[KNVB]

I know the CPA exam provides A LOT more opportunities than not having one but I’m asking this just because I want to hear specific instances to help me motivate myself.

Long story short, I took the CPA exam, passed 1 part and then got over it because I hate accounting. I am now thinking of getting the course again, not being a bitch about it, and knocking it out just because I want something like that on my resume. Also, my college GPA was 3.3 and accounting GPA was 2.9 but I feel that doesn’t mean shit if I get my CPA. It will allow me to get into larger firms, give me more opportunities, and will make it easier for me to transition out of accounting because I don’t really like it.

I already know I want to get out of accounting, but I must do it within due time. I am only a staff accountant without a CPA and I was thinking if I can make senior at a mid tier (possibly B4) with my CPA, that will be A LOT easier for me to explore other lines of work.

So, what are some instances of your CPA benefiting you?

Also, how is my plan of getting my CPA, getting into a larger firm, and then transitioning out after I get some exposure?

FAR - Studying
AUD - 0
REG - 0
BEC - 0

[Son]

I'll address the Big4 part of your post since I work for one.

1. GPA means a lot even with a CPA. Everyone at Big4 passes the exam. It's a norm, prerequisite of sorts, and thus no big deal. Attending a reputable school and graduating with a good GPA still matters. That being said, depending on the school you went to your GPA doesn't necessarily make you a lost cause, but it would be harder to get people's attention.
2. If you're not on campus and can't attend events it's again harder to get your foot in the door. If you know someone ask if they recommend you directly.
3. How is getting experience with Big4 going to help you in the long run if you don't want to be an accountant? What lines of work are you thinking about? It's a waste of time and money IMO to get a CPA license only to switch to IT or something else, are you thinking a field related to accounting, but not quite?

Lastly, how CPA benefited me.. Got promoted to manager with a salary bump etc., but as I said a CPA license is a prerequisite to become a manager at any of the Big4s.

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

[Anonymous]

I think the CPA license was a big factor in being able to land a Controller job at the age of 24.

[KNVB]

I went to a well known school in Southern California and my 3.3 gpa isn't horrible but I don't think it's a deterrent if I have my CPA exam passed.

Anyways, I have no idea what I want to do, but it could very well be something accounting related or finance related. It won't be IT or something totally different so it's all in the realm of accounting/finance. What about working in accounting for a couple year (making senior with my CPA) and getting into finance and possibly passing some cpa equivalent exams (series xx, not sure which ones). Wouldn't that make me very marketable?

I really don't know EXACTLY what I want to do, but I feel it's going to be in accounting/finance.

#845718

FAR - Studying
AUD - 0
REG - 0
BEC - 0

[Son]

I know all Big4s have minimum GPA requirements that vary between schools (more rigorous program = lower accepted GPA), so just be prepared to be asked about it. The threshold is usually around 3.3 or so but I've seen people with lower GPAs who got offers. I'm a little concerned about your accounting GPA, so I'd leave it off the resume unless asked.

What holds you back from exploring the finance path right away? I've seen people make the switch later in their careers, but the more time you spend doing something the more you pigeonhole yourself, and it becomes harder to make a move.

One last thing – from my experience, again. Studying for the exam is hard, boring and tedious. You might face some failures along the way too. So, unless you have a very solid motivation it's hard to stay on track. If you're not passionate about it (career prospects, prestige or money it supposedly entails), it's going to be very, very hard to keep going. Not sure “nice to have with possible prospects” will cut it.

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

[hasy]

As a SoCal-er as well, I will inform you my circumstances. I work for a life insurance company and while my manager does not place an imperative on me to obtain my CPA, I know that my chances of getting promoted is faster (I've seen several individuals in my dept who have been level 2 for 10 years and have not made senior). I did complete one busy season in public accounting (I'm kind ehh if I want to go big 4 or not) and for my company, I know that there are several accounting/corporate departments that won't look at you unless you have a CPA. So if I get my CPA and I don't get promoted or a salary adjustment/raise, I can simply go to another dept or apply somewhere else.

I also know that with my CPA, I have leverage of getting promoted or leaving for a better position. ALSO, my manager AND my senior both have their CPAs. So I'm aware that my manager would more likely promote me to senior if I obtain my CPA and not make me wait 10 years, like the other members in my dept.

It's really sad to say this but if you want to stay competitive in the state of CA, you need a CPA. Almost nearly everyone who applies to accounting positions these days have that prerequisite.

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

[Missy]

It all comes down to who your competition is for a position and what their credentials are. All held equal (in reality nothing is equal except the initial resume screening) if it's you with a degree, 5 years experience and a cpa side by side with someone with the same degree and experience, you're likely to get the interest for the next step.

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

[ultrarunner]

When you are young, it doesn't really matter whether you are a CPA or not as long as you have a accounting degree and a decent job. However, when you get older with no advanced skill (e.g., CPA license), you will get obsolete. My company (industry) lay off one person in finance dept. They picked the oldest and the most experienced person. Although the person was very experienced, her accounting skill was nothing special. Her role was replaced by a young person. Low-level accounting jobs are replaceable anytime. To me, passing CPA is a great investment or insurance for the future.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[WZcpa15]

What you can do is get the CFA instead, but that thing is 4 parts of the CPA exam put together. It is another monster of its own. You have to take 3 LEVELs of it. It took me 4 years to get it.

For me, I am a CFA first. Now I am CPA- finished all exam and waiting for licensing. I am about to be promote and transfer out of Lead Financial Analyst and taking over as a Manager. I be getting a nice raise about 20% from my mid size company in the Bay Area.

CPA and CFA go hand in hand, just depending on what you want. I am in my early 30s and I have about 7 years of working experience in Finance and Accounting – usually mix in between roles.

I never worked for a CPA firm before. They just overwork you and you won't get any return for them. People only go to the BIG4 because they want to transfer to one of their audit client because they couldn't get a job there at the beginning. Public company usually don't hire accounting out of school because they don't know what they are doing. If you want to be a staff accountant, you should do it for a tech company.

I will be making $150k plus bonus and options at my new position. It is better than most engineer in the bay area.

BEC - Passed - 7/27/15 - 25%
FAR - Passed - 10/1/15 - 50%
REG - Passed - 4/19/16 - 75%
AUD - Schedule - 5/24/16

Material Using - 2015 Wiley CPAexcel Study Guides and Focus Notes

[Larry]

I'm still waiting. Once I get my sign off for my application, I just get a “congratulations” card from my job and a 5% salary bump. I work in local county govt. Hopefully, I'll have opportunities to go private or public (Live in Miami, FL).

REG - 82
FAR - 78
BEC - 76
AUD - 8/27/16

[Author]

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