[kky617]

Hi,

I have BA in Psychology and finally fulfilled the 150 credit requirement to take the CPA exam. I have no experience in accounting field.

I thought my worries would be over once I am done with the credit requirement, but now, I am more worried about the career options. I am a permanent resident (can work legally in private and public sectors just not the government job) and will apply for citizenship in July of 2015 (next summer).

I tried to find a job where I can get direct supervision of an active CPA, but not only there aren’t much opening in Colorado Springs, CO area, two of three companies I applied told me that they cannot consider me for the position because I do not have the 4-yr degree in Accounting. The fact that I have lots of accounting and business credits and that I am planning to study and pass all 4 sections and the ethics exam this year did not matter. I am married so I cannot work in other states 🙁 and that too limit my job opportunities.

Would it be okay to attend job fairs at local colleges and look for the job opportunity even though I did not attend the school?

Could you please let me know how you first gained resume-worth hands-on experience?

Thank you so much :)!

[Jamesk1980]

Hmm…I think it may be difficult for you to actually get an accounting job without actually having a degree in Accounting. It may be a different story once you pass your CPA exam and firms will probably be more willing to take you on for accounting positions then, but it will probably be very difficult to get your foot in the door with an accounting firm with just a BA in Psychology (even if you have enough accounting credits to sit for the CPA exam.) Being able to sit for the exam and actually passing all 4 parts of the exam are 2 different things.

My undergraduate degree was in Economics and I also had a Masters degree in Management. However, I wanted to switch my career into accounting so I decided to pursue another Masters degree in Accountancy, as well as sit for the CPA exam. Perhaps you should look into getting your MAcc degree as well if you are able to afford graduate school. If not, I think you will have a better chance of being hired as an accountant once you have passed your CPA exam.

FAR - 77
AUD - 75
REG - 78
BEC - 83

[Jamesk1980]

Hmm…I think it may be difficult for you to actually get an accounting job without actually having a degree in Accounting. It may be a different story once you pass your CPA exam and firms will probably be more willing to take you on for accounting positions then, but it will probably be very difficult to get your foot in the door with an accounting firm with just a BA in Psychology (even if you have enough accounting credits to sit for the CPA exam.) Being able to sit for the exam and actually passing all 4 parts of the exam are 2 different things.

My undergraduate degree was in Economics and I also had a Masters degree in Management. However, I wanted to switch my career into accounting so I decided to pursue another Masters degree in Accountancy, as well as sit for the CPA exam. Perhaps you should look into getting your MAcc degree as well if you are able to afford graduate school. If not, I think you will have a better chance of being hired as an accountant once you have passed your CPA exam.

FAR - 77
AUD - 75
REG - 78
BEC - 83

[kky617]

@Jamesk1980

Thank you so much! I am thinking about graduate school too. It just seemed too expansive to go to school for about 2 more year. I will try to pass all 4 sections and hope that CPA firms find me appealing while in graduate school (even harder).

[kky617]

@Jamesk1980

Thank you so much! I am thinking about graduate school too. It just seemed too expansive to go to school for about 2 more year. I will try to pass all 4 sections and hope that CPA firms find me appealing while in graduate school (even harder).

[Jamesk1980]

If graduate school is an unappealing option for whatever reason, you might want to see if you can get an offer with just passing your CPA exam. I believe accounting firms value the CPA designation far more than they would a MBA or a MAcc degree.

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you!

FAR - 77
AUD - 75
REG - 78
BEC - 83

[Jamesk1980]

If graduate school is an unappealing option for whatever reason, you might want to see if you can get an offer with just passing your CPA exam. I believe accounting firms value the CPA designation far more than they would a MBA or a MAcc degree.

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you!

FAR - 77
AUD - 75
REG - 78
BEC - 83

[kky617]

@Jamesk1980

Thank you :)! I will try to pass all the exam parts first! I am planning to apply for the summer semester, so there are only about 4 months before the school start. I am hoping I can get to knock out at least FAR and BEC before that (it will be tricky since there is no exam in March). Fingers crossed :)!

[kky617]

@Jamesk1980

Thank you :)! I will try to pass all the exam parts first! I am planning to apply for the summer semester, so there are only about 4 months before the school start. I am hoping I can get to knock out at least FAR and BEC before that (it will be tricky since there is no exam in March). Fingers crossed :)!

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