[dim_sum]

I'm currently a third year accounting student. i'm wondering if there's any jobs available for somebody that's about to grad or has a diploma. I've ntoiced alot of my class mates work in firms or do A/R and stuff related to accounting already... any accountants wanna chime in?

[wix]

I would also like to know if anyone has any information regarding this topic. I am looking an accounting/bookkeeping job as well.

Thanks

[TheNewGirl]

I'm a book keeper, honestly, A/R jobs are the way to get in with small businesses or larger firms. Often you don't even need your degree complete to get them (I would start looking now). My experience was that I started as an A/R clerk and then was moved to A/P and now I do full cycle work.

www.rhi.com (Canadian specific site is: http://www.roberthalf.ca/) is a temp/placement agency that specializes in office proffessionals and they may be a good place to you to start and get an idea as to what sorts of positions you'd like.

[tiger_handheld]

i started out as an accounting assistant helping out with ar/ap , then helping with financial statements.

now i along with 2 other ppl do complete month end closures, and our controller just signs off. (talk about easy cash for her :P)

try to go with a small business - u'll learn ALOT compared to starting out at a corporation.

use craigslist.com - not how i found my job - but i've seen some 'accounting assistant' jobs on there.

[wix]

It's very hard to find a accounting job now with little experience... How did you guys find your jobs?

[Wetordry]

cgajobs.org

of course you have to be a student or a member


Landing the first accounting job is rough, but you can look at:
-craigslist
-headhunters (ajilon, accountemps,etc)
-monster.ca
-newspapers

Instead of going for AR or AP positions, be more ambitious and go apply for junior accountant, full cycle experience jobs.

& sharpen up your microsoft excel skills to guru level, it will come in handy.

Good luck!

[icemiko]

A lot of small businesses don't look for the degree or CA, CGA, etc... you can just have your diploma and still get hired. You would start off low like an Accounting Clerk or A/R, A/P and if you do well, you could move up to the Accountant.

[tiger_handheld]

E-mail i got from Mercer Bradley. Types of candidates you are competing with:


Candidate B – JUNIOR ACCOUNTING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
** Help us help this new grad out!
Hourly Bill Rate – $22.00 plus GST
Excel Testing – 90%
- Diploma in Financial Management
- Reception and Administration
- Strong Accounting Theory
- Financial Data Entry
- Strong Customer Service Skills
- Accounts Receivable and Payable Experience
- Team Player and Excellent Personality
- Filing, Binding experience
- Excellent personality; Very personable and sweet. Very trendy and presented well
- Strong work ethic and just wants to get more experience and get working again.
- Strong written communication and verbal skills

This candidate has an immediate start.

Candidate C – JUNIOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND RECEIVABLE CLERK
** Help us help this new grad out!
Hourly Bill Rate – $23.00 plus GST
Excel Testing – 88%
- Bachelors Degree in Commerce
- Experience in full cycle payables, coding and cheque runs
- Administrative duties and strong customer service
- Experience in Accounts Receivables – Credit, deposits and Collections
- Excellent Administrative and Customer Service Skills
- Strong theoretical Accounting experience
- Strong Customer Service Skills
- Excellent Analytical and Organizational Skills
- Strong work Ethic and Dedicated Team Player
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Strong PC Skills
- Solid communication skills
- Has travel and tourism experience

This candidate is one of our ‘super stars of the month’. He recently moved here from Edmonton and is searching for an accounts payable position that offers mentorship. We know that he is junior but he is a real hard worker, with the accounting education and some hands on experience. He has administrative and Accounts Payable and Receivable experience and would like to remain in an A/P role. He is looking for a training and mentorship and would like to stay long term with an organization. He is hardworking, social, a keener to learn new things. He is really nice and down to earth. He presents very well and is looking for long term mentorship from a Superior in Accounting.

[wix]

^ Wow! Is that the company you work for? and are those referrals from current employees?

[Inaii]

You could also try applying to Randstad. They're an accounting/office admin placement agency. My friend just got a new job as an Accounting Clerk through them. Apparently they're really good!

[wix]

Thanks for the tips, it's going to be sooo hard to find a job since I have no accounting related work experience :(

[Inaii]

You can still apply, you just have to complete their testing. She told me to apply there for office admin positions even though I have no experience, as they have JR level positions as well.

[adrnlnrush00]

cgajobs.org

of course you have to be a student or a member


Landing the first accounting job is rough, but you can look at:
-craigslist
-headhunters (ajilon, accountemps,etc)
-monster.ca
-newspapers

Instead of going for AR or AP positions, be more ambitious and go apply for junior accountant, full cycle experience jobs.

