[naz2k57]

My professor was explaining to us how valuable the CPA is and what it truly means. I felt that he was exaggerating but I could be wrong.

Do you guys believe a CPA is really that valuable? What makes it so valuable? What opportunities does a CPA open? Please share your personal experiences.

Also, does a CPA have the power to help a student overcome a low GPA in the eyes of the employer?

Thank You

[mangos]

It's one of those things that creates an artificial barrier to entry for the profession. Anything of that sort will be valuable because it limits supply and thus increases value.

Passing the CPA exam itself doesn't really provide much value, what creates value is your experience and knowledge gained on the job for the most part.

FAR (5/07/13): 96

[LinkA8A0A]

Yeah, like mangos said…it gives you the entry ticket into the accounting profession. Without one the most you're going to see in terms of positions in the profession are book keeper roles and staff accounting roles. You will not be looked at for senior, manager or controller type positions.

It is a mandatory element in public accounting, without it you will only be able to advance to Audit In Charge and if you never get it, will probably be persuaded to look elsewhere for employment after a few years of that role.

If you want a career in accounting, a CPA license is a must.

[LinkA8A0A]

To answer your other question, I only was asked about my GPA when applying for a role as a new hire in public accounting. I think after a few years of being in the profession, your GPA will be a non-issue and probably not even mentioned on interviews.

[naz2k57]

You see, my fear is ending up working in a small CPA firm for the rest of my life like some people I know. I want to work myself up and work for big companies, weather it be the big 4 or some other company. So is this possible?

It seems that once you are a CPA and have experience, you are able to more around more freely. I also live in NYC, just some extra information.

[Anonymous]

I am 42 and have over 20 years of accounting experience. No one has EVER asked me my GPA. It was a 3.7, but no one cares.

There is so much competition today. The more education you have, the better off you are. A few years ago, when the market turned south and I needed to find work, I was told to go get my CPA and come back when I applied for Controller positions ($90K+/Year Jobs). Now I have my CPA and I know I will get one. I just need to keep applying.

My advice is to do your 1 to 2 years in an accounting firm, then move to private – a staff accountant position. From there, you should be able to move into a senior accountant position and then an accounting manager or controller position.

You will probably never move past the staff accountant ($40K-$50K) position, without your CPA. If you would like more money, get your CPA.

[Anonymous]

Opens up opportunities down the road.

[Anonymous]

My professor was explaining to us how valuable the CPA is and what it truly means. I felt that he was exaggerating but I could be wrong.

Do you guys believe a CPA is really that valuable? What makes it so valuable? What opportunities does a CPA open? Please share your personal experiences.

Also, does a CPA have the power to help a student overcome a low GPA in the eyes of the employer?

Others already mentioned how it's a barrier to entry, etc. But don't be fooled. The prestige/name recognition of the CPA is a real and tangible thing. It's a benchmark that people with it will judge you on. Even if a firm thinks you're extremely qualified, the public perception that you need a CPA to be in an upper management position might keep you from progressing if you lack it.

[wizards8507]

At this risk of sounding rude…

Why do you have a low GPA? If it's because you're not good at accounting, maybe it's just not your thing. Don't bury yourself by spending tons of money to pass an exam that isn't in your skill set because 1) you'll be miserable and 2) you won't be successful. If you LIKE accounting and WANT to be an accountant, then the CPA should be your goal. Otherwise, it might be more prudent/wise to consider other things.

NY CPA

[I just love this]

The CPA is a professional license, so the value is in the profession. It isn't an MBA, so don't compare it. Just like you would take the Bar exam to be able to practice law, don't take the CPA exam if you don't want to make a career in audit/tax/advisory consulting/financial reporting & management, etc.. Anything beyond accounting professions, the CPA will have marginal to no value.

It seems your real question is, “is this profession right for me?”

REG- Waiting 7/1/13
BEC- Waiting 7/23/13
AUD- Studying 8/12/13
FAR- Signed up 10/1/13
Studying with CPAExcel and Wiley Test Bank.

[jaredo155]

I went out to lunch a couple months ago with my old roommate who conquered the CPA a couple of years ago. He told me that he was somewhat disappointed because he thought once he passed he would be able to tell girls out at the bar he was a CPA and they would be impressed and that it would assist in picking them up, but that he had found it to have the opposite effect.

While I found it quite amusing when my friend was telling me that story, I think it also speaks to your question to some degree. If you want to be a CPA because you are looking for instant gratification from people outside of the accounting world, then the CPA is most likely not going to give you that. Most of the general public, and even a fair portion of other business professionals who aren't involved in the accounting/finance function, are very uneducated about what a CPA really represents and thus don't have near the respect for it that is probably warranted. (i.e. “oh you are studying for the CPA, I can relate I just got done with my real estate license”)

With all that said if you are looking for respect amongst the accounting community, there is no higher achievement or certification you can achieve period. What doors it opens for you is dependent on so many factors that its really an impossible question to answer (experience, personality, work ethic, communication, timing, location, etc.), but it will always open more doors than would have been open if you didn't have it.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[Tncincy]

Over Hyped? Well I guess we need something to go through such a grueling certification. I am sure someone has already said, It's about your passion and what you want from it , if it's to be a professional so be it, if its to use as a pic-up line then good luck. I think joining a network and attend a few meetings or conferences. It might help to be surrounded by people of the same profession. Most folks in general know what at accountant is but certified makes it more than a degree.

Soon the general public will know the difference between a cpa and a tax-preparer…..lol….No I'm not doing this to franchise you know block.

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

[jeff]

With a CPA designation, right, wrong, or indifferent…most people will assume you're pretty smart and are an expert on taxes.

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[I just love this]

You guys are spot on with the perception of CPAs and tax. I'm so freaking sick of that misconception and I'm so young in the field. In about 20 years when people still say, “Oh you're a CPA- maybe I could have you do my taxes,” I might just start flipping out on people irrationally.

REG- Waiting 7/1/13
BEC- Waiting 7/23/13
AUD- Studying 8/12/13
FAR- Signed up 10/1/13
Studying with CPAExcel and Wiley Test Bank.

[wizards8507]

@I_just_love_this

Or you could take their money and do their taxes. Little side business. Personal income tax is super easy when you have the form in front of you and aren't trying to memorize the whole thing.

NY CPA

[Author]

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