[sileemo]

Background:

-I recently graduated with a 3.0 GPA from a school that accounting firms did not recruit from

-Started studying for my first part of the exam(FAR) this summer and started my Masters in Tax this fall which is heavily recruited by Big 4

-Working full time as an accounts payable associate for about 8 months now

-Trying to get into Big 4

I’m trying to redeem myself by getting a high GPA and get another chance at recruiting. I just started my first class in my Maccy program yesterday and I already feel completely lost. I realize I need to put in extra time into studying for my classes along with my FAR exam. So should I quit my job? Would a Big 4 or any other size firm look at that as a bad thing?

[Anonymous]

This really comes down to $. Can you afford to quit? If yes, I would quit and focus on getting recruited into a winter internship this fall. Ideally you will get a Big 4 internship for January-March which will pay over 25 an hour plus OT, and finish all 4 parts of the CPA by the time you start full-time (considering you get a full time offer). You would get a 5k bonus a few weeks after filling out the paperwork. My one piece of advice is focus on finishing the CPA by the time you start full-time. Finishing the CPA is more important than getting a high GPA in your MS program. Also, MS are typically way easier than undergrad so you will probably do way better. Do what you need to do, but don't spend all your time chasing a 4.0 instead of passing at least FAR and REG by the time you start work.

[Anonymous]

This really comes down to $. Can you afford to quit? If yes, I would quit and focus on getting recruited into a winter internship this fall. Ideally you will get a Big 4 internship for January-March which will pay over 25 an hour plus OT, and finish all 4 parts of the CPA by the time you start full-time (considering you get a full time offer). You would get a 5k bonus a few weeks after filling out the paperwork. My one piece of advice is focus on finishing the CPA by the time you start full-time. Finishing the CPA is more important than getting a high GPA in your MS program. Also, MS are typically way easier than undergrad so you will probably do way better. Do what you need to do, but don't spend all your time chasing a 4.0 instead of passing at least FAR and REG by the time you start work.

[Mjs157]

Hi Sileemo, I would reduce your hours to a level that you feel comfortable with.

You've graduated, you have work experience and if you get the good grades in the masters classes with one section under your belt, you will be far ahead of the average accounting student. Continuous employment through college with grades above a 3.25, preferably above a 3.5, is a huge plus for every recruiter.

[Mjs157]

Hi Sileemo, I would reduce your hours to a level that you feel comfortable with.

You've graduated, you have work experience and if you get the good grades in the masters classes with one section under your belt, you will be far ahead of the average accounting student. Continuous employment through college with grades above a 3.25, preferably above a 3.5, is a huge plus for every recruiter.

[Anonymous]

It is possible to go to school full time, get good grades and work 45 plus hours a week. I was able to do it. I can't tell you to quit, as I don't know your specific situation. I could not quit. To accomplish this I cut so much out of my life, it is no different now with the exam. I had a lot of support from my husband. What I made work for me may not work the same for you. Not working would have been easier, but it was doable. I set good schedules, and focused when I had time. it made me focus on what was important. Sometimes more time is just more time.

If you are able to quit, it would free up a lot of time to really focus. There are a lot of advantages to that!

[Anonymous]

It is possible to go to school full time, get good grades and work 45 plus hours a week. I was able to do it. I can't tell you to quit, as I don't know your specific situation. I could not quit. To accomplish this I cut so much out of my life, it is no different now with the exam. I had a lot of support from my husband. What I made work for me may not work the same for you. Not working would have been easier, but it was doable. I set good schedules, and focused when I had time. it made me focus on what was important. Sometimes more time is just more time.

If you are able to quit, it would free up a lot of time to really focus. There are a lot of advantages to that!

[Anonymous]

I don't think quitting your job will be considered necessarily a bad thing by the Big 4. I see no other choice here but to quit if you find it too difficult to study and work full time.

Can you consider working part time? 15-20 hours should be okay, and you should be able to find some study time.

[Anonymous]

I don't think quitting your job will be considered necessarily a bad thing by the Big 4. I see no other choice here but to quit if you find it too difficult to study and work full time.

Can you consider working part time? 15-20 hours should be okay, and you should be able to find some study time.

[ZSRizvi]

I was in the exact same situation as you in Spring. Working as an A/P clerk with hours that mimicked busy season (insane, right?). On top of that, my boss wasn't understanding at all and wouldn't let me leave a bit early so I could study (in fact, he made me do everyone else's work because “oh you're not married and don't have kids so you don't really have any obligations”).

Needless to say, I had to quit.

And within one month I got an offer at a CPA firm once they saw me going for my CPA, etc.

You need to do what's best for your future. If you're tight on money, stick to the job but try to work out a flexible schedule.

If you're being supported by parents/spouse/etc, quit and look towards a brighter future. 🙂

BEC (July 2013)
FAR (OCT 2013)
REG (NOV 2013)
AUD (JAN 2014)

The CPA Exam is an opponent that not even the Fellowship of the Ring would want to come across.

I have a long...long...journey ahead of me.

[ZSRizvi]

I was in the exact same situation as you in Spring. Working as an A/P clerk with hours that mimicked busy season (insane, right?). On top of that, my boss wasn't understanding at all and wouldn't let me leave a bit early so I could study (in fact, he made me do everyone else's work because “oh you're not married and don't have kids so you don't really have any obligations”).

Needless to say, I had to quit.

And within one month I got an offer at a CPA firm once they saw me going for my CPA, etc.

You need to do what's best for your future. If you're tight on money, stick to the job but try to work out a flexible schedule.

If you're being supported by parents/spouse/etc, quit and look towards a brighter future. 🙂

BEC (July 2013)
FAR (OCT 2013)
REG (NOV 2013)
AUD (JAN 2014)

The CPA Exam is an opponent that not even the Fellowship of the Ring would want to come across.

I have a long...long...journey ahead of me.

[sileemo]

@ dksmoove – I've considered part time, I actually had a couple interviews for part time accounting internships but I did not get anything back from them. Since this is a temp to hire position I don't know if they are willing to allow me to go part time…they could just find someone to replace me. I'll ask about it and see what they say.

[sileemo]

@ dksmoove – I've considered part time, I actually had a couple interviews for part time accounting internships but I did not get anything back from them. Since this is a temp to hire position I don't know if they are willing to allow me to go part time…they could just find someone to replace me. I'll ask about it and see what they say.

[mla1169]

Was it truly a lack of time that hindered your GPA? Meaning if you have more time available, are you sure it will help your grades, or will something else get in the way?

It is possible to work 60 hours a week, be in school for a Masters (with a 3.7 GPA) and pass this exam at the same time. Its not something I would recommend if you have other options, but wanted to put it out there that time can be managed to accommodate all 3, if you find yourself in that position.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Was it truly a lack of time that hindered your GPA? Meaning if you have more time available, are you sure it will help your grades, or will something else get in the way?

It is possible to work 60 hours a week, be in school for a Masters (with a 3.7 GPA) and pass this exam at the same time. Its not something I would recommend if you have other options, but wanted to put it out there that time can be managed to accommodate all 3, if you find yourself in that position.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Quit a job? In this economy? That's stupid. Unless you've just won a nice lottery prize of six or more figures. .

I had a job, studied for CPA and completed a PM certificate at the same time. Yes, it is busy. The busy-ness is temporary. You'll finish your MACC. You'll rock the CPA. That time will come back.

So no time to be lazy.

[Author]

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