& sharpen up your microsoft excel skills to guru level, it will come in handy.

Good luck!

I work as a Staff Accountant at a small CGA public practice firm.

I got my initial interview at a CGAjobs.org speed interview night with public practice firms and had to fight hard to get a subsequent interview that ulitmately landed me the job.

The most important thing I learned about the process is to demonstrate that you're eager to learn and easy to mold. Further, it's important to demonstrate that you've got a good accounting foundation but don't appear to know too much because you'll quickly find out that what you learn to do in class is not what is done in the practical world.

It is hard to land that first job but it's a breeze thereafter.

And yes, you do get much better experience at a smaller company/firm than larger ones.

[DuhDang]

Thanks for all the tips!

[tiger_handheld]

^ Wow! Is that the company you work for? and are those referrals from current employees?

nope. We look to Mercer Bradley and couple of other staffing agencies for our accounting hires.

I posted it up so you have an idea of the competition.

For my company - those hourly rates are ridiculous for the given experience - especially the diploma guy.

[subordinate]

Yep....definitely a tough job market.

Especially if you don't have any experience.

I have one year of experience in general accounting and still, it's tough to get an interview.

I've even tried a couple of recruiting firms, but really, you shouldn't rely on them, since hundreds/thousands apply.

[Wetordry]

Recruiting firms give you a good indicator of where you stand in the job market in terms of your resume, interviewing skills, personality, and experience.

They obviously pick out the best out of the bunch to show their clients, so if headhunters dont throw you a bone after a week into seeing them, you better sharpen up on one of the areas mentioned above.

It is best to ask for constructive criticism from recruiting firms because they will be most honest and straight up. Afterall, they want you to be the best you can be so they can make some money off of you.

For the ones above that dont get interviews: one answer = RESUME

[wix]

Sounds rough :(

In the two examples post above, it says "Excel testing < Score in % >"

Where can I get access to that?

[Bender Unit]

ask your Teacher in class, since some teachers are part-time teaching.

They may have connection for junior accounting position available.
You never know.

That's how I landed my 1st accounting clerk job.

don't appear to know too much because you'll quickly find out that what you learn to do in class is not what is done in the practical world.

Quoted for the Truth

[maxxxboost]

Bump.

I seem to be in the same position as a lot of you guys and gals.

I just went through a bunch of craigslist ads and every post is asking for experience. Anyone know any good places or websites that a student can volunteer at?

I agree that getting your foot in the door is the hardest part. I guess i got to keep pressing. One a side note, how many of you guys got your foot in the door through referrals and hook ups?

TIA

[Euro7r]

Speaking from experience. Get some volunteer experience if you have time, it helps with the experience on the resume. I know a lot of ppl refuse to work for free, but it's better to have some experience on your resume if you don't have anything to start.

[ajax]

I graduated from the Financial Management program at BCIT this last summer and got hired as a Junior Accountant in August. I had 0 accounting experience previous to that but I was very fortunate to work with someone who helped me create an awesome resume and cover letter. I believe with those two alone I was able to get my foot in the door for an interview.
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[dachinesedude]

I agree that getting your foot in the door is the hardest part. I guess i got to keep pressing. One a side note, how many of you guys got your foot in the door through referrals and hook ups?

TIA

im a FA for one of the big 3 telecom corporations, and im still doing my DAP

one word, referral!

seriously, know more people with good jobs, recruiters look at thousands of resumes, they are all just a name on a piece of paper, but when an employee recommends, pretty much first dibs on an interview whether you get the job or not

[Mr.HappySilp]

Accounting assoicate, A/R A/P but don't expect the pay to be good when you are starting. Some small compnay are so cheap you will be making close min wages.

[PornMaster]

I graduated with a diploma for accounting
couldn't find a job in midst of the recession.

GLAD I DIDN'T

[butter_sashimi]

^ why glad....?
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[DaFonz]

nope. We look to Mercer Bradley and couple of other staffing agencies for our accounting hires.

I posted it up so you have an idea of the competition.

For my company - those hourly rates are ridiculous for the given experience - especially the diploma guy.

The rates are what the companies charge, not what the people get paid. The people get closer to $15.

I know of a company looking for a parttime bookkeeper. If you know quickbooks and want a job, pm me.

[butter_sashimi]

The market favours those students who look for relevant experience not those who just go home to study some more. Unless you got top grades, luck and good Networking skills, the typical student will have to endure these tough times.

