[Julia_anika]

Hi everyone!

I’m graduating next fall… but there is one trouble professor who doesn’t give a grade higher than a C+ to anyone. I already took one class with him and ended up with a C+. Right now I’m taking another class with him (I had no choice. He’s only one teaching that class). I’m pretty sure I’ll have a C+ again.. and then, he is also teaching the last class that I need to take next fall.

Before I started taking classes with that professor my GPA was 3.5.. now it’s already 3.25…I can’t imagine what my GPA will look like after another two C+’s…

This is very depressing. There is no one at school I can talk about it, because I’m afraid of retaliation. I spoke with that professor directly and that’s what he basically said to me: “if you question my grading policy you question my authority and competence. If you believe you are worth a grade higher that a C+ I’d give you an F.. and you have to take that class again to prove you can do better…”

I project my GPA will drop down to 3.0 when I graduate. I don’t work right now. I’ll start looking for a job once I’m done with CPA. Do you think that 3.0 GPA will affect my job search?

thanks

NYC, NY
FAR - 82 Jan 2014
AUD - 86 Apr 2014
BEC - 77 Aug 2014
REG - 79 Nov 2014

[Anonymous]

Can you take this class elsewhere? Just get non-degree online course and transfer credits to your school

[M.O.D.]

By all means question his authority and competence. That is why you are in graduate school.

And if that does not work go to the dean and question the dean too.

By all means accept an F, and take his class over and over until he gets it.

And if he threatens you, threaten him back. After school, in the parking lot, some Russian mafia friends …

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't put up with that. The best thing to do is get a few more students on your side and take it to the professor and then the next highest authority. Remember he is technically the employee and you are the customer. If no one does anything then take it to your schools paper and have them write about it. No one likes bad publicity.

Also you could explain that F in an interview and turn it into a positive. Most accounting fraud would have been prevented if people had questioned authority.

[mla1169]

You seriously believe that if you go to admin this prof will find out about it and penalize you? That's not how it works. The professor is made aware there is/was a complaint but is not told which student or class it originated from. Go to the dean and ASK about the schools policy before you just assume you're shooting yourself in the foot.

Your GPA will matter on interviews only until you have a few years professional experience. If you've been a student without a full time job, the GPA is how a potential employer gauges your work ethic because you have nothing else to show them but a transcript. If you've held down a professional full time job for 2+ years there is no need for a potential employer to even know your GPA (except maybe a few of the Big 4).

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[MobyDick]

I don't mean to be rude, but you may want to check your GPA math. A 3.5 GPA is an A- average…one C+ (2.5) isn't going to bring your GPA down to a 3.25. Assuming you need 120 credits to graduate, 111 credits at 3.5 average and 9 credits at 2.5 average leaves you with an overall 3.425 GPA.

Or if this is your master's, assuming you need 36 credits, and you average 3.5 for all classes but the 9 credits with the C+ professor, your overall GPA would be 3.25.

To answer your question, yes GPAs matter…but having a CPA will factor in as well!

FAR--(5/27/14) 90
REG--(8/11/14) 90
AUD--(10/1/14) 88
BEC--(11/24/14) 89 Done!!
Virginia CPA License (12/24/14)

100% Becker CPA Self-Study

CISA (2010) CISSP (2012)

[Julia_anika]

For my masters program I need only 31 credits (some classes were transferred from BBA). One of those “C+” classes is a 4-credit class.

I can't take these classes somewhere else (( and taking these classes over and over again is too expensive for me.

Well, I have several years of experience in general accounting. I was working full time the first year of school.. and, I was also pregnant. When the baby was born I quit my job. The problem here is that I want to switch from general accounting to tax.. and I have zero experience in tax (except for sales tax).

I've just sent an email to the chair of the department regarding this problem. Most of students on the program (I'd say 9 out of 10) have jobs, so they don't care about their GPA.

NYC, NY
FAR - 82 Jan 2014
AUD - 86 Apr 2014
BEC - 77 Aug 2014
REG - 79 Nov 2014

[Hank Scorpio]

Even if your GPA drops to 3.0 that's fine. You will be asked what your GPA is in your accounting classes. I had the same issue at a small school with an unfair prof. By the time we complained enough to matter we had graduated. I currently work for a firm with about 60 employees. Be honest about your GPA and be prepared to mention your accounting GPA. If you have your CPA, some companies may not ask what your GPA is. Smaller firms won't care if you have your CPA.

