Negotiating an offer

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  • October 31, 2013 at 4:44 pm #181434
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I am expecting an offer from a small local CPA firm this week and was looking to see what your opinion is on starting salary and any tips to negotiate to a higher salary.

    The Firm:

    30-35 Person Firm

    Offer a variety of services, main service is tax and consulting…. individual, closely held corps,p-ship etc…

    Also offer Estate Planning

    Located in Greater Philadelphia area

    My Experience:

    Gov’t Employee

    Audit Inheritance and Estate Tax Returns

    Passed CPA Exam, should have license by summer

    I currently make $60k and was already told in a past interview that my starting salary will be less and I shouldn’t concentrate on starting salary so much due to possibility of advancement.

    I see them using my inexperience in public accounting as leverage, however they recognize that I am not fresh out of college and have already passed the exam.

    Thank you for any input.

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  • October 31, 2013 at 4:49 pm #474382
    UCMCPA
    Member

    I think your estate experience could be a bargaining tool, however, if you are not experienced in the majority of their services I would say they have the upper hand.

    Do they offer any bonus for having CPA etc?

    FAR - 84
    AUD - 94
    REG - 86
    BEC - 86

    October 31, 2013 at 4:49 pm #474438
    UCMCPA
    Member

    I think your estate experience could be a bargaining tool, however, if you are not experienced in the majority of their services I would say they have the upper hand.

    Do they offer any bonus for having CPA etc?

    FAR - 84
    AUD - 94
    REG - 86
    BEC - 86

    October 31, 2013 at 5:26 pm #474384
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Why do you want to move from government to a small CPA firm with a pay cut?

    October 31, 2013 at 5:26 pm #474440
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Why do you want to move from government to a small CPA firm with a pay cut?

    October 31, 2013 at 5:29 pm #474386
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    They did not mention any bonuses for the CPA exam, however overtime is offered up to a certain point.

    I completely agree with what you are saying. At this point I am worried about a low offer. I am willing to take a small cut, but nothing drastic.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:29 pm #474442
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    They did not mention any bonuses for the CPA exam, however overtime is offered up to a certain point.

    I completely agree with what you are saying. At this point I am worried about a low offer. I am willing to take a small cut, but nothing drastic.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:31 pm #474388
    jeff
    Keymaster

    Think long and hard before you accept a significant pay cut.

    AUD - 79
    BEC - 80
    FAR - 76
    REG - 92
    Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
    NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71
    October 31, 2013 at 5:31 pm #474444
    jeff
    Keymaster

    Think long and hard before you accept a significant pay cut.

    AUD - 79
    BEC - 80
    FAR - 76
    REG - 92
    Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
    NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71
    October 31, 2013 at 5:32 pm #474390
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @candlemassisawesome Advancement with the gov't is very slow. I am looking to accelerate my career and broaden my experience. It would be a move for the future.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:32 pm #474446
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @candlemassisawesome Advancement with the gov't is very slow. I am looking to accelerate my career and broaden my experience. It would be a move for the future.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:34 pm #474392
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Jeff I definitely will. I can live with say a $5k cut, anything more may be pushing it however.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:34 pm #474448
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Jeff I definitely will. I can live with say a $5k cut, anything more may be pushing it however.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:46 pm #474394
    mla1169
    Participant

    Also keep in mind that if you lose benefits that increases your pay cut. If your health insurance will go up, or you'll lose vacation time, lose tuition reimbursement, or your cafeteria plan, it increases the hit to your bottom line.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:46 pm #474450
    mla1169
    Participant

    Also keep in mind that if you lose benefits that increases your pay cut. If your health insurance will go up, or you'll lose vacation time, lose tuition reimbursement, or your cafeteria plan, it increases the hit to your bottom line.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    October 31, 2013 at 5:53 pm #474396
    san4596
    Member

    Chikn – You need to also look at the benefits that they offer. The difference between retirement, health insurance, and other benefits can turn $5K to a $10K cut in pay. If they are the same, you should not take mare than a $5K cut in pay for not having much experience in preparing tax returns. Tax is not any more difficult than the REG portion of the exam, and your audit experience should by far exceed the lack of tax work. Plus, you have the knowledge of what examiners are looking for. If they attempt to low ball you, I would say that you need to look at other firms in the area. Even if it means waiting a little longer for another firm to make an offer.

    CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
    Ethics Course: Passed
    Application Mailed: 3/16/15
    Professional Conduct Exam: 97
    Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

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