Thoughts on taking the CPA exam for the hell of it? Would any good opportunities come of it that I wouldn't otherwise be qualified for, other than actually being a CPA?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

^ I looked on DPN once to see if "DC Partner" was a thing. It's not. Do a search for "CPA", filter to US, Partner/Principal. There's a few Principals with CPAs, but they're listed as "DC Principal".

Needless to say, I was disappointed.

like

You could be a Partner instead of a Principal?

like

Oh damn. Props for doing the research @D1!

like

Dude don't do it man

like

I thought there was a class work hours requirement to sit for the CPA? Like you can't take it without taking enough classes to earn a master's in accountancy. That may just be TX though

like

OP, what practice area are you in? Consider CFA or other relevant certification. I agree with PwC1 in terms of difficulty and length of time required. I failed the Tax exam first go round with about ~25hrs study time.

like

Following 👀 same boat 🚣

like

The cake was a lie, huh.

like

Between the PMP and the GMAT, was one of those supposed to be difficult?

CPA doesn't strike me as particularly useful unless you want to go into accounting or corporate finance maybe? I honestly have no interest in either so I never looked into it. My mom got one and then never used it her entire working life except to do her taxes.

like

I dunno, haven't taken the PMP but heard it was one of those tests you could pass as long as you had a pulse. Took the GMAT a while back but also didn't strike me as particularly onerous so I'm just a little unsure of the scale here.

like

There are class requirements to sit for CPA, yes. I have a CPA. Could be useful in certain fields of consulting, likely not necessary. I passed all four tests the first time, probably put roughly 80 hours of studying into each test. Passing all four the first time is by no means unheard of, but also not super common. It's fairly hard. I started in accounting and so firm paid for top notch Becker review software.

like

I'd say CPA is ~75-125 per test to pass. It has been useful, even though it is no where near required for what I do. The bonus for passing my first year at the firm was nice too

like

There are plenty of other certs or resume fodder you could add without getting something as time intensive as a CPA and probably more related to our industry. Are you aligned to a particular technology within your practice? Get a cert for that. Learn a coding language. Get six sigma certified. I guess it would help to know what type of consulting you're currently doing. If you're in financial, then yes the cpa might be better than what I listed but highly doubt it will help you all that much unless you plan to go into accounting, audit or plan to work for a financial institution when you hang up your cape

like

@kpmg1, the masters in accounting definitely helped cut the required study time down

like

PMP is a joke! CPA is an absolute grind. I did it while working. It's somewhat helpful but not as important as in advisory.

like

Sounds like the CPA exams require significantly more time and effort than the GMAT (makes sense as they're more specialized)! Gives me more appreciation for my buddies in Tax/Audit.

like

How difficult is the exam and does it hold market value outside of the firm? If the PMP is on one side the GMAT is on the other, where do you think it falls on the spectrum in prep time and difficulty?

What value does GMAT hold outside business school? It's not a cert.

Using GMAT as a standardized test and yes, the GMAT is supposed to be harder than the PMP. Seriously?!

Ok, point is- how many hours per week would I have to study to pass? It seems like a serious test. The PMP seems like a joke and the GMAT was difficult for me.

Related Posts

Your favorite resources for learning just enough UX?

My baseline is a data scientist background: stats, data visualization, storytelling with decks

like

Hi! Data scientist here with 3 years of experience. I also do some internal consulting in my current job and work as a data science consultant as a freelancer. I want to now work as a consultant. Love doing the case studies :D
Can anyone here guide me and be a mentor for this switch? Would love to hear from you. Thank you

like

Can I learn Java on my own , if yes then what will be the strategy??
I'm from non IT industry and want to switch.

like

I have started my career in backend web development. (NodeJS)
It's been one year.
So far I like what I'm doing.
However I hear so many stories of how people in cloud , ML or data science earn huge packages.
So, to survive or earn well, should I consider switching to any of these ?
If possible could you help me with what to learn and any resources for that ?

like

What is your engineering field and how do you see it changing over the next 5 years?

like
like

I am doing my MBA on side. I am looking for ideas on what workshops or session series I can conduct that relates to exciting non work topics or work related (this would be boring though). If you have any other ideas throw it my way.

like

How is Mothersonsumi company for a sap consultant. Does it have good career growth and wlb? Is it worth joining? Any guidance would be helpful

like

How hard or easy is it to transfer groups within EY?

