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AlxChn1111
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Joined: 24 Aug 2007
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Posted: 09 Jul 2008 at 02:54 \| IP Logged

I interviewed at a smaller firm in San Francisco (Financial Disctrict) with very very impressive office. This is my 2nd interview since passing the exam. The firm has about 20 staff and do both audit/tax. I interviewed for staff accountant position with emphasis in audit. The firm mainly has clients that are private companies needing review, compilation, 401k audit, not much of the full audit. And they only have a few public clients. During tax season all audit staff will have to assist tax dept. (which i don't mind cuz i want to learn tax too).

My background: I graduated with Econ degree. Since then I been working for a financial services firm with 50 staff in the bay area. I was part of their outsourced group which catered to startup companies doing AP AR Payroll, and some acct recon for monthly close. Worked there for about 1.5 yrs. In otherwords I don't have lots of experience and no CPA firm experience. I just finished the CPA exam.

After a 5 hr interview which consisted of lunch interview, meeting with partner, director and managers and 1 staff that has been there 3 months. They pretty much verbally gave me an offer and told me to go home think about it and call them back.

The verbal offer: 43k base + overtime (straight-time) and benefits like med/dental/vision/401k. They estimate overtime would be about 5k.

Is this a reasonable offer? I kinda don't think so considering its SF and the cost of living is high. I will also have to move to SF cuz im 1hr away from SF and traffic here is terrible so no way to commute (firm will not pay for relocation). Are they lowballing me? Should I take this job or wait awhile since its only my 2nd interview? Or should I take it cuz its a bad economy and if I let this pass its gonna take a long time for another job to come along? Ur comments are greatly appreciated. Please help!!

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mbushnell
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Posted: 09 Jul 2008 at 07:41 \| IP Logged

In my opinion, that is a terrible offer. I started with PWC 4 years ago making 45k/year with a 1k signing bonus and no overtime. This was in Greensboro, NC which isn't exactly the most expensive place to live. I think someone that already has passed the CPA exam should be worth much more to a CPA firm than 48k/year. However, there may be lots of potential to move up quickly in this firm you interviewed with so you need to think about that. Just $ wise though...not very good.

Edited by mbushnell on 09 Jul 2008 at 07:41

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lelik
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Joined: 21 Mar 2006
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Posted: 09 Jul 2008 at 09:41 \| IP Logged

AlxChn1111, CPA without any experience is not worth a lot. Sadly. How much do you make now? Where do you want to work in several years? Is public accounting something that you are really interested in? How big is the raise? What are career advancement opportunities? Can you work at a smaller company (I personally prefer not to). Do yo want to live in SF?
I personally believe that it's a reasonable offer. I am in Chicago, and my starting salary was (and is) $40,000 with no overtime. However, I moved to the federal government, and the salary jumps to $50,000 after 1 year and to $70,000 after 3 years. Obviously, it's not too bad. Big4 people make less after 3 years. And they work, and I don't... not really hard and with no overtime.. ever...

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cacpawanabe
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Posted: 09 Jul 2008 at 11:03 \| IP Logged

Lelik,
I have been reading many of your postings, and I must say that your opinions are helpful and reasonable. I have learned quite a bit from reading your posts, and many others who contribute.

I am interested in getting into the federal government work. I have a degree in IT, took the accounting classes to meet to requirements to sit for CPA exam, and have just passed all 4-parts. I am currently working as an account at a corp. level, 4 months.

I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you very much, Lelik.

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bsmup
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Joined: 14 May 2008
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Posted: 09 Jul 2008 at 12:34 \| IP Logged

I would say the offer is fair. At a big four your would to be working a lot more. At a smaller firm you will get paid less but your job will be less stressful. Much more free time. Also, as the economy continues to get worse, jobs will be harder and harder to find.Don't throw away an opportunity unless you have something waiting to fall back on.

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