CPA or Masters if I wanna be an internal auditor? (LOW GPA)

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  • #184730
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I really wanna be an internal auditor ( for sherwin Williams). they require a 2.8 on the job description. I have a 2.64. I’ll be graduating this summer. I already work there but in a different department. I looked at some of the profiles of people that work their audit jobs and most of them aren’t CPA’s.

    need some advise on how to go about this

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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  • #542740
    AOCI
    Participant

    Stay in school longer and raise your GPA?

    FAR-82!
    REG-82 Again!
    BEC-78!
    AUD-84!

    Done with the exam and LICENSED in VA as of 11/17/2015.

    #542773
    AOCI
    Participant

    Stay in school longer and raise your GPA?

    FAR-82!
    REG-82 Again!
    BEC-78!
    AUD-84!

    Done with the exam and LICENSED in VA as of 11/17/2015.

    #542742
    tomq04
    Participant

    You sure those requirements aren't for external hires? Check with your store manager, or contact HR.

    REG- (1) 76
    FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
    AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
    BEC- (6) 75

    #542775
    tomq04
    Participant

    You sure those requirements aren't for external hires? Check with your store manager, or contact HR.

    REG- (1) 76
    FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
    AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
    BEC- (6) 75

    #542744
    Guti
    Participant

    If you want to do internal Audit, why don't you take the CIA exam since it's a lot easier than the CPA.

    FAR-84
    AUD-
    REG-
    BEC-

    #542777
    Guti
    Participant

    If you want to do internal Audit, why don't you take the CIA exam since it's a lot easier than the CPA.

    FAR-84
    AUD-
    REG-
    BEC-

    #542746
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @CR7, Just started doing research on the CIA exam. My only concerns are: 1. Is it popular enough to distinguish me from the pack? and do I need 150 credits to take the exam?

    can't find that anywhere

    #542779
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @CR7, Just started doing research on the CIA exam. My only concerns are: 1. Is it popular enough to distinguish me from the pack? and do I need 150 credits to take the exam?

    can't find that anywhere

    #542747
    jelly
    Participant
    #542781
    jelly
    Participant
    #542749
    Study Monk
    Member

    https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/cpa-or-masters-if-i-wanna-be-an-internal-auditor-low-gpa-1

    Getting the CIA is good advice if you are sure you will end up being an internal auditer. Just keep in mind you need 24 months of internal audit experience to become licensed. If you end up not getting THE job in internal audit and go into public or private accounting you may never attain the CIA license even if you pass those exams. The CPA will help you attain jobs in a broader range of accounting fields and I believe it will hold at least the same prestige for internal audit as the CIA.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #542783
    Study Monk
    Member

    https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/cpa-or-masters-if-i-wanna-be-an-internal-auditor-low-gpa-1

    Getting the CIA is good advice if you are sure you will end up being an internal auditer. Just keep in mind you need 24 months of internal audit experience to become licensed. If you end up not getting THE job in internal audit and go into public or private accounting you may never attain the CIA license even if you pass those exams. The CPA will help you attain jobs in a broader range of accounting fields and I believe it will hold at least the same prestige for internal audit as the CIA.

    I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

    "Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

    #542751
    GoVPI
    Participant

    I personally think a CPA certificate > 4.0, 3.0,2.0 GPA. What good is the 4.0 if that person can't pass the CPA exam? The reason I even chose accounting was because of the CPA, it puts you in an elite category of professionals. You are well respected and you can go far in a company, there is good compensation, and job security. The last people to go are the accountants if the company is going under. My advice is to get the CPA. I have a 3.1 (not happy about it) but the CPA exam is #1 on my list.

    BEC - Passed

    AUD - 74 🙁

    REG - TBD

    FAR - TBD

    BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
    Graduated from college 12/13/14
    AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
    REG
    FAR

    #542785
    GoVPI
    Participant

    I personally think a CPA certificate > 4.0, 3.0,2.0 GPA. What good is the 4.0 if that person can't pass the CPA exam? The reason I even chose accounting was because of the CPA, it puts you in an elite category of professionals. You are well respected and you can go far in a company, there is good compensation, and job security. The last people to go are the accountants if the company is going under. My advice is to get the CPA. I have a 3.1 (not happy about it) but the CPA exam is #1 on my list.

    BEC - Passed

    AUD - 74 🙁

    REG - TBD

    FAR - TBD

    BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
    Graduated from college 12/13/14
    AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
    REG
    FAR

    #542753
    Mayo
    Participant

    “I personally think a CPA certificate > 4.0, 3.0,2.0 GPA. What good is the 4.0 if that person can't pass the CPA exam?”

    What good is the CPA exam without the work experience you want? Yes, GPA becomes redundant once you enter the workplace. However, it's a very important piece when you're initially recruiting (preferably during school) and can hinder or help you in that regard. But I digress..

    @OP,

    You have an advantage in that you already work for the company. In what capacity do you work in? How long have you been there? Do you have a good performance review/work reputation? If so, then I suggest:

    1. Reach out to your immediate supervisor, and mention your interest in eventually transitioning into a corporate role within the IA department. It makes sense since it's related to your major and career goals. If they like you they'll vouch for you and help you navigate the transition.

    2. Begin the process of taking the CIA or CPA exam. Since you don't have any public experience a CPA is not necessarily needed, but it's definitely beneficial. However, for your situation I think the CIA is more beneficial. It's easier (from what I've heard), there's more immediate relevance in terms of being an entry level auditor, and you already said your company internal auditors don't really have the CPA. If possible, try passing at least one part of the exam before you start the official process of reaching out to people in the company.

    3. Depending on how comfortable you feel or what contacts you have, you might want to try and reach out to someone in IA. If you don't know anyone in the department it's a matter of just picking someone you think will be open to talking with you and emailing them. Just ask for 5-10 minutes of their time because you're graduating soon, interested in IA, and would like to ask some questions/pick their brain on their career. Often times it's best to reach our to a Senior or Manager level, as entry level professionals haven't really got the hang of networking nor do they understand the value. So if you email a first year person, they might just flake out and ignore you completely. Also, a good indication that they're open to be emailed is if they're active on Linkedin or you see them at other company-sponsored networking events.

    4. Get a good story ready for your low GPA. I'm not gonna sugar coat it and just plainly say that a 2.64 GPA sucks on paper. However, you might have some kind of good reason or interesting story to tell on why it's so low. Whatever you do don't ignore it. If the hiring manager is worth their salt they'll at least bring it up once.

    If the above sounds like too much work or you're uncomfortable doing it, then either 1) Go back to school and rise your GPA somehow with a Masters or additional hours of the CPA exam (if needed), or 2) Network heavily in all areas you can think of. Also, take one of the CPA or CIA exams. I think with your grades it's almost a must in order to show an employer that you have the work ethic and ability to focus on something work-related, or 3) Find something else to do.

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

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