Bonus/Raise for CPA License?

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Bonus/Raise for CPA License?

19 posts from 12 voices

Started 2 years ago by 75orbust
Latest reply from StudyInRI

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75orbust

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I know its pretty variable, but what did everyone get for a pay increase (5%, 10%, more?) and for a bonus when you passed your CPA? Were your exam costs reimbursed as well?

Also what size firm were you at, and how long did it take for you to pass your exam?

I guess I would like to know what to expect or what to ask for when I get my license.

Thanks

FAR-1/04- 86 KAPLAN Review
REG-5/12- 89 MN Licensed CPA
BEC-7/17- 81 ETHICS - 100
AUD-8/31- 85
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Posted 2 years ago #
scuderia06

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At my firm:

If you pass in the first year its a $5000 bonus, if you pass in the second year, its a $3000 bonus

REG - 87 (8/27/2010)
FAR- 84 (11/22/2010)
BEC - 84 (2/19/2011)
AUD - Waiting (took on 5/14/2011)

Posted 2 years ago #
scuderia06

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At my firm:

If you pass in the first year its a $5000 bonus, if you pass in the second year, its a $3000 bonus

REG - 87 (8/27/2010)
FAR- 84 (11/22/2010)
BEC - 84 (2/19/2011)
AUD - Waiting (took on 5/14/2011)

Posted 2 years ago #
potatogun

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^ that's pretty much what all the Big4 are. Big4 reimburse fees and pay for Becker also.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

Posted 2 years ago #
75orbust

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Thanks for the responses. Sounds the the Big4 are pretty uniformed. Any input from people at smaller firms?

And what may be an expected raise when you're officially licensed? Robert Half says about 10% salary increase can be added for a professional certification? Any thought on this one?

FAR-1/04- 86 KAPLAN Review
REG-5/12- 89 MN Licensed CPA
BEC-7/17- 81 ETHICS - 100
AUD-8/31- 85

Posted 2 years ago #
MaydayCPA

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I too am curious as to what kind of bump I should be expecting at a smaller public accounting firm. Sadly the people most likely to know (my co-workers) are the people I feel least inclined to ask.

REG 88 - BEC 92 - FAR 90 - AUD 93 - Ethics 100

Oklahoma resident and Becker user.

Posted 2 years ago #
tkemp6

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I work at a Big4 and that bonus system plus reimbursement is what I get. No raise. I can now be promoted to Manager now, but that's about 5 years out.

AUD- 74, 81, BEC - 73,82, FAR-82, REG- 77, and DONE!

Posted 2 years ago #
CPAwaldo

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Do you get reimbursed for tests you've taken and passed before employment? Also, do they give you the full bonus if you only have one test to take after employment and pass it?

FAR - 77 (8/6/2010)
BEC - 89 (8/31/2010)
AUD - 78 (11/5/2010)
REG - 77 (10/27/2011)
ETHICS - 95 (9/23/2011)

Posted 2 years ago #
tkemp6

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I get $5,000 if I pass before of in my first year, $3,000 in the 2nd year, squat after. I get reimbursed for all passing exams, and any extra materials I buy. My materials/reimbursmnet "bank" is $3,000, and the Becker materials came out of that. I can be reimbursed up to the difference for what I pay for. If this doesn't make sense, let me know.

AUD- 74, 81, BEC - 73,82, FAR-82, REG- 77, and DONE!

Posted 2 years ago #
potatogun

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Yes, big4 will reimburse for testing fees done prior to employment. They would love if you were done with the test BEFORE you started working. Most new hires are not done.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

Posted 2 years ago #
qbancpamia

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do you get pay the bonuses if you are done prior to employment? 5000?

Posted 2 years ago #
potatogun

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Depends if you're an experienced hire or not probably. But if you were a new hire and you were totally done, yes, you'd get the $5k.

For experienced I am not sure, but that is something HR/recruiting would definitely answer if you had an offer.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

Posted 2 years ago #
oobaisi

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Are any of these firms hiring :-D....seriously....

AUD 82, REG 85, BEC 80, FAR 76, Ethics 98

FREEDOM!!!!

Posted 2 years ago #
potatogun

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Yes, most of the large big4 cities are understaffed for experienced associates and seniors.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

Posted 2 years ago #
Atrus

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We get $5k bonus if passed within 1 year of joining the firm, $2500 if passed within 2 years, $0 thereafter.

No explicit raise, but I think the credentials help come review time to get a bigger bump than others. I got a small pat on the back for getting it.

It's made me much more marketable though - if I want to leave for Industry, I have some very nice options waiting. Industry is looking for people with CPA's now, tough to land a good role (and some cases any role) without it.

FAR - 75 (8/24/09), REG - 76 (11/16/09), AUD - 78 (1/11/2010), BEC - 76 (2/22/2010)

I'm D O N E!!!!

Posted 2 years ago #
oobaisi

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Unfortunately I they don't seem to be hiring in the Chicago area. Maybe California :-D

AUD 82, REG 85, BEC 80, FAR 76, Ethics 98

FREEDOM!!!!

Posted 2 years ago #
tax_vixen

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We get $5,000 bonus for passing with 1 year, $3,000 for passing in 18 months.

There is no raise for passing but the fact that you have your CPA will factor into your raise during yearly reviews. Like "Oh she's been here 3 years and she doesn't have her CPA?" means your raise won't be as nice as the person that does have theirs. But there is no automatic "You passed, here's 10%".

I don't work for Big 4, I'm in the tier right below Big 4.

AUD - 92 :: REG - 99 :: FAR - 92 :: BEC - 82

Posted 2 years ago #
kimandor

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Potatogun what state did you take your exams in? Just curious, your scores are amazing. What cpa review did you use?
and are they your first scores. If so WOW!!

Posted 2 years ago #
potatogun

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Hi kimandor,

I used Becker, which is firm provided by one of the big4. I tested in CA. There are others here with very good scores too. But remember, passing is passing.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

Posted 2 years ago #
StudyInRI

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Expired hires are still eligible for the CPA exam bonus at Big 4... :)

REG - 97
BEC - 82
FAR - 86
AUD - 96 ... DONE!

Posted 2 years ago #