[John Doe 15]

I am rehashing an older post because I need some advice as I feel lost with where to look to start a career.

I am switching to accounting after having tried a career in healthcare.

My degree is in accounting and I am CPA eligible. I am currently studying for the CPA exam.

I have zero accounting work experience…absolutely no background other than my coursework.

Where do you recommend I start looking for that “first job?”

Every entry level position is asking for two years experience. I was on Glassdoor the other day and I found a few positions for graduating students with a 3.0 and the 150 credits. I didn’t know if this was for 20-somethings and or what the position entails but should I be looking for a position like that or something else?

I want to start a job and get a lot of experience there while completing the CPA exam. After a few years there, I then hope to move forward.

What are your thoughts about places to look?

[Anonymous]

Honestly you are young in your career. Sure not a 22 year old, but who cares? Listen at the end of the day you have a degree in accounting. You can secure a 40-50K staff accountant role, and only move up from there. Especially if you are getting your CPA. Don't doubt yourself. Just hit up as many jobs as possible. Anywhere in USA (if you can). Good luck.

[PianoCPA]

I was about the same age when I landed my first job in public accounting. Not sure if it helps, but here's what I found useful:

1.) I leveraged the applicable skills in my prior job (library materials acquisitions specialist). Interviewers were impressed that I was able to pull out those connections, such as organization, attention to detail, and accounts payable. They're small, but if you can focus on those, it's a start.

2.) I made a connection in each of the firms to which I applied–LinkedIn is perfect for this. As annoying as it may seem, look for those “second connections” or whatever they are, where you know someone who knows someone else in the firm. Ask them to introduce you. Most firms have a referral bonus, so they'll be happy to give you time and encourage you to apply. I think this step was crucial in the “bites” that actually held.

3.) Make it known that you intend to take the CPA. Most firms interview expecting to hire someone who they see as being “partner material”, knowing that some will move on after a few years.

Most of my applications focused on local and regional firms. Big-4 was out of the question because of their reputation of throwing you at the wall to see if you stick. I ended up at what some would call a “niche” firm, where I'm actually the average age for new hires. You'd be surprised by how many people use public accounting as a career augmentation or simply start out later.

Right now, the hard part is getting through these stupid exams…actually just FAR. Understand that if you have family responsibilities, getting through the exams is significantly more difficult (as in my case), and that you will need to demonstrate your fierce devotion to passing the exams.

I definitely feel for you since this sounds just like my experience, so please keep us posted.

[Anonymous]

@PianoCPA

Have you taken other parts? Or is FAR your first? I am studying for FAR right now and it's my first part. It's a lot of info. I am able to spend 40 hours a week on studying though since I am not working currently and I still feel overwhelmed.

[PianoCPA]

@Von I took FAR and failed, but continued with the other three and passed on my first try. I've retaken FAR two more times, and currently waiting to hear back…but not feeling good about it. If I didn't pass, I'm losing REG at the end of February and BEC at the end of April (all during busy season). But it's part of being a parent: for the two most recent tries at FAR, our toddler decided that the week before the exam was a great time to be up most of the night. That said, I don't want to externalize my failures, and it's still up to me to pass.

Honestly, the most frustrating part of working in a firm is that I'm surrounded by others who passed all four parts in their first year on their first try. Alternatively, I also get frustrated with colleagues fresh out of college with nothing else to do but work, and say they'll take the exam some other time. The not-frustrating thing is that I work for partners who recognize the challenge of having a family while working full time and studying for the exam (if they ever try to fire me for not passing the CPA, I'll show them cute baby pictures–that will melt the heart of the most hardened accountant).

[Anonymous]

@PianoCPA

Oh I totally understand. Thanks for your input and best of luck.

[ultrarunner]

@Kodiak‘s story was very inspiring. I was able to land a job in public accounting via a Masters program as well. Although like Missy mentioned, not all Master students would land a job. You will have to work hard and get some luck. Also, you will need to consider whether or not the program is heavily recruited by firms. Regarding the AP job, I wouldn't recommend to consider it. I have a friend who has several years of experience in AP. With his excellent resume, he can't find a job which will pay better than his current rate. It all depends on your area, but an AP job is not really an accountant. Even if you build a career in AP, I wouldn't think it will make you go that far. Anyway, 35 is still very young. When I first started my accounting career, I was your age. You could do this. All the best.

CPA/ MST/ Roger CPA Review

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[r00shine]

Depending on where you live, if there are some highly recruited state schools where tuition is cheap, a master is a good idea. Helps you be part of the recruiting process which is how most of these bigger firms hire. I was 30 and did not have an ounce of accounting experience. Did not even take an accounting class. Went back for a MBA in accounting, went through the recruiting process and now working at a big 4. It's no guarantee but the recruitment process at college opens up lots of doors.

AUD - 83
BEC - 80
FAR - 77
REG - 81

Oh Hi There

[John Doe 15]

@r00shine

Yes, my state school is highly recruited by the Big Four so that's one of the reasons why I'm looking into this option. The program is a hybrid though. It offers on-campus classes for one summer and then the fall and spring is a hybrid of mostly online class work and one or two on-campus classes.

Any tips on what recruiters would be looking for someone at my age going back for a masters with no experience? Is it grades or more than grades?

[John Doe 15]

@ultrarunner

Thanks for your input on the AP position. I feel the same way about it too. You don't need an accounting degree for that so I think that is a terrible choice for someone who is looking to even start a career.

The frustrating thing that I am seeing is that with the accounting career, you need to start off on the right track it seems or else you fall behind in a way. With healthcare, you go to school and their is such high demand that you get a job right away. That was the lure for me. I wish it was that easy to finish up business school and then apply to a nice entry-level position easily.

Robert Half put me in a terrible AP position when I was still in school and that experience actually made me give up on accounting and go the healthcare route. I'm keeping an open mind and just saying that it was one bad experience and this time I will actually do my research with positions instead of taking the first one that comes my way. Hence, my delay and looking at all options available…including going back to school to get a masters.

[Adam]

Access to college recruiting helps, but also just sending out resumes to every firm within 100 miles during hiring season is what another option to do is, id skip recruiters and job sites since you have no experience.

and obviously dont bring your age up…when you're 50-60 and a partner those youn 35 year olds will look like babies, so you look younger then you think.

I got my first job at 30 they all thought I was 25

[JCVFUTURECPA]

I graduated at 30 in accounting. Interviewed on campus and got offers from midsize firms. If you can work at a CPA firms I would highly suggest it for the experience and exposure. I want to go back to a CPA firm as odd as that sounds. I'm bored to death at my local government accounting job, but I need my CPA license first.

[Anonymous]

I am close to the same age and I am not sure what to do. When I apply for staff accountants, the recruiter tells me they won't people who have experience as a staff accountant. I interviewed on campus, but because I didn't watch a specific TV show, I came off as not personable. I need help and don't know where to go. Should I jump off a bridge?

[ndiehl17]

For those still looking, where are you located? Anyone in PA? I may be able to help.

[ndiehl17]

…I ask because I work at a publically traded company currently hiring entry level to mid level positions for staff accountants ( I hope this isn't considered “soliciting”).

[Anonymous]

i am in NYC and having a difficult time

[Author]

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