In short, I graduated in May 07 with an accounting degree but my grades weren’t good enough for Big Four (sub 3.0).  Extenuating circumstances existed – Full time job and 80 mile round trip commute to school while enrolled full time.  I managed to get hired as a “fund accountant” and have held this job for the past year.

On PWCs website I see one can apply as a “campus candidate” or “experienced hire.”  I’m kinda at a point between the two.

My question:  What are the chances of me getting hired at a Big four firm with my background?  Does any one here know of a person who works at a Big four firm whose GPA is below 3.0 but who went on to gain job experience?

Would passing CPA exam modules strengthen me as a candidate?  I have suspended studying for the CPA since I have yet to be hired in the capacity of an “auditor.”

I worked for PWC and they kinda make it a requirement to have at least a 3.0 GPA.  Passing the CPA exam would most likely make them forgo that requirement.  In my opinion, you would not meet the requirements for an "experienced hire" since you have no auditing or tax background (that you listed here).  My best piece of advice is to keep your current job, pass the CPA exam, and then apply to any of the big 4 if that is what you want to do. 

I'm in the same situation as you.  I graduated from a state university with a GPA of 2.8(ouch) in Finance/Accounting.  Couldn't get into the big 4 so I'm turning to the CPA to hopefully trump my poor grades.  I've been working for the past year as a staff accountant for a large Corporate company.  I am very serious about getting into public accounting and my ideal firm would be a Big 4 or Moss Adams.  Hopefully, we can provide some advice to eachother as time goes by. 

goodcitizen wrote: the sad part is the bad grades werent even a result of partying.  i wish i could have been one of the lucky kids to "go away to college" and live on campus...my bad grades are from working and commuting too much....sadly the big four would rather hire daddy's princess who was in the dorm room and on the meal plan and managed to get above a 3.0 ...i knew i was gonna have to work harder than those kids to go to college and now i have to work harder than those kids to get the same job

You want some cheese with that whine?  Seriously man, unless you are Bill Gates there is always going to be someone that has it easier than you do.  I commuted 40 minutes each way my first two years in college and I worked 2-11 pm on weekends at Walmart to make it through.  After that, I was able to afford a tiny ($250/mo) apt right next to campus. I then found a job right near my apt that I could walk to which I did for the next 3 years to save on gas and car expenses.  I did buy a mealplan because it was $1500 for 3 meals a day for an entire semester.  That's a great deal, plus there was a campus cafeteria right next to my work.  You gotta just take the circumstances you are dealt and make the best of it.  Sounds to me like you failed to do that.