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vivcpa
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 3:15pm | IP Logged
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Hi all,
Today I went for an interview for small CPA firm where four people works including Owner who has CPA, his wife and two employees. Firm mostly does accounting, taxes and some audit work. He offered me ridiculous compensation $21,000 yearly and 2 weeks vacation and may be provide health insurance. Working time is 9.30 to 6.00 and may be work little more hours during busy season and have to work some Saturdays which he might pay same rate or give out more vacation days( If you work 10 Saturdays so will get two weeks of more vacation). And he will sponsor me too. One year after he might raises to 30,000 and after two years I might meet my license requirement and lets see after that.
I don't know what to do. But looking at this economy and sit home for a year and do nothing or do some volunteer work, this job pays my bill and at least I will get some experience.
Should I take it? I have to answer him by Friday Afternoon.
He will interview two more people.
Thank you all
Edited by vivcpa on January 14 2009 at 4:22pm
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espy
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 3:47pm | IP Logged
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Thinking, give me a minute.
Edited by espy on January 14 2009 at 3:50pm
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vivcpa
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 3:48pm | IP Logged
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I am in NYC. I live in Queens, Firm is at Manhattan. I have BBA in Accountancy in Aug 2007and cleared all CPA Exams in May 2008.
I have part time almost 2 years of experience preparing Individual Tax return and some corporate tax return and some Life Insurance experience. I don't have any Book keeping or Audit Experience. I used ATX Tax software. Currently I live with my parents.
Edited by vivcpa on January 14 2009 at 4:16pm
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espy
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 3:52pm | IP Logged
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That's really low considering you live in New York. But if it pays the bills and he is willing to sponsor you...still that is too low! And you have your BBA and passed the Exam...but at this economy...but still! That is pretty low.
Have you ever had accounting experience before? Why not try an industry and do corporate financial accounting? Then once you get some knowledge in a big firm, move to a CPA firm who will offer you more. Just my opinion.
Edited by espy on January 14 2009 at 3:56pm
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AUD 10/11/08 99
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BEC 11/29/08 94
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lelik
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 4:37pm | IP Logged
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vivcpa, IMHO, you face two problems: if you accept this position, it will be very difficult to find a job that pays much more (employers think, for whatever reason, that if you agreed to work for the low money, they can offer you the salary with +$5k and you will be happy) and you don't have any accounting/auditing experience to really compete on the job market.
The salary is ridiculously low, but it would provide you the necessary experience. Since you live with your parents, money is not the biggest issue for you. My personal experience has been so far that companies that use the situation and offer such low salaries are probably not the best to work for. Later, they will tell you that they did you a favor by offering you the job. I don't know how long you will be able to survive there.
IMHO, you should go with your gut feeling. You could accept this position and continue searching for a better job. You will have something to talk about at your next job interview. I personally don't know what I would do. If I had money, I probably would look for something better. If not, I would accept it.
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espy
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Agreed. Accept the offer and keep looking for better offers.
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AUD 10/11/08 99
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vivcpa
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
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lelik, thanks for your time. Economy is real bad and the tax season is started so now no more new jobs available. If the economy is in good shape and all firms are hiring than it's a different story and I will definitely get 40,000 minimum. Another year or two would be very harsh for the job market. For the next job I will tell my new employer that Economy was really bad so
I have to compromise it. It's better to make some money rather work
volunteer.
espy, thanks for your time. Some accounting jobs like doing a/r, a/p, journal entries and preparing quarterly and yearly financial statements will get me 40,000-45,000 range but I don't get the Tax or Audit Experience. I don't like Audit and I really don't want to make career in it but I will go for tax. This job will give me my NY state license requirement.
Another thing is that sponsorship takes one month and not most of the firms will do it. That's an another headache. If the economy gets better by year end than I will definitely move to another firm.
Edited by vivcpa on January 14 2009 at 4:54pm
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soccermike
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
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IMO, the amount of work (especially all the hours you put in during tax season) is not worth the stress if your not going to make at least $40K salary.
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rd4bu
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| Posted: January 14 2009 at 7:37pm | IP Logged
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The salary is way too low. If you work 40 hours a week then it is barely $10 an hour. It is even too low for Texas where the cost of living is much less than NY. First year teachers start around $40,000 in Texas.
Future employers will base the salary they offer to you on your salary history. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you settled for a low ball offer (speaking from personal experience). It is much easier to advance your career if your starting salary is good and it consistently increases.
I say you need to run from this job.... run like the wind!
Good luck in your job search.
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Topic: Decision time, urgent
