[Anonymous]

When I started college I was a stupid adolescent, and didn’t take school very seriously. My first few semesters I did dreadful, without knowing what subject I was actually going to study. I started college as a math major originally with plans to be a teacher. I decided if I continued down this path and finished I would end up as a teacher with very little options. I switched to business, with no specific concentration. When I took Principles of Accounting II, I ended up with my favorite professor who convinced me accounting was the way to go. It took until my fifth semester, but I finally decided ultimately what I would receive a degree in.

I didn’t take school very seriously at the time. I spent too much time boozing and partying, When it came to academics I usually did the bare minimum to to receive my bachelors. I ended up with a 2.97 which I am absolutely embarrassed about. I did participate in some clubs and academics (VITA, Accounting Sociey, Social Fraternity), and had a Tax internship in Spring 2009. I graduated in May 2010, I told myself it couldn’t be too difficult to find a job.

I took an unpaid A/P internship in early June 2010 in NYC.

I finally took a finance position at a Non-Profit organization in August 2010 (and have been since), where my duties are spread over numerous different areas. I perform bookkeeping, monthly close, internal audit, portfolio management, and IT tasks.

I had no idea where I saw myself in 5 years, but just kept chugging away at work. It took until this past summer, but I finally made some decisions. I wanted to find myself in a Big 4 or mid-size accounting firm within the next 18 months. I knew my GPA had me way behind, so I had to increase my marketability. I first had to decide whether to go to grad school or pass my CPA exams first. I decided that taking CPA exams would give me time to choose on a school/program. I paid for Becker out of pocket, and paid for my NTS in August. I took AUD & REG in October/November. Pass & Pass. I took BEC in January. Pass. I take FAR tomorrow (not going to pass, barely got done with all the videos in time; and stupid NTS expires too). Will pass in April.

I’ve added Professional Development to my resume and have included my CPA exam grades. I’ve been reading stories, and I still don’t think this is enough to my foot in the door any big accounting firm. I’m also in a strange position as I’m not a campus recruit, and I’m not exactly an experienced hire.

I won’t let that stop me though. I’m committed to this.

So what is the best course of action now? Should I do a MAcc? I’m still going to need 28 more credits to meet the educational requirement. Should I do something more specialized and go for the MS in Tax? Or should I go the MBA route? Not really liking the MBA route, as I’d only want to go to a Columbia or NYU (which I can’t afford or get into). Should I focus on finding a school that the Big 4 & midsize firms recruit from? Or should I skip the graduate school, and just earn credits at a local community and just keep trying with applications?

Any success stories that relate to me?

I live in NJ/NYC area if it helps with ideas.

Cliff notes:

-Boozed it up way too much in college

-Did bare minimum in school to end with a 2.97 GPA

-Works on a finance team for a small non-profit

-Started taking things more seriously and has passed first three sections of CPA exam

-Wants to work for big 4 or midsize (GT, BDO, etc.)

-Needs more to get noticed

-MAcc or MS Tax?

[NYCpat]

I will chime in and agree with 2/15 n/30.

I did not have a stellar GPA in undergrad either – note that you didn't “screw yourself.” I got a Big 4 Public accounting job in Chicago right out of school and my career has taken me to Seattle and now NYC.

I have never put my GPA on any resume nor has anyone ever asked me for it. Further, as I have risen at various roles and been in charge of hiring staff, I have never asked a candidate for their GPA. I just wanted to see that they had a related major and completed their degree (Accounting, Finance, Econ). And moreso, I wanted to see how they handled themself in an interview, not see what grades they got in a sophomore Accounting class.

Your CPA designation will trump any perceived weakness as far as college attended or GPA attained.

BEC - 82
AUD - 65; retake Feb 2013
FAR - April 2013
REG - July 2013?

[Anonymous]

FWIW: My kid really screwed up his first 18 months as an undergrad (academic probation). He got his act together (after failing Principles 1) and went on a major tear academically: 100/P1, 100/P2, A's in 303 & 304, etc.

When he went to recruiting day, his overall GPA was ~2.85, but his GPA in his major was 3.9 (the first P1 failure was dropped).

He only received two interviews with B4 firms. EY spent about a second with him and sent him on his way. The interview with the other B4 went completely differently and, he was later told, was quite unusual. Here are the details for anyone who cares:

During the interview, a partner came over, looked at his resume, and said, “What happened during your first year?”

“Nothing”, he replied.

The partner said, “No, I mean what's the story with your GPA? It looks like your first year was a bust.”

“I understood the question. When I said nothing, I meant nothing, as in I did nothing other than screw up my GPA. I wasn't taking school seriously and I blew it.”

The partner actually sought out one of his professors during the interview to ask him some questions. Apparently satisfied, they sent him on his way after a two and a half hour interview. He was offered an internship, completed it, and returned in the fall to get his M-Tax. Now that he's been on the recruiting side of the process, he understands that the two and a half hours spent with him was VERY unusual, as recruiters are instructed to spend 30 minutes or less during the recruiting interview.

He currently works in SALT and, compared to his roommate who works in audit at the same firm, has a great job. Rarely does his work week exceed 50 hours (though there have been a few that were quite long), he gets unheard of vacation time (compared to the private sector), and is making ~$60k in the middle of his second year.

In all, he's very happy with his job. He's never complained about the hours, though I think he was surprised how many attorneys there are in his service line. Passed all four parts of the exam on the first crack and had his CPA before he started working. He said it was nice to apply for the CPA bonus his second week OTJ…haha.

Bottom line: If you have a GPA that was jacked due to immaturity during you first/second year, make it a point to step up and be your own advocate when it comes time to explain. Don't make excuses, be prepared to explain that you've turned the corner, and hope for the best!

[Author]

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