How did you get into a CPA firm?

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    Topic
  • January 23, 2017 at 2:44 pm #1446449
    DZagt
    Participant

    Im ready to look, don’t know the first step, and I want to hear your stories/suggestions!

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 83
    REG - 88
    DONE!
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 25 total)
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  • January 23, 2017 at 3:35 pm #1446498
    CPA2BEE
    Participant

    Craigslist – at a tiny firm that I hated and left after a year. However, at the time I was hired I only had a Business Admin degree to my name and wasn't even eligible to sit for the CPA exam yet. I had no prior accounting experience yet as I was fresh out of school. So a place like that was pretty much my only hope at the time, given my lack of credibility. Since then, I moved to a medium-sized firm about 2 years ago through recruiters and people I knew in the industry. Passing the CPA exam and getting my license definitely helped.

    Given that you've passed the exams, I think you should get in touch with some recruiters and see what they can do for you. You don't need to be as desperate as I was because you have some credentials and a recruiter can actually market you to a CPA firm. Or if you know anyone who currently works in public accounting, this is usually the time of year firms are hiring for busy season. Firms love hiring employees through referrals from people who already work at the firm, so ask your friends or anyone you know in public.

    So I'd say recruiters, friends in the industry, and craigslist if you just need to get your foot in the door in the industry. There are lots of jobs out there, especially this time of year. Plus you've passed the CPA exam, somebody out there will roll the dice on you 😉 Good luck!

    CA CPA - est. Dec 2016

    FAR - 80
    AUD - 82
    BEC - 80
    REG - 85

    ETHICS - 90
    EXPERIENCE - COMPLETE
    Application for California license mailed 8/4/2016

    January 23, 2017 at 3:37 pm #1446503
    DZagt
    Participant

    Nice! Thanks! Keep em coming

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 83
    REG - 88
    DONE!
    January 23, 2017 at 6:27 pm #1446611
    Finally_a_CPA
    Participant

    My last semester in college, I applied for an internship through a program/website my university was offering. Employers post internships/job posting on that site and I simply had to send my resume through that website. I was then offered a full time job at the end of my internship.

    From what I've heard, most four year university offer something similar for students and alumni. I also know friends who googled CPA firms in their area to see if any were hiring. I know a lot of firms publish job postings on their website. I know a friends who randomly called CPA firms and she did get a few interviews that way. Eventually, one of those interviews turned into a job offer. When this happened, she had zero experience and had not passed any sections of the CPA exam yet.

    AUD - 75
    BEC - 78
    FAR - 81
    REG - 92
    "If you study, you will pass" - Roger
    January 23, 2017 at 6:47 pm #1446626
    Ryan – Just Another Dollar
    Participant

    Worked as an Accountant in industry (Real Estate) for 2 years out of school while I got my CPA. Applied to local CPA firm specializing in same industry clients (Mortgage & Real Estate). Hired as 2nd year staff due to industry experience and having CPA complete even though I'd never prepped a return. Tips: Don't be too picky as pretty much any experience will be good learning experience

    B - 88 (2/16)
    A - 84 (4/16)
    R - 73 (6/16), 82(7/16)
    F - 67 (1/16), 84(4/16)

    Ethics - 93

    Roger course & Ninja MCQ - HiYa!

    January 23, 2017 at 7:56 pm #1446684
    hasy
    Participant

    I am in SoCal. I don't remember how many I've emailed or applied to, maybe like 20, mostly through email or application sites (bigger firms). But yeah, I did the googling. I even found the list of top firms in my county and visited all their websites to see how I should apply to them. I've went on 4 interviews and landed 4 offers (though one of them was through a referral), tax and audit. I would encourage applying now but even harder after April since firms are in busy season.

    Don't be shy. Ask for some informational meetings or just phone calls to discuss what kind of candidates they're looking at their firms. I was asked before, to meet for coffee from some recruiters who just wanted to get to know me as well. Additionally, recruiters have also reached out to me for positions as well.

    AUD - 83
    BEC - 80
    FAR - 83
    REG - 78
    BEC - 80 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

    FAR - 72; 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

    AUD - 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

    REG - 52; 78 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

    Ethics - 68, 96 (how I dislike you)
    -
    This forum is more addictive than drugs. Still returning after licensure.

    Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

    -

    BEC 80 (10/23/15)
    FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
    REG 52 (4/28/15)
    AUD (9/9/16)

    Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

    January 23, 2017 at 8:32 pm #1446704
    DZagt
    Participant

    I live in NJ and recruiters in my area don't seem to do CPA firms. I applied to Deloitte just now lol!

