Navigating the Path to Public Accounting: Seeking Advice After Passing the CPA Exam

Greetings, readers!

I’m reaching out today to share my journey and seek guidance from those who may have faced similar challenges. After successfully passing all sections of the CPA exam and earning 150 credits, I’ve built a solid foundation with experience as a Financial Analyst and an Operations Analyst in logistics. My background includes extensive involvement in planning, reporting, and data management, and I’m well-versed in tools like Excel and Power BI.

Recently, I decided to pivot my career towards public Accounting as part of my strategy to establish a long-term future in the United States, where I’ve now settled in Texas. However, I’ve encountered significant roadblocks in my job search. Unfortunately, many firms appear to have strict requirements that I do not meet:

• A formal U.S. Accounting degree
• At least one year of public accounting experience

Despite my qualifications, these prerequisites have made it difficult to secure interviews.

I’m open to a variety of roles and would be comfortable starting at a salary around $60K. Additionally, I’m willing to relocate if necessary and would be happy to work with a local CPA firm. However, pursuing a master’s program is not a viable option for me at the moment as I have a dependent to support.

If you have taken a similar path or know of any strategies to break into the public accounting sector without local credentials or direct experience, I would greatly appreciate your advice or insights. Any tips or personal stories on navigating this transition would mean a lot to me as I strive to move forward in my career.

Thank you for your support!