Path for me to become a CPA and work in Public Account. Advice needed

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  • #184986
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hello All,

    A little about me: I graduated with bachelors in accounting(3.1gpa) a little over 2.5 years ago and have been working in industry as an accountant full time. My goal is to pass the exams and land a job into a small to mid-size firm.

    (A little more about my situation)

    My parents and I have partnered and bought a small retail shop back in December. It was a bit hectic going through the business purchase and becoming an owner but things have smoothened out. I usually work there to close the shop at 9-10:30pm(M-F) and Sautdays&Sundays 6hours each. Once I clear my exams and find work at an accounting firm my hours at the shop will have to stop as the public accounting is very demanding.

    My plan that I’ve come up with is to commit to studying for the cpa and leave my full time accounting position and try to knock out some of the exam parts by this summer. Personally I do not see much growth at my current company. I do live in a CA region which there is good number of accounting firms of different size.

    So my question is could this plan work? I do realize that just passing the cpa exams isn’t enough, it also requires a lot of networking and strong interview skills. At this point I really don’t want to go back to school for a masters yet.

    Your advice would be very much appreciated

    Thanks

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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  • #545927
    Mayo
    Participant

    I'd be hesitant to quit the current accounting job just to study for the CPA. Also, how do you plan on getting the second accounting job?

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #545936
    Mayo
    Participant

    I'd be hesitant to quit the current accounting job just to study for the CPA. Also, how do you plan on getting the second accounting job?

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #545929
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Before you quit, you also need to think about how you are going to get someone to sign off on your experience. I don't know if you are working under a CPA now or not, but it would seriously suck to pass the exam and then not be able to get licensed due to the experience requirement.

    #545937
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Before you quit, you also need to think about how you are going to get someone to sign off on your experience. I don't know if you are working under a CPA now or not, but it would seriously suck to pass the exam and then not be able to get licensed due to the experience requirement.

    #545932
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    It's easier to find a job when you are working as an accountant so I would not quit…as my first choice. Can you talk to the management/partners at your firm and explain to them that you would like to focus on the CPA exam and reduce your hours to part time? This way you keep your foot in the door, still have some jingle coming in and open up time for studying. You have alot on your plate. Good luck with your exams.

    #545939
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    It's easier to find a job when you are working as an accountant so I would not quit…as my first choice. Can you talk to the management/partners at your firm and explain to them that you would like to focus on the CPA exam and reduce your hours to part time? This way you keep your foot in the door, still have some jingle coming in and open up time for studying. You have alot on your plate. Good luck with your exams.

    #545934
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @ Kricket: I am currently not working under a CPA

    @ BaxterCPA. I agree with the notion that its easier to find a job while still being employed. I have not yet talked management/partners about reducing my hours to focus on the exam. To be honest I'm not sure what they would say since its just two of us in the accounting/finance department. I know they would take away my employee health insurance because i was go from full time to part time.

    To be honest my #1 focus is to pass the cpa because it shows that i know the standards and am dedicated to the field. I feel that showing on my resume that i passed all four parts will help me find a better private industry job or help me break into public accounting.

    #545941
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @ Kricket: I am currently not working under a CPA

    @ BaxterCPA. I agree with the notion that its easier to find a job while still being employed. I have not yet talked management/partners about reducing my hours to focus on the exam. To be honest I'm not sure what they would say since its just two of us in the accounting/finance department. I know they would take away my employee health insurance because i was go from full time to part time.

    To be honest my #1 focus is to pass the cpa because it shows that i know the standards and am dedicated to the field. I feel that showing on my resume that i passed all four parts will help me find a better private industry job or help me break into public accounting.

    #545935
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    What you do if my employer said i cannot cut my hours to get into part time?

    #545943
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    What you do if my employer said i cannot cut my hours to get into part time?

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