[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I’m having a little dilemma. Since I graduated with my accounting degree 4 years ago, I been working for a private company in the accounting department under a controller. About to have the 150 hrs and begin studying for the CPA exam in a few months. I’ve always had a inner desire to work in public even though I have no public accounting experience. The reason I want to move into public is because I want a challenge and exposure in different areas of accounting that private just will not provide at my current job and I’m just tired of doing the same A/R task everyday in private (I’ve also done other accounting duties like payroll, bank rec, A/P, and maintain general ledger workpapers in the 4 years I’ve been with the company, but now I primarily do A/R work). Honestly I’ve been tired of it for a few years now. Eventhough I’m tired of doing the same boring A/R duties everyday, this job is stress-free, since I’m about to start studying for the exam (which is pretty stressful and exhausting from what I’ve read on this forum), is it a good idea to stick it out at my current job (9-5, stress-free) for another year while studying for the exam (hopefully passing a few parts of the exam or the entire exam by then)?Or is it better to just try to jump into public after 4 years of private accounting while studying for the exam with no guarantee that I will actually get an interview and hired for staff position at a midsize or regional firm (not interesting in BIG 4)?

My only fear is that since I’ve been in private for some many years that I may pigeon hold myself in private and my opportunity to get in public will pass me by, I’m still young (26 years old) 27 years old in July.

[univegabw]

I just started this same process and was a bit worried about that. I graduated in December and landed a very solid job with a software company in the accounting department. I work for a CPA and we discussed my future as I am preparing to sit for the exam and she is very confident that I will be doing the job with enough tasks that I will gain the necessary experience.

That is the key if you won't be actively applying GAAP, Tax Law, or other requisites to become licensed and for your CPA boss to sign off on your experience then you gotta leave.

I though work the same 9-5 and find it very appealing for going home and putting in my 3-4 hours of study time. I think that one day I may still venture into public accounting, but for now I don't want to because passing the CPA exam is more important than gaining the experience in my eyes that I think I could get 1-2 years from now.

I also work within a rapidly growing software company that I have been led to believe will need CPA's as they look to go public in the next 1-2 years and I am hoping to be in the right place at the right time basically. I can agree though the same old A/P, A/R, or reconciliation work is hard to put up with, but recently I was given deferred revenue and sales tax so it is making up for it. I would maybe try and seek higher responsibilities if I was you to help the situation out.

A- 53, 55
B- Passed!
F- Not Yet Taken
R- 1/17/2015

[univegabw]

I just started this same process and was a bit worried about that. I graduated in December and landed a very solid job with a software company in the accounting department. I work for a CPA and we discussed my future as I am preparing to sit for the exam and she is very confident that I will be doing the job with enough tasks that I will gain the necessary experience.

That is the key if you won't be actively applying GAAP, Tax Law, or other requisites to become licensed and for your CPA boss to sign off on your experience then you gotta leave.

I though work the same 9-5 and find it very appealing for going home and putting in my 3-4 hours of study time. I think that one day I may still venture into public accounting, but for now I don't want to because passing the CPA exam is more important than gaining the experience in my eyes that I think I could get 1-2 years from now.

I also work within a rapidly growing software company that I have been led to believe will need CPA's as they look to go public in the next 1-2 years and I am hoping to be in the right place at the right time basically. I can agree though the same old A/P, A/R, or reconciliation work is hard to put up with, but recently I was given deferred revenue and sales tax so it is making up for it. I would maybe try and seek higher responsibilities if I was you to help the situation out.

A- 53, 55
B- Passed!
F- Not Yet Taken
R- 1/17/2015

[pikachu]

If you do go into public accounting, it will be a lot harder to study. I think you should stick around a little longer. But plant your seed everywhere. Network. Get on Linkedin. Keep in touch with contacts, new and old.

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[pikachu]

If you do go into public accounting, it will be a lot harder to study. I think you should stick around a little longer. But plant your seed everywhere. Network. Get on Linkedin. Keep in touch with contacts, new and old.

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[acamp]

If you want to go into public start looking now. It can be a long process. If that's the direction you want to go, better to get things moving sooner! If you end up finding something right away and end up working public + studying, it won't be fun, but thousands of people get through that combination every year!

