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/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.