This question always puzzles me because there is more to CPA than the PA. This license is merely the beginning point and gives you credibity over other business degrees. My brother-in-law has not worked as a CPA or in the accounting field for the last 30 years, has had a series of 9 to 5 jobs, and has the seemingly mythical work-balance work life after he completed his hours in a CPA office, a job he detested.

I can't give examples other than corporate and nonprofit accounting because I'm totally into the PA. Hang out in a good-on-paper job for a few more years and just wait for the economy and the job market to improve to our favor. Then you could probably pick and choose. For now work on your resume by staying in one job for at least two years. Five years or more would be ideal. I also recommend checking the job sites hourly, if you can, so that your resume will be in the first five the company receives. Good luck.