[jlondon]

I thought I was into accounting (keeping track of records, booking things, knowing historically/solid numbers of my expenses) .. but the study process has been really hard, and now I feel like leaning towards the finance side. I mean, I even built an excel spread sheet to figure out my spending and then I have an analysis of my budget vs. actual amount spent..

I mean, should I even pursue a cpa if I’m leaning towards this side of the career? At work, I work with the financial analyst and FP&A, and 3 of them have inactive CPA license. I mean, they do need to really understand accounting in order to figure out what gets booked to what, etc… But there is one person who doesn’t have anything accounting related.

I’m just wondering.. should I even put myself on this path to pursue a CPA license, sacrificing A TON of time, only to have my license as inactive later when I find a job.. Is this even worth it? Or should I look into the direction of pursing a different certification? Please any life experience, kind of don’t know what to do at the moment…

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[mla1169]

I wouldn't even mention the extracurriculars, or the GPA (unless asked) . It's troublesome how many people try to justify their GPA by saying they had this or that going on too (for what it's worth I had a 3.7 GPA while working full time, had a house, 2 kids, 2 dogs, and ran a Girl Scout troop).

More important to network, build professional relationships and be very impressive during an interview.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mcki2900]

Thank you for your input MLA. That is impressive to do so well in school while having a family. I think one of my primary mistakes was obviously being more focused on football when I was 18-20 then school and my GPA suffered as a result. Any thoughts on passing the CPA before applying to Big Four? I have a decent network of professionals unfortunately it is not in the correct profession (much more coaches, and agribusiness as I work for a fortune 500 ag company).

[mcki2900]

Thank you for your input MLA. That is impressive to do so well in school while having a family. I think one of my primary mistakes was obviously being more focused on football when I was 18-20 then school and my GPA suffered as a result. Any thoughts on passing the CPA before applying to Big Four? I have a decent network of professionals unfortunately it is not in the correct profession (much more coaches, and agribusiness as I work for a fortune 500 ag company).

[mla1169]

I don't think passing the CPA necessarily gives you an edge. It really matters more how you come across in an interview especially since you have actual work experience and not just academic credentials. They weigh the GPA of course but also how “presentable” you will be to their clients. And if you can get hired before you finish the exams I think all of the big 4 give a passing bonus.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I don't think passing the CPA necessarily gives you an edge. It really matters more how you come across in an interview especially since you have actual work experience and not just academic credentials. They weigh the GPA of course but also how “presentable” you will be to their clients. And if you can get hired before you finish the exams I think all of the big 4 give a passing bonus.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I was in a very similar situation. I majored in finance and minored in economics with no accounting experience outside of my freshman year accounting 101 and 102 classes. During my senior year I landed a last minute internship with a public accounting firm doing some data entry that they needed help with. Despite not having any accounting experience, the firm liked my ambition. Also my GPA was around 3.0 or 3.1, nothing too crazy.

Long story short, they extended my internship while I took the accounting classes at a community college (took a year) and I passed all of the CPA exams within 6 months. Now I work for the firm full-time.

If I were in your shoes, I'd take the additional 1.5 years or so to get the classes and certification. It will definitely open up a lot more doors that could eventually transition into a more finance related roll.

Also, I agree with Study Monk. Accounting isn't my life long passion. I much more enjoy corporate finance (learned in school) than public accounting, but in the end public accounting pays well and I still remember a great deal from school, which could help in a smooth transition later.

Last note, I enrolled for the CFA I exam. I received the 6 books for the one test and never showed up for the exam. In comparison, I thought the CPA was much more attainable (6 months vs 2.5 years for CFA).

Good luck in whichever decision you come to!

Edit: Also, for you finance people, my BEC score was with roughly 2 weeks of studying, including review. It is finance heavy and shouldn't be difficult at all for anyone with a finance background. With that said, that is practically one already under your belt.

[Anonymous]

I was in a very similar situation. I majored in finance and minored in economics with no accounting experience outside of my freshman year accounting 101 and 102 classes. During my senior year I landed a last minute internship with a public accounting firm doing some data entry that they needed help with. Despite not having any accounting experience, the firm liked my ambition. Also my GPA was around 3.0 or 3.1, nothing too crazy.

Long story short, they extended my internship while I took the accounting classes at a community college (took a year) and I passed all of the CPA exams within 6 months. Now I work for the firm full-time.

If I were in your shoes, I'd take the additional 1.5 years or so to get the classes and certification. It will definitely open up a lot more doors that could eventually transition into a more finance related roll.

Also, I agree with Study Monk. Accounting isn't my life long passion. I much more enjoy corporate finance (learned in school) than public accounting, but in the end public accounting pays well and I still remember a great deal from school, which could help in a smooth transition later.

Last note, I enrolled for the CFA I exam. I received the 6 books for the one test and never showed up for the exam. In comparison, I thought the CPA was much more attainable (6 months vs 2.5 years for CFA).

Good luck in whichever decision you come to!

Edit: Also, for you finance people, my BEC score was with roughly 2 weeks of studying, including review. It is finance heavy and shouldn't be difficult at all for anyone with a finance background. With that said, that is practically one already under your belt.

[jlondon]

@Delsol1989 You're pretty damn good.. takes me forever to study…

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@Delsol1989 You're pretty damn good.. takes me forever to study…

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[Anonymous]

@jlondon

It took me forever too, I just studied any chance I got. Clear your weekends and put in a full 8 hours Saturday and Sunday. Wake up early, put in 2 hours and do the same at night. My rational was hate life for 5-6 months vs 18!

[Anonymous]

@jlondon

It took me forever too, I just studied any chance I got. Clear your weekends and put in a full 8 hours Saturday and Sunday. Wake up early, put in 2 hours and do the same at night. My rational was hate life for 5-6 months vs 18!

[jlondon]

@Delsol1989 I like your thinking.. I guess I should really just start to wake up at 5am now… hate it but gotta do it. I want my life back. ….

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@Delsol1989 I like your thinking.. I guess I should really just start to wake up at 5am now… hate it but gotta do it. I want my life back. ….

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[musicamor]

If accounting is not a passion, the CPA is not for you. Being a CPA in a finance career is a waste of time in my humble opinion. There are some Director-level positions in finance that require a CPA; however, those firms don't understand their job descriptions well enough. .

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[musicamor]

If accounting is not a passion, the CPA is not for you. Being a CPA in a finance career is a waste of time in my humble opinion. There are some Director-level positions in finance that require a CPA; however, those firms don't understand their job descriptions well enough. .

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Author]

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