[PotentialCPA]

Hey all, Ive been stressing out lately. I passed the CPA exam about 6 months ago. Currently job hunting and am scared because I can’t remember a thing that I studied. I feel that if I go into an interview and they start barraging me with technical questions I will look like a complete idiot. Anyone else have this happen? Is there a way to keep your knowledge refreshed while you job hunt? I don’t have any work experience in accounting so I’m basically relying on my education for the knowledge. I’m considering opening up my CPA books and reading them again to remember this stuff. Any tips or advice you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated.

[h0wdyus]

I have not finished with BEC yet, but that is one of my fears too. Tax, Auditing and even some Accounting topics. How do you keep up to date. Also if there are some websites that can be followed on a regular basis to stay upto date, it would really help.

@potentialCPA I think reading up auditing; taxes and some accounting topics is a very good idea.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[Anonymous]

You would be surprised how much you remember when prompted with a question. CPE should help with this. You could also look at the accounting trade journals.

[hvansaders]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Even with passing the exams, if you are interviewing for an entry level accounting job no one is going to expect you to know anything more than the basics you learned in college. I would be surprised if they asked you tons of technical questions, if any.

[PotentialCPA]

h0wdyus I never really considered that I would forget what I had learned since at the time of the test I felt I had a strong grasp of it. However, with each section of the exam you forget the previous ones. I wish I would have kept my notes better organized and or done a cheat sheet I can reference now.

bbrandenburg10 thanks for your advice. I hadn't considered accounting journals. I will definitely look into them.

hvansaders this is reassuring. Do you have any personal experience with interviewing for these positions? I would appreciate any insight into what to expect if I get called for one.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that all of the hiring managers were also in the same position. It is not until you start to use your theoretical knowledge in daily practice that you really “learn”. This is one of the reasons that companies value experience over education when hiring. Go in there an WOW them with your enthusiasm!!

DM

[hvansaders]

I have been in accounting, both Big4 and now private, for 6 years and out of many interviews for the 2 jobs I have had during this time I have never once been asked a technical term or question during an interview. Most of the time they are trying to get a feel for your personality to make sure you will be a good fit within the group/company.

I have however been asked many technical questions during my jobs and sometimes I don't know the answer at all and feel like a fool, but that is why you are required to gain experience to obtain your CPA. One thing is for sure, you are never going to know everything no matter how long you have been working! If you do get asked a technical question and you don't know it, it is ok to say that you don't know (spin it into something positive) but like bbranden stated you would be surprised what you remember when put on the spot!

[PotentialCPA]

hvansaders

Thank you for responding. You have put my mind at ease. I'm glad to see that even with your experience you still come across those moments when you just don't know the answer. The reality of being out of a structured academic setting into the real world where you are expected to know the answer can be intimidating at first, and your response has helped a great deal.

dmende

I agree. You really start learning when you are doing the work on a daily basis. I hope the hiring managers I encounter share the same sentiment.

[stoleway]

Yes, a lot of information will be lost but as others have hammered on, it shouldn't be a problem. Passing the CPA only proves how committed and resourceful you can be but it definitely doesn't make you an expert. It takes years of experience to be an expert.

Truth is that you will come across work mates and bosses who will make you feel bad simply because you don't know how to apply a certain basic accounting principle ( these folks usually forget that they stepped on the same thread in the beginning). Stay away from people like these, they are the egocentric people we always talk about ..lol

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[Sir Study Alot]

You can regularly review the CPA material that is applicable to your job. For most people no more than 25% of the knowledge from the CPA exam will be used in their profession. I am going into tax acounting and I am planning to review my REG materials regularly. I will probably never look at BEC, AUD,and Business Law again. If I was planning to be a general ledger accountant I would review my FAR materials time to time. I have a feeling a lot of people might scorn me for even suggesting periodic review, but it is a lot easier to retain this information now then having to go back and relearn it later.

Passed all 4 exams in 2014!

[h0wdyus]

@Sir Study Alot

I agree with you. Keeping the concepts of Auditing and Tax and Accounting under review time to time is always a good thing. Can't hurt can it.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[solescpajourney]

I'm not a CPA yet, but I've worked in two CPA firms and I'm now in governmental accounting. I can tell you that every job will be learn as you go. You will pick it up quickly because of what you have studied in the past and it'll come back to you. I only had one job interview (for a County Finance Director position) that actually tested me on accounting concepts. It was a two page “test!” I scored well on it, but accepted another position by the time they called me in for the second interview! I would also agree to just keep reviewing basic concepts (journal entries and such) until you get a job. (Good Luck)

[PotentialCPA]

Just want to say thank you all for your advice. I feel much more confident now than I did. Thanks to all who took the time to respond.

[Anonymous]

I just attended a panel that consisted of recruiters from a variety of CPA firms (big:med:small) which included current employees and managers even an executive director. They all said that during an interview they will not ask you technical questions. An interview is more about personality and getting to know you and you getting to know them. To make sure you are a good “fit” for their company and vice versa. Obviously, you passed the CPA exam so you have the accounting knowledge. Also, don't underestimate your brain you retain more than you think. And what you don't learn/forget it's ok you can learn it again 🙂 don't stress out. Be glad the CPA exam nightmare is over and enjoy life!

[Author]

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