<p>Do you guys know if passing the CPA exam increases your chances of being accepted to a MAcc program? I had a pretty bad gpa in college (2.8) and i’m worried that will prevent me from getting into a decent grad school. But does the fact that I passed the CPA exam “make up” for my poor gpa in the MAcc admission people’s eyes?</p>
<p>Why do you need MAcc if you already have a CPA? MAcc is not worth it, unless you want to be a college professor, and it will not increase your salary. However, an MBA is another story. By the way I heard that in some grad schools, if you have CPA, you do not need to take a GMAT test, so I guess it helps.</p>
<p>I don’t have my CPA license yet. I can get licensed through getting a MAcc. I also want to get another chance at school to get a high gpa so I can get a better job and so I can apply to a good law school later in life</p>
<p>CPA is overrated.</p>
<p>Unless you have the standard CC “I had cancer and 3 jobs” story to explain your sub-3.5 GPA, I’d say that it all boils down to you hating/being bored by school. You can’t make up for that by going through more school.</p>
<p>Did you take the GMAT? What was your SAT score?</p>
<p><strong><em>CPA is overrated.</em></strong></p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>CPA does not compensate for a low GPA. For undergrads, it’s all about a good school with strong on campus recruiting (Takes a lot of people from that school, not just “OH THEY COME TO MY SCHOOL CRAP”). The best jobs are typically found BEFORE you graduate, not after. Hence, why the CPA is overrated.</p>
<p>Many say the CPA is overrated because it is seen as a glorious certification that automatically equals a very high salary, but that’s completely false. </p>
<p>Just like nowdays, a bachelor’s is a must and the trend is becoming that graduate school is a must, in accounting, a CPA is just another standard.</p>
<p>it depends on the requirement for the CPA certification in your state. my state requires 150cr hrs, so if you can get that as well as fultill all other rerquirements, you can get your CPA license. I would prefer to get my MBA (maybe later) but it is always advisable to do your MBA, becaue you nevr know.</p>
<p>An MBA from a weak school when you don’t have experience(nearly impossible to get into a good MBA program without work experience) is a waste. You won’t make enough extra money by having it because nobody will hire an MBA without work experience. If you eventually did get work experience you wouldn’t get a chance to go to an actually good MBA school because you already had one(a crap one).</p>
<p>getting a CPA just helps you move up, career wise…</p>
<p>By Dawgie, “CPA does not compensate for a low GPA.” </p>
<p>Actually, it is. Employers looking for people who know their job, and the CPA license proves that you are a competent accountant. If you have a low GPA, it does not mean that you do not know accounting, for you might have bad grades in other subjects that do not relate to accounting.</p>
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<p>It’s true that literally ~80% of the 150 hours aren’t in accounting. They don’t care. They will chuck your resume in the trash as hard as they can, with a vengeance and searing with anger at the thought that you would waste their time applying for something you aren’t qualified for. If you have under a 3.3, you’d better hope they don’t call you in for an interview because chances are they will be furious with you and not give you a fair shot.</p>
<p>People do not get great jobs by passing the CPA with low GPA’s(i.e. less than 3.0). That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get them, just how it is. My personal estimate is that getting a very high GPA probably takes more effort than passing the CPA…</p>
<p>Yes, some people go into public accounting and never pass the CPA, but most of them probably didn’t have great GPA’s anyway and slipped in via URM/hottie status anyway. The rest learned they didn’t like public accounting and didn’t care about passing the CPA.</p>
<p>People do not get great jobs by passing the CPA with low GPA’s(i.e. less than 3.0). That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get them, just how it is. My personal estimate is that getting a very high GPA probably takes more effort than passing the CPA…</p>
<p>Yes, some people go into public accounting and never pass the CPA, but most of them probably didn’t have great GPA’s anyway and slipped in via URM/hottie status anyway. The rest learned they didn’t like public accounting and didn’t care about passing the CPA.</p>
<p>What is your definition of a great job? Might this include an entry-level auditor at a podunk accounting firm making $38k after taxes and before withholding for benefits?</p>
<p>By Jonahrubin, “My personal estimate is that getting a very high GPA probably takes more effort than passing the CPA…”</p>
<p>I also think that way. In order to have a high GPA, you have to work hard all four years, and once you relax, you and your GPA get screwed up. I agree that if you have a GPA under 2.5, then nothing can really compensate you, but even in this case, if you have a CPA and outstanding working experience (which you might get because of connections), you can redeem yourself.</p>
<p>And remember, the reason why employers prefer to hire CPAs is that a person with a license is responsible for what he/she is doing. If you are not a CPA and you will make a mistake, the owner of the company will go to jail; however, if you have a license, then you will go to jail. Employers know that, and they are looking for people who can take responsibility for themselves. Thats why a person who is certified will have a higher chance than a person with a high GPA.</p>
<p>Toshtermirov, stop posting like you know the job market for accounting. Hell, you don’t even know anything about working in accounting. Just because a person is a CPA doesn’t mean they are signing off. You think a staff member that is a CPA is signing off on major corporate audits or returns? Stop posting like you know, it’s misleading people that actually want accurate information. Higher GPA at a legit school > CPA. High GPA at a decent school = hard working. CPA = Anyone can sit and study for a few months and pass.</p>
<p>Dawgie,
Actually, I express my opinion and explain my point of view; however, you just say that something is right or wrong, without giving an explanation/evidence to support your statement. You should look carefully at your posts, and maybe you will understand what I am talking about.</p>