Getting an entry level accounting position at 30?

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  • #186939
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I took quite a few years off from college and I’ve recently gone back. If I finish on this track, I will get my B.S. in December of 2016. I’ll be 30 years old.. Is it going to be very difficult? Should I even bother? Please, I need some advice..

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  • #612112
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I don't think it's impossible. I work in industry and we have had entry level accountants that are non-traditional. Try to think of the things you'd be able to offer by what you've experienced in those years you took off from college. Perhaps you'd be more reliable and have a more stable life compared to someone who is 22 and doesn't know where they want to be or what they want to do? (I'm sure there are 22 years olds that know this, but I sure didn't!). Good luck to you.

    I am older and just now coming around to getting my CPA. The way I see it, we are all on our own paths.

    #612113
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I prefer older candidates for my staff accountant positions (industry) versus someone fresh out of college, assuming that the older candidates have already learned how to be professionals, whether it's in accounting or not. It's not as easy to teach that as it is to teach new accountants how to do accounting. I'm 34 and I only have one staff accountant under 40.

    #612114
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    Absolutely. The great thing about the accounting field (and in corporate, the overall finance function) is that there is a place for all sorts of people and many different skill sets.

    You need the stereotypical accountant who can crunch numbers repeatedly and accurately, the finance guru who understands the numbers and can prepare sharp and insightful analysis, the CFO who can make smart decisions, the Controller who can manage the reporting process, etc.

    The field has everything from life-long staff/senior accountants (again, nothing wrong with this as it is a great lifestyle) as well as 22 yo undergrads who move around every few years, get an MBA, and come back and keep moving around some more.

    It's wonderful that you don't have to be one type of person only… any and all of the above have their space and can have a successful career.

    It's all up to you where it goes from here.

    Unless you were planning on early retirement in 5 years, you likely have 25+ years of work left… so more than enough time to figure out where you want to be.

    #612115
    floacct
    Member

    You should have no problem. There are not enough accountants to go around right now. I don't see the job market changing any time soon. You may even be recruited and not have to even look for a job.

    #612116

    Are you also working full time? If not, try and get an internship before you graduate or a part time job in the field to get some experience. You'll do awesome…You can still relate to the young crowd and old enough to add your two cents in with the older bunch. Don't talk about your personal life, work hard, make “work” friends, and you should be golden 🙂

    Florida:
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    CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

    #612117
    ScarletKnightCPA
    Participant

    You can tell them young whipper snappers about the struggle when you were young and there was no internet or cell phones and heck a computer was considered a luxury.

    Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
    Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
    Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
    Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

    MBA in progress

    #612118
    ridiqls
    Member

    Accounting seems like the best job for people who want .. a job. lol

    I've been told you can get a job in accounting if you have a pulse. Whether or not it's big 4 is a different matter but esp in industry, you can find jobs easier than many other fields from what I hear.

    I'm in my late 20s and in the same position. Will be 28 when I start my CPA exams.

    A couple tips I got from some people who had experience.. you dont really need to put your age on the resume. That's not required and neither is anything else that might tell people you're 30. If you're graduating with a B.S. in 2016, then all you're going to write on your resume is “Name of University, B.S., Class of 2016, GPA 4.0”

    Based on that you are a “recent” grad and can apply for any job that the 22 year old younguns are going for. No one would be able to tell by looking at your resume that you're 30 and they're not allowed to ask either.

    In my case I graduated in 09 so I'm just omitting the graduation date and putting my most current education at a community college for my CPA credits. As well as my CPA exam dates

    #612119
    mla1169
    Participant

    Entry level only means years of relevant experience. So if you're 30, 40 or even 50,if you have less than 2 years relevant experience you're entry level. Are there some companies that prefer kids in their early 20's? Sure there are, but I believe they are few and far between. Having a resume that shows a solid work history is far more desirable to most.

