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I'm graduating in May, and I will have my CPA education and experience requirements done. Georgia lowered the reqs to one year public or private (Go Georgia!) so as long as I pass the exam I will be a CPA when I'm done. The only problem is my gpa is sub 3.0. Will this hamstring my job search? I'm looking to go into audit...just not big 4. What's the best strategy to reach out to smaller firms?
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Dec 30, 2009 03:17
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| # ¿ May 2, 2024 02:00 |
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One more question! I've heard that next to networking, sending letters to hiring managers or partners can be a great way to get an "in" at a public firm. Is there any truth to this? For example, if I sent a letter saying..."Hi X, I like Y about your firm, I have Z qualifications, phone number, etc."? does that actually get looked at? If so, do you guys have recommendations of what to include?
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Jan 6, 2010 00:37
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We just changed from 2/public or 5/private to one year of either for experience requirements in Georgia. Fortunately for me this means I'll have the experience requirement done right after graduating, but our state board's website still says two years. I sort of feel like I cheated, expecting 5 years and all. Oh well. These guys need to do a better job getting the word out!
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Mar 2, 2010 02:37
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So, I have a bit of a dilemma. I have two basic choices as a new graduate, a job in audit/assurance, or a job with my current (private) employer. I really want to move into audit, but this private employer has offered me a job as the corporate controller. ~20mil in revenue/yr, 75 people, mid-sized I guess. My question is, if I take this job, would it be harder for me to transition to audit later on? For example, if I hated it, in two years would the CPA firms laugh me away? Or would they see a controller's experience as a plus?
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Mar 3, 2010 17:10
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Thanks for the advice guys. Yes, I would still be able to get my CPA designation. Supervised by a CPA and all. My main concern is something like this...If I take this job and lose it a year later, would my prospects be as good as taking an audit job and losing that a year later? I am aware that controller is a much better position than a staff I  . Most job openings I see are asking for "2 years at a big 4 or large cpa firm." as background experience. Is the audit experience worth a 2 year (or more) pay cut? Just trying to think beyond my first college job...
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Mar 4, 2010 18:42
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| # ¿ May 2, 2024 02:00 |
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I worked as a general intern, A/R clerk, A/P clerk, and then accountant, all in the same company. I moved up to accountant when I graduated, and will probably move up when I pass the CPA exam. IMO, clerk experience CAN be helpful. However, it's not really accounting. It's more data entry, posting, reconciliation, etc. Anyone can do it with just a weeks worth of instruction. The clerking may or may not provide the 1 yr experience. It usually has to be under the direct supervision of a CPA. Your state reqs will vary. In my (limited) experience, clerking won't help get you an accounting job. It's just not the same. Honestly, the only useful info I gleaned from my stint as a clerk was understanding how the job worked. But you'll get that as a full accountant anyway. Clerks also (usually) pay a lot less! This is the only company I've ever worked for, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
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Nov 23, 2010 00:44
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