Breaking Into Public Accounting: My Journey and Request for Advice

Hello everyone,

I’m reaching out to share my experiences navigating the challenging landscape of public Accounting, and I’m hopeful to gather insights from those who have faced similar hurdles.

After successfully passing all sections of the CPA exam and accumulating 150 college credits, I bring a solid background in finance to the table. Previously, I’ve held positions as a Financial Analyst and an Operations Analyst in logistics, roles that honed my skills in planning, reporting, and data management. I’m quite adept with data analysis tools, particularly Excel and Power BI, which I believe would serve me well in public Accounting.

I recently made the decision to pivot into public accounting, with the intention of establishing a long-term career in the United States, where I currently reside in Texas. However, I’ve encountered a significant barrier in my job search. Many firms are exclusively seeking candidates who possess:

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

Unfortunately, I do not meet these criteria, which has significantly complicated my job search and limited my interview opportunities.

To clarify, I’m not particularly choosy with my salary expectations; I would gladly accept a position with a salary around $60,000, and I am open to relocating or working with smaller local CPA firms. However, pursuing a master’s program is not a viable option at this moment due to family responsibilities.

I am reaching out to this community in hopes of finding guidance. Has anyone here successfully transitioned into public accounting without traditional credentials or relevant experience? Any tips, resources, or strategies that could help me navigate this industry would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!