[nigercpa]

Hey guys,

I hope I am not going to bore you with my long story. I am an International student and I have the chartered accounting qualification from my country. I am also almost done with the ACCA( UK accounting qualification). Also,my first degree is in Economics and when I came to the US , I decided to do a masters in economics and not accounting because I thought I could use the accounting qualification I have to get a job. I also have a bachelors in accounting from the UK, which was what I used to meet the CPA requirement.

Now I completed my masters in 2012 and have not being able to get a job. Though I also have visa restrictions, because I will have to get an employer that is willing to sponsor my work visa(H1) , I guess that is a major obstacle.

I have attended several career fairs. The last one I attended was in September and I spoke with two big4 firms that attended, unfortunately, I did not hear back from them. I have 3 years work experience in my country before coming to the US in the financial sector, and I don’t know if my foreign experience is useful on my resume or I should remove it.

I started the CPA exam late last year and I want to know if after completing the CPA, I will be able to get a big4 employment with my qualification. I am desperately in need of a job, I do not have any auditing or core accounting experience ,as experience in my country was 2 years in risk management and a year in financial analysis. I know I will need the experience once I finish the CPA exams to get my license, so I am open to other medium to small firm to at least accumulate some experience in accounting or auditing.

In my job search , I have also applied to several other companies for accounting and financial roles that requires 2 to 3 years experience and bachelors in accounting and finance, unfortunately I have not received a call from any one. I know the competition is quite intense, I want to know what you guys think of my chances of getting a job either in the big 4 or private companies.

I know there are a lot of experienced guys here that can provide valuable and insightful advice.

Thanks guys!

AUD - 87
BEC - 77
FAR - 83
REG - 77

Licensed in 2015

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[mena je twa]

Hey,

Your major obstacle will be H-1. Not many company's are going to do your H-1 and labor certification when americans and those who are eligible to work within US with US CPA's and bachelors degree from US are unemployed or are doing part time jobs or temp jobs.

This is my honest opinion. Keep trying and see what the outcome will be, but you will need to disclose to the potential employer that you need a sponsorship. Don't go for an interview and later on say by the way you need to sponsor me for this work….

And with entry level work, like a staff accountant i dont think they will want to sponsor someone. But again, it all comes down to luck and prayers and how desperate the company is!!!

goodluck and let me know if you have any questions!!!

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

Hey,

Your major obstacle will be H-1. Not many company's are going to do your H-1 and labor certification when americans and those who are eligible to work within US with US CPA's and bachelors degree from US are unemployed or are doing part time jobs or temp jobs.

This is my honest opinion. Keep trying and see what the outcome will be, but you will need to disclose to the potential employer that you need a sponsorship. Don't go for an interview and later on say by the way you need to sponsor me for this work….

And with entry level work, like a staff accountant i dont think they will want to sponsor someone. But again, it all comes down to luck and prayers and how desperate the company is!!!

goodluck and let me know if you have any questions!!!

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[nigercpa]

Thanks Mena, I figured out the visa issue is a major obstacle. While a lot of companies do not sponsor, there are quite a few that still do. I know all big 4 sponsor and some few private companies.

AUD - 87
BEC - 77
FAR - 83
REG - 77

Licensed in 2015

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[nigercpa]

Thanks Mena, I figured out the visa issue is a major obstacle. While a lot of companies do not sponsor, there are quite a few that still do. I know all big 4 sponsor and some few private companies.

AUD - 87
BEC - 77
FAR - 83
REG - 77

Licensed in 2015

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[stoleway]

@nigercpa

Your problem is quite typical and I do relate to it because I have been an international student in the past before upgrading my status to a permanent resident. First of all, getting a job in the accounting field is increasingly becoming very difficult especially if you lack the experience. As an international student, you would also have some hurdles on the way aside from the experience factor.

Your F1 or OPT status is not regarded very much by the recruiters because they think OPT is just a temporary employment authorization, the other thing is about accent which some recruiters hate to hear. I do look good on paper and everything else but there has been instances where a recruiter will contact me and realized I have an accent and the interview shift from asking me whether I have an employment authorization or not (something a recruiter will never ask an American citizen) or they just tell you “let me see if can schedule you to come in- I will call you back” and that will be the last time you will hear from them.

I have had this terrible experience but I don’t take it personal, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and don’t give up quickly.

Accounting is NOT one of the STEM program where you can easily get sponsorship, but there is a possibility if you are extremely good at what you do. Passing the CPA exams will help you overcome some of these obstacles I have listed above. I will advise you not to give up, there is a lot of opportunities around and you just have to be very patient, work hard and persevere.

Good luck on your job search!!

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[stoleway]

@nigercpa

Your problem is quite typical and I do relate to it because I have been an international student in the past before upgrading my status to a permanent resident. First of all, getting a job in the accounting field is increasingly becoming very difficult especially if you lack the experience. As an international student, you would also have some hurdles on the way aside from the experience factor.

Your F1 or OPT status is not regarded very much by the recruiters because they think OPT is just a temporary employment authorization, the other thing is about accent which some recruiters hate to hear. I do look good on paper and everything else but there has been instances where a recruiter will contact me and realized I have an accent and the interview shift from asking me whether I have an employment authorization or not (something a recruiter will never ask an American citizen) or they just tell you “let me see if can schedule you to come in- I will call you back” and that will be the last time you will hear from them.

I have had this terrible experience but I don’t take it personal, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and don’t give up quickly.

Accounting is NOT one of the STEM program where you can easily get sponsorship, but there is a possibility if you are extremely good at what you do. Passing the CPA exams will help you overcome some of these obstacles I have listed above. I will advise you not to give up, there is a lot of opportunities around and you just have to be very patient, work hard and persevere.

Good luck on your job search!!

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[mena je twa]

The time frame for Big 4 companies to sponsor has passed. They are in busy season at the moment. Next hiring will start in summer for next year. or may be earlier.

One more advice is to try to pass your CPA ASAP.

You need some american certifications or degree and a Chartered should be able to pass the CPA.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

The time frame for Big 4 companies to sponsor has passed. They are in busy season at the moment. Next hiring will start in summer for next year. or may be earlier.

One more advice is to try to pass your CPA ASAP.

You need some american certifications or degree and a Chartered should be able to pass the CPA.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Author]

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