You can use these events to network w/ fellow investors and possibly make contact w/ a few wholesalers.

This will expose you to the different markets, expand your network and help you save for a dp.The other option (which I suggest, or worked for me when I started out) is to secure a property that will cash flow, complete your due deligence, complete a thorough analysis and then present it to a partner (friend or family) who will put down the cash, while you act as the industry professional with all the knowledge.  

Education, networking and some resources will help greatly.

I have met great people though, Good place to network.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/511755-dayton-networking-dec-11-2017

If you are still adamant on reaching out to a CPA; you can do the following1) take the suggestions posted in this thread2) Attend a local REIA event and network with the professionals in the event and ask who they use for a CPA.3) create a keyword alert for "Los angeles" and "California" and see who frequently post on threads with these keywords. you will notice some of the same posters. network with these individuals and ask who they use for a CPA.4) if you are still unable to connect with a CPA locally - feel free to find a CPA who works with clients remotely.

A nice environment to "network" with others and for you to learn "the lay-of-the-land" here in South Florida.You can "Google" David Dweck or Boca Real Estate Investment Club a link for is:  B.R.I.C.   

That sounds strange, but you have nothing holding you back from venturing out of your security...because you have lost that security blanket that was your job.I would venture to say, that most of the success stories in history, started out where you are right now...me included.So, with nothing holding you back, and with plenty of time on your hands (time will always be your greatest asset...since you can never get it back), if you want to get into REI, you need to do the following:1 - Learn,2 - Learn some more,3 - Keep learning.Places to learn (before you say "that costs money"), that don't cost any money are:1 - Online education sites that have free articles written by experts in their fields.2 - Free e-books, that you can get online.3 - Joining your local REIC's to both learn and network.4 - ...and never stop learning...even when you become a success at this (and you will)Also, three very critical actions you MUST follow to be a success:1 - Always think possitive.2 - Train yourself to think of future "obstacles" as temporary problems...and you are the problem solver. 

Since you are at a top business school, I would take advantage of their career center, events, and alumni network (reach out to alumni from your school that work at target firms) to break into the space.

I had the best paying job I’d ever had as a Digital Content Director at a small TV Network and they required I relocate from Brooklyn to work out of their Glendale offices.