[jnnthom]

In February I took the FAR section and received a score of 72. I’ll be taking my AUD exam next week and am extremely nervous. Right now I’m working part-time at job I hate, but I thought the hours would help me get better study time in while just barely getting by. I wake up early every day and stay up late as to get as much study time in as possible. Tax season ends Monday and I won’t receive my AUD scores until May 6th. How soon is too soon to start mailing unsolicited resumes and cover letters? I have no accounting experience or internships and the longest job I ever had was a 4 year stint in the Coast Guard. If I don’t pass the AUD portion I’ll look like an idiot. How would I write that in a cover letter “I know I failed two exams, but I swear I’m smart.” Does anyone have any advice for an inexperienced CPA candidate looking for a job when no firms in the area are hiring?

[Anonymous]

1. Leave “failed 2 CPA exam sections” off of your resume. Your potential employer doesn't need to know that. Instead, just put “CPA candidate” or “currently studying for the CPA exam”

2. network, including both professional and personal contacts, such as your neighbors, church folk, etc. cause who knows, your mom may know a cousin who knows a friend who hiring

3. you may want to look into staffing firms to help you find a job (don't get your hopes up though if it's entry-level jobs, staffing firms are usually more effective when it comes to higher-up-level jobs, not sure if that's an actual phrase)

4. pray to God (unless, you don't believe in a God, in which case ignore this step)

Hope that helps. Trust me, I know what it's like in the job market these days, not fun…

[Anonymous]

Well first I wouldn't mention failing. Instead I would say something like “CPA Eligible, Currently studying for (next exam) section”

Second, play off coast guard a bit. As a coast guard I learned xxxx, xxxx, xxxx. Leadership? adapting to change? perseverance?

Its never too soon to start sending out resumes. Do you have hiring preference with government jobs?

[jnnthom]

I live in a rural portion the northwest, which means the area has a handful of small firms. I've been trying to network as much as possible, but feel as though I am at a disadvantage because of the very few CPA candidates that are here, I am the only one that did not grow up here and all my family still lives out-of-state. I'd love to move and use my family's many contacts the larger cities, but given my husband's business, it is very unlikely I'll be moving out-of-state.

[Tncincy]

@Jnnthom,

I hear you, I live in a rural area as well and am looking for audit experience even though I have run my own bookkeeping and tax business for 18 years I need audit experience so after I pass the exam I can sign financials and etc….I think my state requires two years experience, I don't know if my tax experience count. I am going to sign up with Robert Half or Accountemps during the summer while I take the rest of my exams. I was thinking of trying the small firms in my area but I am not sure if they would not want me to close my business while doing an internship or something.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

Replies