[Anonymous]

I’ve been searching around for answers to this question and have found many different opinions on putting CPA scores on a resume. Some people say that it would seem arrogant or aggressive, but here’s my reasoning for why I’m even asking this question.

I just graduated this past May from a well known university, but I didn’t have an “amazing” GPA. I graduated with a 3.34 (while my major GPA is a 3.46). I never had any internship experience because, to be honest, I was not as in-the-know with the normal timeline of accounting majors. It wasn’t until a lot of my classmates were talking about how they landed an internship that I knew people were even thinking about that stuff, and by the time I knew about it, it was too late. I interviewed with a couple places fall of my senior year for a full-time job after graduation, and had no luck. I made the decision that since my GPA wasn’t all that impressive and I had no internship experience, that I would focus on the CPA exam after graduation and re-start the job search once I could say that I had passed all sections.

A lot of people say that firms are weary of GPA because it is indicative of how the person will perform on the CPA exam. I’ve taken 3 of the 4 (REG later this month), and honestly have surprised myself at my scores. I was never the person who always aced the exams in college, and I struggled to keep up with Intermediate I & II when I took them.

SO…(sorry all of that was a bit wordy), I was wondering if, once I complete the exam, would it be weird for me to put my scores on my resume to help bridge the gap that any doubts regarding my GPA/experience might cause for employers??

Any advice/opinions are VERY appreciated, as I’m starting to panic that I’ll never get hired!!

[Anonymous]

I'm torn on this issue, I've heard it both ways as well. I don't see how it could hurt, and I'm not seeing it as arrogant… To those opposed, what would be the difference between listing your GPA on a resume and listing CPA scores?

If 2 applicants with 0 work experience which shared similar strengths, weaknesses and personalities applied for and were interviewed for the same job, would the person listing high 80s – 90s passing scores be declined the job because they were arrogant for trying to get that upper hand? With no work experience I would list my scores if they weren't low.

[hzhao0802]

why not? I mean, if you get an average of 90s per section which is very decent score. I cannot see any problem to put score in your resume. Of course there is a difference between 75 and 91. That's why the examination board use score to evaluate your performance instead of just giving you a “Pass” or “Fail”.

FAR - 88
REG - 88
AUD - 99
BEC - 87

[Anonymous]

I've heard very successful executives and partners refer to a 75 as “the perfect score” and “anything over a 75 means you weren't billing enough hours.”

Unless you get an EWS award (>95.5 average on all four), nobody- NOBODY cares about your scores.

[Anonymous]

GPA is 4 or 5 years of work combined into a score. The CPA exam is in reality just a pass/fail exam. The scores aren't there to say you did “better”, a 76 is exactly the same as a 92. It's better to leave the scores off because they really won't care about them.

[M.O.D.]

Never let HR or partners or executives or interviewers try to dumb you down because they themselves are dumb.

Reply: I can charge more than you because of my high scores. It means I know the material better, etc.

Because next thing they'll say is that passing the CPA test itself is meaningless, we've seen enough of those threads.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[mla1169]

“Reply: I can charge more than you because of my high scores. It means I know the material better, etc.”

This is a perfect response if someone is looking to be chronically unemployed! 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

MOD-

The people I was referring to are all CPAs and acknowledge the value in having it. I never felt dumb by what they said. Heck, I agree that a 75 is a perfect score.

CPA scores have nothing to to do with the rates we bill. Those are generally dictated by the circumstances (e.g. engagement risks, depth of client pockets, nature of work, etc).

It's important to remember that the CPA exam is comprised of all the easy stuff anyway- the body of knowledge that is expected of a first year accountant. A bookkeeper can handle most of it. The more complex transactions (the REAL reason we get paid), are always researched before they are opined on.

[acamp]

Higher scores = higher billings LOL. Better response might be, well I wasn't working in public account, yet, and wanted to make sure I nailed them down!

I'm a bit conflicted on which way to go on listing scores. If you're in a position where GPA matters (entry level) it seems that great scores (85-90+) might add to the overall scholastic perception of a candidate. When I was job hunting I didn't have this conundrum as my GPA was pretty good and my scores were not resume material, I just had PASSED next to each applicable section at the time.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[hzhao0802]

I don't know where “Higher scores = higher billing” comes from. Here we talk about if it is appropriate to put scores in resume. I would say at least it wouldn't hurt anything. If recruiters don't care about scores, they can ignore it.

