Salary help as a new entry level CPA after passing the exam in Southern CA

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  • #187197
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hello,

    I am a recent college graduate from UCLA in 2012, and I recently passed the CPA exam and am in the job market looking for jobs in Los Angeles/Irvine. I still need one year of work experience in order to obtain the license. Prior to this, I have 7 months of experience of working part-time as a finance intern in a fortune 500 company, and I have 2 years of VITA (Volunteer income tax assistant) experience.

    With that, a small Chinese CPA firm with about 10 employees made me an offer of $14 per hour on probation, and $15 per hour afterwards. Health insurance included. I am not sure if that’s a good deal for me. I understand I have limited experience. Do you guys think the offer is legit? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 31 total)
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  • #596626
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    That's a rough deal, but being that you have no experience (internships & VITA don't really count), you may not have a leg to stand on. If employers are banging down your door, then pass. Otherwise, keep in mind that finding your first job is the hardest one. Something to consider- once you get near three years of experience, you'll have recruiters calling you at your office. I get at least one a week and I'm at a 50 person firm.

    Me personally? I'd pass on that offer. Even with 420 hours of overtime, your annual wages would only be $40,650. It's been a while since I've been out that way, but I'd imagine that won't get you very far in Southern California.

    #596627
    Tux
    Member

    I'm interested in this topic too.

    I may be moving to San Diego, and I don't know how much I can expect to make.

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    #596628
    StephAV
    Member

    I think that is too low… You have a degree from UCLA… I would counter at 17+ per hour. I'm in NorCal (Sacramento). And you've passed the exam.

    Have you been looking for very long? Are you desperate for a job? If not, I'd keep looking if they won't give you at least $17.

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    #596629
    samdiegoCPA
    Member

    Also in So Cal and absolutely do NOT take that tiny salary! I made $14/hour with an associates in music working my first job in accounting 8 years ago. IMO I wouldn't take any less than $50,000 if I were you. I'm not sure your desperation in regards to income, but watch craigslist and indeed nonstop and apply to anything that says 0-2 years experience and look for any company that has a CPA. I've seen a lot of postings down here in SD say “CPA required, willing to get CPA, or currently in process of obtaining CPA”, etc. You are worth WAY more than that, don't sell yourself short.

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    #596630
    hvansaders
    Member

    Even without experience, that is too low. I would keep looking. If you are going into an accounting position most of the time you will be given a salary. A bookkeeper makes $14/$15 an hour and it doesn't sound like that is the experience you are looking for.

    #596631
    CPA soon
    Member

    I made $16/Hr interning in accounts payable my last semester in school in Michigan. $14 is not reasonable and if you accept it you will be stuck there making $15/hr in 3 years from now. Wait for something better, there is plenty jobs out there. You should be looking for no less than 40-45K

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    #596632
    Letsdothis
    Member

    Wow that's way low .. I wouldn't take anything less than $17 /hr for entry level in the accounting world ..esp if you already passed your CPA Exams ! Good Luck and know your worth 🙂

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    #596633
    ridiqls
    Member

    Some employers are cheap ass people. $14/hr?? Might as well work at In N Out for $12 and become full charge manager making over $100k.

    I would not take that job esp in Socal. Unless you plan on living off ramen and sharing a room with someone in LA, you can't live off 30k in Socal. That and your qualifications (on paper at least) say you should be paid more.

    I've seen many listings for part time bookkeeping at $18-25hr. There are jobs in LA that pay $45-55k salary for entry level.

    Just two days ago I saw a job listing for a full charge bookkeeper at $50000-56000 in LA (I believe it was Santa Monica). Granted the ceiling probably stops there for a bookkeeper but if that's a job someone is look for then they are paying well.

    I see a lot of those jobs on craigslist actually, companies that state they want 3-5 years experience, pay little benefits and $15/hr for a staff accountant. I'm like, right… who's going to take that job? And guess what, they always relist their stuff. Sometimes I think it's a scam/fake listing to get email addresses of people.

    #596634
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    that's incredibly low for first year and i'm assuming public accounting. I would pass; if they can only pay you that much as a first year staff, doesn't show too much potential for earnings growth. Also, if they'repaying their staff that sh**** then they probably dont have much revenue or the partners are sucking every dollar they can from the firm. I wouldn't take anything lower than 45k-50k a year.

    #596635
    stoleway
    Participant

    Well you said its a Chinese CPA firm so im not surprised with that crazy wage. Keep in mind that future employers will negotiate your salary based on how much you're earning now. If you go too low, you will be paid lower than your peers throughout your career. Are you open to relocation? If so, start applying for accounting jobs outside your state or city.

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    #596636
    MsAvi77
    Member

    Stoleway is correct. Future employers will ask what you made before/are currently making and offer with that in mind. $14/hour is too low- you are worth more in the job market.

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    #596637
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I made that selling shoes and your cost of living is probably 5x as much as mine. Keep looking!

    #596638
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Do not accept! I made that as an intern in Springfield, Illinois where the cost of living is a lot less. You can do better!

    #596639
    romajoon
    Member

    DO NOT TAKE THAT! very low ball.

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    #596640
    Tux
    Member

    What about AFTER certification?

    By how much should a newly certified accountant expect to get paid in Southern CA?

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