Hey everyone! I recently graduated from a top university with a double major in accounting and management & human resources. I was able to graduate with 133 credits. My plan was to get a job working in either public or private accounting and over the next few years I’d take classes to get the remaining 17 credits I need to become a CPA.
Throughout this past school year I learned that a lot of the large accounting firms require candidates to be eligible to take the CPA, which made me not qualified. I went through with graduating but now am trying to decide if I should take a job I might not be 100% happy with or go back to a school close to home to knock my remaining 17 credits out this fall so I can get back on track with the career path I thought I was on.
I currently have two pending job offers (1 for a very small public firm and the other is for a private firm) and that has gotten me to start thinking about things. Any insight would be much appreciated!
It is surprising that you went through so much of an accounting program and a recruiting season at college and didn’t know about the 150 credit requirement. I would eventually (one way or another) get the 17 credits for the CPA if you want a career in accounting – in all likelihood you have enough courses so you can sit for the exam now. Problem is if you go back for a semester you may not be able to find large accounting firm job mid-year as most of their recruiting is generally done in the fall for first year staff starting the following summer. And you need to see if the large firms even recruit at the local school you are considering attending.
Before you give up your job offers I would go to career placement at the school you are thinking of attending and seeing what your chances would be to get an offer at a larger firm. Then consider if you can go without full time work until next summer. If you do go back to school full time and get a job for the following summer I’d suggest using the time off to study for the CPA exam and hopefully get it passed before you start work.
Thanks for the reply! I knew about the 150 credit requirement the whole time, but I did not know that you had to be CPA eligible to even be considered for a job in many public/private firms. A lot of places throw out your resume if you are not eligible to sit for the CPA the date of hire.
One of my job offers is for a private company which I’m not very interested in, but the other is working for a small public accounting firm. They seemed to be totally understanding of my situation and wanted to help me get those credits and pass the CPA exam. The only thing is it’s a really small firm and I want to work for a little larger firm. I could always start out at a smaller firm and after getting experience move to a larger one.
I know that the university I’m considering attending has pretty good placement within the firms I have in mind. I might setup an appointment as you recommended though. I would only be doing one semester so I’d be CPA eligible mid December of 2015.
Making an appointment with placement is a good idea.
I understand you will be CPA eligible in December, however, based on my experience the large firms interview in the fall for jobs that will start the next summer. That will likely leave you without full time work between December - June. When you meet with the counselor, be sure to discuss the timing of big firm recruiting and when jobs typically start.
In general it is easier to move from a large firm to a small firm.
Take the job, assuming it counts for work experience. You can get the hours later. I have 150 plus, extra 4 classes beyond my bachelors to meet requirements and work experience is more important, imho. Last firm interview was told I’ve been working in academia too long. Can’t claim license without working under same state licensed CPA. I know Florida rules and a same state licensed CPA, a rarity.
Make sure they know you want to become a CPA and ask flat out if they will support you while you get the rest of your credits to get licensed. More than likely you can take the exam now (and I suggest you start taking it ASAP)
They will pay for me to do the CPA exam along with any other credential I want to get from what I understand. I think I should do both school and the job. Maybe take 2 classes at a time.
Yeah thats what I’m thinking. Over the weekend I’ve thought about everything and I’m wondering if I’d do the credit if I could get a job in a larger firm right away. Not the B4 but a regional firm.
I took two classes summer / fall and none during busy season. Sit down with your Board’s requirements and see whether the only thing you’re missing is hours, or if you need specific hours. 17 hours of intro-level community college credits have the potential to be cheap and easy.
I just went in for my offer and it was a little higher than the average staff accountant salary in my area. I’d have to pass the CPA exam within two years of employment and then I’d get a bonus of 6% of my salary. They said that they would prefer that I take the exam first and then do the credits. Not getting them done within the 2 years wouldn’t be an issue. What do you think? This job vs going back to school and getting the credits in one semester then a job with a larger firm.