[KC]

Hi everyone,

I recently finished undergrad and am working towards my CPA. My undergrad GPA was not great so I hope to pass all 4 parts of the CPA before applying to any jobs (hopefully Big 4). Anyways, I am wondering if anyone has experience with or knows someone who has been in a similar situation as myself. Will I still be able to get reimbursed for buying Becker and/or am I still eligible to receive a CPA bonus if I have not signed a contract prior to passing all 4 parts. Thanks!

AUD - awaiting score
REG - 64
BEC - 81
FAR - 67

[acamp]

Big4 will reimburse study materials up to $3K I think (its up to whatever the firm pays for Becker) and generally your offer includes a $5K passing the exam bonus if you are being hired as entry level (I started with a girl that did tax at another firm prior to join Big4 Audit, she was already licensed but starting as a entry level to audit–she got her CPA bonus in her first weeks of employment!).

On a side note, whats your GPA? Having the exam passed is great, but you should also consider the possibility of not getting in at all depending on how low the GPA is.

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[KC]

Thanks for the help. My undergrad GPA was a 2.9. I'm not dead set on Big 4 but obviously that is what I am aiming for. I was also a D1 athlete all 4 years of undergrad so I'm hoping that helps excuse my low GPA.

AUD - awaiting score
REG - 64
BEC - 81
FAR - 67

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

Hate to say it, but I think you can rule big4 out

AUD 93 Jan 16
BEC 83 Feb 16
FAR 83 Apr 16
REG 84 May 16

99% Ninja MCQ only

[KC]

You must be one of those glass half-empty type of people ^

AUD - awaiting score
REG - 64
BEC - 81
FAR - 67

[Andyred04]

Actually if you write D-1 athlete on your resume it will help counter the GPA some. I, too, am a D1 college athlete and I was shocked to see how impressed interviewers were with that. Being able to balance a full time course schedule and a sport (meetings, practices, weight room, etc.) definitely shows your ability to multi task and manage your time. Employers love that! Not to say it will justify the 2.9 but I'd give you a better chance than most.

FAR: 80 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
REG: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
BEC: 87 (Gleim, Ninja Notes, Ninja MCQs)
AUD: 8/27/16

PA Candidate

[jm962011]

Did you go through accounting recruiting season? Firms do like athletes so that is good!

If you pass all four parts before you find public accounting work, your bonus will come in the form of a “sign-on” bonus… Make sure you negotiate this if they only offer you $1k… I think you should get at least $3k because that is what fresh out of college graduates will get if they pass before becoming a senior (they might get up to $5k) AND they didn't pay for your Becker.

If you're in the middle of the exams when you find work, it just depends on the firm. Definitely ask the HR recruiter something along the lines of “when do you expect me to be done with the CPA exams” rather than just jumping straight into “will you reimburse me for Becker and what bonus will you give me for passing.”

[acamp]

I'd say more realistic than, pessimistic. Its a stretch to get into Big4 with a low GPA; I dont know the exact number, and it probably depends on their recruitment targets, but GPA must meet a certain threshold (I'd bet somewhere around 3.2 or so) to be considered.

That said, network, network, network. You're back story may help and passing the exam will also, but no application system in the world is going to care, you need face time with people. Attend your state CPA society events, etc. The problem is, even with internal referral, if the office has hard GPA cutoffs for entry level it won't matter. I saw an email circulating a few years back from one of the Big4 reminding personnel (partners included) that referrals who do not meet the minimums will not be considered.

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[KC]

I did go through recruiting season at my school, after talking with recruiters (as well as some partners that I know/parents are friends with) from 3/4 of the Big 4 they all basically told me to take the CPA and come back to them when I have it completed and we can go from there.

Regardless, like I said before, its not Big 4 or die for me. Just a starting point, plus its not like I have anything to lose. Thank you all for your input I really appreciate it!

AUD - awaiting score
REG - 64
BEC - 81
FAR - 67

[Tncincy]

First of all, stop stressing over the gpa, most athletes suffer a little in that department. I was going to suggest the school recruiters but someone already stated that, but at any rate, you can pass the cpa and still get in a firm or go industry, or a good bank job. All is not lost, just keep trying. Since the low gpa, you should really strive to get licensed first, since it won't matter afterwards. There are also job placement recruiters, Robert Half, etc. All is not lost. No job, STUDY, STUDY, STUDY
That's your job.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Spartans92]

Hey OhioState, you could probably tell we are rivals from the name LOL. But I have a friend who got a full time offer after passing the CPA got reimbursed in full as well as receiving the bonus and the firm he is working for is big in the Midwest with offices in columbus. It is a regional firm. Best of luck! I know a lot of firms have a GPA requirement for most of the Big4 they would not give you an interview unless you meet 3.25. But if you do pass the CPA that is another story, guess at that point GPA has little effect.

BEC- PASS

[sam85]

Like one previous poster said, one word: Network! Applying online is already like putting your resume through a shredder, so it's even worse when you have a lower GPA. At least with networking, people can get a feel for your personality and you can tell them you're studying for/passed X exam. There won't be a software program there to automatically block you. If you impress them, they'll likely give you a pass.

[Son]

OhioStateCPA, do I remember you stating at some point you've got pretty high scores on the exams you've already taken? If they are in the 90-s, might make sense to add them to your resume. I would typically advise against it, but since you have a lower GPA it might help smooth things over a bit. Also, not to add to the pessimism, but my Big4 does require a minimum of 3.2 GPA to be considered for internships and entry-level positions. In my experience that requirement can only be bypassed if you get recommended by a current employee directly or if you impress the recruited during a campus event.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[ruggercpa2b]

Getting reimbursed might depend on the firm. I know some firms if you have already passed prior to being hired you might not get the bonus or reimbursement. I would definitely ask once you get an offer. You could also ask about a signing bonus if you do not qualify to get your exams reimbursed.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[fuzyfro89]

I think the big 4, and many national firms, will offer CPA reimbursement to anyone who comes in as a staff or experienced hire.

With that said, it's likely $3k, plus a $5k bonus for passing that they offer to most. Source: best friend who left one big 4 in Nov 2014 for another big 4 after one year and was provided the Becker material and also given the $5k bonus upon passing. Things may have changed since, so I can't say for certain…

If I were you, I would be less concerned about the bonus than just getting a job in public (assuming that's your goal). Passing the CPA may help, but I'd also suggest you look into small/regional firms as well. A LOT of people try again for big 4 after getting their CPA license (i.e. 1+ years elsewhere and getting their license) and it's much easier once you have that license. At that point, it's all about fit, since your GPA and school matter very little.

[Author]

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