What to do next after CPA…no job…no internship - Page 2

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #159908
    kavs
    Participant

    Hi,

    I cleared my CPA in september 2010, since then I’m looking for a job or internship with no luck. Well, in my case I need work permit ( H1 visa) to be sponsored because I came to U.S. 2 and half yr back from India. I already have Chartered Accountancy ( Indian CPA ) degree from India. I’m trying for voluntarily internship as well in my area but none seem to be interested in taking free help. Oh gosh I’m completely exhausted trying in all small firms as well as in tax firms for this tax season. It’s going to be 6 mths since I’m sitting at home doing nothing. please help me with:

    1) What should I do now?

    2) Should I start another course if yes, then which one would be best suited with CPA.

    3) What should I do about my license because for that I need to transfer my credits from Colorado university to New Jersey where I live and take ethics course as well. How can I get my license or should I apply for license at all or wait for some more time.

    4) How can I get an internship or job or some work in a CPA firm to get some experience?

    5) Is there any time limit to take the license?

    Please please help me I’m very tensed and getting more frustrated day by day.

    Thanks for listening me.

Viewing 14 replies - 16 through 29 (of 29 total)
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    Replies
  • #380554
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @CPA 2 B,

    It is an amazing post you put. Just curious that how can a beatiful/female CPA can charge $500/hr? Hope you don't mind to share the secret. Thanks.

    #380555
    herbert7890
    Participant

    @CPA Genie – I think he meant that post as a joke…………….he just used some clever words to hide the real content of the “$500/ hour job” I wont even say it, but just a heads up.

    FAR 88 - BEC 86 - AUD 90 - REG 85

    #380556
    mariamb
    Member

    It is difficult. I graduated in May, 2011 at age 53 (now 54) and I have not been able to land a job. Just two interviews, one a pre-screening that amounted to nothing, not even an interview. I was put in a conference room with five other candidates, filled out an application and completed a 5-6 page test. After waiting for one and a half hours was told that time had run out. If they were interested I would receive a call back. None received. They were able to interview two of the younger candidates and one older.

    The second interview, it was obvious they had not read my resume. I specifically put down my position from 18 years ago (15 years experience in sales and management) in addition to two internships from last year. One gentlemen actually said to me that he thought it was a “typo” but he can see it was not.

    I am currently studying for the CPA exam and I am beginning to wonder if I should continue. I, too, have offered to work unpaid and have not gotten any responses. I know I will pass the exam, but what can I do if I can not work for a CPA for one year? I have the required 150 hours completed.

    I am scheduled to volunteer for AARP in January, 2012. I am not even sure at this point if that will help.

    #380557
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Mariamb,

    Maybe you can sign up with a staffing agency to start with temp job to build up your experience from there. Hope this helps.

    #380558
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    you should volunteer for VITA. The time for training is coming up and it's nationally recognized and run by the IRS. Really a great program. Google it.

    #380559
    mariamb
    Member

    @CPAGenie

    I am in contact with a staffing agency, and the only positions that were being offered were to be a realtor, sell insurance (Aflac), etc.

    @calisteph6

    I did volunteer with V.I,T.A. in February/March of this year. In our area the program is now being combined with AARP and I have been in contact with them for the upcoming tax season.

    #380560
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @ Mariamb,

    Sounds like non-profit will be a good route to try out and less age disrimination than a formal business setting environment. Good luck on everything.

    #380561
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Kavs I know how you feel…I was in the same boat. My advice is try for a small business that needs your expertise. You will never get a big 4 firm to hire you and have to sponsor 18K to keep you when almost every accounting student would kiss their nuts to work for them.

    I would also suggest to stay away from more certifications..the H1B is a specialty visa which means your salary must be prevailing (above) the average salary grade in your position. Good luck finding a small company to pay you 6 figures right off the bat with all your cpa,mba,cfp etc..

    Go for small firms in the middle of nowhere and stick it out….or my opinion is just finish up getting liscened and wait till your hubby gets his GC.

    #380562
    Rivens
    Participant

    Dude,

    Ask a good friend to marry you so you can work. If they're hesitant, tell them you'll give them 5% of your after-tax wages for the duration of marriage. Or just give them a flat-fee (a new iphone 4s, maybe?). Otherwise, you're at a loss since employers don't want to deal with the hassle of sponsoring you and incurring all the fees and runs to the embassy or city hall or whatever to register.

    -Tzzel

    Brah u srs
    FAR - 85
    BEC - 77
    AUD - 71 -> 61 -> 71 -> 67
    REG - 75

    #380563
    meg_cpa2011
    Member

    @Kavs:

    Hi there,

    I am also kind of in the same situation. CA from India, Passed CPA in May 2012. But the H1 visa cap was done by June 11. Have been trying to find a job from then. I am also on H4 visa.

    Have you been successful in finding a job??

    If so can you share any related experiences

    Thank you 🙂

    #380564
    meg_cpa2011
    Member

    @Kavs:

    Hi there,

    I am also kind of in the same situation. CA from India, Passed CPA in May 2012. But the H1 visa cap was done by June 11. Have been trying to find a job from then. I am also on H4 visa.

    Have you been successful in finding a job??

    If so can you share any related experiences

    Thank you 🙂

    #380565
    sang1507
    Member

    Hi Kavs,

    your thread has been quite helpful for me.I am kind of in the same situation as you .recently moved to USA on h4 .Since i too hold the accountancy background,thinking of pursuing CPA to add to my qualification and ofcourse better use of the ample time at my disposal.

    Jus wanted to touch base with you on how has it been your job search post CPA and how did you go about it ? Would be great if you could respond.

    #380566
    taxdiva
    Participant

    I had a friend in somewhat of the same situation. She is an international student. She had a 4.0 GPA.

    She ended up contacting all of the local firms in our area. She started out working for $10 an hour as staff at a local firm. They then extended her an offer on the condition that she pass the CPA exam. She passed a few months back and they extended her a 50k offer. That might not sound like a lot, but we live in the South and that's a pretty good living here.

    She has a two year work permit and after that they are going to sponsor her. That seems like a pretty good deal if you ask me.

    I would contact local firms first, or firms that are consistently hiring international students like Ernst & Young. Also, contact your career services department at your old University. That's their job.

    Also, did you make any close connections with any of your professors? At my University, our Accounting Professors are the best people to go to for jobs. They are usually former partners, CFOs and etc. They have a lot of connections in the business itself.

    Good luck! 🙂

    REG(10/23/12)- Passed. Life happended and lost credit - 18 month expiration)(Retake soon)
    FAR - Passed. Used Becker.
    AUD - Passed. Used CPAExcel (now Wiley)
    BEC- Plan to take October-ish.

    Just give me a 75!

    #380567
    sang1507
    Member

    @MEG_CPA 2011,

    See that you are a new member on this site as me.I am on H4 as well and now aspiring to do my CPA here.Have done my CA inter and CS inter in India didnt feel too inclines to finish it then as wanted to pursue MBA.Comleted such and now since lot of time at my disposal here wanting to pursue an accounting professional certification!:).

    How different is the experience from pursuing CA in India.

    Will eagerly await your response.

    Have a great day!:)

Viewing 14 replies - 16 through 29 (of 29 total)
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