Volunteer at an office, do their books, or try to learn to. Small accounting firms don't give much attention to prior experience. Industry does though. During tax season join tax clinics and learn about ppl's returns. I know for sure UBC has student clinics. You don't need to be a student but probably would help if you're closer to the student age group.

Also connections dont do much unless they have influence on the selection process-- ie: they are the interviewer, controller, partner etc. Lol so what if you got friends in high places... As the boss I wouldn't give a shit unless I need to fill that placement asap.

From personal experience, I find placement agencies aren't so good for juniors looking for their first big break and are better for seniors looking for their second job.
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[PornMaster]

The accounting industry is good for some and not for others.
I first went into it because I was very good at it and everything came naturally. I would get B's in accounting without even studying.
I thought I would get a routine job with a routine salary, nothing more nothing less.

Life changed and my priorities changed. I realized that I would kill myself in a boring environment with no job satisfaction. Pretty much accountants are the designated drivers for everyone going to a party (example from a professor).

At first when I told people my major was in Accounting everyones first reaction was "you do seem like that accountant type". Now I know thats true and I have bigger plans in mind.

This is why I am "Glad" I did not get into the Accounting Industry. My advice for people is to do what makes you happy and that will motivate you in the long run.

Personally I don't want to work under someone for avg salary at 30k a year and suck ass to eventually make 50k and still be sucking ass to someone. Even when your making 100k a year you will still be sucking someones ass.

[butter_sashimi]

^ Curiosity satisfied.

Designated drivers? Good god, your prof don't know modern accountants at all lol. There is always some sort of stereotype that just persists. Just because they are hardworking and dedicated at the office doesn't mean they are meek and boring 24/7. Your prof probably only remembers colleagues during the old school days.

Everyone starts out from humble places (ass sucking is unavoidable) so I'm not quite understanding your last point.

[PornMaster]

Doesn't know modern accountants? LOL

He is a CA, and Director Finance & Corporate Controller of BCAA

[subordinate]

What are you up to now PornMaster. Curiosity.

And butter is right - for most jobs, you are going to be sucking up to someone.

[s300ae]

Don't forget about audit and other fields within the CRA.
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[sexyaccord]

Doesn't know modern accountants? LOL

He is a CA, and Director Finance & Corporate Controller of BCAA

How Akash doing

[Wanton0]

Doesn't know modern accountants? LOL

He is a CA, and Director Finance & Corporate Controller of BCAA

I would say he/ she doesn't party hard because he/she wants to keep a certain image around staff. I wouldn't get shit-faced around my subordinates especially if I'm director. If you did work in public practice and were just part of the staff or middle management, you'd see differently. Public practice people go nuts especially in the bigger firms.

[hsh4]

ya i think referrals are pretty important especially for a small firm. I'm currently working everyday when im not at school for a small cga firm. got hired even with no accounting work experience.

[bcrdukes]

The market favours those students who look for relevant experience not those who just go home to study some more. Unless you got top grades, luck and good Networking skills, the typical student will have to endure these tough times.

Volunteer at an office, do their books, or try to learn to. Small accounting firms don't give much attention to prior experience. Industry does though. During tax season join tax clinics and learn about ppl's returns. I know for sure UBC has student clinics. You don't need to be a student but probably would help if you're closer to the student age group.

Also connections dont do much unless they have influence on the selection process-- ie: they are the interviewer, controller, partner etc. Lol so what if you got friends in high places... As the boss I wouldn't give a shit unless I need to fill that placement asap.

From personal experience, I find placement agencies aren't so good for juniors looking for their first big break and are better for seniors looking for their second job.
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Sounds like you have quite the work experience.

May I ask where you worked? :)

[waddy41]

Butter sashimi..where do you work? Did you switch over to finance?
I have a b. Tech in accounting..the hardest part is getting the first job, then it's easy once you have the experience.. Got my first job after I got my diploma and now I'm on to my fifth accounting related job. My advice is to be patient and find a good employer and environment..you don't want to be stuck with a job you hate..i
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[F30]

If you want a fun accounting job, you should get designated. Doors open when you have those letters (CA, CGA, CMA).

First you should be honest with yourself and what type of work you think you will enjoy. AR/AP is very repetitive and some find it easy (relaxing, no stress) while others find it mind numbingly boring. Life is too short, try to find a job you will enjoy.

If you decide to pursue a designation then you will have to work your way through the program (any program). Parts of it will be hard and not fun, but as I said before, with a designation the jobs are more fun and easier to find.

I am a CA and 90% of my job is negotiations, due-diligence, forecasts, planning and setting company accounting policies etc. I love my job!