[ThorCPA]

I was laid off last week and would greatly appreciate advice. A little background about myself. I attended a top 50 college, did not have good grades and graduated with a 2.9 GPA. Upon graduation, I worked at a small CPA firm for a year preparing partnership, s-corp and individual tax returns. Then I received an offer from a top 20 firm and worked there on the Tax side, preparing the same type of returns for about a year. Last week, unexpectedly I was laid off. HR told me that the firm was overstaffed and needed to cut payroll and relieved many others as well.

At the end of last week I sat for my first part of the exam (FAR) and felt it was very difficult. At this point I am unsure whether to start interviewing or pass all parts of the exam before the changes go into affect in 2017. A buddy of mine who is a manager at a different firm has advised me to start interviewing ASAP. He believes if I take time off to pass the exams and tell interviewers that I left my previous firm to pass before the exam changes, they will think I am unable to handle work and my personal life at the same time. Does anyone agree with his view?

Also, I would like to interview at Big Four, but he told me there is no chance they will consider me due to my GPA. Additionally, he said even if I pass the CPA, it will not make a difference and they will not be interested in me. Anyone believe this is true or have similar experience to my situation?

Would greatly appreciate any advice!

[Anonymous]

First I'm sorry you got laid off – that stinks. I don't know if I'd worry about a gap if you can prove you actually used it to study and pass the CPA.

When I graduated (long time ago) they always warned you about that – but I'm not sure that applies any longer. People job-hop so much these days.

Passing the exam I also think would help mitigate any wonderings about just why was it you got laid off. The most benevolent is that the firm was overstaffed – not your fault – which people would rather believe. Plus they can't ask your employer and get a straight answer anyway, people are so afraid of being sued.

Finally, I think this tells you want your buddy would think and not much else: “e believes if I take time off to pass the exams and tell interviewers that I left my previous firm to pass before the exam changes, they will think I am unable to handle work and my personal life at the same time. Does anyone agree with his view?”

I almost laughed at that – honestly. I don't work in public, but as far as prospects we are looking for people who can work hard and get along with their coworkers. My biggest fear is hiring someone toxic, not someone who took a few months off to finish up the exam.

[OnmywaytoCPA]

I know it's not a good feeling to be laid off, but I agree with “Credit Revenue” and “CPA2021.” Who cares if you take a few months off to study for the exam. I wish one of my past employers would have laid me off with severance pay while getting unemployment. I would have taken 6 months to focus on nothing but the CPA Exam and took a nice vacation with my family. Times are changing. People use to frown on job hopping, but the last four jobs I had, I got while I was working somewhere else for a very short period of time. They didn't care about how long I was at a particular job, only that I worked hard at every job that I had, and I had a long list of references that said the same thing about my work ethic. I think that after you pass the exams, you won't have any issues getting a great job at a great company. As long as you are financial stable to handle the time off while studying, I think this could be a blessing to you in the long run.

REG - 74, Retook 6/10/16, scored a 72 (Hate this exam)
BEC - 69, 79, 8/1/15
AUD - 83, 4/4/15
FAR - 77, 2/27/16

[ThorCPA]

OnmywaytoCPA – a former coworker mentioned the same plan and how it could be a blessing in disguise. Thanks very much!

[Missy]

By the way I think most employers understand reduction in force layoffs, and that it's not a reflection on you. But I've seen many people who, because of timing of applying (hiring season) or job force demands find re-entry to be a lengthy process. I can't tell you how many people post here they're struggling to find something even with good experience and connections. Stack the odds in your favor by continuing a job search. You wouldn't want your ideal job to go to someone else while you're studying for the exams and studying is not alk consuming when you're not working.

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

[N4]

I think your friend is wrong. I don't think they care about you wanting to pass the cpa. If u pass the tests you are good to go above and beyond and work harder then someone with the cpa on the back of their mind. Again, this is.my opinion. Actually, I thought it would be awhile to find a job right after school (didn't graduate with any offers) but it wasn't. Found one in a month and have been trying to pass these exams while working. It is not an easy think as you probably know. I regret getting a job so soon and my parents were even open minded about me only focusing on the exam before I searched for work. There are pros and cons to both sides. Choose whatever is beat for u.

FAR (5/31) PASS (Best birthday gift ever!)

[the LAST Coffee]

Graduated and finished school June 5, 2015. I started job searching in March 2015 after declining a tax position from fall recruiting and landed a position in September 2015. That's 6 months.

I leave you to decide what you should do.

FAR 84 (AUG '15)
BEC 83 (AUG '15)
AUD 79 (OCT '15)
REG 71, 78! (NOV '15, FEB '16)

[Anonymous]

where are you in the country? your buddy is right:

you probably would not get a Big 4 offer with < 3.5 GPA here in the northeast.

you definitely would not get a Big 4 offer with < 3.0 GPA here in the northeast.

your resume wouldn't even make it into the “maybe” pile. i don't think knowing those two partners will help one bit- HR has their protocol.

[kayfcpa16]

@eesti .. Really… “where are you in the country? ” .. is a bit rude to say the least. I disagree, OP May be able to obtain a BIG 4 position after successfully passing the examinations.. it will not be easily but it can happen..

Also, OP do focus on passing your exams and apply to Big 4, Mid Size and Small Firms to give yourself more options. Do not mention GPA unless asked on interviews and practice taking interviews in your spare time.

FAR - 2/16 - 78
BEC - 2/16 - 78
AUD - 8/16
REG - 8/16

[Anonymous]

@kfalicity how is it rude to ask for his geographic location?

i pointed out the hiring practices in the northeast that I am familiar with. if he is in the northeast he can rely on my advice. if he's not then other posters from that geographic area are better suited to help him.

i think you misunderstood my inquisitiveness for rudeness.

GPA is mandatory when filling out Big4 applications in their career portal. your application gets auto rejected if you are below a certain threshold. fact. there will be no interview stage during which to “not reveal the GPA until asked” because you already revealed it in the app.

btw: i went to grad school and worked minimum wage at dunkin donuts when i got laid off. shit happens. do something. i am glad you are being proactive and asking advice on these forums! but i refuse to sugarcoat it for ya and say anything is possible. its our mommys' jobs to tell us we can be presidents and astronauts and anything we want to be when we grow up, but there comes a certain point- (if you're in your 20's youve probably reached it!) where one must look reality in the face. and unfortunately you didnt do as well in undergrad as the typical candidate for the Big4. these firms are notoriously picky.

i am trying to inject a bit of realism into this discussion. OP can pursue midsize firms, smaller firms, industry, CPA exam. there are plenty of options. big4 is the least likely one of all of them.

[acamp]

I would start applying immediately. Given the hiring cycle at many CPA firms, you might get an offer to start way down the road–if you wait six months to start the job search you might not start for another 6-12 months–I'd rather risk having to start tomorrow than running the risk of not starting for a year or more. Also, those contacts you have at the various firms must still follow their internal guidelines regarding GPA requirements, etc. Being an experienced hire might let you sidestep the usual entry level GPA requirements, but if not, better to know now.

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[hasy]

I've read some of the other posts and while I agree with all of them, this is another story too.

Graduated Sept 2014. Landed a tax position in Nov 2014 but declined because I wanted Audit. Landed an audit position in April 2015.

These things take time. The fact that you were LAID off right now, is a sign. Start applying and meet the requirements for fall recruitment. Leave off your GPA and let them ask you what it is and have them reconsider that. I would honestly pay CLOSE attention to the job description and just paste that info into your resume. I think the chances of them picking your resume is more likely.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

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BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Author]

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