[undergrad99]

Firstly, please do not insult me because I’ve been already insulted by people because of my grades. Some had recommended me to drop out of college.

Anyway, I have 2 semesters left, spring and summer. I major in public accounting and I am doing very bad. My GPA is a 2.95. I currently have 5 W’s (Withdrawal) and 2 F’s. The reason for this is because I work many hours a week since I have bills to pay, so I couldn’t keep up.

Right now, i’m feeling down in the dumps because it seems that all this effort will go to a waste. I will graduate with 150 credits but I’m not sure if there is any point any graduating. Who would want to hire me?

Currently, I work for a company A/P department which I will quit because I’m expected to work so many hours. This last 2 semesters I would like to do good. Also working for this small firm, I understand that I;m not a fan of working for small firms. I applied to many other places and they all rejected me.

Ideally I would like to work for a big, or regional firm (i know funny).

What do I do? Please give me guidance because I don’t know who else to talk to,

THANK YOU

[Anonymous]

If you work in a company A/P department, then working in a small local accounting firm would be different than working in a small local non-accounting company. Just a thought.

Beyond that…don't worry so much about the grades! I haven't worked in Regional or Big 4 or anything like that (nor have I wanted to), but I've worked in and interviewed at small local firms and was only asked about my GPA once at a snotty firm that I'm glad didn't hire me (and my GPA was pretty decent – 3.5). For the public accounting job that I got, I was never asked my GPA; for the other public job that I was offered, I was never asked my GPA. For my current private accounting job, I was never asked my GPA, either.

Here's the question for how easily you will get a job: Are you smart, and does it show? If you're a smart, mature, responsible kid, but have lower grades because of the responsibilities that come with maturity (like, ya know, bills 😛 ), then I don't think you'll have a problem. You might have a problem getting straight to Big 4 or something like that because from what I've gathered, they follow a strict formula – you have to mark off these 10 requirements or something before they'll look at you (and GPA seems to be one of those). But, if you get outside of those super-strict places, you'll find places that will look at who you are and what you can do instead of what numbers are on your transcript. That's where being mature and responsible goes a long ways, and where seeming smart is more important than having a certain GPA. I had a coworker in the past who had a high GPA – I don't know exactly what it was, but i'm guessing 3.8-3.9. But that kid had no real world knowledge or understanding, no personality, no common sense, no ability to apply his textbooks to the real world, etc., so he might get the Big 4 job due to his GPA, but won't last long or get far in public accounting. Whereas someone who has real world abilities (not just textbook abilities), which I'm guessing is more hte group you're in, might nto get Big 4 right out of the gate, but they can get partner or CFO or something like that down the road.

However…if Big 4 and regional is your goal…from what I've gathered, if you have no job experience, they'll just look at the GPA; however, if you get a job and get experience somewhere smaller, then you can “move up” to Big 4 or regional later on, when they start looking at your job experience instead of at your GPA. So, that'd be my advice to try to get into the bigger firms. 🙂

Good luck! 🙂 A low GPA doesn't mean that life is over, just means that you weren't handed life on a silver platter. Working long hours while going to school really sucks. But I'm assuming you've passed about 120 credits so far (which is a degree worth!) and will soon have 150, at which point you'll get that piece of paper that says you know something. 😉 After that, it's about showing it in the real world, and I'm sure you can do that!

[Anonymous]

If you work in a company A/P department, then working in a small local accounting firm would be different than working in a small local non-accounting company. Just a thought.

Beyond that…don't worry so much about the grades! I haven't worked in Regional or Big 4 or anything like that (nor have I wanted to), but I've worked in and interviewed at small local firms and was only asked about my GPA once at a snotty firm that I'm glad didn't hire me (and my GPA was pretty decent – 3.5). For the public accounting job that I got, I was never asked my GPA; for the other public job that I was offered, I was never asked my GPA. For my current private accounting job, I was never asked my GPA, either.

