[RedSoxFan77]

Hi everyone,

Is owning a vehicle a requirement to get into public accounting? I have a driver’s license but I don’t own car and pretty much get around everywhere via public transportation. Would a company provide a vehicle or provide transportation to and from the work sites if you didn’t have your own car?

FAR 75
AUD 74, 82
REG 58, 74, 83
BEC 68, 75
Licensed 7.1.14!!!

[Monkey Wrench]

unlikely, you can travel to some remote places.

[vanadium3]

depending on where you are, but in general don't tell your employer you don't have a car and needs a ride…

CPA

[Anonymous]

It really does depend. It depends on your firm structure, clients, etc. I'm in public, but really wouldn't need one if I didn't live in the exburbs. When I lived closer to the city, I didn't need one at all.

Just don't announce the fact that you don't have one to your boss. If you end up needing one, get a compact. No one will judge you when you're just starting out. Accountants are known for being cheap anyway. I know a couple partners that are making $500k to $1.5M a year that drive a Prius and a minivan, respectively.

[Anonymous]

Most of the public accounting firms to which I applied asked explicitly on their application if you could provide your own transportation. For me, it was a necessity. I guess it's possible that all of your clients could be within range of the metro. If you're going into tax, you may not need to travel anyway. Like others said, I wouldn't bring it up in the interview or anything.

[Anonymous]

[acamp]

I've known people who find the cheapest possible rental car and with the $0.56/mile reimbursement, come pretty close to breaking even when they have to travel.

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