AUD - 71, 79
BEC - 69, 74, 75
FAR - 71, 74, 80
REG - 74, 78

FAR - 10/3/16
BEC - 69 - 10/31/16
AUD - November 2016
REG - December 2016

[itsjustatest]

To be fair, and not to sound rude, if you go to your future employer with this same story/excuse it will certainly make you look worse than having a lower than average graduate GPA. You need to take action against the prof.

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[samdiegoCPA]

I would not take a job that asks for my GPA after I obtain my CPA license. That is completely ridiculous and irrelevant at that point. I spoke with a recruiting manager at Deloitte last year and she said once I pass the exams, they don't care about my GPA (you might still have to submit stuff but they don't take it into account… at least she doesn't). Also, I wouldn't waste your time and energy trying to fight anything or report anything. I have a lot of C's and it hasn't mattered in the slightest.

JMO.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[LaComptable]

If you have the bandwidth, you might consider joining accounting-related student organizations that are active in the professional community, like Beta Alpha Psi or the student chapter of the IIA. Being active in these types of organizations can get you face time with potential employers and be a valuable networking opportunity since there are usually weekly of biweekly dinners or social events that are hosted by companies looking to recruit from your program. Being involved in student organizations also looks good on a resume and can help counteract the impact of a not-so-great GPA.

BEC - 88
AUD - 74, 87
REG - 77
FAR - 63, 82

CIA certified in 2013

[Julia_anika]

I'm a member of Betta Alpha Psi. I was actively participating in their events during my undergrad years. I haven't had time to continue that practice in my grad school, unfortunately. Having a baby and a family changes a lot.

@ samdiegoCPA, your opinion is very encouraging. Thanks!

NYC, NY
FAR - 82 Jan 2014
AUD - 86 Apr 2014
BEC - 77 Aug 2014
REG - 79 Nov 2014

[lalap]

Hello,

Why don't you start applying for a job now when your GPA is still 3.25 – 3.5 ? I know that it's a lot of stress with family and CPA but i think it's easier to get interview when you're still in school.

Passed

[soyanks]

GPA will matter for your first job out of college. Your resume won't have much of work experience and for entry level jobs, HR is used to seeing GPA and other honors listed on the resume. (It's not a requirement to have the GPA on the resume, unless the job posting specifically has min GPA requirement)

GPA will also matter again if you choose to go to grad school later on,

However, after you get your CPA and have 2-3 years of work experience, don't put GPA on your resume. It's not necessary, and by that point, your work experience on the resume is what employers will care about.

FAR - 86
REG - 85
BEC - 90
AUD - 84

[overapplied]

Get together all the coursework that you have grades for, all the tests with grades (it is the evidence of your work). Get the class syllabus and compare the exact parameters that are outlined on the syllabus to the work that you have done. If after comparing your work to the syllabus you think you have a case…

Contact your University's Academic Ombudsman. They are there to mediate these types of disputes.

AUD - 75 - 07/06/2012
FAR - 72, 74, 82 - 05/30/2013
BEC - 84 - 01/16/2013
REG - 60ish, 84 - 08/16/2013

CISA - Passed

[John Tucker]

Julia,

I think it's a HUGE mistake for you to just focus on education/testing/certifications only and not also gain relevant work experience. You need to begin working immediately, gaining some sort of relevant work experience because gaining your education and passing the CPA Exam without relevant work experience is almost like trying to run a marathon with literally one leg.

I second soyanks above, that once you have the TOTAL package in terms of relevant education, certifications and work experience, your GPA matters less. GPAs matter when there's nothing “else” to base your competency on, but I will tell you that if you are going in relying too much on your GPA over other more important aspects (like actual work experience) you will have a lesser chance against another candidate with the total profile.

* State of MA CPA Exam Candidate
- BEC: Sunday, August 24th
- FAR: Saturday, November 29th
- AUD: TBA for February 2015
- REG: TBA for May 2015

[Author]

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