[Anonymous]

Recruiting season is starting now at my university. I’ve been at this school since 2012 only to complete the required classes to sit for the cpa exam. I have my BA from another institution. My undergrad gpa was almost a 4.0 my current gpa is a 3.08 most companies have a minimum gpa requirement of 3.2.

1. This semester I’m taking the last class to get me to 150 credits. So don’t have much to work with as far as raising it

2. In 2012 I was working more to accommodate short staffing and just under estimated how hard the accounting curriculum was at this university. The projects were difficult and so were the exams.

3. Haven’t passed a section of the cpa exam yet- will start studying for reg in the next few days

4. My grades were much better in 2013 and 2014 but 2012 really messed me up!

I know it’s not a deal breaker but how can I turn this into a positive and still be able to lock in an interview against other students with higher gpa’s?

[Tony]

School and undergrad with a low GPA. I worked to pay myself through college, and I let the companies I interviewed with know that. I got a few job offers from various accounting firms up here, and I ultimately got a job at Deloitte & Touche and that is where I am right now. What did I do? I networked like crazy with the folks at DT, I spoke to the recruiters, a few senior managers, managers, seniors, and staff. These firms want to know if you are willing to learn, and if you are easy to talk to. Everything else is teachable/coachable. Go network your pants off.

BEC: 73,78 79
AUD: 60, 60, 70, 80
FAR: 49, 64, 71, 82
REG: 68, 68, 73, 78

DONE.... OMGFG DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well 2 ethics tests to take.

[jbisdamon]

My belief has always been that if you can get an initial interview, the rest is up to you. Having that GPA most likely will knock you out of anything Big 4, but honestly that isn't a big deal. I'm not sure if your school has a “meet the firms” type event, but if they do go and meet as many employers as you can and try and interview for as many positions as you can. If you can get an interview and rock it, and explain how you worked as well as took these classes, that can easily make up for a lower GPA. One of my buddies once told me how he interviewed three candidates in one day with a 4.0, and went with someone with a 3.3 because they interviewed well and were personable. It's all about the interview.

BEC - 76 7/22/14
AUD - 84 8/30/14
REG - 75 10/16/14
FAR - 87 11/24/14

[Anonymous]

I expected to see a terrible GPA from the title. 3.08 isn't terrible, you're almost to 3.2. My undergrad GPA was under 2.4 so be happy you're not there.

What is your GPA for your major? Maybe you could put that. Would the average of your GPA from both universities average out to over 3.2?

I wouldn't worry about it too much once you get an interview. Just be confident.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys!!! 🙂 the only big 4 firm I'm genuinely interested in is EY. I just want an accounting job to start getting the experience. Yes, the “meet the firms” is all of Sept. and I'm going to the majority of them and will speak to them then. Also, state that I was working a lot and under estimated the accounting classes here and since then my grades have been significantly better and have adjusted my work schedule. Taken vacation time to study during finals week and reached out to professors for extra assistance.

@bababooey I've only taken accounting classes at this university so the gpa major is the same. I took 3 accounting courses at the community college level and got A's in all 3 so that is listed on my resume. I don't think I could average them might look kinda shady lol

[mystical guy]

It's more about how much they like you, given that you have the credentials. I had to go away for 5 months just to work on presenting my best self. I've seen people with 4.0 GPAs, excellent records, who could not hold a conversation with a client, and they ended up working jobs beneath their intelligence.

Use what you've got, and use it wisely.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Hank Scorpio]

3.0 is what most firms want to see that I spoke with. I had right around that and had no interest in a big 4 and didn't have trouble getting an offer. I was asked what my GPA was in my major so be ready to spit that out in an interview. If you have a 3.08 and your GPA for your major is a 3.5 you shouldn't have a problem. I got an offer from a firm with around 50 employees and it was a solid offer.

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

[Anonymous]

3.08 isnt bad, my undergrad was around 2.92. once you get your first job, gpa doesnt mean much. experience will outweigh gpa once you have a year or so of exp

[Anonymous]

Thank you all 🙂 appreciate the feedback

[fuzyfro89]

3.08 can be listed on your resume as a 3.1. No problem at all. It gets hairy when you start rounding in non-standard ways (i.e. a 3.04 to a 3.1). Recruiters know that a 3.1 doesn't mean 3.1000000… they understand most GPAs are rounded.

A 3.1 (3.08 to be exact) is a very middle of the road GPA. It really depends on your competition. If the average for a top candidate is a 3.4… you may be in trouble. But, if there are plenty of jobs to go around, then a 3.1 just means your GPA won't get you in the door (won't keep you out either), but you'll definitely have to network to get an invitation to the first round.

[I Believe You Have My Stapler]

In my experience, firms will value work experience, leadership skills, and personality more than a GPA. You've got at least a B average, you'll have no problem. I was expecting you to say you had a 2.0!

AUD- 97! (May 2014)
BEC- 79 (August 2014)
REG- 64, 83 (February 2015)
FAR- May 2015

[y_u_no_pass]

I've been advised if GPA is under 3.2 you should leave it off of your resume. You can just lead with something else as that is not your strongest area. And if they ask you can tell them and then explain. Generally things like working and leadership positions in extracurriculars can make a difference.

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Peanut Butter is Good]

Bababooey,

I had a question: You said your undergrad GPA was 2.4. That's even worse than mine, which was 2.67 (I round up to 2.7, but who even cares when it's in that range). My MS GPA is 3.57, and I round to 3.6.

I'm bring this up to ask you how you ended up doing in your job search, despite the GPA problem, because it will show me what I might want to expect as I move forward in my job search.

AUD - 84
BEC - 88
FAR - 81
REG - 79

If I passed so can you!!

[lakersfan24]

@Peanut Butter

Why do you even put your undergrad gpa on your resume if you have the good MS gpa?

[Anonymous]

@Peanut Butter I graduated undergrad in summer of 2009. I spent about 3 months searching for a job. Didn't find anything so I took a seasonal job preparing taxes. From there I worked as a tax auditor for a state government and now I'm in public accounting for a top 25 firm, which I really enjoy.

I felt like I could have had an easier time during my job search if my GPA didn't suck but whatever. It also didn't help that I was always nervous at interviews and awkward.

I don't think I would have wanted to go into Big 4 and work 80 hour weeks during tax season so I'm happy with the route I took and where I am now.

[Author]

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