Getting a job at a cpa firm

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>i am a 4th year accounting major, econ minor at The Ohio State University; graduating June 2012 and i will have 211/225 hours i need for the CPA exam. I'll complete remaining hours after I graduate through online classes before this year ends. My only experience is being a sales associate at Circuit City back in the day; and from December 2011 to April 2012 I am working as an part time Accounting Intern at this small sales company, about 25 people, accounting team is 6 people, counting me and controller. There I do all sorts of things like making reports and filing and data entry, but no real tax or audit experience. I have a overall gpa and a major gpa of 3.58. I am hoping to get my CPA within a year of graduating. </p>

<p>I realize that the big recruiting months are in Fall, and Ive missed out on a lot of great networking opportunities; but I'm wondering if it is still possible and/or likely for me to get a job at a CPA firm directly out of college, in Audit or Tax? I have had one interview so far and it was with a Tax firm of only like 5 people, and they turned me down but I get the feeling that they seriously considered me for the position. I am not planing to relocate anytime soon. I would basically be happy with any sized CPA firm, whether it's a small, regional, or BIG 4; although regional would be my preference. Today I went to the websites of several large CPA firms and put in my resume. </p>

<p>What would be the best steps for me to take from now until I graduate? Should i talk to my business school's career councilors? Should i go on the big 4 websites and apply? Should i start calling random CPA firms in tow?. Also there is another career fair in my school but it's not till April. If it's unlikely I can get an offer from a CPA firm, what other types of jobs should i look for out of college?</p>

2

<p>bump…</p>

3

<p>You should delay your graduation until you get an offer, and at the same time complete those remaining credits. Coming from Ohio State with 150 credits, and a 3.5 GPA will give you an access to any accounting company.</p>

4

<p>well, i was going to finish the remaining 14 hours through online classes at a local community college because i only need electives to get the 225 hours(i already have the accounting hours i need). my hope was to do this while i am already working my cpa job, since those courses will obviously be super easy.</p>

<p>why is it so important that i am attending osu until i receive an offer?</p>

5

<p>Because once you graduate you lose access to your career center. Sometimes, they only allow you to use their resources for one more semester after graduation, but that may not be enough.</p>