Here's the question for how easily you will get a job: Are you smart, and does it show? If you're a smart, mature, responsible kid, but have lower grades because of the responsibilities that come with maturity (like, ya know, bills 😛 ), then I don't think you'll have a problem. You might have a problem getting straight to Big 4 or something like that because from what I've gathered, they follow a strict formula – you have to mark off these 10 requirements or something before they'll look at you (and GPA seems to be one of those). But, if you get outside of those super-strict places, you'll find places that will look at who you are and what you can do instead of what numbers are on your transcript. That's where being mature and responsible goes a long ways, and where seeming smart is more important than having a certain GPA. I had a coworker in the past who had a high GPA – I don't know exactly what it was, but i'm guessing 3.8-3.9. But that kid had no real world knowledge or understanding, no personality, no common sense, no ability to apply his textbooks to the real world, etc., so he might get the Big 4 job due to his GPA, but won't last long or get far in public accounting. Whereas someone who has real world abilities (not just textbook abilities), which I'm guessing is more hte group you're in, might nto get Big 4 right out of the gate, but they can get partner or CFO or something like that down the road.

However…if Big 4 and regional is your goal…from what I've gathered, if you have no job experience, they'll just look at the GPA; however, if you get a job and get experience somewhere smaller, then you can “move up” to Big 4 or regional later on, when they start looking at your job experience instead of at your GPA. So, that'd be my advice to try to get into the bigger firms. 🙂

Good luck! 🙂 A low GPA doesn't mean that life is over, just means that you weren't handed life on a silver platter. Working long hours while going to school really sucks. But I'm assuming you've passed about 120 credits so far (which is a degree worth!) and will soon have 150, at which point you'll get that piece of paper that says you know something. 😉 After that, it's about showing it in the real world, and I'm sure you can do that!

[Mayo]

Well this isn't a thread about GPAs, what they mean, what they say about you, your work ethic, organizational skills, etc. So I won't get into my own personal views about it.

However, if you're wondering what your outlook after graduation is, I'd say I agree with a lot of what Lilla said in that personality, professionalism, etc. goes a long way. These types of intangibles are things can help overcome such an important academic metric as the GPA.

That being said, I think those comments apply only to those who are pretty much self starters. Those who understand the importance of networking, how to do an effective job search, and can interview very well.

The other side of the coin is that there are a glut of graduates with low GPAs out there whose only effort to get a career is to fill out an application on Monster.com and call it a day.

But anyhow. Enough high level talk. In your situation specifically this is what you have going for you:

1. You have two semesters left. Use that time wisely. Personally, if I were you I'd try and see if there was any way to lighten my academic workload. If you're working that's understandable. But there's no reason to sabotage your grades by throwing a heavy academic load on an already heavy work schedule. Slowing down your graduation rate is also acceptable. At the end of the day, your goal should be to maximize your remaining hours and become more involved on campus (accounting-wise and recruiting-wise) wherever possible.

2. You have work experience in accounting. Not sure what your reputation at work is, but I can imagine your performance might improve if you weren't stressed about school as much. if that's the case, it's another reason to consider lightening your load. Regardless, having the A/P work experience is a huge plus that can at the very minimum help explain a lower GPA. At best, it can give you some real work accounting experience to showcase to employers, and gives you more to talk about than your average grad (i.e. Your experience in accounting, your goals, role models, future experiences you'd like to have, etc).

3. You'll graduate in a recovering market. The job landscape isn't awesome yet, but it's vastly improved over what it was a few years ago. Active hiring will open up more positions in which you can compete. We're talking smaller firms in industry, small to medium sized public accounting firms, or even some more prestigious companies if you are one of those people Lilla talks about. Add passed CPA exams to the mix and it will open up even more opportunities.

So I don't think it's all doom and gloom. But I'd really urge you to really evaluate your current situation and how much time you are devoting to both work and school. If something's got to give, I'd say delay graduation and take a lighter academic load. This might help bring your grads up and give you an opportunity to participate on campus through recruiting, accounting/business clubs, volunteering, etc.

