[trc12]

Hi I posted a thread a couple weeks ago, but my account got deleted in an effort to change my username. Basically my story goes like this. I graduated in December 2010, and I got a bad GPA in undergrad (2.8), and that has caused me to be bypassed by all public accounting firms. Since that time I have worked as a Staff Accountant at a Private Equity Firm. the pay is decent and the hours are great, but without public accounting experience there seems to be a pretty short cap on how high I can rise. Last summer while working I managed to pass all the CPA exams, and gain the necessary 150 units. Unfortunately, this did not make me anymore attractive to employers as the undergrad GPA seems to be a hurdle too high to climb. Passing the CPA and not becomming a CPA is pretty frusterating. I have considered taking a Masters in Accounting program, but there’s no guarentee I can get in, and I’m not sure I have the finances to justify that decision. One positive about the MACC program is that in Massachusetts (where I live) that would be good enough to satisfy the work experience requirement for a CPA. Anyways if anyone has any advice I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[Igotthis]

Sorry but I am confused. Are you trying to get advice on how to get into a public accounting firm or are you having trouble getting your license after passing the CPA exams?

[Igotthis]

Sorry but I am confused. Are you trying to get advice on how to get into a public accounting firm or are you having trouble getting your license after passing the CPA exams?

[mla1169]

The MACC will get you a non reporting license in MA. Before you go dropping big bucks on a degree though, are you 100% sure that the only reason you're not finding a job in public is your GPA? How many places did you apply to, what time of year, etc?

Its harder to get a public job with you GPA but not unheard of.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

The MACC will get you a non reporting license in MA. Before you go dropping big bucks on a degree though, are you 100% sure that the only reason you're not finding a job in public is your GPA? How many places did you apply to, what time of year, etc?

Its harder to get a public job with you GPA but not unheard of.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[trc12]

Sorry for the confusion I was pretty much just asking for general career advice. Ideally, the advice would be helpful in getting a job in public accounting, but even “don't worry about public accounting” warnings would suffice.

As for whether my GPA is the only factor I am not getting a job? It appears it is the main reason I am unable find a job in public. I have had my resume handed to the HR departments of one Big Four firm, and despite passing the exam I was unable to get an intervew because my GPA did not meet the minimum requirement. This was according to my contact at the firm who fought for me. As I get further and further away from my undergrad years there are less avenues for me to actually find an open position for a firm (via their website).

To be honest I dont necessarily have a thirst to work in public accounting, but from what I observe it seems like a necessary step for me to advance in my career.

[trc12]

Sorry for the confusion I was pretty much just asking for general career advice. Ideally, the advice would be helpful in getting a job in public accounting, but even “don't worry about public accounting” warnings would suffice.

As for whether my GPA is the only factor I am not getting a job? It appears it is the main reason I am unable find a job in public. I have had my resume handed to the HR departments of one Big Four firm, and despite passing the exam I was unable to get an intervew because my GPA did not meet the minimum requirement. This was according to my contact at the firm who fought for me. As I get further and further away from my undergrad years there are less avenues for me to actually find an open position for a firm (via their website).

To be honest I dont necessarily have a thirst to work in public accounting, but from what I observe it seems like a necessary step for me to advance in my career.

[mla1169]

Well I am living proof that you can move up in industry without having worked in public (lots of companies don't require it but some do). I am the acctg mgr for a small privately held manufacturer and I never worked a day in public. You can either work for a private company or get a lower level job in a public company and work your way up.

Still, you need that license. So you have to choose between public and a masters.

Not sure where in MA you are but around here there are tons and tons of small/family/CPA type firms. You might have better luck with a “smith and smith LLC” than a big 4, at least for now. Pay may be low, but still better than paying out of pocket for a masters.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Well I am living proof that you can move up in industry without having worked in public (lots of companies don't require it but some do). I am the acctg mgr for a small privately held manufacturer and I never worked a day in public. You can either work for a private company or get a lower level job in a public company and work your way up.

Still, you need that license. So you have to choose between public and a masters.

Not sure where in MA you are but around here there are tons and tons of small/family/CPA type firms. You might have better luck with a “smith and smith LLC” than a big 4, at least for now. Pay may be low, but still better than paying out of pocket for a masters.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[acamp]

Network, Network, Network, Network, Sleep, Network, Network, Network, Network.

Ok, get the idea?

I would apply to the firm's websites through experienced hire, although you will likely end up a 1st year auditor by rank, it might be a way to circumvent the GPA requirements, as I would imagine that the GPA of experienced hires is less of a focus.

