[OliviaPope2]

Hey There!

I am new to Another71 and am seeking some advice. I just recently graduated from a not so well known university in Virginia (Radford) with an accounting degree back in May 2013. Now, almost 5 months later, no accounting job whatsoever just being a waitress 🙁 . I believe part of the reason is that I had a less than stellar GPA in undergrad had a 2.63 GPA overall and my in major was 2.6 as well. I worked a lot in school in order to pay for school, I was active in my sorority as VP, tour guide for the university, operations assistant for the student center in addition to my offsite job as well. Enough about that! I am really considering going to grad school and get a Masters degree. My mom said that I should just go ahead and get the CPA and see what happens. But I do have my 150 credit hours, and I think this may be useless. So I am in a state of confusion. Is it easier to get a job with the CPA? What kind of jobs am I qualified for with just a bachelors in accounting with no cpa license? Should I get an MBA? Are the Wiley Review books good enough to study for CPA? (Have no money really and this is cheaper). What are your guys experiences and recommendations?

Sorry, I ask a lot of questions 🙂

[kevinco]

I am not sure whether GPA is a big thing, my employer did not look at the transcripts. I would advise u to get ur CPA instead of the masters. Save your money. I think the only reason to get a masters is if one wants to teach

Boise State Alumni

05/08/13 FAR Passed - 80
07/09/13 AUD Passed - 96
10/10/13 REG Passed - 75
11/07/13 BEC 77!!! I am DONE!!!!!!!!
12/13/2013 Received my CPA license on my son's 6th birthday in the mail! My son is always a blessing!!

BS - Environmental Science
BBA - Accountancy

Becker Lectures and MCQs. Click on my avatar for my LinkedIn page.

[kevinco]

I am not sure whether GPA is a big thing, my employer did not look at the transcripts. I would advise u to get ur CPA instead of the masters. Save your money. I think the only reason to get a masters is if one wants to teach

Boise State Alumni

05/08/13 FAR Passed - 80
07/09/13 AUD Passed - 96
10/10/13 REG Passed - 75
11/07/13 BEC 77!!! I am DONE!!!!!!!!
12/13/2013 Received my CPA license on my son's 6th birthday in the mail! My son is always a blessing!!

BS - Environmental Science
BBA - Accountancy

Becker Lectures and MCQs. Click on my avatar for my LinkedIn page.

[Jennifer241]

I believe that your mom is right! Good ol' moms! If you don't need the credits to sit for the CPA then you probably don't want to go get your MBA, unless you plan to go into a Big 4, but I don't see that happening with the GPA you listed above. Since you have no accounting experience, all potential job's are going to request to look at your transcripts, once you get a job in accounting and have experience then they don't look at your grades as much and just go off of your recommendations and references. So BUILD solid good references once you get into the accounting world, don't burn ANY bridges. Swallow your pride, work hard and that will earn you respect and get you up the ladder in no time.

Now for the CPA exam, Wiley books will work, I have seen people like Lilla use them and pass. But, it's a lot of reading and there are no lectures to walk you through some of the more difficult topic's. With enough dedication you can do it, but I will say, this road will be the most difficult thing you have ever done, ever! I worked full time while going through college, and that seems like a cake walk now in comparison to studying for the CPA exam.

There are plenty of free video's you can find on subjects that you struggle with on youtube, and there are websites that have their own video's too. Just have to do some digging.

Cheapest route = Wiley books, Wiley test bank, NINJA notes

It can be done.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

I believe that your mom is right! Good ol' moms! If you don't need the credits to sit for the CPA then you probably don't want to go get your MBA, unless you plan to go into a Big 4, but I don't see that happening with the GPA you listed above. Since you have no accounting experience, all potential job's are going to request to look at your transcripts, once you get a job in accounting and have experience then they don't look at your grades as much and just go off of your recommendations and references. So BUILD solid good references once you get into the accounting world, don't burn ANY bridges. Swallow your pride, work hard and that will earn you respect and get you up the ladder in no time.

Now for the CPA exam, Wiley books will work, I have seen people like Lilla use them and pass. But, it's a lot of reading and there are no lectures to walk you through some of the more difficult topic's. With enough dedication you can do it, but I will say, this road will be the most difficult thing you have ever done, ever! I worked full time while going through college, and that seems like a cake walk now in comparison to studying for the CPA exam.

There are plenty of free video's you can find on subjects that you struggle with on youtube, and there are websites that have their own video's too. Just have to do some digging.