Good luck.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Well this isn't a thread about GPAs, what they mean, what they say about you, your work ethic, organizational skills, etc. So I won't get into my own personal views about it.

However, if you're wondering what your outlook after graduation is, I'd say I agree with a lot of what Lilla said in that personality, professionalism, etc. goes a long way. These types of intangibles are things can help overcome such an important academic metric as the GPA.

That being said, I think those comments apply only to those who are pretty much self starters. Those who understand the importance of networking, how to do an effective job search, and can interview very well.

The other side of the coin is that there are a glut of graduates with low GPAs out there whose only effort to get a career is to fill out an application on Monster.com and call it a day.

But anyhow. Enough high level talk. In your situation specifically this is what you have going for you:

1. You have two semesters left. Use that time wisely. Personally, if I were you I'd try and see if there was any way to lighten my academic workload. If you're working that's understandable. But there's no reason to sabotage your grades by throwing a heavy academic load on an already heavy work schedule. Slowing down your graduation rate is also acceptable. At the end of the day, your goal should be to maximize your remaining hours and become more involved on campus (accounting-wise and recruiting-wise) wherever possible.

2. You have work experience in accounting. Not sure what your reputation at work is, but I can imagine your performance might improve if you weren't stressed about school as much. if that's the case, it's another reason to consider lightening your load. Regardless, having the A/P work experience is a huge plus that can at the very minimum help explain a lower GPA. At best, it can give you some real work accounting experience to showcase to employers, and gives you more to talk about than your average grad (i.e. Your experience in accounting, your goals, role models, future experiences you'd like to have, etc).

3. You'll graduate in a recovering market. The job landscape isn't awesome yet, but it's vastly improved over what it was a few years ago. Active hiring will open up more positions in which you can compete. We're talking smaller firms in industry, small to medium sized public accounting firms, or even some more prestigious companies if you are one of those people Lilla talks about. Add passed CPA exams to the mix and it will open up even more opportunities.

So I don't think it's all doom and gloom. But I'd really urge you to really evaluate your current situation and how much time you are devoting to both work and school. If something's got to give, I'd say delay graduation and take a lighter academic load. This might help bring your grads up and give you an opportunity to participate on campus through recruiting, accounting/business clubs, volunteering, etc.

Good luck.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[number_cruncher_24]

When I was in college, I knew of people with low GPA's who went to work for small CPA firms and then transferred to larger firms after a year or so. It's hard to get into the larger CPA's firms right out of college if you have a low GPA but once you get a year or so post-college experience in accounting, GPA is usually not that important anymore to most employers. I would suggest looking at the small firms in your area and then once you get audit or tax experience, you can go bigger if that's your desire. Some of the smaller firms don't post their openings online, but I've known people who went around visiting the firms in their area and got a job that way.

[number_cruncher_24]

When I was in college, I knew of people with low GPA's who went to work for small CPA firms and then transferred to larger firms after a year or so. It's hard to get into the larger CPA's firms right out of college if you have a low GPA but once you get a year or so post-college experience in accounting, GPA is usually not that important anymore to most employers. I would suggest looking at the small firms in your area and then once you get audit or tax experience, you can go bigger if that's your desire. Some of the smaller firms don't post their openings online, but I've known people who went around visiting the firms in their area and got a job that way.

[mla1169]

I'm sorry you've been insulted about your grades. Make sure you're not sharing your GPA with people who don't need to know since it bothers you so much. Many employers don't ask GPA, so there's no good reason for you to be the one to bring it up. But if it does come up in an interview, please don't say it's because you worked too many hours. It does not create a favorable impression of you and the employer will simply believe you had poor time management skills.

Instead pull your grades up these last 2 semesters and if your GPA comes up, simply say it took you quite a while to learn time management but you did eventually develop this skill and believe it will be very useful in your career.

How many hours did this job have you working anyway, and was that expectation clear when you were hired?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I'm sorry you've been insulted about your grades. Make sure you're not sharing your GPA with people who don't need to know since it bothers you so much. Many employers don't ask GPA, so there's no good reason for you to be the one to bring it up. But if it does come up in an interview, please don't say it's because you worked too many hours. It does not create a favorable impression of you and the employer will simply believe you had poor time management skills.

