[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on my non-traditional path to public.

I graduated with my BS in May 2012, after hopping onto the accounting train pretty late in my undergrad career. A such, beyond participating in VITA my last semester, I didn’t take advantage of clubs, recruiting, etc. at the undergrad level. Since then, I’ve had a temporary stint (essentially an internship during a maternity leave) at a F500, and now am in an AP role at a law firm. I have begun working towards a Public Accounting MBA (essentially a MAcc by a different name) online at a state school, and have FAR scheduled for next month. I hope to jump into the fall ’14 recruiting process (I live within driving distance of the brick and mortar for events), which seems quite strong at this school.

Long story short, if I pass the exams in time, and with my low-ish undergrad GPA (3.2 overall, 3.4 accounting, blame freshman year for that), my graduate GPA (4.0 so far), and work experience, are all firms in reach, or should I focus my energies at a certain tier of firm?

[JY]

You GPA alone should catch the attention of all firms.

REG: 86 8/3/13
BEC: 85 8/31/13
FAR: 87 10/27/13
AUD: 90 11/30/13

[JY]

You GPA alone should catch the attention of all firms.

REG: 86 8/3/13
BEC: 85 8/31/13
FAR: 87 10/27/13
AUD: 90 11/30/13

[Mayo]

Depends on your school. Is it moderately to heavily recruited?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Depends on your school. Is it moderately to heavily recruited?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

The school is well recruited, several dozen firms (of all sizes, including Big 4) actively recruit from the school, and the school has a system set up for accounting recruiting purposes.

I should also note my grad school is part time, finishing in 2015, if that makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

The school is well recruited, several dozen firms (of all sizes, including Big 4) actively recruit from the school, and the school has a system set up for accounting recruiting purposes.

I should also note my grad school is part time, finishing in 2015, if that makes a difference.

[LongTimeComing]

Recency and relevancy. Your Masters program fits both of those (most recent and accounting-focused), so it will take precedence over your lower undergraduate GPA. If your school is heavily recruited for accounting grads, then it sounds like you have a solid shot at Big 4 and even better chances at other tiers.

[LongTimeComing]

Recency and relevancy. Your Masters program fits both of those (most recent and accounting-focused), so it will take precedence over your lower undergraduate GPA. If your school is heavily recruited for accounting grads, then it sounds like you have a solid shot at Big 4 and even better chances at other tiers.

[mystical guy]

In my opinion these days there are far more important things than just the GPA. Based on what you've said, for instance, you already have work experience which is VERY attractive. If I could go back into my MAcc program I would join Beta Alpha Psi! I did VITA and that was just about useless for me, to be quite honest. If you have great people skills, (I'm guessing you do), and you interview well, I'm pretty sure you'll get your foot through the door at any Accounting firm.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

In my opinion these days there are far more important things than just the GPA. Based on what you've said, for instance, you already have work experience which is VERY attractive. If I could go back into my MAcc program I would join Beta Alpha Psi! I did VITA and that was just about useless for me, to be quite honest. If you have great people skills, (I'm guessing you do), and you interview well, I'm pretty sure you'll get your foot through the door at any Accounting firm.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input guys. I was most worried about my lower undergrad GPA, but I suppose my more recent activities do negate that a bit, especially if I manage to pass the exams before fall. As for clubs, because I'm a couple hours from campus joining BAP isn't really an option. However, I plan to join my local NYSSCPA chapter as a student member and begin attending their events.

My work experience definitely helps from a personal standpoint as well; working with attorneys all day has helped me polish my professional decorum in a firm setting. I honestly don't think I would've been effective working at an accounting firm fresh out of undergrad.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input guys. I was most worried about my lower undergrad GPA, but I suppose my more recent activities do negate that a bit, especially if I manage to pass the exams before fall. As for clubs, because I'm a couple hours from campus joining BAP isn't really an option. However, I plan to join my local NYSSCPA chapter as a student member and begin attending their events.

My work experience definitely helps from a personal standpoint as well; working with attorneys all day has helped me polish my professional decorum in a firm setting. I honestly don't think I would've been effective working at an accounting firm fresh out of undergrad.

[mystical guy]

@cpahopeful2828 by the way, don't be surprised but I do recall one of my former school mates who had a charming personality and a GPA of 2.8. He got an offer.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@cpahopeful2828 by the way, don't be surprised but I do recall one of my former school mates who had a charming personality and a GPA of 2.8. He got an offer.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Author]

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