USA Need Advice For Accounting Careers

[eastcoast41]

Here's some context, I graduated with a business admin degree with a concentration in marketing. I could have graduated with a double degree in accounting with one class left to finish (audit and assurance) but I didn't because I was so done with school. Tried marketing careers this year but I didn't find a lot of success with it and so I decided to go back to school and finish my accounting degree in spring 2022. I have enough college credit to get my CPA license once I graduate with the accounting degree in spring 2022 (150 credit hours). I am more focused more than ever with a greater resolve to really dive in and make my life all about accounting. I have decided to study next Monday to take my first exam hopefully mid February.

Problems:

-I didn't do so hot during my university years since I focused more on partying, girls and drinks meaning low GPA (2.5 overall/ 2.7 accounting).

-No success in getting an Accounting job due to my low GPA I'm assuming.

-I don't know which exam to first study for - AUD or FAR (or maybe even BEC/REG)? Truthfully, I have already started AUD study material with Becker 2 weeks ago. However, I'm now thinking that I might have success in finding accounting jobs if employers see that I have passed the FAR exam. I figured since the questions asked from job interviews (accounting) seems to be correlated with FAR material.

-I currently got a position with a bank as an associate for the department in central loan operation retail service. I THOUGHT I was being hired as a junior accountant to be honest, but now I don't even know if this position will help me...



SO basically I need some guidance.

Will I find greater success in finding an accounting job if I pass a CPA exam or 2?

Will passing the FAR CPA exam help with finding a job? Or does it really not matter and I continue to study for AUD CPA exam?

Should I stay in my job in the bank as a loan specialist or is it a waste of my time?

On the bright side, once I get my first job in accounting, I don't think I'll have to worry about my GPA being so low since they probably won't ask about it anymore.. right?



I will actively answer any questions. ANY help will be greatly appreciated! I'll take constructive criticism but please no flame. I really want to straighten out my life.

 

[UncleSam]

Sorry if any of this following advice is not applicable but take what you need and leave the rest.

To begin with good for you in that most employers do not care about GPA. I have never in a job interview ask for the GPA. What they care about is that your degree is completed and that you are working towards your CPA. Honestly I don't the section you are studying for currently will matter all that much to a employer. Just as long you are studying and passing the exams and on tract to become a CPA you should be fine. On that note make sure you have a good review course. I know you said you are using Becker currently but I recommend giving Uworld Roger CPA Review a look. I personally used them and can't recommend enough. The lectures are engaging and the material on point and it enabled me to pass the exam first try every time.

As for currently working as a loan specialist. It is definitely a closer job to accounting than say working as a police officer. However, it is not accounting per se. It just depends on what you want to ultimately do as an accountant. If you want to work in banking or financial sector loan specialist isn't a bad job. However, if you want to do tax preparation I highly suggest reaching to firms in your area that are looking for seasonal tax preparers. Or if you don't want to make that commitment volunteer at a VITA tax prep place and see whether you enjoy tax preparation. Additionally, I would say start doing networking and pulling on contacts you have and intentionally meeting. The book "The Proximity Principle" by Ken Coleman is a good resource for that.

Good on you for going back to school and if you work hard you should be able to find a good accounting position.

 

[eastcoast41]

Thanks @UncleSam.

 

[hallmarkauditors]

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