    Age doesn't belong on a resume but its pretty easy to piece together anyway. If you're showing professional experience that dates back to 1993, its a pretty safe guess that you're not 26. Don't offer up your age but don't go to great lengths to make your resume look like you're 22. They're going to figure out you're not pretty quickly.

    FAR- 77
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    #612120
    Mr. Dim
    Member

    I was in the same position – reenrolled at 26, graduated at 29. From my experiences, your GPA is the only number that recruiters care about. If you are doing well in your accounting classes and think the career may be a good fit, don't let a few trivial years stand in your way.

    FAR - 95
    AUD - 98
    REG - 92
    BEC - 10/4/14

    #612121
    MydnightDarkfyre
    Participant

    This may calm your fears…I'm 41. Graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in Accounting last year and my Master's Degree this May.

    I'm starting my entry level staff position at a Big 4 firm this Wednesday. 🙂

    FAR: 82 (Becker) 07/09/2014
    AUD: 80 (Becker) 10/01/2014
    BEC: 76 (Becker) 11/26/2014
    REG: 82 (Becker) 02/16/2015

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    #612122
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    x2 on Mr. Dim.

    I was 31 when I got my undergrad and landed a Staff Audit position in public within 2 months of graduation.

    The partner was pleased I wasn't 22. Many 22 year olds are scared of their shadows, professionally speaking.

    Just get good grades and have a good explanation as to why your looking to get into accounting at 30 (I was asked a few times).

    #612123
    VR
    Participant

    MydnightDarkfyre how did you get into Big 4 at 41??? Do you know somebody that works for them or you performed some kind miracle :)??? I think it is wonderful that you was able to get in after 40. I want to work for them very badly…, but I am 39…, I have 8 yr. exp. in industry (unemployed now), I speak with an accent, and I graduated from university that is not known for its accounting program and I don't know anybody that works for Big 4. I am studying for CPA right now and dreaming about getting into Big 4. I would like not only to dream, but at least start doing something about that. Could you please share your experience? I am soooooo curious…. Hope to hear from you

    #612124
    WeWillSee
    Member

    I did basically the same thing as you – most people in my BS program were “older” as well. Shouldn't be an issue…it really shouldn't be a subject that is addressed at all during the hiring/recruiting process. I don't know about Big 4, but they are definitely not the be all and end all of public accounting, especially if you want any sort of work/life balance – have a family or are planning to have a family in the near future.

    Firms that will give you that great balance, like the one I work for, are not going to be trying to piece together your age, they are going to be focused on how well you did in school, and the sort of work experiences you've had in the past will make you an asset to their firm.

    #612125
    MydnightDarkfyre
    Participant

    @VR – sorry for the long pause before my reply LOL…was crazy busy studying for AUD and starting my new job.

    How did I get into Big 4 at 41? I joined my school's Beta Alpha Psi chapter. I talked to the recruiters/firm reps every chance I got at the meetings (I'm lucky in that my BAP chapter had a great relationship with all the firms and we always had someone attend our meetings). My Big 4 firm puts on a casino night every fall…I went to it for 2 years straight and talked to everyone I could. When it came time for the on-campus interviews, I walked into the interview room and the Senior Manager who was doing the interviews said “hey you…I guess we don't have alot to talk about anymore, do we?” and I automatically got into the next round. Did the big superday interviews at the office, apparently impressed the right people…and here I am 🙂

    FAR: 82 (Becker) 07/09/2014
    AUD: 80 (Becker) 10/01/2014
    BEC: 76 (Becker) 11/26/2014
    REG: 82 (Becker) 02/16/2015

    GA Licensed CPA 8/7/2015

    CISA: 564 (PASSED) 6/11/2016 - Certification pending

    #612126
    VR
    Participant

    Wow, MydnightDarkfyre… …That was surprise to hear from you after 2 months!!!! I almost forgot about my post and was very surprise to see your response. Your story is very interesting and gives me and other people hope…that everything is possible…in this big world… and you a living prove of it…… Back to studying FAR….not for profits. Failed AUD with 73…

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