like

Are there any scrum masters out there willing to take me on as a mentee? I recently received my CSM, but I know that is not enough to get a job. I am looking for someone to show me the ropes and help me apply what I learned in the CSM course so I can start applying for jobs within the next 6 months. I am currently a business development consultant dealing with enterprise accounts. I want to stay in tech but I HAVE to get out of sales. It’s just not for me. Thank you in advance!

like

Are all the Oracle certifications free irrespective of our team after we join Oracle? Or WT can do certification only of our manners assigns any to us?

like

Which form of marketing (brand vs. product), does a typical Strategy Consulting role best prep for as a realistic exit? Also, between brand vs. product, marketing which is a more preferable exit?

like

Looking for a career opportunity that I can make $100k+. I have been in dental for about 10 years and held a ton of roles ranging from front desk to operations and training. I feel like I have so much experience and an amazing skillset to bring to an organization but struggling to know where to go, HELP! **open to leaving dental

like

For those who are transitioning into this field, or already have, what are the main things you did to get the job? Did you get an additional degree?

like

How is Azure Devops team in Microsoft?
How is the work culture and all?
Which are the best software teams in Microsoft for Hyderabad location in terms of learning and career growth?
If anyone know anything please share.

Thanks

likeuplifting

What are the key differences in an account management role between PR firms and traditional ad agencies? Are there any major skills someone would need to build when transitioning to ad land? Or is a lot of it transferable?

like

Someone reached out to me on LinkedIn about becoming an author on the side. Has anyone heard about such a thing?!? The person said she’s worked with 800 consultants writing their books and marketing it for them.

like

We need to STOP glamorizing overworking. Please.

The absence of sleep, good diet, exercise, relaxation, and time with friends and family isn’t something to be applauded.

To many people wear their burnout as a badge of honor. It’s time to consider pivoting.

And it needs to change.

likeupliftingsmarthelpful

Hi,
I have 7 YOS experience, I have two below offers:
Society Generale - 21.8 LPA(Fixed excluding EPF & Gratuity) + 5Lacs(Variable)
Encora - 23.5LPA(Fixed excluding EPF & Gratuity))

How the job security in both and which one is good to join? Please suggest.

like

More Posts

Recommendations for best suits in Dubai? Good quality but not 10k either.

like

I was in the final stages of an interview with Microsoft two weeks ago, in partner marketing. Then the recruiter told me they were putting the hiring process on hold to assess the need for the role. Well, then we heard about Microsoft layoffs last week. Seems like most were in Xbox and Project Alpha but there’s not a lot of information out there. Should I hold out any hope that I’m going to get this job? Any insights on how much these layoffs have impacted the marketing org and/or new hiring?

like

As a lateral after many months my appraisal starts and is hike good in ibm?

I was just informed after the third round of interviews they’d like at least 5 references, two must be supervisors. My last job was a temporary remote job where I didn’t really interact with my supervisor and the jobs before that were at my family’s business (I do not speak to any of them for serious personal reasons.) Anything before that was grad school and I haven’t kept in contact with any professors from over five years ago. What should I do? 😕

like

can anyone help me with standard package for Customer success manager/ key account manager salary. I have 2 years of experience. Need to know what can I expect for this role.

like

Which service(s) do you use and can recommend to send money to India?

Recommendations for good movies and shows on Netflix, Hulu and Prime?

like

What is sneakily the most time consuming process that doesn’t seem like it should be time consuming? Feel like it’s sending request list/follow up emails

like

Hi! Recently discussed an associate graphic designer role with a recruiter. Is it reasonable to expect an 85k base in NYC? Am I underselling myself? They started with it being a 75-80k budgeted position. What are typical base salaries for someone with 4.5 ttl YOE? Does it matter that 3 YOE was in an adjacent industry?

Looking for a pharmacist job with a pharmaceutical company. Have prior experiences with pharmaceutical company including Medical Information and Safety. Please let me know.

like

Home office preference question. I am getting ready to redo the layout of my home office. One option I'm considering would have my desk facing a wall. I am wondering if anyone with this current setup has any feedback about it. I would face the wall so that I would have a better background for video conferences (am on about half the day) and also my cord situation would be cleaner.

like

Hi Guys, Following senior level opening are available the Atos at four different locations. If you profile matches the vacancy and if you're interested to apply please dm me. Tata Consultancy Deloitte USI Accenture Infosys Capgemini EY Cognizant Mindtree Larsen & Toubro Infotech L&T Technology Services

Post Photo
like

Thoughts on Pivotal Labs? It isn't clear how tightly coupled they are with implementing their cloud solutions. Do the various offices vary much?