Cheapest route = Wiley books, Wiley test bank, NINJA notes

It can be done.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

I agree with @jennifer241. I would look for a job at a smaller firm or at least in your field. Maybe you could find a bookkeeper or entry level staff accountant position somewhere? My first job was a bookkeeper, then I switched to an accounting firm as a bookkeeper/receptionist. Within a year they had me preparing basic tax returns (without any degree). I was able to prove myself through hard work.

Getting into Big Four or many regional firms might be difficult with your GPA. If your GPA is on your resume take it off and just put your degree and leadership experience. Many corporate employers will not ask.

Do not get an MBA. A masters in accounting would help but is not necessary.

Do your best to see if there is a way to finance a CPA review course. (It will be less expensive than paying for a master's degree). Roger & Yaeger are less expensive than Becker and totally adequate. It is doable with Wiley only, but spring for the Wiley TB and Ninja notes. Nothing is cheaper if you have to pay for retakes. The CPA exams are difficult, more difficult than college. (Notice I didn't say one college course, but all of college.) You will need to be very dedicated.

[Anonymous]

I agree with @jennifer241. I would look for a job at a smaller firm or at least in your field. Maybe you could find a bookkeeper or entry level staff accountant position somewhere? My first job was a bookkeeper, then I switched to an accounting firm as a bookkeeper/receptionist. Within a year they had me preparing basic tax returns (without any degree). I was able to prove myself through hard work.

Getting into Big Four or many regional firms might be difficult with your GPA. If your GPA is on your resume take it off and just put your degree and leadership experience. Many corporate employers will not ask.

Do not get an MBA. A masters in accounting would help but is not necessary.

Do your best to see if there is a way to finance a CPA review course. (It will be less expensive than paying for a master's degree). Roger & Yaeger are less expensive than Becker and totally adequate. It is doable with Wiley only, but spring for the Wiley TB and Ninja notes. Nothing is cheaper if you have to pay for retakes. The CPA exams are difficult, more difficult than college. (Notice I didn't say one college course, but all of college.) You will need to be very dedicated.

[MrCPA2B]

Olivia,

Honestly, I doubt that you will get in at a Big 4 firm with your GPA, yet but it is possible. I do, however, agree with the other posts that you should focus on the CPA exam and worry about passing it. I've heard of people using the Wiley Books and have had great success. From what I understand, the books overprepare you!. But on the flip, it is much better to be overprepared than underprepared! As far as the Masters go, I really don't recommend getting a masters unless your employer wants to pay for it but if you are not having any luck with finding a job due to your low gpa. Then by all means, go for the MSA and get good grades and redeem yourself with these employers. Also, I can say that if you are not having any luck with a job, look for A/P or A/R jobs. This will give you at least some experience and a chance to put “Accounting” on your resume. Although, those jobs are completely different than what you will be doing in public accounting. From my experience, I just graduated from a university in May as well with a BBA in Accounting and could not find a job. I currently work as an accounting clerk for a private company doing pretty much data entry, preparing billing statements, posting on general ledger, and auditing the companies postage accounts. The job pays $25,000. Yikes! I had a feeling that I was entitled to make more because all of my friends who got jobs are making at least over $50k. The moral of my story is that a lot of students who are in the same scenario as us, they typically give up quick, because they did poor in school due to unexplainable reasons, and then get out and can't find a job. BUT, if you are willing to start at the lowest of the low (Accounts Payable or A/R) and work your way up, I guarantee you that you are much more marketable than some. KEEP FIGHTING AND BE PERSISTENT! IT will all work out! Also, don't let people say that just because your GPA is low that you can't get a job in Big 4 or that you are not smart because of it. You may not get in Big 4 now right out of school because of the gpa but in the future say 6 years down the road after you've accumulated some kick A experience you can get one. My cousin did it and her GPA was 2.3 and she works for KPMG and has been working there for 8 years now. If you battled this long with accounting long enough to get the degree, that to me, shows your willpower in enduring anything.

Enough babbling for me but I hope this helps!

