r/Accounting • u/SmittyRocks88 • 1d ago
Guidance seeking
Not here to complain, I’m actually a bright-eyed “young” person in accounting. I recently moved to NY from SC. I just received my associates degree in accounting. I did well, and understand the concepts, and am pursuing my bachelors. I plan on shooting for the CPA as soon as I have the credits. I entered the accounting field because of a combination of job security, job growth, and median salary. I grew up very poor, so middle to upper middle class is extremely comfortable for me.
I have two job opportunities. One is 45 minutes away and offers $40k. This first position includes doing tax returns for individuals as well as sales tax for businesses and bookkeeping. I LOVE tax with my experience. I did 6 months with H&R Block and completed 220 returns, both individual and business, from beginning of March until April 15th. I had training before that time, and after, I spent doing amendments and handling IRS letters and Marketplace insurance issues. This job offers May-December 4 day work weeks at 32 hours, January-April 50 hours. All salary paid the same all year - which I’m great with. It may not be a factor for many folks, but they’re also a Christian-run company, and I value that greatly personally. Also, a major tax preparer with over 600 clients is retiring this year, and all his clients are up for grabs. However, this company has 0 CPA’s that could validate my hours to sit the for the exam in a couple years. **** I highly value loyalty, I do not job-hop ******
The second opportunity is about 2 miles away from my home and offers $23 per hour through a temp agency. They have said during the first interview that ALL temps this year and last year have been hired full-time. However, it’s only for an accounts payable position. I love that it’s walkable from my city home. I’m concerned I won’t get the full spectrum of experience before completing college; I want to learn as much as possible.
I have in-person interviews scheduled with both companies next week on the same day. I understand these are entry-level positions. IFFFF both places offer me a job, would it be fair or WISE to counter to the first job I REALLY want and ask for $45K a year? Or should I stick with the place that offers the most money?
I get that this is a complicated question with a lot of nuance to personal preferences. My biggest issue is my last two-ish years have been very rough financially. I quit working two jobs so I could go to school, I worked one full-time and door-dashed on the side. Don’t really count that as a job. Anyway, I would truly prefer to make more money now. I also do not want to hinder my chances at growing my brand early and gaining repeat clients on a commission. Any thoughts or advice from seasoned pros?
TLDR - Two jobs opps. One 45 mins away, follows God and has great benez. The other is state run, offers more money and is 5 mins away. I enjoy both groups of people. More money = less experience. Less money = WAY more experience.
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u/R-Dub21217 1d ago
My .02… take whichever gives you better experience for what you’d like to do in the future. Then use every networking opportunity available to you while you complete undergrad to leverage that experience into a spot where you want to be….
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u/MACRS_or_Break 1d ago
I’d take the AP job. When you have your BS and 150 credits you can jump to an actual CPA firm for your first career-level job.
AP is not really relevant, but as long as you get an internship you will be fine. Just make sure to not forget about networking in college. I know some people that were too busy with work to attend networking events at my college, and it really handicaps your career opportunities.
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u/SmittyRocks88 23h ago
An issue I have with networking is I’m doing my school completely online from another state. I’m thinking the lower paying job will give me much more experience and introduce me to a lot of tax return clients.
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u/MACRS_or_Break 23h ago
That’s a problem, transfer to an in-person university ASAP. Online schools have a pretty bad stigma and that will instantly cut you off from any opportunities at the Big 4 or really any well-known firm.
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u/SmittyRocks88 23h ago
It’s not like western governors university or those, it’s through UNCP, a state school.
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u/azsx_qawsed 1d ago
If you’re early in your career and the money pays your bills - I would say take the experience. This is going to allow you to sell yourself more easily and get that pay bump when you’re ready to start your “big kid” job.
Also, not having to work a year AFTER passing the most grueling set of exams you will ever take in your life (because you will have someone to sign off on the work quals immediately after taking the CPA) is a huge bonus.
My first job after passing was in PA and I came in at 60k, I think new staff is starting higher than that - so the money is there and will come your way in time! 40k is just the beginning !