How hard is it to find a job for a CPA (Dallas: real estate, apartment complex)

[Potato218]

Hi,

I am moving from Irvine, CA to Austin in June. I am just moving out there wihtout having a job lined up. I do have a stable job right now, but I am sick and tired of living on paycheck to paycheck. Living cost is too high here in California, and that is the major reason for relocation.

I am a California CPA with Master of Business Taxation. I do not have extensive tax background though. I have been working for a real estate management development company for five years as an accountant. I have over 7 years of accounting experience. How hard is it to find a job in Austin? What is the best way to find an accounting job? Please help me.

I read lots of posts regarding city to relocate, but most of people were concern about school district. I have 31 years old single and do not have any kids. I do not care about school district, and I am just looking for a good quiet neighborhood. What city would be idealistic?

Thank you so much for your help in advance. I am so excited to go back to Texas~!!!!

[bpvarian]

You are crazy to come out here without a job lined up. Search the boards, this is recommended time and time again (don't come out without a job - they are not easy to come by and lots of competition)....

[mezman]

Originally Posted by Potato218

Hi,

I am moving from Irvine, CA to Austin in June. I am just moving out there wihtout having a job lined up. I do have a stable job right now, but I am sick and tired of living on paycheck to paycheck. Living cost is too high here in California, and that is the major reason for relocation.

I am a California CPA with Master of Business Taxation. I do not have extensive tax background though. I have been working for a real estate management development company for five years as an accountant. I have over 7 years of accounting experience. How hard is it to find a job in Austin? What is the best way to find an accounting job? Please help me.

I read lots of posts regarding city to relocate, but most of people were concern about school district. I have 31 years old single and do not have any kids. I do not care about school district, and I am just looking for a good quiet neighborhood. What city would be idealistic?

Thank you so much for your help in advance. I am so excited to go back to Texas~!!!!

UT-Austin had the #1 ranked accounting program in the nation last I saw and they graduate a lot of accountants. A lot of those graduates want to stay in Austin so it probably won't be easy to find an accounting job in Austin. A few months ago I was applying broadly and applied to a few jobs in Austin and never heard a peep. I have a MBA,an out-of-state CPA license, and 7 years of accounting/audit experience... but an n of 1 is anecdeotal. None the less I would not move without a job offer in hand.

[Potato218]

Thank you for your advice. I know UT is #1 for its accounting program. I am graduating from USC (#8) and it not comparable to UT, I guess. It is crazy idea to move out there without a job, but I was also told that many companies do not even consider out-of-state candidates. I have been living in Orange County, CA for 8 years now but i am originally from Dallas, Tx. Does Dallas have better outlook in term of jobs?

[Agnapostate]

Originally Posted by Potato218

I was also told that many companies do not even consider out-of-state candidates.

Is that right? My accounting professor (who still actively practices full-time), swears that it's the one field that's always open. Everything I see/hear affirms my decision to pursue management, though.

[someguyatx]

Originally Posted by Potato218

Thank you for your advice. I know UT is #1 for its accounting program. I am graduating from USC (#8) and it not comparable to UT, I guess. It is crazy idea to move out there without a job, but I was also told that many companies do not even consider out-of-state candidates. I have been living in Orange County, CA for 8 years now but i am originally from Dallas, Tx. Does Dallas have better outlook in term of jobs?

Dallas is larger with more people so likely more jobs. With either city it would be helpful to know where you plan to work to avoid a 1 hour commute. Start applying and use a local address of an apartment complex or something. Ask for a first interview by phone and be ready to fly out if a proper opp comes up.

[mezman]

Originally Posted by Potato218

Thank you for your advice. I know UT is #1 for its accounting program. I am graduating from USC (#8) and it not comparable to UT, I guess. It is crazy idea to move out there without a job, but I was also told that many companies do not even consider out-of-state candidates. I have been living in Orange County, CA for 8 years now but i am originally from Dallas, Tx. Does Dallas have better outlook in term of jobs?

Dallas would seem to have more opportunity, you might want to post on the Dallas board and see what the locals think.

[mezman]

Originally Posted by Agnapostate

Is that right? My accounting professor (who still actively practices full-time), swears that it's the one field that's always open. Everything I see/hear affirms my decision to pursue management, though.

It is pretty open, you just can't always find a job in every city in the US some markets are harder to break in to and some markets don't need your particular skill set. It's just like anything else.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Agnapostate

Is that right? My accounting professor (who still actively practices full-time), swears that it's the one field that's always open. Everything I see/hear affirms my decision to pursue management, though.

I'd sure be looking for the accounting degree with a 'double major' or 'minor' in management or marketing(not sure how they do that any more). IMO, accounting is still perceived as a 'science' while management and marketing are more 'abstract'. Given the job market of the last/next few years, I think both might be desirable. Back in the old days, my course selection meant I needed only two more management courses to have a double major(major'd in marketing, BTW...started in accounting but changed when I found I couldn't pass the FBI physical--long story).

[LI2Texas]

I would get on linked in and make contacts with some headhunters. They email me jobs quite often and I have not even reached out to any of them that I am looking. I work in austin, am an out of state CPA with 7 years experience in public (audit)