P.S.- With a name like Olivia Pope, you shouldn't need help, as I'm sure you have the answer to everything like the character does in Scandal 🙂

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[MrCPA2B]

Olivia,

Honestly, I doubt that you will get in at a Big 4 firm with your GPA, yet but it is possible. I do, however, agree with the other posts that you should focus on the CPA exam and worry about passing it. I've heard of people using the Wiley Books and have had great success. From what I understand, the books overprepare you!. But on the flip, it is much better to be overprepared than underprepared! As far as the Masters go, I really don't recommend getting a masters unless your employer wants to pay for it but if you are not having any luck with finding a job due to your low gpa. Then by all means, go for the MSA and get good grades and redeem yourself with these employers. Also, I can say that if you are not having any luck with a job, look for A/P or A/R jobs. This will give you at least some experience and a chance to put “Accounting” on your resume. Although, those jobs are completely different than what you will be doing in public accounting. From my experience, I just graduated from a university in May as well with a BBA in Accounting and could not find a job. I currently work as an accounting clerk for a private company doing pretty much data entry, preparing billing statements, posting on general ledger, and auditing the companies postage accounts. The job pays $25,000. Yikes! I had a feeling that I was entitled to make more because all of my friends who got jobs are making at least over $50k. The moral of my story is that a lot of students who are in the same scenario as us, they typically give up quick, because they did poor in school due to unexplainable reasons, and then get out and can't find a job. BUT, if you are willing to start at the lowest of the low (Accounts Payable or A/R) and work your way up, I guarantee you that you are much more marketable than some. KEEP FIGHTING AND BE PERSISTENT! IT will all work out! Also, don't let people say that just because your GPA is low that you can't get a job in Big 4 or that you are not smart because of it. You may not get in Big 4 now right out of school because of the gpa but in the future say 6 years down the road after you've accumulated some kick A experience you can get one. My cousin did it and her GPA was 2.3 and she works for KPMG and has been working there for 8 years now. If you battled this long with accounting long enough to get the degree, that to me, shows your willpower in enduring anything.

Enough babbling for me but I hope this helps!

P.S.- With a name like Olivia Pope, you shouldn't need help, as I'm sure you have the answer to everything like the character does in Scandal 🙂

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[Anonymous]

It took me 6 months to find a job and my GPA was over 3.7 I had passed 2 CPA parts and had a masters. Also I learned it's near impossible to get into big 4 without being a college student.

[Anonymous]

It took me 6 months to find a job and my GPA was over 3.7 I had passed 2 CPA parts and had a masters. Also I learned it's near impossible to get into big 4 without being a college student.

[MrCPA2B]

@candlemassisawesome Wow, I would have thought someone with your stats could easily find employment.

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[MrCPA2B]

@candlemassisawesome Wow, I would have thought someone with your stats could easily find employment.

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[Texas CPA]

Network, network, network. Have you joined any civic organizations outside of college? I know they are old fashioned but business leaders attend those meetings. Lions Club, Rotary, etc. Get your foot in the door somewhere and your GPA will not matter. Look around and see if there is a JAYCEES chapter in your area. https://www.jci.cc/local/media/usa

When I was working on my masters, I got most of my jobs in accounting by word of mouth and recommendations. You can also think about Accountemps. I am the Assistant Controller now for my company and I was a Salaried Professional with Robert Half and got my foot in the door. My GPA in school was worse than yours and yes, I worked 35-40 hours per week and took 15 hours per semester. Once you get the first job, the GPA becomes largely irrelevant.

And I agree, a CPA certificate>Masters in Acct.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[Texas CPA]

Network, network, network. Have you joined any civic organizations outside of college? I know they are old fashioned but business leaders attend those meetings. Lions Club, Rotary, etc. Get your foot in the door somewhere and your GPA will not matter. Look around and see if there is a JAYCEES chapter in your area. https://www.jci.cc/local/media/usa

When I was working on my masters, I got most of my jobs in accounting by word of mouth and recommendations. You can also think about Accountemps. I am the Assistant Controller now for my company and I was a Salaried Professional with Robert Half and got my foot in the door. My GPA in school was worse than yours and yes, I worked 35-40 hours per week and took 15 hours per semester. Once you get the first job, the GPA becomes largely irrelevant.

And I agree, a CPA certificate>Masters in Acct.

Reg - Passed 82 Nov 2012 - Becker
Aud - Passed 86 May 2013 - Becker
BEC - Passed 88 Aug 2013 - Becker
FAR - Passed 88 Nov 2013 - Becker

https://www.becker.com/cpa-review

Texas CPA

[MrCPA2B]

I agree with @jgh1204 … Network like a boss. I know a few people who didn't do well in school but they attended a few of the state society conferences and banquets and easily made connections and got a job and they even have other cpa's at the conference offering them jobs as well. So yeah networking is critical

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[Author]

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