How hard is it to get an accounting job in Chicago? (Ohio: vacation home, job market)

[EastBoundandDownChick]

I am living in metro Detroit while finishing my MAcc (Master's of Accounting) and beginning portion of the CPA at home. I have good grades (3.85 on a 4.0 scale) and did an internship with a mid-size local firm for a semester. I will be finishing soon and want to move to Chicago as most of my extended family and my good friends from my undergrad are there (plus the opportunities just seem better). I'm unsure if it would be a better move to acquire a few years of experience here before relocating or if I should just bite the bullet and do it. Has anyone on this forum ever been in a similiar situation or have any advice?

[SmartGXL]

I came to Chicago from Ohio, while working in the financial sector (with an accountancy background), and found a gig before moving, and found it quickly too, but at the time, I had 7 years of experience. That was also in the late 90's, when the job market was hot accross the board, although I have heard that the job market in the financial sector is very hot today as well, especially for accountants. I would definitely say you should try to find a gig BEFORE moving here, but since you only have what you said was an internship, you may not start out making very much (although it should be enough to live in your own here in the city). Check to see if you can use your friends' and relatives' addresses on your resume so that it makes you appear as though you are in town; most companies only like to hire people who are local to the area.

[EastBoundandDownChick]

Thank you for your advice. I do have a few friends and family members who are willing to let me use their address while I search. I'm just hoping that there are a decent number of entry level jobs to apply for when the ink on this degree is dry...

[Jandur]

I think you'll be pretty set. All of my friends that were on CPA route got jobs right out of college in Chicago. There are a lot of finance related jobs here. Your masters will help just that much more.

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by EastBoundandDownChick

Thank you for your advice. I do have a few friends and family members who are willing to let me use their address while I search. I'm just hoping that there are a decent number of entry level jobs to apply for when the ink on this degree is dry...

You didn't say when you will be done with your degree, but don't wait to be finished to start looking for a job. A lot of accounting firms here will hire you before you graduate on the condition that you do, in fact, finish. Also, many will pay for CPA review courses and the exams. I know the job market was better back in 2004, but I and all my business friends had jobs at least 3 months before graduation (most of us got our offers over Christmas break to start in May/June).

I would start looking now, but that's just me.

[EastBoundandDownChick]

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

You didn't say when you will be done with your degree, but don't wait to be finished to start looking for a job. A lot of accounting firms here will hire you before you graduate on the condition that you do, in fact, finish. Also, many will pay for CPA review courses and the exams. I know the job market was better back in 2004, but I and all my business friends had jobs at least 3 months before graduation (most of us got our offers over Christmas break to start in May/June).

I would start looking now, but that's just me.

Thank you for your advice, nikitakolata. I will be finished this December. I started applying to the Chicago firms this week. The only thing I'm nervous about is that they will obviously see I am still living in Michigan as it's where I am attending school right now. Should I try to explain that I have living arrangements set up for me by my family there or save that for the interviews? I worry they'll see I'm not local and just throw my resume in the trash.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by EastBoundandDownChick

Thank you for your advice, nikitakolata. I will be finished this December. I started applying to the Chicago firms this week. The only thing I'm nervous about is that they will obviously see I am still living in Michigan as it's where I am attending school right now. Should I try to explain that I have living arrangements set up for me by my family there or save that for the interviews? I worry they'll see I'm not local and just throw my resume in the trash.

My friend went to MSU and got a job right out of college in Chicago. He's working at Lasalle now. These really large companies do a lot of out-of state recruiting so they are usually use to it.

[myrc60]

Illinois CPA Society ® should have a student membership available and they have a library and job listings available to members only.

edit:
Those Chicago folks have vacation homes in MI so that may not be as big of an issue as you think.

[EastBoundandDownChick]

Thank you myrc60 for providing that resource, I appreciate it!

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by EastBoundandDownChick

Thank you myrc60 for providing that resource, I appreciate it!

You're welcome! Join and take advantage of every resource they have. When I worked there they were one of the best state societies in the country. Good luck in your endeavors.