Do scores matter?

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    Topic
  • #170280
    KassiusKlay
    Member

    Do prospective employers ask/care what your score was on each exam? I mean anything above 75 obviously. I have NO accounting experience and just passed audit with a 77. trying to update my resume. thinking about putting: “Actively pursuing CPA certification. Audit passed April 2012. Remaining parts scheduled.” Im not going to put my score on my resume (that just screams newb or cocky imo) but having no accounting work experience (strictly sales) should I be prepared to justify/explain my scores? Or is a pass a pass? I know this is probably different for those of you that are already employed and just need to pass, but for someone who has no experience and a degree in Politcal Science do you think my scores matter? Cheers : )

    Form is temporary, class is permanent.

    Audit 4/19/12 - 77
    BEC 5/31/12 - 75
    FAR 8/30/12

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  • #343597
    KassiusKlay
    Member

    and I guess to further this silly question, does the amount of times you took it matter? : /

    Form is temporary, class is permanent.

    Audit 4/19/12 - 77
    BEC 5/31/12 - 75
    FAR 8/30/12

    #343598
    Zaiitz3
    Participant

    I got the impression that a pass is a pass, especially once you have all four exams completed. Well, that is unless you were aiming for the Elijah Watt Sells award. In that case…

    *New York*
    AUD 74, 88! 04/02/12
    BEC 75! 08/30/12
    FAR 68, 73, 83! 10/27/12
    REG 80! 11/24/12

    DONE!!!

    "Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.” - Wayne Dyer

    #343599
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    The only number that really counts is your license number. Since you are putting this on a resume I would just put “CPA Candidate – Passed Audit – Other Exams in Process” or something like that. Congrats on the pass!

    #343600
    jelly
    Participant

    Nope, employers don't care about your scores or how many times you took it. They just want to know many parts you've passed and/or if you're licensed. They use it to gauge motivation/endurance (which is what the test is really about), and how busy you may or may not be b/c you need to study. Most employers are thrilled to hear about your progress or if you're licensed, b/c it's bragging rights when pitching for clients. I've only ever listed how many parts I've passed, and now, which state(s) I'm licensed in.

    Couldn't pass again!

    #343601
    See Pee A
    Member

    Not particularly. If you do well, I would say go for it, but it's really not necessary. In the accounting field, no one cares about your scores. Doing “well” has only a loose correlation to how good of an accountant you may be, since technical expertise is fairly low on the list of important skills (it's still very important, of course, but others are way more noticeable and will push you further in your career). Know your stuff, but honestly even I didn't remember a lot of details after each exam. What really matters if that you passed. Pass them all as quickly as possible so you can put that you passed all four parts of the CPA examination!

    BEC 86 (08/30/11)
    FAR 84 (10/13/11)
    REG 88 (11/08/11)
    AUD 86 (11/29/11)

    Exam prep - Becker self-study

    #343602
    KassiusKlay
    Member

    Ahh thanks guys!! Love all the help! Cheers : )

    Form is temporary, class is permanent.

    Audit 4/19/12 - 77
    BEC 5/31/12 - 75
    FAR 8/30/12

    #343603
    jeff
    Keymaster

    Nope. Never. Scores don't matter.

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

    #343604
    J.P.
    Participant

    I have been asked my scores or GPA by a potential employer. Ironic how that works out.

    BEC - 11/25/08-61, 8/31/09-76*, 2/24/12-76
    AUD - 2/21/09-53, 8/31/10-60, 11/30/11-83
    REG - 11/30/09-68, 5/31/12-79
    FAR - 8/29/11-81

    IL Ethics - 93

    *Lost to 18-month Rule

    #343605
    JakeO
    Member

    Scores really do not matter. If someone places importance on the score who knows what score they like to see. If someone gets a 99 they might feel that person does not know the cost-benefit to studying. Then again, if they see a 75 they might think you just “lucked out” with a few questions.

    Its a psychological game people play with themselves but its not important. But, becoming a CPA as quickly as possible is a benefit, both in career terms and potential employment. Someone who passed all four parts on the first try in 6 months with scores in the 80s is probably the strongest a candidate can get. Do not put this information on your resume, but if asked do not hesitate to answer and spin however you did into a positive. Pretty much its going to be “I passed them all on the first try in a few windows” which is enough, or “It took me 7 years, but through having 3 kids and failing multiple multiple times I didn't give up and realized my goal”

    AUD-Failed (Waiting for Score)
    BEC-PASSED (First try)
    REG-Failed (Retake February 2013)
    FAR-Failed (Retake January 2013)

    #343606
    HumanPiranha
    Member

    To me, scores on the CPA exam are kind of like the hockey statistic known as plus/minus. They can tell you something, but it certainly does not tell the whole story.

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