[miketheghost22]

I have a 2.85 accounting GPA and a 3.14 overall GPA. I have a business degree with a major in accounting. Since my GPA is non-competitive, will a high score on the CPA land me a job in one of the big four firms. If so, how high would my score have to be?

[barelystayingsane]

A high score really means nothing. The firms only care about if you passed or not.

Do you have a good excuse for a lower GPA? I understand that some people have a lower GPA because they were involved in lots of extracurricular activities and/or worked a ton in college. Nothing wrong with that, and some people will accept that as a valid answer. If you don't have a valid excuse for a lower GPA, scoring really well on the CPA exams would say to me, “This guy obviously worked really hard for (at most) 18 months to pass all these exams on the first try, but why doesn't his GPA reflect this work ethic? Could he not consistently work hard for four years in college? Doesn't seem very consistent.”

I obviously don't know your situation, so I'm not at all insinuating that you didn't have a whole lot of other stuff going on. I'm just saying that's how it might come across if you don't have a reason for a lower GPA.

[barelystayingsane]

A high score really means nothing. The firms only care about if you passed or not.

Do you have a good excuse for a lower GPA? I understand that some people have a lower GPA because they were involved in lots of extracurricular activities and/or worked a ton in college. Nothing wrong with that, and some people will accept that as a valid answer. If you don't have a valid excuse for a lower GPA, scoring really well on the CPA exams would say to me, “This guy obviously worked really hard for (at most) 18 months to pass all these exams on the first try, but why doesn't his GPA reflect this work ethic? Could he not consistently work hard for four years in college? Doesn't seem very consistent.”

I obviously don't know your situation, so I'm not at all insinuating that you didn't have a whole lot of other stuff going on. I'm just saying that's how it might come across if you don't have a reason for a lower GPA.

[peetree]

I also think it depends on the type of work history you have as well @mike. In my experience, If you're 4 years out of college,have worked in the accounting field, have been promoted AND have passed the exam, I doubt people will even ask what your GPA was. If they do, you tell the truth whether it be the fact that you just weren't focused or had other stuff going on. GPA is really important coming right out of college and trying to get into BIG 4. Once your career has been started, only the elite of the elite positions are going to ask that, every where else want to know what you've been able to accomplish outside of academia as most of us know, that is where the real learning takes place.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[peetree]

I also think it depends on the type of work history you have as well @mike. In my experience, If you're 4 years out of college,have worked in the accounting field, have been promoted AND have passed the exam, I doubt people will even ask what your GPA was. If they do, you tell the truth whether it be the fact that you just weren't focused or had other stuff going on. GPA is really important coming right out of college and trying to get into BIG 4. Once your career has been started, only the elite of the elite positions are going to ask that, every where else want to know what you've been able to accomplish outside of academia as most of us know, that is where the real learning takes place.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[Tncincy]

Mike: all you can do is apply for the job. If you pass the exam excellent, if they ask you about your GPA just tell them. Sometimes we can talk ourselves out of a good career because of the past. If the company is looking for a CPA and you pass the exam, then you qualify. Some college students were drinkers, partiers, good cheaters, class cutters, married with small children, ill, or simply slower than others. Who wouldn't prefer a high gpa, but the working world understands that the best candidate is not always the high gpa, but passing the exam could seal the deal.

Again, all you can do is apply.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

Mike: all you can do is apply for the job. If you pass the exam excellent, if they ask you about your GPA just tell them. Sometimes we can talk ourselves out of a good career because of the past. If the company is looking for a CPA and you pass the exam, then you qualify. Some college students were drinkers, partiers, good cheaters, class cutters, married with small children, ill, or simply slower than others. Who wouldn't prefer a high gpa, but the working world understands that the best candidate is not always the high gpa, but passing the exam could seal the deal.

Again, all you can do is apply.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

Normally companies don't look at CPA scores and instead look at you GPA, extracurricular activities, and believe it or not, your ability to be social (professionally). They are looking for someone who isn't shy, who can look someone in the eye and give a good handshake, and can be light-hearted.

Give it your best shot, prep yourself for any interview, be honest, and be yourself. I know so many CPA's that aren't progressing the way they should because “book smarts” sometimes doesn't correlate to “real world” smarts

[Anonymous]

Normally companies don't look at CPA scores and instead look at you GPA, extracurricular activities, and believe it or not, your ability to be social (professionally). They are looking for someone who isn't shy, who can look someone in the eye and give a good handshake, and can be light-hearted.

Give it your best shot, prep yourself for any interview, be honest, and be yourself. I know so many CPA's that aren't progressing the way they should because “book smarts” sometimes doesn't correlate to “real world” smarts

[evesocal]

I don't think employers care very much about GPA or CPA exam scores. They care if you are licensed or on the way to it. They care about your experience. If you're right out of school and have no experience maybe they'd look at GPA but personally I doubt it, as it really isn't an indicator of what anyone is like as an employee. They will care how you present yourself in your interview and if you seem like a good fit for the job and the firm.

Actually how would they even know your GPA or exam scores unless you offer that information?

Like another poster said, apply for the job and do your best at the interview. I wouldn't even bring up your GPA. If they ask, tell them. They probably won't ask.

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[evesocal]

I don't think employers care very much about GPA or CPA exam scores. They care if you are licensed or on the way to it. They care about your experience. If you're right out of school and have no experience maybe they'd look at GPA but personally I doubt it, as it really isn't an indicator of what anyone is like as an employee. They will care how you present yourself in your interview and if you seem like a good fit for the job and the firm.

Actually how would they even know your GPA or exam scores unless you offer that information?

Like another poster said, apply for the job and do your best at the interview. I wouldn't even bring up your GPA. If they ask, tell them. They probably won't ask.

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[josua]

My experience was different than those posted here. I had a 2.7 gpa in school. I scored high 85, 87, 87, 88 on the exams. When I passed my last exam and sent out resumes, the first firm to respond asked for transcripts and proof of exam. After that I proactively attached this info to all my emails to firms. The response was overwhelming and I accepted a job offer 6 days after sending my first unsolicited email. Good luck.

FAR- 2/25/13- 85
REG- 4/1/13- 87
AUD- 4/15/13- 88
BEC- 5/6/13- 88

[josua]

My experience was different than those posted here. I had a 2.7 gpa in school. I scored high 85, 87, 87, 88 on the exams. When I passed my last exam and sent out resumes, the first firm to respond asked for transcripts and proof of exam. After that I proactively attached this info to all my emails to firms. The response was overwhelming and I accepted a job offer 6 days after sending my first unsolicited email. Good luck.

FAR- 2/25/13- 85
REG- 4/1/13- 87
AUD- 4/15/13- 88
BEC- 5/6/13- 88

[Anonymous]

pssh, i had a 2.9 in undergrad, when i applied to jobs including my current one, i just listed my major gpa which was like 3.2. now i finished my masters, my gpa is is 3.3 and i just put that on

[Anonymous]

pssh, i had a 2.9 in undergrad, when i applied to jobs including my current one, i just listed my major gpa which was like 3.2. now i finished my masters, my gpa is is 3.3 and i just put that on

[Anonymous]

most companies don't care to check or ask, really. experience matters more and simply passing the cpa is more important than your gpa anyway

[Author]

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