Thread: Question regarding my chances at obtaining a CPA

I am new to the forum, so bear with me.

I am a 32 year old university student. I've been attending college since 18, but I have never finished college. I have gone to 6 community colleges and one university, and leaving the school with extremely horrible grades. For example, at one community college, I'd have about 15 Ws and a handful of Fs with a 1.7 GPA. At another school, I'd have 24 Ws with a 2.7 GPA. It's not as bad in the other community colleges, but it's pretty similar.

At the university I'm in right now, I have a 2.56 GPA with 4 withdrawals and I'm about to withdraw again from this semester. I have about a year and a half left graduating from this university with a degree in accounting.

I'm not an idiot (which most may eagerly seem to believe). It's just that I end up not caring about school. I would begin each semester doing well on exams. And then, I lose all interest.

I have a brother that goes to Yale.

I plan to start all over.

I have finallly figured out what i want to do with the rest of my life.

2 years at a CC, transfer to a school with a top accounting department, get my CPA.

I plan to NOT show any of my past transcripts to any employer, school or whatever.

I plan to use the grades I receive from here on out as the grades I'll show to whatever school and whatever employer.

Question is, do accounting firms care about my past academic mishaps? Or would they simply look at the transcripts I choose to show them, from the school I got the degree from?

I plan to use the most recent CC and the university with the degree as my 150 credit requirement.

Originally Posted by ZahiD

Question is, do accounting firms care about my past academic mishaps? Or would they simply look at the transcripts I choose to show them, from the school I got the degree from?

Accounting firms might ask you why didn't you graduate with when you were 21 years old and what were you doing since then. I suggest you have an explanation for that, tell them there were personal reasons/working full time etc.

I attend SFSU and all we hear is that big 4 accounting firms want 4.0 gpa. I guess if you that's your goal then you need to maintain 4.0 and just have a good explanation.

Thanks for responding ZahiD.

My goal isn't necessarily to get accepted to one of the big 4 companies, it's just I want a career that will help keep me financially stable for the rest of my life. I just feel a higher GPA, a completely clean academic record, and the eventual CPA, will help me get to that route.

What do you think about the idea of "starting all over" and essentially "throwing away" all past transcripts and starting anew?

I'm ashamed of my past academic record.

And for the record, it's not really a reflection of who I am as a person. But every time I get advising, advisors stare at me with disbelief. I hate that feeling.

Forget about trying to start over as the past never goes away but it can be mitigated. My thought would be to finish out where you are with one and a half years remaining. Time is not on your side.

If you want people to ignore your previous starts then finish where you are then top it off with a masters. There should be some program (though not any top programs) that will admit you. People will look at the top degree achieved. Since you have an age problem (10/15 years over the average new hire for a similar position) you'll have to use maturity/life lessons learned as selling points.

Good luck

Originally Posted by Pat

Forget about trying to start over as the past never goes away but it can be mitigated. My thought would be to finish out where you are with one and a half years remaining. Time is not on your side.

If you want people to ignore your previous starts then finish where you are then top it off with a masters. There should be some program (though not any top programs) that will admit you. People will look at the top degree achieved. Since you have an age problem (10/15 years over the average new hire for a similar position) you'll have to use maturity/life lessons learned as selling points.

Good luck

What are some MBA/MA programs out there that would be most likely accept students with such an academic background? I live in California and prefer to attend within state.

I just calculated the highest GPA I could obtain and that would be a 3.4 after all classes have been taken when I graduate. That's assuming that I get all As from here on out.

What about this scenario? Go to a CC for two years, transfer to a school like USC, graduate with a degree in accounting, with highest honors, and start from there? In the meantime, I'd work part time as a bookkeeper somewhere.

BTW, are there any other accounting forums that receive more foot traffic?

I apologize for the train of posts, but I just have so many questions to ask.

In the midst of obtaining a degree in accounting, what accounting related jobs can I work for in the meantime? I'm looking for something part time that will apply what I know in accounting.

Don't know the CA schools very well except that USC runs in the 30-40K range.

I'd choose to finish in 1 & 1/2 yrs (like you indicated was possible) and do a 1 yr masters instead of spending 5/6 doing CC, USC and a 3 yr MBA.

Age is not your friend. Why spend 100/120K plus the additional years to get the same job you can get for considerably less time and money.

Originally Posted by Pat

Don't know the CA schools very well except that USC runs in the 30-40K range.

I'd choose to finish in 1 & 1/2 yrs (like you indicated was possible) and do a 1 yr masters instead of spending 5/6 doing CC, USC and a 3 yr MBA.

Age is not your friend. Why spend 100/120K plus the additional years to get the same job you can get for considerably less time and money.

Because I just don't want employers to question me based on my past grades, as they have done in the past, and judge me as if I'm worthless and a risk to hire. I guess I'll have to get over that and move forward.

One year masters. Never heard of it, but I'm assuming some schools offer a 1 year program to obtain a masters in accounting?

I have another comment. I hate my university. My university has a business school that truly relies on the student to self-teach. I understand that essentially all knowledge and education at any university in any country rely on the student to self-teach. But my university takes it to another level. It is basically an on-campus business school that works as an online university.

Most professors at my university read off powerpoints to instruct. Most do not speak clear English. Most do minimal problem solving in class to assist students. Most do not know how to teach effectively. You're left wishing you had done better in high school in order to have gone to a better university. Like USC.

With that in mind, what is your suggestion for personal success in accounting? Read, study, and work accounting? Or is there a more better and efficient route to success? Any books? websites? Anything?

I plan to self-study 18 hours a day.

As complex as your situation is I'd recommend finding a school counselor or other knowledgeable party to discuss your thoughts and receive their feedback. Maybe two people, one educator and one accountant/business person. Hopefully they will be available to talk, advise and monitor your progress over a long time period as opposed to just a one time deal.

An accounting job will certainly enhance the classroom learning in a very practical manner.