Unemployed accountants?

Middle-aged guy here been unemployed almost 3 years now from the accounting world. I have experience however I hold a business administration degree (proud of the degree but now wish I had chosen a concentration).
Have been contemplating a second degree in accounting (or else something called an undergraduate certificate in accounting) but not sure if that's that smartest idea. I really have no interest in an MBA. I can't pursue another field as I don't have other experience and will not get noticed for any interviews.

I think I am rather screwed, but, wanted to find out if anyone else in my situation? Thanks.

Jeff in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: Middle-aged guy here been unemployed almost 3 years now from the accounting world. I have experience however I hold a business administration degree (proud of the degree but now wish I had chosen a concentration).
Have been contemplating a second degree in accounting (or else something called an undergraduate certificate in accounting) but not sure if that's that smartest idea. I really have no interest in an MBA. I can't pursue another field as I don't have other experience and will not get noticed for any interviews.

I think I am rather screwed, but, wanted to find out if anyone else in my situation? Thanks.

To say you are from the accounting world is a very broad statement. What did you do? While a degree in business administration is good, it also is very broad in nature. Are you a CPA? Do you have any experience in taxation?
To answer your question, I have recently been laid off (again). So, yes, there are others in your situation.

Jeff in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: Middle-aged guy here been unemployed almost 3 years now from the accounting world. I have experience however I hold a business administration degree (proud of the degree but now wish I had chosen a concentration).
Have been contemplating a second degree in accounting (or else something called an undergraduate certificate in accounting) but not sure if that's that smartest idea. I really have no interest in an MBA. I can't pursue another field as I don't have other experience and will not get noticed for any interviews.

I think I am rather screwed, but, wanted to find out if anyone else in my situation? Thanks.

can you make me some books ?? my email keithkenrick@aol.com

How long ago did you get your business admin degree? It wouldn't take you much longer to get a ba in accounting if you've already taken all the general ed classes. Have you taken the core accounting classes such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost, auditing, intermediate acctng 1 & 2 and advanced accounting? The reason why I ask this is that you only need to classes to get an entry level accounting/auditing job with the federal government. Once you get your foot in the door you can quickly move up. I currently work as a revenue agent with the IRS and many of our new hires (revenue officers and revenue agents) don't have accounting degrees or cpas but have taken these classes which are the main requirement for the postion.

Another frustrated accountant here. I'm nearly 40, got a graduate degree in accounting and found a job with a Big 4 firm, but was let go after my first year for not "marketing myself" or fitting in well enough. I've been unemployed for nearly three years and am probably going to have to undergo a long term separation from my spouse in order to find work in another state.

The IRS hasn't hired new agents/officers since 2010, but I agree they are a good place for non-traditional age career changes to get started. I've been trying to get an RA job since 2008, really wish I had at least applied to them while in school, it was still relatively easy to find a job with them back in 2007.

Instead I went with the Big 4, had a miserable experience, and have a CPA license that has basically become a wall decoration.

There are still opportunities in this field, but timing is everything, and a lot of the opportunities go away once you're out of school. And a lot of the bigger employers don't really want to hire older people [think I was only hired by mine because they had an interest in hiring a large number of people. Once we started it was obvious they did not need most of the people they had hired.]

Older career changers should focus on smaller firms or maybe just go to a community college and try to get started working as an accounting clerk, but jobs are hard to find.

J in Fresno, California said: Another frustrated accountant here. I'm nearly 40, got a graduate degree in accounting and found a job with a Big 4 firm, but was let go after my first year for not "marketing myself" or fitting in well enough. I've been unemployed for nearly three years and am probably going to have to undergo a long term separation from my spouse in order to find work in another state.

The IRS hasn't hired new agents/officers since 2010, but I agree they are a good place for non-traditional age career changes to get started. I've been trying to get an RA job since 2008, really wish I had at least applied to them while in school, it was still relatively easy to find a job with them back in 2007.

Instead I went with the Big 4, had a miserable experience, and have a CPA license that has basically become a wall decoration.

