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CPA over a master's. do you have enough credits to sit for the exams?
That’s correct. It was 120 before. I agree masters in accounting will not do much for you.
Don’t do a masters in accounting. Look into a computer science master. The future of accounting is in how we can use technology to move us to better quality, better use of the data that we have at our finger tips, and continuous audits or tax work. You will learn all of the accounting you need on the job. Just look at what the aicpa has been doing in regards to tech, rpa, and ai for audits. The accountants of tomorrow will be those who can tech enable every aspect of what we do. A masters in accounting is not necessary for your success.
This is a great advice
lol a masters of accountancy has got to be the biggest waste of time and money (unless you don’t have 150 credit hours). I’ve never been in a professional situation where anyone cared about a masters.
Makes sense since you’ve only been in your career for three years. Wait until an employer is deciding between two equal candidates, both CPAs but one has a masters and one doesn’t.
Also, completely underrated, HR designs their pay scales to pay more for a Master’s degree. Doesn’t matter if it’s a MAcc or MBA.
Chief
Hi I have one. I felt like it prepared me for the cpa exam (passed all first try) but besides that was worthless. I'd recommend becoming cpa exam eligible by taking whatever classes you still need and then buy Becker and focus on the cpa exam. No one gets impressed by a MSA/MPAcc. Best of luck! Happy to answer any other questions you have
Same, mostly worthless and the academic standards were low for a relatively renown business school (not Ivy League but still)
Masters in accy is something the universities created to charge extra tuition when states increased the number of credits needed to sit for CPA exam in mid 1990s. It is otherwise meaningless.
You learn more on the job in a month than you will in a year in a MAC program.
10 years out with a MSA and CPA and all the masters did was add to my student loan debt. Get that 150 as cheaply as possible (online community college classes?) and pass the exam.
I am a CPA with a master. But I don't recommend. I would rather do something else (I am learning data/coding now). I don't see any future in accounting except specialized field. If you want to get a job in big PA firms, Masters will help. Otherwise, I don't think it is worth it. Good luck.
If you’re in tax, I would def get a Masters in tax. If not I would get the credits the cheapest way possible (prob community college, but make sure they would be cpa eligible)
Agree here, completed an MT program while working in public. It had a big impact. Still paying off to date.
Unless it is part of your schools program to get you to 150 credits to sit for the CPA exam, a masters in accounting is pretty worthless.
Big proponent of CLEP credits - don’t ask how, just how many.
do it
I’d look at requirements of jobs you want to do in the future and see what they want from candidates to decide if it’s worth it. I think CPA will help you in the future but I’m not sure if employers care how you get the extra education credits to qualify for your license.
Depends if you want to be an accountant forever or use accounting to broaden your talent stack and do something else
If you are in tax definitely do it. If audit or consulting not sure it would help more than an MBA
Don’t do Macc unless you’re getting hefty scholarships. If you need to credits for CPA look into community/online.
It all depends really. It was the BEST career decision I ever made and provided me these benefits:
it was completely paid for, it gave me the ability to get in front of recruiters since i had no offers out of college, helped me get 150 credits, allowed me to get one step closer to being an adjunct professor which I am doing today.
You have to weigh the pros and cons really. I've found respect for both my masters and CPA when i've applied to jobs. It just depends on the company you work for.
It’s just waste of money and all the hard earned personal time after all that we go through at work. Personally I feel if you want to take a masters route (if CPA is not the end goal) you should consider an MBA from top B schools to give yourself a career boost and alumni network or you can consider a MS in IS to get that technology bend.
If you don’t go the masters route. Look into the University of North Alabama. Lots of dirt cheap very easy online accounting credits, obviously verify your state accepts them.
Worth nothing to me at this point. I got a masters in accountancy 2 years ago and no accounting firms will hire me. I am currently taking the CPA exams so I hope that will help.
If you want to carry on in PA/industry and climb the ladder in accounting/tax I would do the MAcc & CPA. I just did both (it was a lot of work but fear drove me on) & feel reasonably confident I will get a promotion to manager either in my current role or new job. Certainly I feel I am taken more seriously as a CPA in my role now; but also IMHO women are taken more seriously in the workplace with a professional qualification. Or you could certainly explore PWC 1’s idea of computer science; computer programming I think would get you very far @ B4...but I would talk to people in IT & check with them what courses are more relevant. You might even be able to take some accounting courses on an IT masters...
Speaking from experience
You get the same beautiful salary
I have my masters and CPA. I get paid the same amount as someone with a 4 year degree with no CPA..........