Early 30s… Where to get experience?

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    Topic
  • #185943
    IWPGirl
    Member

    So I talked to my boss today and I thought I’d throw my situation out there for some Ninja advice…

    I am in my early 30’s and passed three sections with one more to go in July. My current job in private accounting is the only accounting experience (2 years). I always wanted to work in public accounting to get wider experience and to work for a bigger office. I interviewed with two firms within the last year but there was no hiring decision.

    So… my boss wanted to know whether I am currently looking for another job because we have some people leaving and he might need to hire (which I understand). But some interesting points came up during our conversation.

    1) Passing exams and getting a license is really nothing without work experience. So what to do and where to go to get that “great” working experience that will get most benefit in the future?

    2) Smaller CPA firms do not pay well to start if there is no experience (pay cut). Bigger firms avoid hiring people after 30 if they come from private because these people do not stay. So are there any Ninjas who went to public at my age or is it something people do straight out of college? Any experience to share?

    All comments are appreciated…

    AUD - 90
    REG - 78
    BEC - 84
    FAR - 91 woo hoooo!!

    Becker and Ninja MCQ

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 39 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #643309
    Mayo
    Participant

    “Passing exams and getting a license is really nothing without work experience.”

    IMO, everyone should be asked to hand write this 100 times before signing up for the CPA exam.

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #643310
    funtiks
    Participant

    I disagree with above comment.

    Having exams down will definitely improve your chances of getting a job

    FAR - 76*, 73, 85
    BEC - 69, 72, 78*, 80
    AUD - 72, 71, 90
    REG - 71, 74, 85

    AFTER 3 YEARS I'M DONE!!!

    #643311
    mla1169
    Participant

    It all depends on your career goals, there is no hard and fast rule to be applied. I prefer working as an accounting manager/controller for a small privately held company. I like a small department and getting to see every detail, don't mind entering payables or payroll and I like calling customers with past due invoices. I have no public experience and that doesn't stand in my way at all. However if I wanted to hold a similar position at a large publicly traded company it would *almost* be mandatory to have had public experience. The exception for me personally is I've had bites from large public companies that rely heavily on DoD contracts because I have a good deal of experience in that specialty.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #643312
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @mayo You could say “whats having the exams done with no experience” but i believe obtaining experience is not that hard. So i ask you, whats experience mean when you cant complete the exams?

    #643313
    Mayo
    Participant

    “Having exams down will definitely improve your chances of getting a job “

    Maybe. It certainly does if you have experience. Which is my point.

    This forum, as well as others, is always full of, “I passed the CPA exam, now what? I can't find a job!” threads:

    http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/passed-exams-no-job

    http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/exams-passed-but-still-no-job

    http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/passed-all-but-no-experience

    http://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/passed-the-cpa-exam-but-cant-land-a-audittax-job-any-advice

    Point is, there's this perception that the CPA exam is like a golden ticket in and of itself. It's not. But paired with proper experience it's a great career boost. For some more advanced positions it's required.

    Again, pairing the exam WITH experience is your best bet. For many people, especially career changers or students, effective networking is just as important if not more than passing the exam.

    Look at me. I don't have a CPA, but have very good experience. It took lots of networking on my part to get into my job. Had I wasted it solely on trying to pass the exam my job prospects would not be as good.

    So, yes. Technically you're correct. Passing the CPA exam will help. So will an effective network as well as an understanding of how the accounting career field works. But most people choose the former because it's easier than getting out there and meeting people.

    Again, everyone should be forced to hand write, “Passing exams and getting a license is really nothing without work experience”, if for no other reason to make them consider if they are spending their time in the most effective way.

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #643314
    Mayo
    Participant

    “So i ask you, whats experience mean when you cant complete the exams? “

    For me practically everything. I've been at my Big 4 plenty of years, gotten great experience, plenty of good ratings, raises, bonuses, and promotions ALL without a license. I'm only getting it because I have to or my firm will eventually kick me out.

    But if you asked me to choose one or the other, I'd choose experience over the exam any day. Of course, having both is optimal.

    Edit: It's not as simple as one or the other. My point is that many times passing the exam is ignored in favor of more effective methods of obtaining a job. It's the same thing with the whole obsession with “Should I do CMA, CFA, CIA, CFP next?”, all the while they are an AP clerk with no appropriate experience for ANY of those certifications. Umm, how about you spend your time more wisely?

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #643315
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I agree with you mayo, CPA exams and experience are like milk and cookies, cant have one without the other. I kind of f'ed around in college, i didn't do any internship but i sure did have a lot of fun. I'm using these exams to try to give me a boost into getting a job in the fall, as in if i have the exams complete my grades don't matter much. I got some high powered connects, i'm hoping to at least get a chance at an interview at a big 4 because i'm very good at selling myself, i bring lots of energy and lots of passion. After all i did sell my self in high school and found some suitors willing to pay for my college so i'm hoping for the best.

