[Mitzie7]

I passed the CPA exam at the end of 2012 but still have not been able to find a job where I can get cpa experience. In Michigan you can get experience from working with a CPA in industry, government, academia, or public accounting. I have been getting lots of interviews and a few job offers. So far I have not received any offers from places where there is a cpa who can sign off on my hours. At what point in the job search should I ask if there is another cpa working in that office? I just got an email from a company that wants me to drive a little over an hour for an interview. My boss does not know that I am looking for another job and I don’t want to risk my current job by taking a lot of time off for “appointments” if there is no way that I can take the job. Should I ask the question when I get the initial phone call, put it in my cover letter? I recently turned down a job offer in part because it would not meet the experience requirement. They seemed pretty upset that I let the process get that far just to turn them down. I have applied at several public accounting firms but have only been getting called back by the jobs in industry. I appreciate any advice. Thanks!

AUD 74, 83
FAR 75
REG 71, 71, 70, 86!!!!!! 🙂
BEC 85

[M.O.D.]

Definitely put it in the first line on the resume:

Objective: to work under a CPA for the experience requirement

Put in in the cover letter as well.

And of course ask it as soon as they contact you for an interview. Don't go if they cannot do it.

They are correct to be upset that you did not mention this up front: you are wasting your time and their.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

It may be your actual objective to work under a CPA, but with all due respect, your resume shouldn't even include an “objective” line…

The cover letter is the better option IMO. I would also make this requirement known via email if you have been emailing the point of contact or over the phone, whichever was the medium used to solidify the plans for the interview. You don't want to waste your time and risk your current job going to interviews that don't have this critical requirement locked down.

[Mitzie7]

Thanks for the advice. I will put it in my cover letter.

AUD 74, 83
FAR 75
REG 71, 71, 70, 86!!!!!! 🙂
BEC 85

[thedude]

@Mitzie

Sorry to hear about your situation. Have created a profile on linkedIn and search for there? It is a good networking too.

Aud: 42 (ouch)

All others TBD

[Anonymous]

If you can't get into public accounting, then look at the private companies that are big. Chances are, most large-size private companies will usually have at least a couple of CPAs.

[Mitzie7]

The one job that I turned down actually has about 25,000 employees so I figured that it would be a good bet that someone in the accounting department was a cpa. When I asked, they said that they didn't have one. I would not have been able to take that job anyway though. They did not offer any kind of flexibility with hours. I still have 2 children living at home and I need to be able to take them to doctor appointments and sometimes leave a little early for sporting events. I didn't ask to work less than 40 hours in a week, I just want to be able to come in to work early or work later in the day to make up any time that I missed if my kids have an occasional appointment and they said no. They frown on anyone doing that within the first 6 months of employment and after that I would have to take vacation time or take it unpaid. My husband's job is kind of that way too so I really need to have something with a little bit of flexibility.

AUD 74, 83
FAR 75
REG 71, 71, 70, 86!!!!!! 🙂
BEC 85

[fuzyfro89]

Just be sure you do things professionally. The example I think of is this:

Wrong way: “I only want the job if I can work under a CPA and get the experience requirement.”

Right way: “My goal in the next 5 years is to step into an accounting position where I can begin to apply the knowledge I have obtained while studying for, and passing, the CPA exams. I plan to move into a senior position as I acquire the necessary technical and managerial skills…” (you get the idea)

You may already be doing this, but be careful to not be so blunt with what you want… especially when you're talking to someone for the first time and want to make a positive impression.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Question since I am in a similar situatio, except I have experience but former job didn't want to notarize their signature.

Can you transfer your exam credit to a state where you don't need to actually work under a CPA to fulfill the work experience requirement?

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Anonymous]

What state are you in ScarletKnightCPA? The CA licensing handbook has a whole section dedicated to this issue…I presume the steps you'd take in CA would be similar to those taken elsewhere.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I am in New Jersey, the individual I called and talked to in the NJ CPA society was pretty much ‘oh well, get your experience somewher else.'

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Author]

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