[Anonymous]

So going through college, i did not start off as an accounting major. I studied biology. I faced a traumatic experience through college, and suffered anxiety. I went through classes finding it very difficult to concentrate as a result. my gpa is a 2.7. my accounting gpa is a 2.4.

My dad was one of my professors too. i had him for principles1, intermediate 1 and 2, and governmental. his classes are always extremely hard. class averages range from 65-74% for those who dont drop; even in intermediate and upper level classes. lets put it this way. my dad was the professor for my mom’s intermediate class when she took it 30 yrs ago, and she had to repeat it. she also got hired by Deloitte out of college and did very well in other classes. My dad has been extremely critical and his negativity has hurt me more then i can describe over a forum.

I had a good finance internship at Stifel Nicholaus. i have connections through people i know at a few accounting firms, but i feel like im drowning because of my gpa and my dad…

SO HERE’S THE SITUATION: i met somebody at the gym who works at crowe horwath. they were really impressed by me because i got into bodybuilding, and am very knowledgeable about weight training. he passed my contact info to a recruiter and put in a really good word for me. the recruiter asked for my resume and i sent it 3 weeks ago. I was contacted again this week by somebody else at crowe asking about my accounting and cumulative gpa.

im really bummed because i know im smart. all my standardized test scores prove it. but my gpa doesnt. i feel like im SCREWED and wont get a good job out of college.

CAN ANYBODY OFFER ADVISE AS TO HOW I SHOULD EMAIL THIS RECRUITER BACK TO MAKE THE BEST OF MY SITUATION???

[Missy]

If they sent the questions by email, respond by email. There is no benefit to you to call with your responses.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

new development: i just got off the phone with my friend and he is having a highly regarded person contact the recruiter tomorrow to peak my chances of getting an internship. im goin to proceed and write a well thought out and concise email in response to the questions

[Anonymous]

A 2.7 only looks bad because it's below a 3.0. It's actually a low B so it's not the worst. I had a 2.7 when I graduated and eventually joined a regional firm that overlooked my gpa during the interview process. I got lucky because they never brought it up that I didn't have it listed on my resume. Now we merged with a national firm and my job description requires a 3.0 or higher so I really lucked out.

Needless to say, if you have a low gpa, sell yourself like no other in the interview.

[Anonymous]

right on. that's how i got my finance internship. i can sell myself well if i get an opportunity on phone or in person. They were very happy with my work too, but the office is small and they aren't looking to higher.

ill be positive and hope i get that far after emailing.

[NumberCruncher4lyfe]

Yeah, i was in a similar situation. I started out in biology and of course its BIO is not what people think it is and definitely not a cake major. In turn it caused me to have a crap GPA as well but thankfully my accounting GPA was a lot higher than my cumulative GPA. After undergrad i had a hard time finding a job and had to settle for a low paying accounting clerk position at a manufacturing company. While working there I decided to go for the Masters in Accounting to increase my odds and because i knew eventually i wanted to get the CPA and now alot of states are requiring the masters instead of taking random classes. Anyhow, Now I work for one of the Nations Top 20 Public Accounting firms and not a single f*** was given about my undergrad GPA and barely cared about my grad GPA. My advice though is to network like a boss. I mean that will get you further than anything. Once you can secure the first interview anywhere its all you, at that point GPA is a small factor. IF you have great people skills and other qualities needed in public accounting show it off in the interview, No doubt you won't leave without them at least considering you

[JohnWayneIsGod]

Tread carefully about calling in when they emailed you. In accounting, it is about following instructions, so you you better have a Grade A sales pitch if you are going to go against instructions. You might be better off responding to the email and ending with a polite admission that you understand that your GPA is low and that you'd appreciate the opportunity to explain yourself in a phone interview. Make sure to briefly mention you accomplishments. I'm sure that you are a bright person, so make sure they understand that in two sentences or less. Good luck.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Anonymous]

thanks man. i have this networking thing down. i couldn't be any luckier imo to have the connections with the people there that i do.

[Anonymous]

@johnwayneisgod ive decided to do the best i can answering the questions through email. i will be honest, and let them know my potential and nonacademic accomplishments as well. ill see if my friend can contact the recruiter to give me a chance over the phone.

[Anonymous]

I didn't read all the responses but I can tell you my experience. My gpa was very similar to you. I would much rather be in a gym then in class.

I struggled a lot to get my first job cause everyone was looking at my gpa. I took a job that had nothing to do with accounting left after three months took an ar clerk job at a non profit left after 3 months. Got a temp staff accountant position somewhere else then got a staff accountant position permanently after that temp job expired. By then I had just passed the CPA exam and no one cared about my GPA at all. I just got a job as a senior staff accountant a few months ago and I didn't even include my GPA on my resume because it's not even relevant anymore. I'm 25 passed the CPA exam and had an awful GPA but I honestly don't think GPA will matter going forward.

So long story short it hurt a little at the beginning but its not going to hurt you forever.

[Missy]

Take heart, use the search bar in the upper right hand corner here and type in 2.4 GPA or 2.7 GPA, you'll see folks who got offers! GPA is just one of many screening tools they use, if you've got other things going for you like you can follow their directions during the process and give a great interview you can overcome that.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Author]

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