    #643316
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    “Bigger firms avoid hiring people after 30 if they come from private because these people do not stay.”

    I don't really agree with the after 30 part. Older candidates tend to blame it on their age but I've seen a ton of 30-ish old people as 1 year audit associates at my firm. 30 is still young (IMO I typically can't really visually tell the difference between a 25 year old and a 30 year old) and your maturity & confidence compared to younger candidates will help in interviews/networking. Let me tell you something, a 30 year old master of accounting student typically does waay better in interviews than a 24 year old. I'm sick of people blaming their age when it's actually often a plus.

    However, I agree that bigger firms avoid hiring from private (vs. from schools for entry level and mid-tier firms for experience hires) and the longer you've been in private the harder it is to make the switch. However it definitely happens – and your interviews are a testament to that.

    “So… my boss wanted to know whether I am currently looking for another job because we have some people leaving and he might need to hire (which I understand).”

    umm? Say NO.

    #643317
    HappyDayss
    Member

    I think sometimes these big 4 dont hire older folk's for entry level jobs because of their description of what a “good fit” for the firm is.

    Done ^_^

    #643318

    The CPA will give you an edge against other candidates who don't have it for entry level jobs. What it won't do is allow you to slide right into a senior level role. That will always require experience, but experience usually starts with that entry level job and the CPA will help you get it.

    MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

    #643319
    Tncincy
    Participant

    There is no way I would be going through the spending money, studying, and agonizing over this exam if it didn't mean anything. I could waste time doing something else and I am 48 thank you.

    I realize you are looking for advice, and concerned about the experience, but you're 30ish for cryin out loud. You have time to gain experience, pass the exam and get a good job (but you have a job) or work for a few companies. Just take your time….you certainly can't get it all at once. But one thing for sure pass the exam and who knows how many different doors may open.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #643320
    Mayo
    Participant

    “The CPA will give you an edge against other candidates who don't have it for entry level jobs”

    And effective networking/recruiting beats both for entry level. Plus, it's free 🙂

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #643321
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I got a job in public with absolutely no accounting experience (former elementary teacher) at the age of 46.

    I think passing the exams without work experience definitely gives you a boost above others graduating with no experience and no CPA. Passing the exam means you have the knowledge/foundation it takes to handle your job. The experience will come later. If you want a job in public then passing the exams is important. CPA firms want you to be a CPA. I think it's different for private. So it all depends on what your career goals are.

    #643322
    Mayo
    Participant

    “I think passing the exams without work experience definitely gives you a boost above others graduating with no experience and no CPA.”

    Roughly 95% of my coworkers were offered public accounting positions without passing one exam. Same with the three other big 4. Same with my classmates at BDO….Grant Thornton….BKD….etc. Some did as you describe. Passed their exams, got ok or good grades, but never spent time speaking with any of the firms until right before graduation. Some of those got offers in large firms (assuming that's what they wanted) and others ended up in smaller ones.

    I'm not arguing that passing the exam can't be helpful. But IMO, at entry level, effective recruiting and networking is a better investment of your time. If you have the time to do both…even better.

    But passing the CPA exam with no experience instead of effectively networking is akin to locking yourself in the library your entire college career to get a 4.0 and never attending a recruiting event, networking with the firms, or doing anything besides studying.

    “Passing the exam means you have the knowledge/foundation it takes to handle your job. “

    Fine. I'll give you this. But if I'm an employer hiring for entry level why should I care? After all, there's plenty of people who have passed the exam who are horrible at their jobs (trust me…I work with some of them). Does the exam make them an attractive candidate automatically? I say no.

    But let's assume I've spoken to you a handful of times. I notice you're articulate, intelligent, professional but not stuffy, and overall nice guy/gal. That tells me a lot more than just 4 scores on a piece of paper. And you better believe that knowing that puts you ahead of all the nameless resumes out there.

    However, again, the CPA, coupled with the right kind of experience, will do wonders to boost your career. It's getting that first bit of experience that matters….which is my whole point.

    And yes, you may well get a job from solely passing the exam, but I'd be willing to bet you'd have gotten an even better one by just going and talking with people rather than locking yourself in a room with some books. Then again, if you can do both…

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #643323
    lude4life13
    Member

    Mayo is spot on with his advice, coming from another Big 4 associate. You can have every degree and certification in the world, but all that means is you passed a test. If you can't prove that you can handle the job, then all that is for nothing, and like Mayo said, you will almost never be put into any type of senior role without experience. I have also personally seen people take that route, “I will get my degree, my masters, then my CPA, and finally get a job.” Trust me it is MUCH harder to do it that way. Not impossible, but harder.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 39 total)
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