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 83
    REG - 88
    DONE!
    January 23, 2017 at 9:11 pm #1446722
    Yolonge
    Participant

    Applied to firms that went to school career fair. Met the firm through Beta Alpha Psi.

    FAR - 83 (1/7/16)
    BEC - 87 (4/18/16)
    AUD - 92 (7/2/16)
    REG - 83 (12/5/16)
    Ethics - 100%!

    Licensed CPA in state of Maryland Feb 2017

    Materials: Wiley book + Ninja MCQ

    FAR - 83 (Jan 2016)
    Study time: 6 weeks
    BEC - 87 (April 2016)
    Study time: 2 weeks
    AUD - 92 (July 2016), (74 Feb 2016), (72 May 2016)
    Study time: 4 (Feb) + 2 (May) + 3 (July) = 9 weeks total
    REG - (70 April 2016)
    Study time: 3 weeks

    January 24, 2017 at 8:02 am #1446906
    DZagt
    Participant

    Whats that? A frat?

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 83
    REG - 88
    DONE!
    January 24, 2017 at 8:30 am #1446920
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Beta Alpha Psi is a professional accounting fraternity, if you'd like to call it that. It's a wonderful resource and most campuses should have a chapter

    January 24, 2017 at 11:38 am #1447005
    DZagt
    Participant

    Could I join even though I graduated in 2012?

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 83
    REG - 88
    DONE!
    January 24, 2017 at 5:25 pm #1447395
    N4
    Participant

    I didnt graduate with a job offer as i wasnt involved in the on campus recruiting process. I utilized my campus job search website to find my job which is at a small local cpa firm. I would highly recommend looking at your schools' resources even if you are alumni. Thats how I got my job 3 mo after graduation. Goodluck!

    AUD - 90
    BEC - 81
    FAR - 76
    REG - 88
    Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.

    FAR DONE -Becker

    REG DONE -Becker, Ninja Audio/Notes

    AUD DONE- Becker

    BEC DONE- Becker

     

    FAR (5/31) PASS (Best birthday gift ever!)

    January 24, 2017 at 5:53 pm #1447400
    Vanessachy
    Participant

    I found my first CPA firm job at indeed, when I was studying for my master's degree. It was small, 14 people when I was there, but I got experience and used time passed the cpa exam. After two years there, I switched to a big regional firm.

    I would say use connections, especially friends because we also get referral bonus when we recommend someone. Especially refer someone like you, who has the degree and passed all parts. It is almost a guarantee bonus. Also make sure that you update you LinkedIn. I got my current job through there and there are a lot recruiters looking for accountants. Once you have your first CPA firm job, it will all get easy. Additionally,try indeed.

    Far, 64 82
    Reg, 60 86
    Aud, 74 82
    Bec, 70 81
    Done done done! I did it!!!
    Licensed CPA in MA, issued October 2016

    Far 10/26/2015, 64, 1/4/2016, 82
    Reg 7/10/2015, 60, 2/27/2016, 86
    Aud, 5/9/2016, 74 (ouch), 7/26/2016, I cannot wait to take this test again
    Bec, 6/10/2016, 70,9/8 retake

    January 24, 2017 at 7:22 pm #1447445
    DZagt
    Participant

    I have not tried indeed. I also def have to look into my colleges resources and see what they have to offer.

    AUD - 92
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 83
    REG - 88
    DONE!
    January 25, 2017 at 12:12 am #1447575
    RyonT
    Participant

    I had a neighbor that rented office space to a small firm, and he gave the owner my resume. I ended up working there for several years before transitioning to corporate gig. That's a unique situation I guess, but my boss told me that what he did was send a resume to at least one firm from each letter of the alphabet. He finally got an interview(and job) at “R”. If the other ideas don't pan out, it's a suggestion.

    AUD - 79
    BEC - 85
    FAR - 85
    REG - 83
    Licensed CPA (MI)

    CPAexcel & Ninja

    AUD 69, 73, 79

    BEC 67, 69, 73, 85

    FAR 85

    REG 83

     

    January 25, 2017 at 1:13 am #1447590
    Want2BeCPAsoBad
    Participant

    I applied at Meet The Firms, interview with 6, received 3 big 4 offers, and my current firm. I'm loving it!

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - 82
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - 82
    Your intelligence has nothing to do with your score!  It's a matter of dedication, study habit and how well you test.

    AUD- 64 (Retake 1/2)-Waiting on score

    BEC- 82 (2x)

    FAR-May 2018

    Reg- 82 (1x)

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