Does it matter what your MAcc is in when trying to get into Big 4?

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  • #180957
    sileemo
    Participant

    If I wanted to go into auditing, does it matter if my masters is in taxation or governmental accounting? Or do they only care about GPA?

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  • #457435
    wizards8507
    Participant

    Fundamental question… If you want to be an auditor, why would you study Tax or NFP? Neither seems to make much sense. Even if it were irrelevant to recruiters, shouldn't it be relevant to YOU? There are plenty of regular MAcc or MSA programs. That being said:

    Step 1 – Get them to read your resume. If you don't go to a school at which they recruit, even this step is very difficult.

    Step 2 – Get an interview. This largely depends on your GPA being above whatever their minimum threshhold is.

    Step 3 – Get an internship. This requires nailing the interview. This is where you could get tripped up. You better have a good answer when they ask you… “So you want to be an auditor… why the tax degree?”

    Step 4 – Get a full time offer. This requires nailing the internship.

    Obviously, this is way over simplified and not the ony path, but it's the way most people get into those firms. Also, if I may editorialize, please consider the fact that most people who are IN the Big 4 are trying like hell to get OUT of the Big 4.

    NY CPA

    #457584
    wizards8507
    Participant

    Fundamental question… If you want to be an auditor, why would you study Tax or NFP? Neither seems to make much sense. Even if it were irrelevant to recruiters, shouldn't it be relevant to YOU? There are plenty of regular MAcc or MSA programs. That being said:

    Step 1 – Get them to read your resume. If you don't go to a school at which they recruit, even this step is very difficult.

    Step 2 – Get an interview. This largely depends on your GPA being above whatever their minimum threshhold is.

    Step 3 – Get an internship. This requires nailing the interview. This is where you could get tripped up. You better have a good answer when they ask you… “So you want to be an auditor… why the tax degree?”

    Step 4 – Get a full time offer. This requires nailing the internship.

    Obviously, this is way over simplified and not the ony path, but it's the way most people get into those firms. Also, if I may editorialize, please consider the fact that most people who are IN the Big 4 are trying like hell to get OUT of the Big 4.

    NY CPA

    #457437
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Shouldn't you have just done a MPAcc in Auditing if you wanted to do Audit? But to answer your question, not really sure. I do know that if you wanted to do Public Tax that you generally need a Masters in Tax, but I don't think it matters for audit.

    #457586
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Shouldn't you have just done a MPAcc in Auditing if you wanted to do Audit? But to answer your question, not really sure. I do know that if you wanted to do Public Tax that you generally need a Masters in Tax, but I don't think it matters for audit.

    #457439
    Tncincy
    Participant

    @Sileemo,

    Your degree will qualify you to talk accounting if necessary in any interview. If they ask you why tax, tell them. Tell them your reason for becoming a CPA. I think we get too stuck with gpa's and schools, internships until we lose the why we are joining the accounting society. I agree that the gpa matters in the weeding out process. Call me naïve, but I don't think you need to worry about what degree you have at this point. The MAcc does show an interest in accounting and audit is a part of accounting. There are finance majors, communication majors, math majors that work for big 4 and does not have an accounting degree, what they have is the appropriate the qualifications (classes) to take and pass the CPA exam. Make passing the coveted CPA exam your purpose and you will be a step ahead of the degree and the gpa.

    Before all the academes and experienced big 4 personnel jump down my throat…..It's just my opinion. Sileemo can be an auditor if that is the personal desire at this point.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #457587
    Tncincy
    Participant

    @Sileemo,

    Your degree will qualify you to talk accounting if necessary in any interview. If they ask you why tax, tell them. Tell them your reason for becoming a CPA. I think we get too stuck with gpa's and schools, internships until we lose the why we are joining the accounting society. I agree that the gpa matters in the weeding out process. Call me naïve, but I don't think you need to worry about what degree you have at this point. The MAcc does show an interest in accounting and audit is a part of accounting. There are finance majors, communication majors, math majors that work for big 4 and does not have an accounting degree, what they have is the appropriate the qualifications (classes) to take and pass the CPA exam. Make passing the coveted CPA exam your purpose and you will be a step ahead of the degree and the gpa.

    Before all the academes and experienced big 4 personnel jump down my throat…..It's just my opinion. Sileemo can be an auditor if that is the personal desire at this point.

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

    It begins with a 75
    Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

    #457441
    tough_kitty
    Member

    I agree with the previous post, however, I was told by one of the CPA firms (not big 4) that if they see I got MS in Accy, they would assume I'm more interested in audit as opposed to tax. I personally don't agree with this statement since I needed my master's because I didn't have an undergrad degree in accounting but thought I'd share what I was told.

    Honestly, for auditing CPA is way more important than any master's degree. But they do like to see MST degree if they hire people for tax.

    FAR: 81 (May 2013)
    BEC: 81 (July 2013)
    REG: 83 (August 2013)
    AUD: 82 (November 2013)
    California CPA since 1/30/14

    #457589
    tough_kitty
    Member

    I agree with the previous post, however, I was told by one of the CPA firms (not big 4) that if they see I got MS in Accy, they would assume I'm more interested in audit as opposed to tax. I personally don't agree with this statement since I needed my master's because I didn't have an undergrad degree in accounting but thought I'd share what I was told.

    Honestly, for auditing CPA is way more important than any master's degree. But they do like to see MST degree if they hire people for tax.

    FAR: 81 (May 2013)
    BEC: 81 (July 2013)
    REG: 83 (August 2013)
    AUD: 82 (November 2013)
    California CPA since 1/30/14

    #457443
    leeconolly
    Member

    The graduate school I attended offered three tracks for the MAcc program: Audit, Tax, and ISAAC. I was able to complete requirements for both the Audit and Tax tracks so I'd (theoretically) be more marketable. Does the program you are looking into have areas of emphasis?

    Mommy needs a cookie. Holding the vodka off until the next kid comes out in August! Can't believe I'm done!

    FAR - 8/29/13 ... 87
    AUD - 10/14/13 ... 83
    BEC - 12/06/13 ... 80
    REG - 5/29/14 ... 85

    #457591
    leeconolly
    Member

    The graduate school I attended offered three tracks for the MAcc program: Audit, Tax, and ISAAC. I was able to complete requirements for both the Audit and Tax tracks so I'd (theoretically) be more marketable. Does the program you are looking into have areas of emphasis?

    Mommy needs a cookie. Holding the vodka off until the next kid comes out in August! Can't believe I'm done!

    FAR - 8/29/13 ... 87
    AUD - 10/14/13 ... 83
    BEC - 12/06/13 ... 80
    REG - 5/29/14 ... 85

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