Is it okay to e-mail a small CPA firm regarding a job….?

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  • #175063
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I currently live in WA and planning to move to NY in July 2013. I’m starting my job hut in NY area and was wondering if it’s wise/good move to e-mail local firms in the area about job opportunities?

    If it is, how should I word it? Should I send my resume along with it?

    Please help!!!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 19 total)
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  • #385485
    testsz
    Member

    Have you graduated already?

    From my own experience, I just graduated a few months ago and don't get any or very few responses from e-mails that I send out.

    I think the best thing to do is try to contact a recruiter and/or your network to see if they know anyone in the New York area.

    #385486
    herbert7890
    Participant

    Thats how I got my first job in puublic accounting…..I sent like 25 emails to different local firms. Got 5 responses and got 3 offers, which I selected the closed one to home. I sent my resume in the message.

    FAR 88 - BEC 86 - AUD 90 - REG 85

    #385487
    Gerg, CPA
    Participant

    I don't think there's anything wrong w/ emailing companies cold. You gotta get your name/resume out there somehow. Do everything possible to get yourself out there. Recruiters can be good but i've found that 75% of them are useless… careerbuilder, monster, and many others like them

    I dont know your situation so i cant tell ya exactly what to say, but i've found that sone good cover letter examples on the internets if you know where to look. Good luck to ya

    FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
    AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
    REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
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    Licensed CPA!

    Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

    #385488
    testsz
    Member

    Herbert7890 just curious, what do you say in the e-mail message and do you only send a resume?

    Also, do you have a masters in accounting/already passed cpa prior to e-mailing/had prior accounting experience?

    #385489
    Whatdidyou
    Member

    Feel free to try. If you are going to, your best bet is to make them beleive that you ARE in fact going to be moving there (no question) and have ties to the area. Something like this (if true) but more professionally worded:

    “Blah Blah Blah. My family lives in the area (be more specific) and I will be moving back to NY after I graduate with an accounting degree from XYZ University. blah blah blah. I will be making a trip to NY in mid-December and, likely, late february and would love to arrange a time to meet you face to face and learn more about your firm. I am also available via Skype. blah blah blah.”

    If you actually like a senior at a decent sized firm wanting to make the move (you literally told us nothing and then asked for advice!) it very well could only take a short email stating when you are planning to move and that you are checking out potential firms in the area for them to want to scoop you up.

    REG - Passed!!
    BEC - Passed
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    AUD - Passed

    Study Materials: Becker basic course

    #385490
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I sent out five emails to local firms after graduating – and was hired within three days. Try and do a little research on them through websites and see if you can target anything they may need that you could provide – other than the basic accounting degree. I knew a lot about setting up FB company page, twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, and they jumped at that. Small firms often need a boost with the social media or tech stuff and don't have the $ to hire someone specifically for this type of position. Try and find yourself an angle that is unique that a small firm may need. I included my resume and also played up all the tax classes I took – it was right before tax season. Use whatever you got!! Good luck!

    #385491
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @CPA628 a very good friend of mine is a recruiter in the NY area. I can put you in touch with him if you'd like me to. I can vouch that he's good at what he does and has placed a few of our mutual friends. Let me know if you're interested.

    #385492
    ppierce
    Participant

    partners, partners, partners

    find someone who is or who knows a partner in the firms you wish to apply. things happen quickly when a partner has your resume. not a guarantee for a job but a virtual guarantee to actually speak with someone and have someone return your calls.

    FAR 80
    REG 76
    AUD 85
    BEC 85
    Ethics 98
    DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    #385493
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I emailed a small CPA firm without knowing if any positions were available. The CPA responded within a couple of days and was impressed that I took the chance. I had 2 interviews & received an offer. I am still employed at the firm a year later. I think it is worth the chance to send out resumes cold, there is nothing to lose. I followed the advice of a recruiter & made a catchy subject line so that the person receiving the message was intrigued. Good luck in your search!

    #385494
    JakeO
    Member

    First thing you want to do is visit their website and see if they have any instructions about inquiring about a job. If they do, follow those instructions, which is usually an e-mail, and tell them you saw the information on their website saying to e-mail and you would like more info as to how you could send your resume, requests, and transcripts.

    If they don't have any instructions, call up the office and ask the secretary what you should do.

    AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
    BEC-PASSED (First try)
    REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
    FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

    #385495

    If you are going to blindly submit a resume to a local firm, I would probably put on my suit and just go to the firm and hand deliver your resume and cover letter. It is so easy for a firm to ignore an emailed resume or for it to get lost in the inbox. If you hand deliver it at least they have a face to put with the resume and it can help you get pat any sort of gatekeeping function. If you do go, remeber always be nice to the support staff

    REG - 78
    AUD - 80
    BEC - 80
    FAR - TBD

    #385496
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thank you everyone for your tips and response, it's really appreciated!!

    @bmsheppard87: YES YES YES! Please do!! I'm moving there after my wedding and don't know anyone in an accounting field, so getting in touch with recruiter would be really helpful. Thank you so much!!

    #385497
    ppierce
    Participant

    @herbert7890

    just curious what you wrote to them in the body of your email. do you happen to have a copy of that handy?

    FAR 80
    REG 76
    AUD 85
    BEC 85
    Ethics 98
    DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    #385498
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Yeah man. Its NY. Grow a pair. When I was in college I got a list of like 20 firms and knocked on all of their doors and brought a bunch of resumes with me.

    #385499
    ppierce
    Participant

    @dont5253

    curious what the subject line read. if you don't mind.

    FAR 80
    REG 76
    AUD 85
    BEC 85
    Ethics 98
    DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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