Accounting Career

[Trey Oram]

I am in the business administration program at Catawba Valley
Community College
in Hickory, NC and am considering pursuing a career in the accounting
field. I don't know any accountants personally and I am looking for
some tips or suugestions about some ways of getting into this field. I
know this is a very general question, but right now I can use and
would appreciate any input on entering the accounting field.

Thanks

Trey Oram

 

[chris]

Coincidentally, I was about to post a question similar to this. I've been a
financial analyst for about 5 years, and I have my CPA. I'm looking to move
into accounting, but I have no prior professional accounting experience.
Any ideas on how I could break into this field? I've talked to a couple of
recruiters and they haven't been too high on my idea because they say I'll
be seen as over-qualified for an entry level position that this move will
require.

Thanks.

Chris

 

[Wayne Brasch]

Coincidentally, I was about to post a question similar to this. I've been a
financial analyst for about 5 years, and I have my CPA. I'm looking to move
into accounting, but I have no prior professional accounting experience.
Any ideas on how I could break into this field? I've talked to a couple of
recruiters and they haven't been too high on my idea because they say I'll
be seen as over-qualified for an entry level position that this move will
require.

Thanks.

Chris

Just out of curiosity, how did you become a CPA with "no prior professional
accounting experience"? It has been my believe that all States require some
years of practical experience in a CPA firm or several years working for a
governmental agency.

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

 

[Wayne Brasch]

I am in the business administration program at Catawba Valley
Community College
in Hickory, NC and am considering pursuing a career in the accounting
field. I don't know any accountants personally and I am looking for
some tips or suugestions about some ways of getting into this field. I
know this is a very general question, but right now I can use and
would appreciate any input on entering the accounting field.

Thanks

Trey Oram

Make an appointment with a local CPA and sit down and talk with them to find
out more about accounting. Ask them questions to find out what they do on a
daily basis.

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

 

[Preston Singleton]

Coincidentally, I was about to post a question similar to this. I've been a
financial analyst for about 5 years, and I have my CPA. I'm looking to move
into accounting, but I have no prior professional accounting experience.
Any ideas on how I could break into this field? I've talked to a couple of
recruiters and they haven't been too high on my idea because they say I'll
be seen as over-qualified for an entry level position that this move will
require.

Thanks.

Chris

Chris,

You say you "have" your CPA. Whether you mean you've just passed the
exam or actually obtained a license, (which I don't know how you would
since you have to professional accounting experience) you should be
able to easily obtain an entry-level accounting position. Answer
classified ads or send out unsolicited resumes to accounting firms or
companies. All businesses need accountants. If you've had a nice
salary as a financial analyst over the years though, you may be
shocked at what entry-level accountants make.

Preston Singleton, CPA
Austin, Texas

 

[John]

Coincidentally, I was about to post a question similar to this. I've been a
financial analyst for about 5 years, and I have my CPA. I'm looking to move
into accounting, but I have no prior professional accounting experience.
Any ideas on how I could break into this field? I've talked to a couple of
recruiters and they haven't been too high on my idea because they say I'll
be seen as over-qualified for an entry level position that this move will
require.

Thanks.

Chris

are you interested in auditing in a CPA firm or working as an accountant in
a company?
It might be difficult to find an entry level position in a CPA firm as they
prefer to hire right out of college but I think you should be able to find
employment as an accountant in bank or insurance company.

 

[chris]

Wayne-

I worked at a CPA firm for 5 years, so I met the qualification.

 

[Preston Singleton]

Wayne-

I worked at a CPA firm for 5 years, so I met the qualification.

I'm really confused now. You worked at a CPA firm for 5 years, even
if it was as a financial analyst, and you are asking us how to "break
into the field of accounting"? Did you ever talk to another person at
this CPA firm? And who signed your experience verification papers
vouching that you had done accounting work under the direct
supervision of a CPA? Also, what about CPE over the years? It
doesn't sound like you are licensed.

Preston Singleton, CPA
Austin, Texas

 

[A]

Just out of curiosity, how did you become a CPA with "no prior professional
accounting experience"? It has been my believe that all States require some
years of practical experience in a CPA firm or several years working for a
governmental agency.

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

This is not necessarily true anymore, because of the 150 credit hour
requirement to even sit for the CPA exam there is no experience
requirement... at least in Florida.

 

[chris]

1. I've recently left this firm and have relocated to a new area. Though it
was a CPA firm, and started out offering mainly accounting services, it now
does mostly governmental consulting.

2. My supervisor, who is also a CPA who doesn't do accounting work, signed
my verification. He needed only to verify that I worked for a CPA firm for
2 years.

3. Last year was my first as a CPA, and I fulfilled the CPE requirement.

4. I am licensed in VA.

 

[AngrieWoman]

Just out of curiosity, how did you become a CPA with "no prior professional
accounting experience"? It has been my believe that all States require some
years of practical experience in a CPA firm or several years working for a
governmental agency.

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

It didn't used to be that way - I remember friends of mine taking the exam
right out of college, with no experience (other than waiting tables...)

A

 

[S.M. Serba]

Just because someone writes and passes the exams, does not necessarily mean
their state board awards them a designation immediately.

 

[AngrieWoman]

Just because someone writes and passes the exams, does not necessarily mean
their state board awards them a designation immediately.

No, but back then it meant she was allowed to call herself a CPA.
Actually, that was before GA had a requirement of work experience, and
you needed less credit hours to pass the test in GA than you did in
FL. So, groups of people who had passed their 4th year in FL would
drive up to GA and pass the test, then they just filled out some forms
to have it recognized in FL.

That's all different now, though I did see another post that mentions
that FL still doesn't require work experience.

A

 

[S.M. Serba]

So if I drove from Toronto to Florida, passed the CPA exam, I'd be a CPA
with no US work experience? I *do* have 8 years of general accounting
experience in Ontario...

Stephanie

 

[AngrieWoman]

I have no idea. In Georgia, I think they now require work experience.

But years ago, Accounting was a 5 year degree, so to sit for the test you
had to have 5 years of school. But in Georgia you only needed 4 years. So
people would graduate without their 5th year, drive to Georgia, pass the
test, then apply to have it recognized.

My friend did it. She went on to be an accountant for A school board there.
SHe couldn't get into a "Big" firm, because she was 27 when she graduated.
Didn't fit their profile.

A

 

[RJB]

My friend did it. She went on to be an accountant for A school board there.
SHe couldn't get into a "Big" firm, because she was 27 when she graduated.
Didn't fit their profile.

A

So when I graduate (will probably be 40 by then) I probably won't be
considered by any of the big 4?
--
RJB
7/23/2004 12:58:57 PM

They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty or safety.
--Benjamin Franklin

 

[Wayne Brasch]

So when I graduate (will probably be 40 by then) I probably won't be
considered by any of the big 4?
--
RJB
7/23/2004 12:58:57 PM

They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty or safety.
--Benjamin Franklin

Don't despair! You don't have to work for one of the Big Four to make good
money in accounting. That depends on YOU!

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

 

[RJB]

Don't despair! You don't have to work for one of the Big Four to make good
money in accounting. That depends on YOU!

Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

Oh I'm not despairing, I was just surprised that they'd be that narrow
minded and miss out on some exceedingly fine experience out there (such as
myself - coming from a different career and perspective). But I guess
that's their loss.
--
RJB
7/23/2004 3:57:30 PM

"Follow your dreams. You can meet your goals. I am living proof. Beefcake!
BEEFCAKE!!!"
--Eric Cartman (South Park)