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Ashtaroth
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Joined: 14 Aug 2010
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Posted: 19 Jul 2011 at 11:32 \| IP Logged

I'm looking for a bit of advice on my approach to my particular situation. Here's the deal:

I really want to get into this whole CPA bit (its been a dream of mine for a while now). I've already earned my BBA in Accounting. I'm currently earning my MBA (non-prestigious. My undergrad was from a for-profit...yes, I know. No need to say anything.) so I'll have the required 150 hours to sit for the test in my state.

Here's the catch. No experience. I'm 35 so getting into one of the big 4 is not an option (and I don't really want to work for one anyway. I'm more interested in the smaller firms). So, I'm trying to solve this complication.

My plan to solve this seemingly overwhelming problem at the moment:

I've already volunteered for VITA this coming tax season to get me a little tax under my belt. I'm also planning on sitting for the EA exam (hoping that this will look good on my resume as well as a fall back if all else fails. If nothing else I can network during my CPE credits for this. It gives me a reason to be at these conferences besides "Hi, I'm here looking for a chance to get into a firm. Here's my card.)

I'm also planning on virtual volunteering some bookkeeping for some nonprofits for then next few months. I figure this will give me some experience in this area. Something is better than nothing.

Once I earn my masters, I'll have the option of teaching Income Tax and various business classes at a for-profit in my town (yes, the same one I graduated from). This might give me a bit of experience as well, though not the kind I'm looking for from what I've been told, but it will be a job that pays.

I also have a few connections that know CPA's, one of which is my old professor, so I can get introduced that way.

So, what do you think my chances are of reaching my goals with this plan? Does it sound like I might eventually have a chance to reach that CPA dream before death finally overtakes me or should I forget the whole idea, move into the mountians and become a religious hermit that emerges from my cave every year to bestow on mankind some bit of simplistic wisdom?

FARB-FinAudRegB
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Joined: 25 Apr 2009
Location: United States
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Posts: 275

Posted: 21 Jul 2011 at 00:01 \| IP Logged

Passing the EA exam might help, but what those initials mean or stand for is not very well-known. In my opinion, the teaching of income taxation courses is the most attractive activity of yours that you listed.

It's the dead summer right now, so it's just harder now to find work. Some firm will pick you up for this upcoming 2012 tax season. Agism plays a role against you, if you look old. It's about image. You're 35 - do you look 35?

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Ashtaroth
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Joined: 14 Aug 2010
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Posted: 21 Jul 2011 at 09:48 \| IP Logged

Unfortunately, every bit of it. Some things can't be helped. I never thought that being 35, in what is supposed to be the prime of life, would work against me. Hell, I still got 30 or more years left of work to look forward to. It hard to understand how someone could say, "Sorry, we're only hiring fetuses this year. Since you've already been through the birth canal and are now breathing actual air you're just too old."

Ahhhh...one more obstacle to over come I guess. Found a way around all the others. I'm sure this one won't be any different.

Ashtaroth
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Joined: 14 Aug 2010
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Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 14:35 \| IP Logged

So, if my plan listed above is not the best plan, what would you're recommendations be for someone like myself?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

GeorgiaEA
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Joined: 08 Apr 2010
Location: United States
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Posts: 172

Posted: 22 Jul 2011 at 16:56 \| IP Logged

Ashtaroth wrote:

It hard to understand how someone
could say, "Sorry, we're only hiring fetuses this year.
Since you've already been through the birth canal and are
now breathing actual air you're just too old."Ahhhh...one
more obstacle to over come I guess. Found a way around
all the others. I'm sure this one won't be any
different.

You have a sense of humor so that helps!!!

I think you have to have a realistic plan and realistic
expectations; in the process, I think that helps
determine your plan of action.

What do you really want to do? Do you want firm live
(small or medium) work for industry or in education? Do
you want your own practice at some point. Each decision
will require a slightly different plan of action.

I think the MBA from a for-profit school will be a
huge hindrance. That said, I think a strategy of
targeting medium-size local firms, who do not recruit
through colleges, may be your best bet.

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