Get a job first or enroll in CA/CPA program first?

Floriancorp

5 hours, 58 minutes ago (Last modified 5 hours, 58 minutes ago by the original author)

A good question.

Ideally, you should get a job and work for 6 months prior to starting CPA. This is true if you live in a wonderful world. Unfortunately that is a wonderful ideal world is not available to many.

In the real world, you might not be able to get a job after graduating uni. The reality is you may not have got into the graduate program you wanted. Therefore, you need to do something and I recommend starting your CPA NOW. Starting ur CPA now has 2 benefits:

1. You can add this to your resume. (note: maybe not relevant if u dont want to seem overqualified).

2. It sends a signal to employers that you are serious and dedicated to the profession.

When enrolling, CPA will be able to help. Check that your degree may even have some final year components attached to the CPA program for exemptions - call CPA.

The issue with my recommended above strategy is if you keep passing CPA exams without experience. We have come across this with some of our intern candidates who join us. While you need experience to achieve the CPA qualification, you can do exams in the meantime. In my opinion, the most important thing is to get the professional role, not acheive the qualification. As long as you get the job, you just need to wait out the experience. Again, not ideal, but your career is established.

FYI, we may be able to assist you. If you ever need help or advice, look us up.

Good luck

Florian Accounting

Floriancorp

Do not stress about the CPA technical workload. If you have passed uni ok, the CPA for you should be reasonably ok as its rather similar - its more of a different focus and also more detail in certain areas. Just think of CPA as the 4th year in your uni degree.

The key for most people when working and doing CPA/CA is time management. You may work long hours, you may have a partner who needs attention, you may even have a young family. These to me are the biggest challenges in passing professional industry qualifications.

As to the question of CPA vs CA, I am a CPA, but have not done CA. I have mentored both candidates during my career and the CA is much more rigorous. Its actually quite painful. From that experience, I feel the CA is more focused on public practice relative to CPA and there is stronger focus on audit.

As for prestige - CA is harder to get in as there are stricter entry requirements (need to be working for a public practice firm). So yes, there are less CAs than CPAs. Does that mean its better prestige? Possibly.

As for getting a job - I ask u this question - when looking for roles, how many of them state CA/CPA as one, meaning there is basically no distinction between them? Almost all job ads. The odd CA firm will want CA only.

In my opinion, focus on getting the job. If CPA is an easier path to where you want to go, then thats suitable. If you want prestige, you might have to work for it a little harder. Do note however, once you get your qualification which u worked so hard for, these things become less important, as your experience will speak louder than your qualification (of course such a qualification is a pre-requisite for getting a job, right?).  

FYI, at Florian Accounting, we offer accounting internships to help you begin your accounting career, so we are happy to discuss your needs and how we can help you.

Good luck

Florian Accounting
Florian Accounting Team
info@floriancorp.com.au
02 8889 4111
0412 624 948

Floriancorp

Din's concern posted

Hi there,
I am a Permanent Residence of Australia and completed my Master of Professional Accounting in July 2010 from Central Queensland university. My GPA is about 5 and I have been working in a small public firm since the August 2011.

I am aiming to get in to one of the Big 4 in Australia. As I graduated more than 2 years ago, the options of graduate programs may not be available to me. I have started the CPA program with CPA Australia.

My Technical knowledge about accounting is very good (my boss and senior accountant's views), I usually learn things very quickly (my honest belief).

My question is: Are there any options for me to get in to BIG 4s? What approach and path I should follow to get me to my dream positions (BIG 4s)?

I would really appreciate your support and precious Advise.

Thanking you in advance.

Din

Floriancorp

Hi Din

Sounds like you are a very conscientious worker and its good to know your goals. A number of our intern candidates are still deciding which area to work on: public practice or commercial accounting. By the way, I represent Florian Accounting who runs intern programs for accounting.

With your strong GPA, and entry level work experience, I believe you should be able to seek entry into Graduate programs into the big 4. They have reasonably large intakes relative to other firms or industries. They do tend to burn and churn. We have stories of our interns from Hong Kong who worked in the big 4 - their work hours are 8am to 2am - yes 16 hours in the office!

Your marks should get u entry to a graduate interview, the uni name is not as critical with a good GPA. The key to getting the Graduate position is strong interpersonal skills and leadership potential. Make no mistake this is the key distinguisher among grads who pass the 1st round grad interview. I have worked with Grads in my career and theyre all smart (so are you, right?). But what impressed me most was their ability to interact with others, both peers and seniors. Make sure u work on your soft skills for Graduate program entry.

If youve already gone and tried the grad programs approach, then its a longer route to the big 4. You need to apply as an experienced candidate and u need to build a decent record from your small public practice work. Keep learning legislation, strategies etc. You will need to strike when ready. In the meantime, keep attending accounting industry functions (attendance cheaper than uni fees). I always see big 4 people at these functions and theyre handing out business cards. Get to know what theyre thinking about, what theyre looking for (u can even ask them the odd technical question too). Who knows? you may even start to build relationships with these people and find out when theyre hiring. When you have 12 mths experience under your belt, you should be able to apply and then u need to nail the interviews. The key is, as long as u get enough interviews, u keep learning along the way until you get your dream job.

Good luck Din

Florian Accounting