FAR - 88
REG - 88
AUD - 99
BEC - 87

[sumersrose]

@CNicole18

Most employers say, passing is passing. You did it and thats a feat in itself. So, I'm inclined to say I would just leave them off — of course still mention that you've completed 3 of 4 CPA exams. I also think that showing you havent just given up after school, ie, went on to your CPA exam, shows your professional development. Its all about showing an updward trend in your professional development/career.

As for work experience – I didnt have an internship by the time I finished college. I knew I should have but couldnt afford school/apartment on an internship. So, I struggled after school to get an accounting job… but what worked for me was actually signing up with a temp agency (Accountemps/Robert Half). I interviewed with them and took some Excel tests (this worked out for me, they said I did so well on the Excel test that they offered me to stay and take the Excel Certification test for free if I had time – I did have time, no job… so I got my certification in that to add to my resume!). The temp agency placed me at a company doing odd jobs in the accounting dept. It was only supposed to be a day but then it stretched to days, weeks, months. Ultimately, I proved myself to the company and they created a position for me to work in and hired me. Now, almost 10 years into my career – I'm doing my CPA. More for me than my job (as they dont require it).

REG: 2/26/2014 Pass
BEC: 5/29/2014 Pass
FAR: 8/31/2014 Pass
AUD: 4th Attempt, 8/25/15 ... Omg, PASS w/a 93 and I'm done!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the input everyone!

I definitely didn't want to put my scores on my resume as a “look at me I'm smarter and more qualified than other people” – because I know that test scores don't define a person – which is the exact problem I have faced with my GPA. Just because I have below a 3.5 GPA doesn't mean that I am not a perfectly competent/capable person and Big 4 material. I was just considering that maybe my above average test scores would enhance what my GPA currently lacks. I don't think I'll be putting my scores on it just because there are people who would be rubbed the wrong way by it and I don't want to take that chance.

But there have been a lot of great answers here and I really do appreciate all the input!!! Thanks!

[soyanks]

You can add: “CPA Candidate – Passed All 4 Parts of CPA Exam” under your school/GPA section.

That is totally acceptable. But I would strongly advise against putting your scores for each section. (It just sticks out like a sore thumb and to be honest, most HR reps at Big 4 don't spend that much time over-analyzing your resume. There's just too many resumes and too many applicants in the applicant pool)

Also, if low GPA is an issue, you can always take the other route. Go mid size or smaller firm, spend a year or two there and then switch to Big 4. Big 4 always need seniors and they poach seniors from mid size firms all the time. Unless your firm is really small, you won't have to repeat a year.

FAR - 86
REG - 85
BEC - 90
AUD - 84

[quantumfizz]

Long time reader first time poster…Just my 2 cents on this topic…I would put passed x/4 sections but not the scores. However, I would say experience is definitely what is needed. Instead of applying for jobs, take the time you would be applying over the internet and pick up the phone. Call someone you know working at a firm you think would be a good fit. Start networking. Grab coffee with people. You get jobs because people like you, not from what your resume says. Put yourself out there in person, not as a line item in a system full of other applicants. Best of luck!

[TRobinson]

I agree with quantumfizz, putting high scores on there is a little “bragadocious” just state professionally that you are a CPA or have passed CPA exam reqs. Employers want to know they can work with you. You could be the best student in the world but if you don't work well with others you can throw the rest out the window.

[ZManCPA]

“A passing score is a passing score”

While this has some truth to it…I strongly dislike hearing it. Personally I'm considering putting a cumulative average somewhere on my resume once I finish all four. I'm sure my few years of work experience will hold more weight when an employer is actually considering it. Perhaps I can find a creative way to place the scores on a Cover Letter.

Excuse the bias but I just received my AUD score at 2AM a couple nights ago and am having a very hard time shutting up about it!

FAR-80 (8/31/2014)
AUD-96 (1/11/2015)
REG-76 (5/31/2015)
BEC-87 (11/13/2015)

[Author]

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