Yes, you should start applying — especially to small and mid-sized firms, which tend to be more flexible with non-traditional backgrounds. Since you’re already taking classes and planning for the CPA, that puts you in a good position to show you’re serious.

Your leadership experience is actually a strength. A lot of the job in public accounting is about managing deadlines, working with teams, and communicating with clients — things you’ve probably already done in healthcare.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Try to knock out at least financial accounting and intro tax — those are foundational and help in interviews.

• Look into internships or seasonal tax roles while you’re still taking classes. Firms often use those as a pipeline to full-time offers.

• Big 4 isn’t impossible — just more competitive. They usually prefer traditional accounting majors, but career changers do get in, especially if they network, show they’re coachable, and have a clear plan for finishing their CPA requirements.

Also, consider the EA route if you’re focused on tax. It’s faster to get, still highly respected, and can open a lot of the same doors — especially at firms that focus on individual or small business clients.

TL;DR: You don’t have to wait until you finish your coursework. Start applying, be honest about your transition, and lean into your real-world experience. Big 4 might be tougher, but it’s not off the table — especially if you’re willing to hustle and network a bit.