jumpman023 wrote: Hi, So firstly, here's a little background on me: I'm a rising sophomore, and basically I have completely thrown away my first year. I have had to transfer not once, BUT TWICE (I started at UT-Austin, but then the economy started to slow, so I transferred back to be instate. The school I'm at is exceptionally boring and not as strong at business (I started out in pre-med), so I need to transfer again because the other school is much stronger and a better fit for me), which is not going to look good. To make matters worse, I have a really bad GPA (I have a 3.1, and I only took 35 credits, dropped 1 class, and took 2 classes pass/fail). The kicker is, I haven't even been doing any ECs. Just been going to parties being an idiot and wasting time and my GPA. Because I've dug myself in this hole, I'm worried that I won't get into the Big 4, which I have read is basically the only way to become controller or CFO. My question is, since I might not make those firms, is it still possible to get a high level corporate position. My goal is to either work in the private industry as a cost/managerial accountant, become a controller, or move into F500 functions like treasury, risk management, etc. So I was wondering what would happen if I don't make necessarily the Big 4, but the second tier firms like BDO, Moss Adams, Grant Thornton, etc. Although the Big 4 is no longer a guarantee, I am fully confident that since I am determined to kick ass from here on out that I will not let myself not make at least a second tier firm. Also, would economics or finance be a better double major with accounting given my goals and that I have strong quant skills? thanks

My advice to you is to take one day at a time. I've learned that you cannot plan too far in advance because there will always be something that throws off your plan. When I started my first year of college back in 1998, I had planned to graduate on time in 2002(didn't happen until 2005). I planned to have a rocking GPA since I graduated with honors, almost high honors in high school(graduated college with a 2.2). I had planned to be making $70,000/year by now(I'm barely making it now with my own bookkeeping business). And, I had planned to be married by now(yeah right!). My low GPA and my many years spent in undergraduate were not because I partied or anything(I was really sick while in college but I refused to withdraw because of it). As a matter of fact, I didn't have my first alcoholic beverage until I was 26(I came from a Pentecostal Christian background).

So my first advice is, stop complaining because your GPA is still good. Secondly, find a school and stick with it because that school hopping may not be considered a positive. Third, stop partying or do what our parents used to say, "Do your homework and then go outside and play."

jumpman023 wrote: ^Yeah I know, I won't school hop anymore. It's unfortunate because the only reason I transferred in the first place is becuase my first one was too expensive. Other than that I loved it there. I know that I need to stop partying. I've gotten it out of my system. But any advice about not making the big 4? To be honest, I don't even want to do public stuff. I know for sure I want to be a private accountant, but everyone claims that you must go to the Big 4 to get anywhere, so yeah. Advice?

The Big 4 is overrated. If you start at a medium-sized firm that's still good. Many job positions that I see for non entry-level accountants want you to have public accounting experience. There are a select few that do prefer Big 4 experience. I wouldn't worry about it.

At one point I was anxious about trying to get into a Big 4 but I have quickly changed my focus. I would be happy in a firm with 10+ CPAs. I just want to learn how to do taxes and auditing. Also, if you stick to a smaller firm, you will learn many things much faster than you probably would in a Big 4. It's a good idea though to find a firm that audits many different industries instead of two or three. I'm steering clear of firms that only work on non-profit and government based companies.

You have plenty of time to get your GPA up so just relax.