What is your advice on finding an accounting job for a new grad?

You are going into a tight job market only because employers expect more of it's incumbents,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I recruit and have more than a few openings, but my problem is coming up with great candidates,,,,,,,so go figure.

at best acquire what accounting/finance experince you can get and then learn the business, the language etc... and then sell yourself or align yourself with a reputable recruiter to assist you in your search.

Reputable,,,is the key consideration. I still practice myself so I personally have a different vantage point than most of my recruiting peers that USED TOO or NEVER practiced accounting. So I asked you would you rather have a plumber fix your drain, if he used to never worked on fixing drains before?

Sara in Modesto, California said: I recently graduated but cant seem to find a job in this town...i have looked online for jobs but everyone needs experiene...even entry level jobs require it...i dont have accounting related exp. I also tried job agencies but a couple couldnt help me and accountemps is hard to get in touch with (they dont answer the phone, emails or voicemails)!!! So what can i do to get a job??? HELP!!! What are some other ways to land me a job?[/QUOTE

Sara, I have the same problem and I know how you feel. I had to give up a secure job( non related) with benefits to be an office vallet with low pay ($11 an hour, can you imagine?). The idea is to get your feet in the accounting field, swallow your pride and get some experience, the agenies won't help you unless you have some experience. So my advice is to get a clerical job and go from there. Good luck to you and all of new grads like us.

I just got done with associate in banking/finance...thinking about B.S. Accounting...but maybe not..cant get any experince in it..I refuse to believe ill be happy with B.S. degree and no entry level exp and yet still get paid over 40k a year to start.Might as well just start my own consulting firm now...

Hello, people! I need a professor in accounting urgently. It's a P/T job to teach Financial Statement Analysis and Auditing & Reporting. Teaching hours are from 6-9PM. Must have a Master's. College teaching experience is very welcome.

Guess its a bad time to cross the border for an accounting job down south. Seriously, not making light as similar challenges exist north of the border.

All the best in your search.

From what I can gather, you have to get your CPA to work in accounting right now. There is no way of getting hired otherwise (short of connections of course). I am making the desision right now to make that leap. Its a huge comitment. My hesitation is that I have friends that are making 80K + right out of there undergrad with packaging undergrads. CPA's really dont make that much per hour. If your making 60K per year, and your firm requires 2800 hours per year thats only $21 per hour. I was making that selling appliances at Lowes. Anyway, Im not sure its worth the sacrifice. Until I have a sure way of making a respectable living though, its not off the table.

Someone in another post was saying that if you are over 30 a lot of firms won't even look at you. I am going to be 30 in June and was considering a career switch but am not so sure reading these threads. I am willing to relocate if necessary, whatever it takes to secure a position. Am I just kidding myself to think that this will be doable in the current job market?

I was in the same situation as you after graduation in 2009. Since then, I've noticed there are more job opportunities so don't give up and keep looking and applying (even if they require a year or two of experience). Also, try looking for accounting/auditing positions within your city finance department as well as your state finance department. Best bet is to try to get an entry level clerical job that may not pay well but will count towards experience (try looking through company websites of industries that might interest you- the hotel industry seems to always hire accountants). Don't give up and keep an open mind when it comes to finding work and gaining experience!

Accounting Acquisition Agent in Gahanna, Ohio said: You are going into a tight job market only because employers expect more of it's incumbents,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I recruit and have more than a few openings, but my problem is coming up with great candidates,,,,,,,so go figure.

at best acquire what accounting/finance experince you can get and then learn the business, the language etc... and then sell yourself or align yourself with a reputable recruiter to assist you in your search.

Reputable,,,is the key consideration. I still practice myself so I personally have a different vantage point than most of my recruiting peers that USED TOO or NEVER practiced accounting. So I asked you would you rather have a plumber fix your drain, if he used to never worked on fixing drains before?

I have experience and cannot find a job. I have also found that not having a CPA or public experience at my age of 35 makes me unemployable.
I have just been jerked around by many recruiters in the past year as well as them informing me that their client wants to meet with me and never hearing from them again regarding such interview.
Should I even attempt to get a CPA at this point?? Or will I be rejected everywhere because of being too old or other 'red flags' that may come up??

