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

Hello everyone,

I am thrilled to share that I’ve successfully completed all sections of the CPA exam and have accrued 150 credit hours! My career has primarily revolved around finance; I’ve gained valuable experience as a Financial Analyst and an Operations Analyst in the logistics sector, where I honed my skills in planning, reporting, and managing data. I am adept with tools like Excel and Power BI, making me comfortable working with complex data sets.

Recently, I made the decision to transition into public Accounting as a strategic move for my long-term residency in the United States. Currently located in Texas, I’ve encountered some significant challenges in my job search. It appears that many firms have specific requirements, including:

• A U.S. Accounting degree
• A minimum of one year of public accounting experience

Unfortunately, I do not meet these criteria, and this has made landing interviews quite a challenge.

I am open-minded regarding potential job opportunities, willing to consider positions with a starting salary around $60,000. I’m flexible with relocation and would be happy to work at a local CPA firm. Attending a master’s program is not a feasible option for me at this stage, as I have dependents to support.

I’m reaching out to see if anyone in the community has successfully navigated a similar transition. Any advice, strategies, or insights on how to break into the public accounting field without local credentials or experience would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to any tips you may have!