I'm thinking about pursuing a Master's in Accounting before becoming a CPA. With all the talk about a talent shortage in accounting, especially for CPAs, I think the additional education could help me stand out in the current job market. What are your thoughts about getting a master's degree?

I wasn’t an accounting major for undergrad so the master’s helped me. Practically speaking nothing matters after getting the CPA license. Afterwards only time anyone really cares about what school you went to is during football season or March madness to fuel the office trash talk.

I’d weigh the cost and time commitment against your career goals. If you want to go into something like tax, audit leadership, or even teaching down the road, it’s a great move. Otherwise, the CPA alone still opens a lot of doors.

Nope, we only got it for the 30 credits to hit 150 after undergrad and sit for the cpa. No one would get it if you only needed 120 credits outside of people doing a career pivot or wanting to go thru recruitment with big firms. Total waste of money otherwise - CPA only thing that matters

I have mine and nobody cares. Just get the necessary credits and get licensed.

Waste of money and not needed. Source: I am a CPA with just a bachelors and am a manager at PwC.

Nobody cares about your masters in accounting.

If you're planning to do public accounting, literally no one cares if you have a masters. Don't waste your time/money. Take some extra electives or summer classes and graduate as soon as possible. What we do care about is an internship....if you can get your foot in the door of a decent firm with an internship, that's a great way to land a job (if you don't blow it).

If u don't get CPA after your master in Acct, it will forever hurt you more than no CPA but Bachelors only.

Get just the CPA. Agree with all the above

I think it can potentially be helpful. I was not an accounting major and realistically the start of my career would have been a lot rougher without the year of accounting education. Additionally, my masters program had very strong industry connections so job placement was good for my cohort and I. Also the CPA exams were easier as a result of my MACC.

Experience > education. If you have the time and can do a program that lets you work while you're in school, it won't hurt to have. However, I also don't think it matters as much as many people think it does.

One man’s opinion: If you focus on highly complex topics and are really good at it, this could make sense. If you choose to focus on ordinary accounting issues, AI will give your career a very short time horizon.

Get an MBA instead.

I have held my masters in Acct since 2013 and it has gotten me no where

I am a cpa and believe the MBA to be more valuable in keeping a job. The cpa certificate will open doors however.

I have only read about this talent shortage, not experienced it in real world. There are many good CPAs out there that are looking for work. What I think is referred to as the talent shortage is that talent is short for what employers are willing to pay, otherwise there is no shortage, rather an excess!

CPA is S-tier. masters is only a means to get you there. if you have your CPA you are a licensed professional, but if you don’t have your CPA you’re just another guy with an opinion

Not at all, not worth it. Just focus on the CPA. No one except my family cared about the masters. The CPA was the game changer.

How important is VITA when applying for internships in accounting?

If you pivot to industry, a master’s degree can accelerate promotions, even if it’s not an MBA. I had my MAcc almost entirely paid for, it gave me the rest of my CPA credits, and was a year shorter than an MBA so it worked out for me.

The 150-hour rule is crumbling. Over 25 states now allow CPA licensure with 120 hours + 2 years experience. The master's is no longer mandatory.

The talent shortage is real (300K+ left the field). Firms are desperate. They care more about "Can you start?" than a master's.

Get the master's ONLY if:

Your undergrad isn't accounting (then yes, needed)

You want Big 4/elite firm cachet

Someone else is paying for it

Smarter play: Apply now with your bachelor's. Let employers sponsor the master's later if you still want it.

Don't go $50k in debt for a credential that's becoming optional.