Hi

My background is as follows. I took my CPA exams and passed it when I was not employed. I had visa restrictions due to which I was unable to work so even though I had passed all the exams I did not have the CPA license due to lack of work experience. Eventually I got the work permit and started working with a public accounting firm that had a niche clientele. My job did not involve the usual tax, month end closing, journal entries, reconciliation kind of work. However with that experience I did manage to get my CPA license. I had to quit my job for personal reasons and after a 2 year break I was back in the job market. However I had difficulties finding a job because 1. no one interviewed me for an entry level job because I had a CPA license and 2. I could not apply for the jobs that asked for a CPA for lack of work experience. After attending a lot of interviews I finally got a job with a public accounting firm specializing in tax work. I worked there for one season after which I had to quit again due to unavoidable circumstances. Now I am back on the job market. I understand that taking so many breaks in my career was solely my decision. But I am faced with the same problem again. Nobody considers my resume for an entry level accounting position due to the fact that I have a CPA license. They expect someone who has lad a license for 4+ years to have more experience and knowledge. I am not comfortable applying for jobs that ask specifically for a CPA because I do not have the required work experience or knowledge that they ask for.

This time around I really want to get a job where I learn the basics of accounting - the full accounting cycle from journal entries, reconciliations to financial statement issuance. How do I go about finding such a job that will help me build the experience and confidence that I need to justify me being a CPA? Should I not reveal that I have a CPA license in my resume and/or interview. Will that be considered being dishonest ?