MarissaH8637 in Clinton Township, Michigan said: Someone in another post was saying that if you are over 30 a lot of firms won't even look at you. I am going to be 30 in June and was considering a career switch but am not so sure reading these threads. I am willing to relocate if necessary, whatever it takes to secure a position. Am I just kidding myself to think that this will be doable in the current job market?

That is true unfortunately and many accounting jobs also require Specific experience in that particular industry (ex. healthcare, IT, manufacturing) and with their exactly software package & version of that software plus other skills such as advanced Access with understanding of VBA queries and knowledge of Macros in Excel.

MarissaH8637 in Clinton Township, Michigan said: Someone in another post was saying that if you are over 30 a lot of firms won't even look at you. I am going to be 30 in June and was considering a career switch but am not so sure reading these threads. I am willing to relocate if necessary, whatever it takes to secure a position. Am I just kidding myself to think that this will be doable in the current job market?

I made the switch at 34 and it was not hard....you won't be hired at a big 4 firm...but at 30 you wouldn't want to.

A in Houston, Texas said: I made the switch at 34 and it was not hard....you won't be hired at a big 4 firm...but at 30 you wouldn't want to.

I am 35 and find that alot of firms won't look at me because I have 'temping' for too long -- since end of 2009 and because I do not have a CPA. The temp jobs have been in the finance & insurance industry but at interviews I am constantly asked why I chose to 'temp' for so long.

Lol @ 'why did you choose to temp for so long?'. Seriously, was your interviewer high on PCP?

MarissaH8637 in Sterling Heights, Michigan said: Lol @ 'why did you choose to temp for so long?'. Seriously, was your interviewer high on PCP?

Yes, I constantly get asked this question and it is asked in the most patronizing condescending tone. Even ten years ago when I was in grad school and chose to temp (in my field at a major investment bank), they the recruiters couldn't comprehend why I chose to temp back then and were more fixated on 'why am I temping' rather than the fact that I earned a graduate degree in my field while working.

What they don't seem to know is that even for temp jobs you still have to go thru a full interview process (where the actual client interviews multiple candidates) and are subject to a background & credit check. I am working as a temp now at a major bank but the position was misrepresented by the client when she interviewed me especially about the 'good possibility to go perm' when they have hired many people in the past month as straight perm.

A in Houston, Texas said: I made the switch at 34 and it was not hard....you won't be hired at a big 4 firm...but at 30 you wouldn't want to.

Why wouldn't you want to? or is it because people under 30 automatically hate anyone older than them?? I myself can easily pass in looks as a recent college grad.

Yes I have the same problem,It has been a while Since some agencies jerked around with me.They had asked me,I need to have experience to get hired by their clients.I am laughing most of time when the recruiters came up with a such comments.How would I get experiences if we did not gave me give a chance to put my food on accounting field.It is hilarious.I went to differents interviews and the boss gave me date and time to starting call me and respond to any emails that I had sent out.Hahahaha.

With a master degree in accounting,I have jobless back in october 17/2008.It is hard.

Hello,

There is open Accountant Assistant available here in Phenix City, AL. We are Automotive Manufacturer that supplies parts to well known auto makers in the world.

If you are interested, please forward your resume to phenixcity7@gmail.com. I will glady forward your resume to HR.

I must say that this is entry level position so don't expect high salary.

I am going to graduate in 5 months and I am looking for an accounting position with a Casino in Las Vegas. It just has been daunting to say the least to try to get by their automated system.

This thread has been informative and interesting to read and I wish everybody luck!

I know how hard it is to find work in the UK at the moment.
The economic crisis has left a lot of people in major problems.
Finding work being the big problem.

I was unemployed and out of work for 2 months!
I spoke with a company www.editmycv.org
They helped me out with my CV and totally got it organised seemed my CV was a mess and now I have found work within a major hotel chain!

I was really pleased and I hope that they can help you too.

Just thought I would let you know about this.

Thanks

Jessica