Young CPA - Please Evaluate, Thanks!!

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Young CPA - Please Evaluate, Thanks!!

by CPA2011 » Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:37 pm
My Profile: 24 years old (25 at time of admittance), Male

- Bachelor in Accounting, 3.7GPA from Marshall University (run-of-the-mill state school)

- I am currently studying for the GMAT. Judging by practice exams, my conservative score prediction is 650 up to possibly 690. I know this will significantly impact your evaluation of my profile, but I do not want to make the GMAT until I am very confident that I won't come in at my lower range (650).

- I'm a Senior Auditor at a regional accounting firm (aka, unheard of). Although my firm is small (50 professionals), it is the 4th largest in my state (WV) and I have worked with large privately held corporations in the coal and manufacturing industries, including the largest privately held coal corporation by reserves in the mid-Atlantic U.S., as well as manufacturers with operations across the Eastern U.S., China, Australia and South America. I have also worked with our largest bank client that also happens to be publicly traded.

I have all the standard auditor experience (audits as well as comps, reviews, projections) and I have also worked directly with foreign translation of Chinese subsidiary financial statements. My firm is very non-traditional, and as such, I have not been as limited in my ability to gain more responsibility simply by working hard.

I have been "auditor-in-charge" of various audit engagements, dealing face to face with CEO's and CFO's of mid-sized ($200-500+mm in revenue) corporations. I have also been a team member of our Business Valuation group and taken part in multiple valuations, although I do not possess the CVA or CBV certifications.

- In college, I was the Treasurer of my Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity. I also spoke at our regional conference competition and was awarded 2nd place, only behind NYU. During my time in BAP, I also volunteered for the United Way to prepare tax returns for low income individuals and families.

- I have no patents or publications, however, I am a Certified Public Accountant, and the youngest CPA in my firm.

- I am a recreational distance runner and have successfully completed a marathon.

- My target schools are solid 2nd tier schools, with some 1st tier schools thrown in as my long shots: Target schools are Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Penn State, Ohio State. Long shot schools are UNC and Duke.

--------I'm confident in my GPA, and I'm confident in my ability to perform at least on par on the GMAT, my big worry is that my firm is not a national name.
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:16 am
Hello,

It looks to me that you're targeting the right schools for reaches and on-pars.

As far as your firm not being a "known brand" - like most things in life, it has pluses and minuses.

Minuses: The adcoms know about the major accounting firms - their organizational structures, their opportunities for advanchttps://www.beatthegmat.com/#ement, their operations, their hiring standards. So when you are employed at such a firm you don't have to spend much time/space in your essays painting a picture of your work situation. Conversely, when you're in a start-up or a less well known firm, you must clarify the work environment and your place in it. In addition, being employed by a known entity lends a bit of credibility about you to the adcom. Not having that "instant credibility" does not reflect negatively on you, but it does mean you have to clearly portray the organization and your role in it.

Pluses: A vivid portrayal of a different company that is a vital player in its region will be interesting and fresh to the readers - you have an opportunity to provide a new experience in essence, if you "ace" your essays. Also, as you note, you enjoy opportunities at a smaller, less hierarchical company to expand your role and your leadership and to take initiative. You should make clear in your essays how you took advantage of these opportuhities, and show the impact of your efforts.

Every year adcoms to top programs welcome applicants who come from start-ups, small firms, and even quite unconventional backgrounds. The challenge is making your situation clear. The opportunity is ready potential for differentiation.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, www.Accepted.com