[TheWaitContinues]

Dear CPAers,

I had recently passed the fourth and final part of the CPA exams in NJ, (well recently as in 7 months ago), and the only experience I possess in accounting is working as an accounting clerk in a hotel. I am sure that it’s not gonna count toward the experience needed to become licensed.

I do not know what is to do to land a job to help get that experience. Most of the staff auditor position require experience.

Is there somewhere I should start or a position I should be looking for to apply?

I have been really stressed out and have thought that it will be easier to land a job with passing the exam. If anyone could advise me on what to do.

Thanks,

[fuzyfro89]

Getting your first job is hard. It's a big chicken & the egg problem. No employer wants to hire someone without experience, but how do you get experience if no one will hire you? Yeah… welcome to the accounting world! 🙂

Keep at it. Passing the CPA is very helpful, because it proves you're serious about the profession or at the very least smart/hard working enough to get through the exam.

The issue is, passing the exam doesn't magically qualify you for anything without experience.

The secret? There is no secret… network, apply, apply some more, network some more, and eventually you'll find something to give you a little valuable experience.

I'm not sure where you are located, but that also plays a role in how easy/difficult it will be to find available positions.

Good luck!

[GSU-CPA]

Apply apply apply apply and then apply some more.

I swear i got mad one week and sent out 200 apps in like 4 days. I got ONE call and i nailed the interview and got the job i have now.

I love it too

REG-77
BEC -Waiting on score May 5th
AUD - May 30
FAR - Q3 depending on if i pass above two in Q2

[TheWaitContinues]

Thanks for the advise guys, and for the motivation.

I live in New Jersey, easy commute to NYC.

Do you recommend any type of position I should be targeting? (e.g. staff auditor, tax accountant or financial analyst)

Thanks,

[GoVPI]

Anything and everything. Send out at least 10 apps a day, with the market you are in, with the CPA passed someone will take you. Apply non stop to anything, even if its 1-3 years of experience, apply. The worst someone can do is not contact you and you'd be right where you were before you applied.

BEC - Passed

AUD - 74 🙁

REG - TBD

FAR - TBD

BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
Graduated from college 12/13/14
AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
REG
FAR

[fuzyfro89]

Some people suggest applying incessantly, and that may work, but I would suggest a different approach, at least for a few weeks.

Just submtiting your resume online doesn't do anything, and it's a slow process unless the employer is desperate to hire very quickly. However, given where the market is, entry-level people are VERY EASY to find… so you have to set yourself apart… or at least attempt to do so.

I would suggest, on top of applying places, that you make it a point to connect with a recruiter (internal) or a headhunter every day. One per day that you think is in a field you find interesting (industry/sector/company size/location/whatever). The toughest part of recruiting is getting in front of a live person and getting the chance to give your pitch.

[Anonymous]

I agree with fuzyfro89…you have a much better chance landing a job via direct contact with a firm's recruiter. It worked for me at least.

[Kls238]

If you still cant find a job come tax season, the easiest thing you can do for guaranteed tax experience is volunteer preparing taxes through the IRS VITA program. You'll have to pass an exam, but it should be really easy for you since you passed REG.

I did it in college and volunteered this past year when I couldn't find an accounting job. It was only a couple nights a week and a few hours on the weekends. Where I live, it's basically how much or little you want to give your time. The experience was the first thing I got asked about in an interview.

Passed all sections.

[TheWaitContinues]

Thank you for all the useful advice. This way, I understand that it's not so easy for anyone that just passed the CPA exams.

I actually did the VITA volunteering back when I was still in college Kls238. It was a good experience.

Good luck to anyone who is still taking the exams.

[Author]

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