Oh, one more thing. I saw that someone mentioned that you should look for job titles with "clerk" in them...also look for "tech." We call ours AP/AR/Payroll Techs, and the entry levels don't require more than an associates. I think some of the techs we have don't have associates either.
LOL at the bolded. Perhaps where you live, down here they are mostly unpaid.
This is no longer the norm. All big 4 firms pay their interns, as well as many of the smaller firms. Most universities REQUIRE an internship to be paid in order for students to receive credit.
I did my internship last spring and it wasn't paid. I bitched the whole semester about it. I did like it there, and they offered me a job, but their offer wasn't compelling.
Post by icedcoffee on Apr 29, 2016 15:41:21 GMT -5
I would definitely focus on the bachelor's before doing the auditing program through the Institute of Internal Auditors. The CIA is good and everything, but the bachelor's will carry much more weight.
This is no longer the norm. All big 4 firms pay their interns, as well as many of the smaller firms. Most universities REQUIRE an internship to be paid in order for students to receive credit.
I did my internship last spring and it wasn't paid. I bitched the whole semester about it. I did like it there, and they offered me a job, but their offer wasn't compelling.
I am sure there are some that aren't paid. As my post said, "most accounting internships are paid".....and again, "most universities require an internship to be paid for credit". It has been my experience working with university students seeking accounting internships for credit that these internships are paid. My first experience with this was back in 2007, and my accounting students were making $20/hour. And they worked overtime, and could make up to like $30/hour during tax season if it was a tax internship and during heavy audit periods for internal auditors.
I think the going rate now is closer to $30/hour for a big 4 internship. I know that when my H worked for a smaller BDO office, they paid about $5/less an hour than the big 4 were paying.
Thank you. I really though I'll be able to get an entry level AP/AR with my associate. I feel like it was a waste of time and money. A lot of my classes won't even transfer. The university does offer the internship for a credit hours. From doing research a lot of students go to NY for their internship, which I wouldn't be able to do.
Do you know for SURE your courses won't transfer? Just because they aren't called the same thing doesn't mean they won't transfer. The school you would transfer to should be able to check equivalencies.
But.....unfortunately, yes- associates usually require 66 credit hours, and most undergrad degrees require 60 hours of junior/senior level courses. So you will probably lose 6ish hours at least. They'll be on your transcript, but won't really "count" for anything.
You definitely don't have to travel for your internship. I would actually tell you that if you have no plans on getting the CPA and going into a big 4 firm, etc that you don't need to. You can get valuable experience at places nearby.
Have you talked your college's career center? You might ask if they know of any places that hired people straight out of the comm college in accounting roles. You might also contact Accountemps or Robert Half and see what the likelihood of you finding something through them would be. It won't pay as much as a job that requires a bachelors, but it would get your foot in the door and get you some experience.
I miss spoke, they'll transfer just won't apply towards my BA in accounting. Out of 19 classes only 8 would counts towards my degree. The career service at my cc is a joke. I'm going to email the head of the accounting program at my cc I have a good rapport with her.
Post by lovelyshoes on Apr 29, 2016 15:48:31 GMT -5
Get the Bachelors and keep applying for entry level jobs indicating that you're in the process of getting your degree. I bet you'll find something. Good luck!
I would definitely focus on the bachelor's before doing the auditing program through the Institute of Internal Auditors. The CIA is good and everything, but the bachelor's will carry much more weight.
I would only need 3 classes to get the IIA certificate and 1 is required for my BA. I though that by having the certificate it can make me more marketable.
I would definitely focus on the bachelor's before doing the auditing program through the Institute of Internal Auditors. The CIA is good and everything, but the bachelor's will carry much more weight.
I would only need 3 classes to get the IIA certificate and 1 is required for my BA. I though that by having the certificate it can make me more marketable.
When I get resumes the first thing I look for are where they got their bachelors and whether they are a CPA. The CIA would be a "nice to have" once he first 2 items are done. All hiring managers are different though....
I guess I'm an exception to the rule? I'm in accounting and don't even have an associates degree. My new job will basically be AP, though. They also contribute $3000 a year (maybe semester, I don't remember) to schooling. So I may take them up on it depending on how it will effect my career advancement there.
I know at times when I was searching for different employment, I was discouraged looking at listings where BA was required.
