[superstani]

Hey everyone. Long story short. I have about 3.5 years of experience in private accounting and recently passed NY CPA exam. I’ve been looking for about 3 months with no luck. I’m being told that my biggest problem is that I lack external audit experience. Can anyone share personal strategies on how you found a job in public accounting without experience. I would appreciate any advice on this matter. Thank you in advance.

FAR-79
REG-79
BEC-81
AUD-82

[ymmit]

Prior experience in public accounting is a must for an experienced hire. So you will have to search for entry level jobs.

The problem is that the vast majority of entry level positions come from campus recruiting, they usually don't want an older candidate (even a few yrs out of school) with no real experience. (I am talking about large firms)

The best bet is to try to get an entry level audit job at a smaller firm that is easier to get into. From there you can move to a bigger firm as an experienced hire. That is what I was able to do.

Licensed CPA!

[fuzyfro89]

Short answer: networking.

There's no structured recruiting path for experienced hires… you can't really go and join the career fair with all the other college seniors/grad students.

[superstani]

Thanks for immediate response Ymmit,

FAR-79
REG-79
BEC-81
AUD-82

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

I had no public experience, and I got two experienced hire offers (both 10-20k more than the entry level wage). The key was to tailor the resume so that it touched on pieces that would be important knowledge in public. Then when you get to the interview you have to sell what you did in private and tell them why your private experience is actually to their advantage (i.e. you provide a different perspective, you managed the external audits, you understand the client side and know what clients like/dislike, you don't just “audit” the financials, you create the financials etc). It is surprising how many auditors don't know why certain entries are made in the financial statements. All they know is they are following the notes from last year.

Not that it matters, but I didn't end up taking either offer and decided to stay in private.

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[Key522]

@FIFOisbetterthanLIFO I'm in the same situation. Did you apply to the public firms before you completed your exam?

AUD - 85
BEC - 84
FAR - 77
REG - 80

BEC - Feb 2015 68 April 2015 84

FAR - July 2015 77

AUD - Oct 2015 74 Feb 2016 71 April 2016 85

REG - Jan 2016 67 July 2016 74 Oct 2016 80

 

BEC Feb 2015 68 - rematch Apr 2015 - 84
FAR July 2015 77
AUD Oct 2015 74 Feb 2016 71 April 2016 85
REG Jan 2016 67 July 2016

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

I applied right after I had completed the exams so of course this was an added advantage. Another line I threw out there was that you won't have me focusing on the CPA exam and I can throw 100% of my energy into getting up-to-speed. They seemed to really like that aspect too. You can sell it that you are halfway done and will be done soon and you will be able to completely focus on the job when busy season hits.

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[superstani]

Hey FIFOisbetterthanLIFO great advice. I will work on my resume and make these key adjustments. Thank you for all your assistance.

FAR-79
REG-79
BEC-81
AUD-82

[Author]

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