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

[acamp]

If you want to go into public start looking now. It can be a long process. If that's the direction you want to go, better to get things moving sooner! If you end up finding something right away and end up working public + studying, it won't be fun, but thousands of people get through that combination every year!

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

[mla1169]

If you're still in school see if your school presents any networking opportunities for public firms. From what I hear sometimes it's the ONLY way to get in.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

If you're still in school see if your school presents any networking opportunities for public firms. From what I hear sometimes it's the ONLY way to get in.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[fuzyfro89]

It may be easier to make the move once you have passed the CPA (or 2-3 parts) than without it. The public firms really need experienced hires with CPAs. But like you said, at that point you'll have been in your role for 5+ years and your story will get increasingly difficult to convince someone to give you a shot.

In any case, start networking and talking to people. You can let them know your 1-2 yr goal is to pass the CPA and move into public accounting. They may tell you to get back in touch once you've made more progress, or give you a shot right now.

Question for you to decide: If you got an offer soon, would you turn it down to give yourself more time to study? Would you turn it down knowing they would not be willing to hire you again later (they might, but might not if they perceive you as being unsure about what you want)?

[fuzyfro89]

It may be easier to make the move once you have passed the CPA (or 2-3 parts) than without it. The public firms really need experienced hires with CPAs. But like you said, at that point you'll have been in your role for 5+ years and your story will get increasingly difficult to convince someone to give you a shot.

In any case, start networking and talking to people. You can let them know your 1-2 yr goal is to pass the CPA and move into public accounting. They may tell you to get back in touch once you've made more progress, or give you a shot right now.

Question for you to decide: If you got an offer soon, would you turn it down to give yourself more time to study? Would you turn it down knowing they would not be willing to hire you again later (they might, but might not if they perceive you as being unsure about what you want)?

[How many letters do you need]

I would definitely wait and do your CPA in a stress free environment. I don't think you are pigeoned but if you are, another year isn't going to make a damn bit of difference anyway. Get the CPA and take your shot!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

I would definitely wait and do your CPA in a stress free environment. I don't think you are pigeoned but if you are, another year isn't going to make a damn bit of difference anyway. Get the CPA and take your shot!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for advice everyone. I think I will just stick it out in my current job for about another year to study for the CPA exam and try to pass at least 2 parts by that time. Like How many letters to you need said, if I'm pigeonheld (which I may not be), one more year isn't going to make a bit of difference anyway. That way if I can pass 2 parts or even 1 part by then, atleast the firm will see I'm serious about pursuing my CPA license. If I get an interview a year from now, I think having passed a part or two of the exam the firm will lean towards hiring me rather than someone else interviewing for the same position as me who hasn't passed any part or needs to go back to school to finish getting the 150 to sit for the exam.

I do agree that it will be harder to get into public regardless, but I'm willing to take the chance.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for advice everyone. I think I will just stick it out in my current job for about another year to study for the CPA exam and try to pass at least 2 parts by that time. Like How many letters to you need said, if I'm pigeonheld (which I may not be), one more year isn't going to make a bit of difference anyway. That way if I can pass 2 parts or even 1 part by then, atleast the firm will see I'm serious about pursuing my CPA license. If I get an interview a year from now, I think having passed a part or two of the exam the firm will lean towards hiring me rather than someone else interviewing for the same position as me who hasn't passed any part or needs to go back to school to finish getting the 150 to sit for the exam.

I do agree that it will be harder to get into public regardless, but I'm willing to take the chance.

[jlough]

@OP- I'm going to piggyback on what some of the other posters have said— wait until you have a couple parts of the exam completed to go into public. I know from my experience at a B4, they try to get people started in the fall. That gives you at least 6 months to get a couple of parts done. But definitely start making connections now.

Also, it is really hard as a first year associate in public to study for the exam. I attempted it and failed miserably. The problem for a lot of people is that not only are you working long hours, but the hours unpredictable. When I was a first year, I thought to myself, OK I'm busy in the winter and then I have all the time in the world to study in the summer. And then I was put on employee benefit plan audits and I was working until 9 pm in July. You just really never can tell what type of engagement you will be placed on.

F- 7/13- 84
R- 10/13- 79
A- 11/13- 99
B- 1/14- 86

Licensed in PA- 3/20/2014

This exam ALMOST defeated me back in 2006-2008, but I came back and WON!

[Author]

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