Not quite pts related: Best Buy $7200 order. 2 TVs & soundbar to be installed. 1st appt canceled during arrival window for personal reasons. 2nd appt system error Best Buy has correct date...

Traveling next week. What hotel has the best promotion now?

like

Hi All. Just looking for some advice. Currently working for a regional firm as a Staff & become licensed in Nov. I want to move to B4, best to wait & apply w/ license number or start process now?

like

Let’s start by posting age, location gender (a selfie if you want!) I’m 30/M from nyc looking for something more serious these days in terms of dating..

likesmart

I really like how the guys in IT industry are helpful to each other.

But, in this cunning world in these times where people merely help each other, why do we (IT Employees) find helping each other ? What is the reason behind?

like

Looking for some trusted voices and resources. Who do you follow for D2C Customer Engagement & lifetime value?

like

Additional Posts in Consulting

So I’m in industry from big 4, and a colleague with same yoe comes from MBB. High paying tech firm. I think I work harder and produce quality content at speed, but they can hold executive conversations that tend to impress senior stakeholders.

Big 4 produces work horses and MBB produces leaders. Also they could be a work horse too since I don’t have full visibility.

Anyone have similar experiences or do I just suck at executive stakeholder management?

like

Clinton looks like she's wearing grillz on my Sheraton tv...

like
like

Which top consulting firms, if any, will pay for your MBA?

like

Ugh, tv bill went up $30 cause promotion is up... called twice and both reps said they can’t offer new joiner promo. even said I was gonna cancel! They couldn’t match! They are getting tough

like

BCG folks - any other benefits besides the major ones that I should be aware about (e.g. gym membership reimbursement, mobile reimbursement etc). I’m joining at the end of March. Thanks!

like

Not sure if I am getting laid off. What are some key signs. Thanks in advance for your help?

like

What are some solid daily wellness goals? 25M here - noticed myself getting quite lazy since covid. Some I thought of below:

like

Someone reached out to me on LinkedIn about becoming an author on the side. Has anyone heard about such a thing?!? The person said she’s worked with 800 consultants writing their books and marketing it for them.

like

Anything good I can spend Delta Skymiles besides airfare? (I’m not really planning on flying anywhere soon).

like

What do leadership development or management development programs pay out of MBA. Thinking of leaving consulting and want to see how my current exits compare with what MBA grads get in typical F500 gigs.

like

Planning to do a PRM or FRM qual. How useful is it to move from Big 4 Risk and reg consulting to industry? Finding it hard to get anything other than non-PM roles

like

StartUp on Netflix is really good.

like

If I get laid off, I have a previous colleague that started a cybersecurity company. I would love to get involved on the business side of it. Any pointers on skills that are attractive in this realm for a startup? Would be mostly (if not all) federal defense contracting clients. I’m currently in Deloitte’s cyber risk practice but my background and passion is in accounting and finance, and business operations. Graduated in 2017 so still early career.

like

Top consulting firms right there!!

Post Photo
funnylike

Any married people do couples counseling? Did it help?

like

Hi all! My brother has 8 YOE post his Masters with a US bank in their rates trading division as a software developer- managing, supporting and developing software for pricing trade executions, risk management and reporting requirements for the trading desk. He wants to pivot out of banking and maybe look for an opportunity with FAANG or with MBB/Tier2 consulting. Any inputs on how to go about this transition, what hiring managers look for and if consulting is an option? TIA

like

Bain & Company Which are the best consulting firms and practices for Climate Change & Sustainability, especially in the Canadian geography? Also, please suggest the best Canadian city for consulting jobs.

McKinsey & Company | Boston Consulting Group | Bain & Company | Kearney | LEK | EY | Oliver Wyman | PwC | Deloitte

#ClimateChange #Sustainability #Water #ESG

like

Considering the FRM certification. Those who’ve taken it, how quant heavy is it? I have a compliance risk background and don’t have a deep math or statistics background. However, I want to expand my skillset. Any thoughts?

like

I know Mck is the top for strategy, but in terms of digital/design in top consulting firms which do you think is better? Mckinsey digital or deloitte digital? (Or another..?)

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal