1. 

   weed74
   

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   Hi Everyone,

   I was just wondering, and have found no better area to ask this question, but what sorts of benefits are people receving at their public accounting job? Please include a general location to help apply relevance to the situation for myself and others.

   My qualifications:
   BS - Accounting and Finance
   Masters - Accounting
   Passed 2 of 4 parts of CPA so far
   4 years experience with one 20-30 person firm, Southern Ohio

   Benefits:
   2 weeks vacation
   No set personal/sick time policy
   No Comp Time
   No reimbursement for CPA or Schooling
   Interest free loans for CPA/School (up to $5k)
   1% of salary max match on 401k
   4-5% of salary profit sharing employer contribution

   salary around $50k, bonus generally between $2500-4000
   total hours around 2300-2400 each year, of which about 1400-1500 are chargeable

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   Posted 11 months ago #
2. 

   CapitalGains
   

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   I interned with a Big 4 firm this past winter in Tax, and they hired me on full-time starting this upcoming January. Here is some information for comparison:

   Degree: B.S.B.A., Accounting
   Located: Northwest U.S.
   Benefits: 25 paid days off per fiscal year. I believe sick days are included in this number.
   CPA Bonus: $5,000 if passed within the first year, plus reimbursement for exam fees (which is about $950). The firm pays directly for review courses (Becker & Bisk).
   Salary: $55,000 base. Was $45,000 when I accepted my internship, but they surprisingly upped it by $10,000 by the time I had finished. Also, performance bonuses (fiscal) can range from $0-$5,000.
   Hours: 60 minimum during busy season (Tax), usually ends up being 70-75. Billing percentage during busy season is usually around 97-98%. Off-season varies between 40-50 depending on client demand.

   AUD: 97, FAR: 96, BEC: 93, REG: 99, Ethics: 100 (laugh)

   Posted 11 months ago #
3. 

   greensmu
   

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   I work at a big 4 accounting firm in tax (houston). I have been there for 7 years. I got promoted to manager 2 years ago but they can't make it official til I pass my cpa. I have one left that I took yesterday.

   starting salary mid 50's
   25 PTO days
   10 holidays
   14 weeks paid maternity leave plus backup care for kids
   500 fitness reimbursement a year
   they pay for the cpa exam and the becker books
   there is a bonus after you pass 4,500 i think
   great medical, dental etc
   for seniors up to 10% bonus, for managers up to 20% bonus
   we work about 60 hours in busy season and 40-50 otherwise
   reduced workloads (which I do,I work a 75% workload)
   they match 25% of your first 6% of 401k
   pension plan ( i think they put 4% of your salary in there)

   Posted 11 months ago #
4. 

   Jeff - another71.com
   

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   Good luck, greensmu ... hope your promotion can become official in November!

   -Jeff

   Yaeger CPA Review HomeStudy & CRAM Coupons - Save $455
   Free CPA Exam Score Release Guide
   Need help? Contact me via e-mail: jeff@another71.com

   Posted 10 months ago #
5. 

   Taxguy
   

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   CapitalGains, which state are you working in?

   Posted 10 months ago #
6. 

   Anna
   

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   And something less exciting:
   Start date Dec. 7, 2009
   Midsize accounting firm, 170 employees, 35 partners, NYC
   18 days PTO
   53K base, plus up to 3800 bonus for overtime (more than 40 hours/week), 2,500 transition bonus first year.
   Good medical, dental 401K
   Paid for Becker
   From employees I hear: average week 38-45 hours; busy season is no more than 55.
   On edit: Auditing.

   BEC (82), AUD (86), FARE (75) => Becker 2009
   REG (74),(74),(83) => Yaeger HS & Audio

   Posted 10 months ago #
7. 

   weed74
   

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   thanks to all those who posted so far. this is interesting and allows us to see what cpa & cpa candidates are worth across the nation.

   Posted 10 months ago #
8. 

   JeremyinCA
   

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   Started my position as an audit staff about fifteen months ago in southern california. 50k base salary (overtime included) maximum 55 hours a week, even during busy season. My firm is a local firm, so the time demands are actually really great. 401k with a 3 percent profit sharing. 3k bonus after passing the cpa plus reimbursement for any study course. Only part that sucks is that they only give bonuses to managers. Let's be honest, who really brings the jobs in under budget? haha.

   AUD-92 BEC-86. FAR-94 REG- 73, retake-2/5/10 - 87. Hello license.

   Posted 10 months ago #
9. 

   glutenator
   

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   I work for a big 4, but am in Advisory in NY. I also have 15 years experience in financial services (non-accounting), and am looking to switch to audit at some point after I pass the exams.

   benefits: 25 paid vacation days (though I never get to take them all)
   work from home sometimes, depending on the client
   great technology support (thus, the working from home)
   paid for all cpa exams, registration, becker materials, and schooling to meet the application requirements (was short 5 classes after my MBA in accounting)

   Downside: I'm in Advisory/Consulting, so I'm always trying to find the next client
   similar to Tax, I'm either slow (25-30% utilization) or swamped (125% utilization); but I always work minimum 45 hours, maximum about 75
   may be difficult to move to assurance, as they may not support my salary, since I am a manager

   Overall, though, for the non-accountant trying to break into the CPA world, this is a great place to do it.

   I'll Pass Eventually
   REG (67, 66), BEC (79), FAR (5/26/10), AUD (August 2010)

   Posted 10 months ago #
10. 

    Lilysmommy
    

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    Does anyone have any comparables for a part timer? I used to work full time and then went to part time after I returned from maternity leave. I work in a smaller town in Michigan and make $19.00/hr. No benefits but I also only work 20-25 hrs per week. I have almost five years experience in public accounting. Our firm has around 20 professionals. I will get a 10% increase when passing the CPA exam and got a $1,500 bonus this year. I also get reimbursed for CPA exam fees upon passing. I am trying to determine if my hourly rate is comparable to other part timers.

    Posted 10 months ago #
11. 

    gman7589
    

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    'Does anyone have any comparables for a part timer? I used to work full time and then went to part time after I returned from maternity leave. I work in a smaller town in Michigan and make $19.00/hr. No benefits but I also only work 20-25 hrs per week. I have almost five years experience in public accounting."

    I work for a local firm in FL, there are 25 employees, 17 CPA's, 3 partners. I worked part time while going through school and based at $15/hr for the first year when I was a junior in college. My second year (senior in college) I received a raise to $20/hr plus bonus based on productivity budget. Benefits received was only the bonus and I worked 25 hrs/week.

    AUD 01/09 - 74 retake 07/09 - 78 BEC 02/09 - 74 retake 08/09 - 78
    FAR 04/09 - 82 REG 05/09 - 79

    Posted 10 months ago #
12. 

    Anna
    

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    I was trying to find a related topic in forum, but couldn't. Do you, guys, get any incentive bonuses for passing CPA exam? Maybe within 1st year? In my company it's 4K if you pass within first year of employment.
    And I got 50% discount for Becker.

    BEC (82), AUD (86), FARE (75) => Becker 2009
    REG (74),(74),(83) => Yaeger HS & Audio

    Posted 8 months ago #
13. 

    CapitalGains
    

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    We have a $5,000 bonus available if you pass all the sections within your first year of employment. I think there is still a $1,000 bonus available if all sections are passed within the first two years. The firm pays directly for either Bisk or Becker, but also will reimburse up to $1,400 for expenses incurred for another approved review course. They also reimburse you for exam fees if you pass on the first time, which can potentially save up to $800-$900 depending on the state.

    AUD: 97, FAR: 96, BEC: 93, REG: 99, Ethics: 100 (laugh)

    Posted 8 months ago #
14. 

    gmb
    

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    How about this:

    Qualifications:
    - Masters in Accounting
    - Masters in Business Administration
    - Passed three parts of CPA exam (waiting for REG score)
    - 7 months experience in public accounting.

    Benefits:
    - 1 week vacation (but boss will take vacation days away when he closes the office for unofficial holidays. Example: Thankgiving = official holiday, Friday after Thanksgiving = unofficial holiday = take a vacation day away, without the option of coming in).
    - No set personal or sick leave.
    - No reimbursement for CPA exams or prep. material.
    - No 401(k)
    - Health Insurance 100% paid.
    - $36,000 a year salary.
    - 40 hour a week work week, but not during the busy season.

    How would you rate this compensation package on scale of 1 - 10?

    FAR-88, AUD-94, BEC-87, REG-90

    Posted 8 months ago #
15. 

    zena
    

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    It doesn't sound so great, gmb! The one week vacation is really lame! Is this one of the Big 4? If not, how large/small is the firm? What area of the country is it in also?

    FAR 86 | BEC 94 | AUD 90 | REG 85
    All done! used Becker

    Posted 8 months ago #
16. 

    Anna
    

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    Gmb, this is small CPA firm I assume? I don't know which state you are in, but package does not sound very competitive... especially for your credentials.

    BEC (82), AUD (86), FARE (75) => Becker 2009
    REG (74),(74),(83) => Yaeger HS & Audio

    Posted 8 months ago #
17. 

    Cowpatty
    

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    that seems ok with no experience but still one week off is crap and no bonus.....

    I would pass on that....all that school it should be 2 weeks off, 401k, bonus and about 45K.........for no experience........if you have a yr or two I say 50K min

    Aud 76 Bec 76 Reg 83 Far 2/27/2010

    Posted 8 months ago #
18. 

    Will_it_ever_end
    

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    Add this to the list for 1 year experience in Texas:

    - 15 days vacation plus 3 personal days plus 4 day 4th of July and Labor Day weekends
    - No set sick days
    - Firm pays directly for Becker and reimburses for other study materials plus pays for exam fees.
    - 401(k) - don't remember the %
    - Good health, dental, disability, and life insurance.
    - $51,000 a year salary + $5,000 signing bonus (hired year in advance)
    - 40-45 hour a normal week / 60-70 during busy season (tax)

    REG 97, FAR 69,82, AUD 80, BEC 71, 81 - It finally ended!!

    Posted 8 months ago #
19. 

    CPAinPA
    

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    Excellent Post..... I work in Private Industry and have no public accounting experience. Once I pass these last two (hopefully one if I pass FAR) I will have to make a decision. I can not get my work experience at my current employer so I will either need to go into public or internal audit somewhere. Your repsonses are very helpful to me in my planning, just knowing the pay ranges for public accounting helps alot.

    AUD 88, BEC 79, FAR 77, REG 80 Feels Great!

    Posted 8 months ago #
20. 

    weed74
    

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    @GMB - and I thought I had it bad...that is a terrible compensation package. A/R and A/P clerks make that much at some of my clients, and they often don't even have a 4 year degree.

    when I started fresh out of college with my company (2005) with just a bachelors degree, I started at 38,400 w/ 2 wks, 401k, etc (you can see all my benefits in the first post of this thread - i won't relist them). My firm is on the small side with 25 people or so. I have talked to college friends that work for other firms in the area and we are definitely on the low side of the pay scale here. After 4 years, I am still at 52k (plus bonus of 3-4k in the summer). I feel it is on the low end, but I am not going to complain too much in the current economy.

    I lobbied as hard as I could to get reimbursed for CPA expenses but they just wont do it. No study material, no bonus for passing. They used to give us a whole day off for taking the exam, but apparently they didn't like it when 4 of us were taking it at the same time, so they have basically required us to come in before or after the exam, even though they concede to the fact that no one that has to take a CPA exam will be productive at work on the same day.

    The moral of my story is (I guess), to start looking for a different job, because with all that education, and in the near future a CPA, you will be bitter and unhappy at that pay rate and with that vacation package. Go be a controller somewhere and make 60k-70k.

    Posted 8 months ago #
21. 

    Anna
    

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    I just started in a Public Accounting midsize firm (200 people), with bachelor degree and NO experience - my starting salary is 53K plus overtime paid, 18 paid days off, full package... also listed on previous page.
    Maybe it depends on location? I'm in NYC.

    BEC (82), AUD (86), FARE (75) => Becker 2009
    REG (74),(74),(83) => Yaeger HS & Audio

    Posted 8 months ago #
22. 

    strider4216
    

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    I thought I'd throw in a consulting job in here as well, sorry if it's irrelevant.

    My status when applying:

    1/4 CPA tests passed (Told them I'd be done with all 4 by my start date which is Feb 22nd 2010)
    B.A. in economics 3.2 GPA

    The job is located in northern california and here is what I get:

    50k starting salary
    4k signing bonus
    2k employer contribution to my 401k (4% of salary)
    full medical/dental/vision for about 30/month, can be free if I choose the non-max plan
    life insurance/disability free
    3 weeks paid vacation (add 1 day for every year there)
    9 days paid holidays
    5 personal/sick days paid
    40-50 hrs a week is what I hear from other consultants, with optional weekend work for extra pay or extra vacation time
    free lunch at work plus kitchen stocked with drinks/snacks/fruits/food etc. throughout the day
    CFA support and bonus's of 2500-10k for each level passed (alas no CPA support)

    there are some other little things like gym memberships/maternity leave etc.

    It seems like this is a bad year to start working though...starting salaries all around a few years ago were exactly what they are now, which shouldn't be the case especially in such high inflationary times.

    Posted 7 months ago #
23. 

    connieCPAin2010
    

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    A couple people asked about Part Timers so I thought I'd add my situation:

    I'm in western PA in a small town. I actually took a pay cut 14 months ago to work at this job but I LOVE it. First of all, I drive 2 miles to work, instead of 35 mile commute each way. This has been great with the price of gas - but also I am close by so when one of my 3 kids needs me, I'm there! But I digress....

    I make $18 an hour (took a cut from $24 to come here), however I get bonuses with almost every paycheck based on specific jobs, and in the last year the bonuses brought me up above the $24 an hour! I have a very flexible schedule and work approx. 20 hours a week. During Feb - April I'll work an additional 8 hours.

    No additional tangible benefits - but the intangibles are great for my situation. I truly enjoy working with the owner. They feel that family comes first.

    He and his wife have encouraged me to get my CPA - because he "doesn't want to work forever". So in a few years I may be buying him out.

    My qualifications: BS in Accounting, MBA and 20 years experience (10 in private industry, last 10 in public)

    BEC 79 (1/05/10)
    REG 80 (3/05/10)
    AUD 82 (5/28/10)
    FAR (8/27/2010)

    Posted 7 months ago #
24. 

    Anita
    

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    connieCPAin2010, why with 20 years of experience and only $18
    per hour? I am sorry, but I think you deserve much more

    Posted 7 months ago #
25. 

    connieCPAin2010
    

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    Anita,
    Thanks. I expect that I will get a nice jump in my pay after I pass the exams. Like I said, the bonuses help bring that hourly rate up quite a bit. I am satisfied with it for now because the "benefits" make it worthwhile to me. Remember this is smalltown USA (LOL). If I were to commute to the city (Pittsburgh) I could make much more.

    Also, I do QuickBooks consulting sometimes on the side and charge $50 an hour for it locally. People don't mind paying that...I should probably bump it up a bit.

    BEC 79 (1/05/10)
    REG 80 (3/05/10)
    AUD 82 (5/28/10)
    FAR (8/27/2010)

    Posted 7 months ago #
26. 

    Bobbins
    

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    Experience coming out of College:
    Three month Tax Internship
    Three month Internship at small, local CPA firm
    14 months as part time book keeper for local firms
    Bachelors and Masters degrees in Accounting

    Position #1 (Des Moines, IA):
    -Assurance associate at a large national (but not big 4) accounting firm
    -46k per year (probably higher than it should have been, was granted at the conclusion of my internship before the economy started tanking)
    -Good benefits (Health, Dental, Vision, Life, etc.)
    -3% employer 401k match after the first year with the firm
    -3,000 bonus for passing CPA exam within first 18 months with firm
    -Direct Bill arrangement with Becker Review ($ came out of your bonus pool though)
    -Reimbursement for Exam fees
    -14 days PTO (not sick time)
    -When sick stay home, doesn't affect PTO (as if you could ever afford to stay home sick during busy season anyways)
    -Expected to work 60+ hours during busy season, sometimes more than 70. 35-50 hours during non-busy times.

    I was laid off from this job 6 months after starting because my firm said they just didn't have enough work coming through the pipeline for the spring and summer after busy season.

    Position #2:
    -Staff Accountant at small CPA firm
    -46k per year
    -Less desirable benefits (still lots of options, just more expensive for the employees)
    -3% employer 401k match after the first year with the firm
    -2,000 bonus for passing CPA exam within first 24 months with firm
    -Direct Bill arrangement with Becker Review
    -Reimbursement for Exam fees
    -12 days/yr PTO
    -6 days/yr sick time
    -2 floating holidays, 10 paid holidays
    -Work 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work anywhere from 35-45 week to week.

    I would advise CPAs to look beyond jobs with the big 4 accounting firms. At my college everyone desired these jobs, but in my experience working for a large CPA firm simply means more hours to work, less ability to use vacation when you want to, and a highly competitive environment with your fellow CPAs. The pay and benefits are usually slightly better, but not always and not by as much as you might think.

    AUD - 85 (7/24/09) BEC - 90 (8/31/09) REG - 86 (11/16/09) FAR - 82 (05/11/10) *I'm a CPA!!!

    Posted 7 months ago #
27. 

    LionGrad2001
    

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    Just to add to this from a "long-timer" in the profession, if almost 9 years qualifies...
    Started out at a medium to large firm when I graduated from Penn State in 2001. Marriage took me to the left coast, and a smaller firm which were i am at 8 years later. Here is the skinny:

    Small CPA firm (20 employees) in NorCal
    -audit manager is my position.
    -Over $80k a year.
    -Busy season for me (my speciality is school district and local Bond audits) runs between 65 and 75 hours a week (September - December 15). tax season is right around 45 - 50 hours.
    -I get 20 vacation and 6 sick days per year.
    -Good 401(k) benefits and employer match.
    -Dental and Health paid by firm.
    -$50k of additional life insurance pd by firm
    -$5k + bonus at yr end
    -30% cut of any clients (excluding schools) i bring in
    $500 bonus for CPA (small compared to most, but our other perks are great)

    Not shabby for a 30 yr old. I have outstanding bosses and a great bunch of staff I work with and supervise (most of the time...)

    Posted 7 months ago #
28. 

    calisteph6
    

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    FYI inflation is not high. SS payments, IRA and 401k limits just came out as being the same as 2009 which means inflation is very low.

    Posted 7 months ago #
29. 

    Lee_IN
    

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    Just to add to this from a governmental perspective. I am Retired U.S. Army so this is like a second career. I work for the government (Department of Defense Federal Employee) for 4+ years and as an accountant for 1+ yrs in Indianapolis, IN. Received my Batchelors (1990) and Masters (2009) from University of Maryland. Government paid all tuition and books for Masters program.

    Large Department of Defense Government Agency.
    -Accountant is my position (Account Receivable Branch).
    -Over $80k a year.
    -I have no busy season. Work 40 hours anything over has to be approved OT in advance.
    -I get 19.5 vacation and 13 sick days per year.
    -401(k) benefits and employer match first 5%.
    -Health supplemented by government, vision and dental through government.
    -There are some life, insurance, disability and death benefits, Not sure exact amount, based on salary.
    -Can recieve performance bonuses throughout year and at rating time.
    -No bonus for passing CPA but, Government paid for review course and training time for Becker review classes on site and reimbursed all exams fees after passing each section.
    -Job security is not to bad, it really is pretty hard to get fired or laid off as a federal employee.

    I have an outstanding boss who is a CPA and two co-workers who are also CPAs and actually love what I do. My Government Agency is pushing the CPA and PMP certifications. There is very high visibility with offices within Department of Defense to include Office of the Under Secretary of Defense and with each Military Services (Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps). There is some travel to other work sites throughout the U.S. and world to include Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Becker - FAR 80, AUD 73, 81, BEC 76, REG 81 DONE!!!! LICENSED CPA

    Posted 7 months ago #
30. 

    jmjones4
    

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    Straight out of college no work experience. Birmingham, AL - 10 person firm, 3 partners

    $40,000 salary
    $1,000 bonus
    8 vacation days
    6 sick days
    7 paid holidays
    Fully paid health/dental insurance
    Match 3% 401K
    No reimbursment for CPA exam or fees
    60-75 hours busy season (small firm, busy season is September-April), with no reimbursment
    40 per week non busy season

    I recently started working as a medicare government contractor after a year and a half at previous and here is where I am:

    $40,377 salary
    Up to $8,036 bonus
    20 days PTO
    Health/Dental/Vision
    $5,000 tuition reimbursment per year
    5% match on 401K
    12 paid holidays
    Paid Life insurance
    40 hours per week, except the week after quarter end when I MAY work 50, but I get a bonus check for this.

    I prefer industry to public mainly for the work life balance.

    I am waiting on audit and financial scores, have passed BEC, and sit for REG at the end of Feb.

    BEC - 79; FAR-79, AUD-80, REG-80
    
    HOLY CRAP I DID IT!!!!

    Posted 7 months ago #

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