Is this your first accounting job, or have you always worked in accounting? Did your employer train you on the job?
I really wish employers wouldn't request years of experience for these entry level positions. I can't get experience if no one would hire me ?
No, this is not my first. I've had about 10 years of some kind of accounting experience. However, I've pretty much only worked at Automotive Dealerships. It's...Special. And I think this is what puts me in an odd spot. I don't necessarily recommend working for a dealership if you can get in to another type of industry, but it did give me experience that translates to other accounting positions.
Everything has been employer trained. I started off as a Service Cashier which did light internal accounting duties, then I was promoted to AP. That lead to AR. And with my current job it's been some AP, mostly auditing, and some payroll. And a bunch of random dealership specific duties mixed in. And while dealerships have the same jobs, each one has a different way of doing it. Like Dealership A says 1 + 1 = 2. Dealership B says 1 x 2 = 2.
Get the Bachelors and keep applying for entry level jobs indicating that you're in the process of getting your degree. I bet you'll find something. Good luck!
Is this your first accounting job, or have you always worked in accounting? Did your employer train you on the job?
I really wish employers wouldn't request years of experience for these entry level positions. I can't get experience if no one would hire me ?
No, this is not my first. I've had about 10 years of some kind of accounting experience. However, I've pretty much only worked at Automotive Dealerships. It's...Special. And I think this is what puts me in an odd spot. I don't necessarily recommend working for a dealership if you can get in to another type of industry, but it did give me experience that translates to other accounting positions.
Everything has been employer trained. I started off as a Service Cashier which did light internal accounting duties, then I was promoted to AP. That lead to AR. And with my current job it's been some AP, mostly auditing, and some payroll. And a bunch of random dealership specific duties mixed in. And while dealerships have the same jobs, each one has a different way of doing it. Like Dealership A says 1 + 1 = 2. Dealership B says 1 x 2 = 2.
Funny I was actually looking at a dealership but didn't see any job posting. When I took my car for service I asked the cashier and she told me they don't post the job you just submit your resume and application online with the job title you think you'll qualify for. She also said working in a dealership is special, lol. She did tell me the pay was really good in the AP/AR side.
You should go to the college you want to transfer to and talk to an advisor. Since you have an associates many schools will waive the Gen ed requirements.
No, this is not my first. I've had about 10 years of some kind of accounting experience. However, I've pretty much only worked at Automotive Dealerships. It's...Special. And I think this is what puts me in an odd spot. I don't necessarily recommend working for a dealership if you can get in to another type of industry, but it did give me experience that translates to other accounting positions.
Everything has been employer trained. I started off as a Service Cashier which did light internal accounting duties, then I was promoted to AP. That lead to AR. And with my current job it's been some AP, mostly auditing, and some payroll. And a bunch of random dealership specific duties mixed in. And while dealerships have the same jobs, each one has a different way of doing it. Like Dealership A says 1 + 1 = 2. Dealership B says 1 x 2 = 2.
Funny I was actually looking at a dealership but didn't see any job posting. When I took my car for service I asked the cashier and she told me they don't post the job you just submit your resume and application online with the job title you think you'll qualify for. She also said working in a dealership is special, lol. She did tell me the pay was really good in the AP/AR side.
yeah, they are usually more word of mouth, but not all. I got my job before this one through craigslist. It was a larger multi-state company though. Good pay is relative too. My old coworker was only making $12 until I told her I was making $17 for the same job. She asked for a raise shortly after, and got a little less than she had hoped for. If you get in to management, it can be pretty good.
I'm not in Accounting in any way, shape of form, but I do have to hire occasionally.
I just want to add that, when I post for the "entry level" position on my team, I ask for a specific Bachelor's degree, knowledge of a specific area of business, and 5 years of experience.
BUT - both are negotiable to me! There are two areas of knowledge I need: Subject A and Subject B. It would take a unicorn to have both. I'd love to find said unicorn, but it's highly unlikely. I'll take someone who knows A or B, and train them where they're lacking. But I need ONE of them. I've hired people with AA's or BA's/BS's in unrelated fields because they new Subject A really well. I've hired people with experience and/or degrees in Subject B who didn't know Subject A was thing. I can count on one hand the number of people I've hired with five years of experience.
Don't let the number of years discourage you. I think companies are looking for the best fit, and that can come in any number of ways.