There are still opportunities in this field, but timing is everything, and a lot of the opportunities go away once you're out of school. And a lot of the bigger employers don't really want to hire older people [think I was only hired by mine because they had an interest in hiring a large number of people. Once we started it was obvious they did not need most of the people they had hired.]

Older career changers should focus on smaller firms or maybe just go to a community college and try to get started working as an accounting clerk, but jobs are hard to find.

Have you considered starting your own business? Best wishes!

Have any of you considered starting your own business - this may be more fulfilling and rewarding. Best wishes!

Have you considered starting your own business? Best wishes!

Easier said than done.Doing taxes and bookkeeping for 3 months?
It is already overcrowded place and you may barely brake even if you are lucky .New higher standards for tax preparers is a joke .I was expecting it will clear the field but it imposed only registration for 60$ with irs and laughable 1 grade exam from basics of basics.

I(45yo) got my CPA 15 years ago never could get anything because no prior expierence no prior exp because no prior job in field , closed circle.Also inferior school though passed exam first time.

Get a CDL. there are more openinings than candidate not too much hassle with expierence .Very easy and rewarding job .Doing it now. Very happy.stress free. Good luck

I recall going to a temporary job for the IRS. It was a horrible experience because I had good experiences as a temporary. I mean that i was hurt when I left good work assignments. The manager or supervisor did not like me, and she let it be known so I had to leave. She implemented policies that temporaries where not potential new hires but people that the IRS did not like in a lot of situations?????
She was direct and confrontational.

mpdelessio in Poway, California said: Have you considered starting your own business ? Best wishes!

Are you serious? Are you speaking on folk that people have identified that such would happen to them? Who are they? How can you define them?

"...........maybe just go to a community college and try to get started working as an accounting clerk...."

Absolutely not! There're very few accounting clerk positions exist due to automation, outsourcing and the few left are taken by folks with degree. Just look up any job boards and count the number of ad, it's real bad.

I worked for a number of large corporations, there's no accounting dept here in US because they either outsourced the functions or moved the acctg dept to their Asian subsidiaries. I saw big layoffs affecting all levels: controllers, accounting managers, accountants and clerks.

It's challenging enough to take a temp position filled with personal hope and decent expectations. Then, to be treated badly as if you were a space creature. I hope that you feel good about your decision to leave. It certainly looks like you had the right reasons to move forward toward a healthier work situation. Staying positive and making important positive proactive choices is healthy and control of your own future.

Hi, I was thinking of becoming an accountant since I live in nyc, any good schools to choose from? & what is it like working as an accountant?

Experiences vary depending on the area, smaller companies still hire accounting clerks/bookkeepers, although these days they can require years of experience and get it.

People with more than a 2 year degree may also be rejected as "overqualified" though, and sometimes even when they are hired they're expected to do the work of a staff accountant on a bookkeeper/clerk's salary which isn't fun either.

J in Fresno, California said: Another frustrated accountant here. I'm nearly 40, got a graduate degree in accounting and found a job with a Big 4 firm, but was let go after my first year for not "marketing myself" or fitting in well enough. I've been unemployed for nearly three years and am probably going to have to undergo a long term separation from my spouse in order to find work in another state.

The IRS hasn't hired new agents/officers since 2010, but I agree they are a good place for non-traditional age career changes to get started. I've been trying to get an RA job since 2008, really wish I had at least applied to them while in school, it was still relatively easy to find a job with them back in 2007.

Instead I went with the Big 4, had a miserable experience, and have a CPA license that has basically become a wall decoration.

There are still opportunities in this field, but timing is everything, and a lot of the opportunities go away once you're out of school. And a lot of the bigger employers don't really want to hire older people [think I was only hired by mine because they had an interest in hiring a large number of people. Once we started it was obvious they did not need most of the people they had hired.]

Older career changers should focus on smaller firms or maybe just go to a community college and try to get started working as an accounting clerk , but jobs are hard to find.