Instead pull your grades up these last 2 semesters and if your GPA comes up, simply say it took you quite a while to learn time management but you did eventually develop this skill and believe it will be very useful in your career.

How many hours did this job have you working anyway, and was that expectation clear when you were hired?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[nbad311]

Is the 2.95 inclusive of the F's and W's? If so, that is not bad at all. If not, just work hard to get solid grades these last two semesters.

Does your resume have to include GPA? (I've been out of school too long!) I'd assume just put your work experience on there and note that you've met the 150-hour requirement to sit for the exam or somehow note you're eligible and ready to sit.

As others have wrote, it's a lot about personality/professionalism/non-GPA factors. There are large public firms that are not the big 4 that won't focus on GPA. I graduated with a 2.82 GPA and someone hired me! And now I'm a CPA (er, pending CPA!).

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[nbad311]

Is the 2.95 inclusive of the F's and W's? If so, that is not bad at all. If not, just work hard to get solid grades these last two semesters.

Does your resume have to include GPA? (I've been out of school too long!) I'd assume just put your work experience on there and note that you've met the 150-hour requirement to sit for the exam or somehow note you're eligible and ready to sit.

As others have wrote, it's a lot about personality/professionalism/non-GPA factors. There are large public firms that are not the big 4 that won't focus on GPA. I graduated with a 2.82 GPA and someone hired me! And now I'm a CPA (er, pending CPA!).

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[Study Monk]

I got one public accounting job at a small firm with my 2.90 gpa and nine months later got another public accounting job with McGladrey with 2.9 gpa. I have also had 5 interviews total at public accounting firms with my 2.90 gpa. Public Accounting firms care a lot about how presentable you are to clients and whether or not you are outgoing. If you have a low GPA you will need to compensate by going to meet the firm events and come across as really outgoing and confident.

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"

[Study Monk]

I got one public accounting job at a small firm with my 2.90 gpa and nine months later got another public accounting job with McGladrey with 2.9 gpa. I have also had 5 interviews total at public accounting firms with my 2.90 gpa. Public Accounting firms care a lot about how presentable you are to clients and whether or not you are outgoing. If you have a low GPA you will need to compensate by going to meet the firm events and come across as really outgoing and confident.

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"

[barelystayingsane]

@undergrad99 I wholeheartedly agree with Lilla. Just curious, are you an international student?

[barelystayingsane]

@undergrad99 I wholeheartedly agree with Lilla. Just curious, are you an international student?

[evesocal]

undergrad99, I also agree with the Lilla and the other comments about not getting overly concerned about your GPA. First of all it's not that bad. Second – once you're out of school for a while NO ONE CARES. No disrespect meant to everyone who has great GPAs, it is an accomplishment to be proud of. Maybe for your very first job GPA matters because employers have nothing else to go by. But after that, IMO GPA does not matter and there is no reason to put it on your resume.

Experience matters, attitude matters, professionalism, how you come across in interviews, are you a good fit for the place at which you are applying – these things matter more than GPA.

If you are too stressed at school then delay graduating. Or work less, as you suggest, but of course there's only so much “less” you can go and still pay your bills.

My dad *started* college when I was about 8 and had two younger brothers. Needless to say he was working full time and went to college at night, and by the time he finished I had three younger brothers. He had hated school in his younger days and didn't like college any better but he kept at it. Barely. My mom and aunt helped him with his schoolwork and I remember the whole family celebrating joyfully when he got a D in some class. Eventually he graduated and had a successful career. He worked as a teacher (ironic, yes?), then went on to work for the teacher's union. The degree mattered, his performance mattered – and he was a much better teacher than student – his GPA did not. Don't worry about it.

B: 75
R: 80
A: 77
F: 81
Ethics: 84, 92 and done!
Licensed in California

[Author]

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