Now, after applying, NETWORK. Having an application in is a great first step, it puts you in the system. However it does little else, because thousands of people do this so not many people probably look at them. So, the more people you can get to know the better, the more people who might drop an email to HR and say, “Hey, this guy applied, might want to have a look at him.” the better. Attend anything you can find, here in CA the non-CPA membership to CalCPA is like $50, and I think the AICPAs non-CPA membership is about the same (free for students, but that has passed). You don't need to show up to these things to make new best friends, but just to chat with people in the business. If you can hold a light conversion, you might be able to veer it towards, “hey any tips or HR contacts on getting in with your firm?” or something along those lines. Or even get people's cards and shoot them a quick email.

Yes, getting a masters and getting the grades would help a lot, but I would pound the pavement hard before I spent all that cash (or loaded up on all that debt, yuck), especially since you have the 150 anyways! Might even see if you can attending your schools meet the firms, tell people you went into corporate accounting, and are looking something faster pace. You DONT have to point out that nobody considered you because of your GPA LOL. And if/when its pointed out, I would point right to the fact that you have the exam passed! I might even put that in two places, in a highlights section at the top and right under your GPA in the edu section.

Also, anyway to bifurcate your GPA? Is upper division better than lower, is accounting better than overall?

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

Network, Network, Network, Network, Sleep, Network, Network, Network, Network.

Ok, get the idea?

I would apply to the firm's websites through experienced hire, although you will likely end up a 1st year auditor by rank, it might be a way to circumvent the GPA requirements, as I would imagine that the GPA of experienced hires is less of a focus.

Now, after applying, NETWORK. Having an application in is a great first step, it puts you in the system. However it does little else, because thousands of people do this so not many people probably look at them. So, the more people you can get to know the better, the more people who might drop an email to HR and say, “Hey, this guy applied, might want to have a look at him.” the better. Attend anything you can find, here in CA the non-CPA membership to CalCPA is like $50, and I think the AICPAs non-CPA membership is about the same (free for students, but that has passed). You don't need to show up to these things to make new best friends, but just to chat with people in the business. If you can hold a light conversion, you might be able to veer it towards, “hey any tips or HR contacts on getting in with your firm?” or something along those lines. Or even get people's cards and shoot them a quick email.

Yes, getting a masters and getting the grades would help a lot, but I would pound the pavement hard before I spent all that cash (or loaded up on all that debt, yuck), especially since you have the 150 anyways! Might even see if you can attending your schools meet the firms, tell people you went into corporate accounting, and are looking something faster pace. You DONT have to point out that nobody considered you because of your GPA LOL. And if/when its pointed out, I would point right to the fact that you have the exam passed! I might even put that in two places, in a highlights section at the top and right under your GPA in the edu section.

Also, anyway to bifurcate your GPA? Is upper division better than lower, is accounting better than overall?

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Igotthis]

I agree with acamp. Networking is one of the best ways of getting into a big 4. I know that most big 4s have referral policies too, as in they motivate their current employees to refer candidates. From EY, there is a monetary prize for people that refers people, whom gets hired.

I feel that it is more important on what you do at work. If you are diversified in what you do and can show it on your resume, there is no need to go into a public company. If you want to advance, you can always change jobs to a senior level at another private industry accounting job.

[Igotthis]

I agree with acamp. Networking is one of the best ways of getting into a big 4. I know that most big 4s have referral policies too, as in they motivate their current employees to refer candidates. From EY, there is a monetary prize for people that refers people, whom gets hired.

I feel that it is more important on what you do at work. If you are diversified in what you do and can show it on your resume, there is no need to go into a public company. If you want to advance, you can always change jobs to a senior level at another private industry accounting job.

[Anonymous]

Let me try to get this clear…

You have passed all four parts of the CPA but do not currently have the CPA designation behind your name. You have worked in the private industry for some time now and is looking to get yourself in to public accounting. You think its your low GPA that is causing you to be overlooked by Big 4. Correct?

[Anonymous]

Let me try to get this clear…

You have passed all four parts of the CPA but do not currently have the CPA designation behind your name. You have worked in the private industry for some time now and is looking to get yourself in to public accounting. You think its your low GPA that is causing you to be overlooked by Big 4. Correct?

[nzwoof]

only ppl who get a master in accountancy is to get the hours to sit for the exam. you have the hours, so it would look foolish.

Reg 4/06/13 81
Far 5/28/13 86

[Author]

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