 990s, 990-Ts, Form 5500s, Form 5227s, and have some experience with 1065s. I currently analyze annually about 250 Schedule K-1s for unrelated business income and prepare the thousands of various disclosures required for the 990-T. I also work on various other tax matters including property tax, sales tax, excise tax, and non-resident alien tax compliance. I have been at the university for 5 years and I am looking for a new opportunity.

I live in an area that does not have any Big 4 firms, but some regional public accounting firms. I would really like to get a position with one of these regional firms, but I am not sure if they would consider me since I do not have public accounting experience. Has anyone been successful in getting into a public accounting position after working in industry for a while?

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Monkey Wrench]

are you looking to do audit work for them, or tax work?

[Monkey Wrench]

are you looking to do audit work for them, or tax work?

[Lindrobe]

Tax work probably fits my background better. I have no experience in audit.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

Tax work probably fits my background better. I have no experience in audit.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Mayo]

Smaller local or regional firms might give you a chance if you pass your CPA and otherwise fit in with their culture. Can't speak to Tax, but in audit you would start out at the bottom as an entry level staff.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Smaller local or regional firms might give you a chance if you pass your CPA and otherwise fit in with their culture. Can't speak to Tax, but in audit you would start out at the bottom as an entry level staff.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[fuzyfro89]

Unless you're willing to start over, audit probably is not the best option. You would likely have to start at (or near) the bottom.

Tax is a definite possibility. In order to even be entertained for anything above the entry level, you need to get your CPA. It's tough to hire on a senior tax accountant without their CPA, especially if their tax experience isn't directly related to what the new role entails.

With that said, I say go for it! Never take your career lightly, because no one else cares about it like you do. It's also never too early or too late.

It won't be easy, but it will only get tougher as the years go by.

[fuzyfro89]

Unless you're willing to start over, audit probably is not the best option. You would likely have to start at (or near) the bottom.

Tax is a definite possibility. In order to even be entertained for anything above the entry level, you need to get your CPA. It's tough to hire on a senior tax accountant without their CPA, especially if their tax experience isn't directly related to what the new role entails.

With that said, I say go for it! Never take your career lightly, because no one else cares about it like you do. It's also never too early or too late.

It won't be easy, but it will only get tougher as the years go by.

[Author]

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