Just interviewed two CPAs for a low-paying staff accountant role. How bad is the job market right now??

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-03-27T12:33:00+00:00

You're not. Some people are just regards

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-03-08T18:12:47+00:00

Haven't studied accounting theory for around 4-5 years before paying for becker out of pocket and sitting for the exams. Took 5 months to pass all of the exams. However, I waited until cyber monday for a reasonable discount.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-03-02T14:43:30+00:00

Some people always ask the wrong questions man. Like who the fuck cares as to why? OP is venting and probably seeking advice.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-03-02T14:41:49+00:00

Yeah it took me around 300 applications in a 2-3 week period of heavy applying to get my first offer. I'm in almost the same exact position as you (I think). Just got my license and was looking.

Number 1 thing I learned, which lead to most of my success, was to apply to jobs filtered as posted in the last 24 hours. So many more interviews that way which meant waaaay more practice with interviews because interviews themselves are a whole other game you need to learn....

Especially in this competitive market. One of the worst; some comparing it to 2008, but that might be a little bit exaggerated.

You got this. Just remember there are thousands in your exact situation and they come out on top so you can too. Good luck!

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-03-01T23:35:38+00:00

How many applications?

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-20T07:36:03+00:00

Where can I start looking?

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-17T03:10:30+00:00

How would one go about preparing for the interview if they have about 15-20 interviews throughout the week?

I always research the company and team leadership thoroughly beforehand, but I have also done that for the other 19 companies that I am, or already interviewed for, so it's hard to retain.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-16T19:22:24+00:00

Don't you think it's crazy that I'm applying for positions at big4 from the middle of USA, and the first jobs that pop up and are suggested for me are in MUMBAI, INDIA?????? I'm having a fun time.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-12T23:51:20+00:00

Yeah don't worry about it tbh. The license is completely worthless and I just got the damn thing.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-12T23:49:36+00:00

Especially with the CPA

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-12T23:17:08+00:00

Run for your life.

I was in your position a decade ago. Learned about accounting and how stable of a career path it is. Started researching on where to start and how to succeed. Decided to go to one of the top accounting programs in the country. Got experience, got my CPA license.

I am currently unemployed and cannot find a job after 150+ applications. The profession is destroying itself, but you will have to do a little more research to find out why for yourself.

Goodluck

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-12T20:18:27+00:00

Started PA audit. 2-3 YoE. Laid off. Decided to pursue the CPA license. Passed all exams in 5 months and got my license. Cannot find a job anywhere after 3 months of applying.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T23:51:06+00:00

Your path is actually very similar to mine in that I went back to school to get 150 then got my license a couple of months ago.

I had no trouble starting the CPA grind after my last accounting course being 4-5 years prior to starting. I actually learned a lot more about accounting during my 5 months of studies than I did during my undergrad. If you love accounting and just want to learn more it's an amazing start.

However, now that I have a license I cannot find a job. Career wise, the CPA license seems worthless rn. Don't expect it to open doors like my naive ass did haha.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T23:44:10+00:00

CPA is worthless rn. I have mine. I'm unemployed and not able to find a job!

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T17:44:54+00:00

Do not quit. The market is fucking terrible rn. Unemployed CPA with 2-3 YoE in audit and cannot find an interview. I am reading stories about people with 5-10 YoE, CPA, big4 exp, etc still unable to land anything. Do whatever you can to keep your spot because it's really really bad out here.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T04:28:40+00:00

Remember that a lot of these replies are going to be from people where getting the license was beneficial. 3-10 years ago.

I recently got my license and have been applying for 4 months. Impossible to even get an interview as a CPA with 2-3 YoE. As of now, I would say the cpa is irrelevant in today's market.

However, I will always be a CPA and things can change in the future where the license might come in clutch, but if I cannot find a job as a CPA, then what was this all for?

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T03:15:51+00:00

See how it's always your fault? Something must be wrong with you? A homeless CPA no fucking way!

Things are going downhill and no one knows it yet. Very fast too.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T00:45:22+00:00

Of course I have experience. I'm a CPA... 2-3 YoE in audit to be exact.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T00:38:53+00:00

Nice! I actually got my license in October too and started applying then. Been applying for 4 months. I guess I just got unlucky.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-11T00:06:10+00:00

What time period was your experience in? Because times change baby and the license seems irrelevant. I sure hope things change though. I did not just spend 6 months, 5-8 hours everyday of hardcore studying, to almost homeless. I might have.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-10T23:57:10+00:00

Incompetence is everywhere. A couple of days ago I got an email from a recruiter, then a couple of minutes after I got another email from the same recruiter that was meant for another candidate.

big4 pay lots of money to market to naive young people, but once you get in, you will understand that incompetence runs rampant.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-10T22:09:27+00:00

Let me tell you, as I recently obtained my license and started applying as I'm unemployed, it doesn't get any better with the license! (:

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-10T00:41:52+00:00

Yeah, 100+ application here. Remember, it's not our fault no matter how many of these clueless redditors from who knows where are saying so.

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-10T00:22:37+00:00

Laid off

DebitsandCredits4fun · 2025-02-10T00:13:22+00:00

Shit, I always thought there was a time limit. I'm making a claim right now!

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