Just curious, is an RA, a type of firm? I appreciate how you shared your background experience in an informative way. Do you have any takes on working for non-profit organizations and if it's difficult to be hired as an accountant since a CPA may not be truly needed?

Former Revenue Agent here. I suggest not applying to the Revenue Agent/Revenue Officer positions unless your a people person or are very competitive. They will give you good training to do the technical work but as a representative of the federal government you need to be very tenacious with taxpayers/representatives. If your looking for a more slower pace than a traditional accountant role look further. In all fairness to role, everyday is not a high energy, eventful day. But, the work is continuous and repetitious. You'll be judged on the quality of your examinations and closing speed. Those that are quick thinkers, analytical by nature and not by training make the best agents.

Do all accountants work extremely long hours on the regular basis? Are there any positions that don't require that?

Alice105 in New York, New York said: Hi, I was thinking of becoming an accountant since I live in nyc, any good schools to choose from? & what is it like working as an accountant?

Queens college seems to be a good college. I wouldn't go to brooklyn college for accounting.

Misswifie in Brooklyn, New York said: Queens college seems to be a good college. I wouldn't go to brooklyn college for accounting.

Thanks for that info, is bookkeeping also long hours like accounting?

It has been "10 months" since I got my BA in Accounting! During these 10 months I have applied to numerous Accounting positions! I only received 2 Interviews!Before I went for my BA I researched salaries in the area and found them to be decent! Now, I have noticed a decrease in salaries and companies are only hiring Accountants with at least 2 years experience or more! I'am currently paying back a student loan that I will be paying on until retirement age! How can I find a Accounting job with a decent salary with no experience?

Cynthia13 in Concord, New Hampshire said: It has been "10 months" since I got my BA in Accounting! During these 10 months I have applied to numerous Accounting positions! I only received 2 Interviews!Before I went for my BA I researched salaries in the area and found them to be decent! Now, I have noticed a decrease in salaries and companies are only hiring Accountants with at least 2 years experience or more! I'am currently paying back a student loan that I will be paying on until retirement age! How can I find a Accounting job with a decent salary with no experience?

Did you complete an internship while completing your undergrad? Even if you were not retained full-time from them, you should give them a call and see if they know of anyone looking to hire someone with a direct recommendation.

During school, were you a member of Beta Alpha Psi (that's an accounting honors fraternity)? We did a lot of volunteer/fundraising stuff, working in soup kitchens, etc, and during that time I made a number of connections in the community, one of which pointed me in the direction of my first job out of college.

A lot of colleges have people on staff called "Executives-in-residence", who are pros from industry who work part time with the university helping students figure out the job market and with interview coaching. You're still relatively fresh out of school, so you still might have access to campus services like this.

Hang in there. I graduated with my BBA in accounting 3-1/2 years ago, did well academically and jumped through all the hoops, and I've been unemployed for 6 months. It's still really nasty out there!

Hang in there people. 9.5 years after obtaining my BS and 3.5 years after obtaining my MS I got my first ever interview for a Accountant position in November. Granted it was just an interview, but better late than never. I know, I may look stupid for not giving up and trying something different but I invested too much time and effort (3.50 GPA) into letting haters take my life from me. I decided long ago, either Accountant or bust. Good luck to everyone fighting for their lives.

well as a minority/middle aged accounting professional --cpa/mba multi-disicplined accountant in Columbus, OH I have come to conclude that:
1. one of the biggest obstacles in the accounting placement process is--non accounting professionals that serve as the gatekeepers for the profession. Why an accounting/financial services firm allows non accounting types to make that decision for them just boggles my mind.
2. As long as firms creat the impression that the best job is the one they have, versus the one that is out there well they keep people captive
3. Smart, educated, confident and knowledgeable people are going to have a hard time getting a position, I tend to see the less confidence, the least of initiative and less knowledgeable you are ----the easier it is to hire you.

at this point I sometimes wonder why even bother to play the game,,,,,,it just seems that the more I play the more frustrated I get witht he process.

What can I do to find people who need or want my services and can pay for it?