[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.

[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

[tough_kitty]

As some already mentioned – if your GPA is below 3.0, do NOT even include it in your résumé!!!

If you need work experience to qualify for the CPA license – that part we all seem to be confused about (??) – then consider other options – for a general (not attest) license, you just need to find a job under an active CPA. Doesn't have to be in public accounting.

If you like taxes, I'd suggest getting an MS in taxation as opposed to an MS Accy. But if your goal is to get a degree without spending too much $ on it, you might consider MS Accy at CSUS.edu – it's entirely online.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

As some already mentioned – if your GPA is below 3.0, do NOT even include it in your résumé!!!

If you need work experience to qualify for the CPA license – that part we all seem to be confused about (??) – then consider other options – for a general (not attest) license, you just need to find a job under an active CPA. Doesn't have to be in public accounting.

If you like taxes, I'd suggest getting an MS in taxation as opposed to an MS Accy. But if your goal is to get a degree without spending too much $ on it, you might consider MS Accy at CSUS.edu – it's entirely online.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[mla1169]

Kitty in MA, you can skip the experience requirement but only with a masters, still need the experience with 150 credits. Otherwise the experience has to be in public. The requirements are state specific.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Kitty in MA, you can skip the experience requirement but only with a masters, still need the experience with 150 credits. Otherwise the experience has to be in public. The requirements are state specific.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[tough_kitty]

Wow. Nice! I wish I lived in MA! 🙂 well, at this point it doesn't matter since all I have left is AUD & ethics exam but seems like CA is the worst…

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Wow. Nice! I wish I lived in MA! 🙂 well, at this point it doesn't matter since all I have left is AUD & ethics exam but seems like CA is the worst…

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[trc12]

Thanks all for the advice. I really appreciate it. To clear things up, I passed the exams and have the 150 units to satisfy the educational requirement. I do not have the work experience to become a CPA. In the State of Massachusetts, where I live, getting a MACC fufills that work experience requirement. It gets you a “non reporting” CPA license, which means that you can do everything else a CPA does except sign off on financial statements. I have a bunch of friends who have this license and they claim is essentially the same thing as a full on license.

In terms of applying as an experience hire. Is me not having the years of experience in Audit or Tax less of a obstacle than my sub 3.0 GPA?

[trc12]

Thanks all for the advice. I really appreciate it. To clear things up, I passed the exams and have the 150 units to satisfy the educational requirement. I do not have the work experience to become a CPA. In the State of Massachusetts, where I live, getting a MACC fufills that work experience requirement. It gets you a “non reporting” CPA license, which means that you can do everything else a CPA does except sign off on financial statements. I have a bunch of friends who have this license and they claim is essentially the same thing as a full on license.

In terms of applying as an experience hire. Is me not having the years of experience in Audit or Tax less of a obstacle than my sub 3.0 GPA?

[Anonymous]

Have you tried in earnest to get into local and regional firms? Big 4 is a stretch with a 2.8 because of their volume of applicants, but smaller firms focus less on GPA. A 2.8 should definitely not lock you out of all public firms by any means.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried in earnest to get into local and regional firms? Big 4 is a stretch with a 2.8 because of their volume of applicants, but smaller firms focus less on GPA. A 2.8 should definitely not lock you out of all public firms by any means.

[pobee10]

If big 4 is your goal, then start at a smaller regional firm and then after a couple years apply to big 4. Much easier to get in as an experienced hire than first year public accountant.

FAR 2/28/13 - 91
REG 5/20/13 - 87
BEC 8/21/13 - 83
AUD 11/5/13 - 96

[pobee10]

If big 4 is your goal, then start at a smaller regional firm and then after a couple years apply to big 4. Much easier to get in as an experienced hire than first year public accountant.

FAR 2/28/13 - 91
REG 5/20/13 - 87
BEC 8/21/13 - 83
AUD 11/5/13 - 96

[Author]

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