My first thought was just to find a job after I graduate and that's all I would do, but, am I missing something? I only have a 2.8 gpa and I only have 124 credit hours so I can't sit for the CPA exam. Financially, I don't have a job, but, I currently have $5,000 in the bank and I'm living with my parents... What would you do in my situation? I'm open to basically anything...
Roger...
2.8 is not terrible... its not ideal, but not terrible
My recommendation would be to put out your resume to as many CPA firms as you can find to get an entry level public accounting position. If you are well spoken and dress professionally, I'm sure someone would give you a position. Many smaller firms may not even ask about your GPA, and if they do you can perhaps explain that you struggled with balancing the 'college life' with actually doing the academic work early on, but you have your head on straight now and you're ready to work. In our firm we have a few very successful guys that were total clowns when they were younger.
Don't apply to 'big 4' or even the top regional firms in your area if you have a moderate GPA from a smaller school, but there are literally thousands of smaller firms everywhere that are a lot less competitive... get that first full time job and a few years experience, then no one will ever look at your GPA again after that. Then you can find an affordable masters program to get to 150 credits and do the CPA exam in a few years.
I hope this helps... for perspective... I have 15 years experience, senior manager in a smaller closely held firm in a suburban area... i'm not a partner, but I have great 'quality of life' and eat dinner with my family 90% of the time... there are MANY different paths you can take... having a 4.0 and being a big-4 slave working 60+ hours is not the only path in life.