[sileemo]

Background:

-I recently graduated with a 3.0 GPA from a school that accounting firms did not recruit from

-Started studying for my first part of the exam(FAR) this summer and started my Masters in Tax this fall which is heavily recruited by Big 4

-Working full time as an accounts payable associate for about 8 months now

-Trying to get into Big 4

I’m trying to redeem myself by getting a high GPA and get another chance at recruiting. I just started my first class in my Maccy program yesterday and I already feel completely lost. I realize I need to put in extra time into studying for my classes along with my FAR exam. So should I quit my job? Would a Big 4 or any other size firm look at that as a bad thing?

[Anonymous]

Quit a job? In this economy? That's stupid. Unless you've just won a nice lottery prize of six or more figures. .

I had a job, studied for CPA and completed a PM certificate at the same time. Yes, it is busy. The busy-ness is temporary. You'll finish your MACC. You'll rock the CPA. That time will come back.

So no time to be lazy.

[Mayo]

“I’m trying to redeem myself by getting a high GPA and get another chance at recruiting.”

Good. This will be key. Show recruiters a good track record will go a long way in making them forget your lower GPA from a non-recruited school. Just understand your undergrad background is an obstacle you'll need to address at some point. Make sure you have a good story to tell.

“I just started my first class in my Maccy program yesterday and I already feel completely lost. I realize I need to put in extra time into studying for my classes along with my FAR exam.”

I say stop with the CPA exam. Keeping your grades high, being able to participate in recruiting events, and continue working are your priorities. having parts for the CPA passed is a nice thing, but it's worthless if your grades go to the crapper in the meantime.

Remember, your grades are used as a filter when they're choosing people for interviews.

“So should I quit my job? Would a Big 4 or any other size firm look at that as a bad thing?”

No, they wouldn't look at it as a bad thing. You'd just need to make sure to fill your time with something worthwhile like volunteering, joining a accounting campus group, and attending recruiting events. If you stop studying for the exam will that give you adequate time?

Look, you're school being a highly recruited site is a great resource. Don't waste it by getting bad grades. At this point you need to contrast your performance with that of your undergrad. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and money.

@Jeff: We really need a quote button!! 😛

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

“I’m trying to redeem myself by getting a high GPA and get another chance at recruiting.”

Good. This will be key. Show recruiters a good track record will go a long way in making them forget your lower GPA from a non-recruited school. Just understand your undergrad background is an obstacle you'll need to address at some point. Make sure you have a good story to tell.

“I just started my first class in my Maccy program yesterday and I already feel completely lost. I realize I need to put in extra time into studying for my classes along with my FAR exam.”

I say stop with the CPA exam. Keeping your grades high, being able to participate in recruiting events, and continue working are your priorities. having parts for the CPA passed is a nice thing, but it's worthless if your grades go to the crapper in the meantime.

Remember, your grades are used as a filter when they're choosing people for interviews.

“So should I quit my job? Would a Big 4 or any other size firm look at that as a bad thing?”

No, they wouldn't look at it as a bad thing. You'd just need to make sure to fill your time with something worthwhile like volunteering, joining a accounting campus group, and attending recruiting events. If you stop studying for the exam will that give you adequate time?

Look, you're school being a highly recruited site is a great resource. Don't waste it by getting bad grades. At this point you need to contrast your performance with that of your undergrad. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and money.

@Jeff: We really need a quote button!! 😛

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

I wrestled with this same issue a few months ago. I opted to keep my Staff Accountant job (~45hrs/wk), and enroll online in a state school Accounting MBA program (the school has good recruiting chops). I'm only doing 6 credits a semester to balance out work/CPA studying/school, so it'll take me two years, but it's a good balance. Taking a year off would've cost me 50k opportunity + 25k tuition/living… that's a no deal for me. Taking two years will also let me jump into the '14 recruiting season through my school, hopefully with all my exams passed.

[Anonymous]

I wrestled with this same issue a few months ago. I opted to keep my Staff Accountant job (~45hrs/wk), and enroll online in a state school Accounting MBA program (the school has good recruiting chops). I'm only doing 6 credits a semester to balance out work/CPA studying/school, so it'll take me two years, but it's a good balance. Taking a year off would've cost me 50k opportunity + 25k tuition/living… that's a no deal for me. Taking two years will also let me jump into the '14 recruiting season through my school, hopefully with all my exams passed.

[Author]

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