If the accounting unemployment rate is 2.2% and I am a CPA with an MBA from a UVA peer

[Anonymous]

then why is it so freaking difficult to even get controller and CFO interviews? I also have a number of excellent references. It is incredibly frustrating. And what burns me is that I see people without a CPA and/or and MBA from a place that will let in anyone with a pulse move from one CFO job to another every 1.5 years, 2 years, 3 years. How do they do that when they are not in the previous position for enough time to actually accomplish something?

[Anonymous]

Probably your attitude.

I'm only kidding.

This is a very competitive market. Keep applying and networking.

[Anonymous]

M7 or bust homie.

A darden peer? What is that?

[Anonymous]

Maybe you have the wrong headhunter? What industry are you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:M7 or bust homie.

A darden peer? What is that?

Hate to sound rude but +1

A Darden peer is ... just a really odd framing.

[Anonymous]

I'm a career coach and work with tons of mbas - not soliciting clients - but happy to assess what the issue is - what percent of a time are you applying to jobs online versus networking your way into roles?

[Anonymous]

What does your resume look like? Do you have 10 or so years of progressive and relevant accounting experience? It seems most places want to see a few years of public accounting followed by positions like staff accountant, asst controller, and controller. Honestly it should be too hard to get some interviews if you look qualified on paper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does your resume look like? Do you have 10 or so years of progressive and relevant accounting experience? It seems most places want to see a few years of public accounting followed by positions like staff accountant, asst controller, and controller. Honestly it should be too hard to get some interviews if you look qualified on paper.

Edit - shouldn't be that hard to get interviews.

[Anonymous]

Luck to get the first cfo job. Then lateral moves around wit that in their resume.

[Anonymous]

OP. To the career coach, I do not send resumes to jobs online because that is a low percentage shot. I research companies and find people who work there that are connected to people I know.

I have sort of an unusual resume in that I did not get the CPA right after college. Got an MBA a few years later, wanted more of a technical background, and sat for the CPA mid career. Therefore, did not go through public at a now Big 4. In terms of controller positions, I have had those interspersed with high-level consulting assignments. I have a particular expertise with system implementations and process mapping. Without getting into life issues, I needed to consult for flexibility reasons but really like having a small staff that I can train and motivate along with other controller functions.

To answer the peer question, I was only trying to indicate that I went to a decently regarded school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:then why is it so freaking difficult to even get controller and CFO interviews? I also have a number of excellent references. It is incredibly frustrating. And what burns me is that I see people without a CPA and/or and MBA from a place that will let in anyone with a pulse move from one CFO job to another every 1.5 years, 2 years, 3 years. How do they do that when they are not in the previous position for enough time to actually accomplish something?

A CFO is a leadership position, even though you have a nice degree, you may not have leadership skills or the personality to qualify. If you are white and male and you can't get ahead (you should have the edge), you should ask someone you respect for some feedback on your interpersonal skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. To the career coach, I do not send resumes to jobs online because that is a low percentage shot. I research companies and find people who work there that are connected to people I know.

I have sort of an unusual resume in that I did not get the CPA right after college. Got an MBA a few years later, wanted more of a technical background, and sat for the CPA mid career. Therefore, did not go through public at a now Big 4. In terms of controller positions, I have had those interspersed with high-level consulting assignments. I have a particular expertise with system implementations and process mapping. Without getting into life issues, I needed to consult for flexibility reasons but really like having a small staff that I can train and motivate along with other controller functions.

To answer the peer question, I was only trying to indicate that I went to a decently regarded school.

Career coach here - most mbas take about six months and often longer to get a new job so some is managing expectations. Network like crazy w mba alums from your school. The roles you are describing are less common and more competitive and generally filled from within rather than outside - since you want this niche though - if actually hit up the finance headhunters and staffing firms - I never event recommend head hunters for clients Bc it's generally a disaster since they work for companies and not individuals and they waste a ton of time but I've had a ton of clients in dc land in finance roles posted thru those firms and they are pretty senior level ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. To the career coach, I do not send resumes to jobs online because that is a low percentage shot. I research companies and find people who work there that are connected to people I know.

I have sort of an unusual resume in that I did not get the CPA right after college. Got an MBA a few years later, wanted more of a technical background, and sat for the CPA mid career. Therefore, did not go through public at a now Big 4. In terms of controller positions, I have had those interspersed with high-level consulting assignments. I have a particular expertise with system implementations and process mapping. Without getting into life issues, I needed to consult for flexibility reasons but really like having a small staff that I can train and motivate along with other controller functions.

To answer the peer question, I was only trying to indicate that I went to a decently regarded school.

Career coach here - most mbas take about six months and often longer to get a new job so some is managing expectations. Network like crazy w mba alums from your school. The roles you are describing are less common and more competitive and generally filled from within rather than outside - since you want this niche though - if actually hit up the finance headhunters and staffing firms - I never event recommend head hunters for clients Bc it's generally a disaster since they work for companies and not individuals and they waste a ton of time but I've had a ton of clients in dc land in finance roles posted thru those firms and they are pretty senior level ...

And sorry for typos at using my iPhone and can't see what I'm typing half the time ...

[Anonymous]

Just left public accounting and you have a very unique background, especially for a controller position which typically is more hands on.

Don't feel bad though - I was in public for 8 years and well recommended. I had 7 interviews before I got an offer. It is an issue of salary expectations and lack of operational experience. A friend had the same exact issues. We both ultimately got the jobs that were best. It was just more effort than I thought - not going to lie, I thought I would be turning down multiple offers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:then why is it so freaking difficult to even get controller and CFO interviews? I also have a number of excellent references. It is incredibly frustrating. And what burns me is that I see people without a CPA and/or and MBA from a place that will let in anyone with a pulse move from one CFO job to another every 1.5 years, 2 years, 3 years. How do they do that when they are not in the previous position for enough time to actually accomplish something?

CFO here... I have neither an MBA nor a CPA. CFO jobs are competitive, but there are really two types of CFOs. There is the CFO who was an accountant, became controller, rose the ranks and became CFO. Then, there is the strategic CFO who isn't an accountant at all, but spends time on strategy and focused on driving the future of the company. I see myself as the latter, but your background sounds like the former.

I didn't find my current job, the company found me. Most of these jobs are through connections or recruiters, as this is my 1st CFO gig.