[kky617]

Hi,

I have BA in Psychology and finally fulfilled the 150 credit requirement (including the required Accounting and Business credits( to take the CPA exam. I have no experience in accounting field.

I thought my worries would be over once I am done with the credit requirement, but now, I am more worried about the career options. I am a permanent resident (can work legally in private and public sectors just not the government job) and will apply for citizenship in July of 2015 (next summer).

I live in Colorado Springs, CO.

Would it be worth getting the MBA and Ms in Accounting Dual Degree for me to qualify for the education in lieu of experience to get licensed as a CPA once I pass all 4 sections and the ethics exam? Or should I just get MBA or MS in Accounting? I believe that no matter which graduate degree I go for, there will be more internship opportunity open to current student and also believe that with the internship experience, I would have better chance of getting a job upon graduation. The college near me only offers MBA in Accounting. Would it qualify for the education in lieu of experience requirement for CPA license? If not, and if MBA in Accounting in general just does not offer much benefit in finding a job, I would need to drive for an hour to go to Denver for MBA & Master in Accounting or just one of the two graduate program.

Please let me know.

Thank you so much :)!

[ymmit]

are any of your 150 credits in accounting? I'm not sure about all states but here in NJ you need a minimum 24 hours in accounting included in the 150 to become a cpa

Licensed CPA!

[ymmit]

are any of your 150 credits in accounting? I'm not sure about all states but here in NJ you need a minimum 24 hours in accounting included in the 150 to become a cpa

Licensed CPA!

[Kenada]

https://www.sjsu.edu/lucasschool/prospective-msa/index.html

You can meet the requirements. Have a look at the link above for example. At SJSU you can do a masters in accountancy and it provides you with all the credited needed to be able to sit the CPA exam once you graduated.

Also note this program is for anyone that has never done accounting courses.

FAR 05/27/14; 786/110 - Done !

[Kenada]

https://www.sjsu.edu/lucasschool/prospective-msa/index.html

You can meet the requirements. Have a look at the link above for example. At SJSU you can do a masters in accountancy and it provides you with all the credited needed to be able to sit the CPA exam once you graduated.

Also note this program is for anyone that has never done accounting courses.

FAR 05/27/14; 786/110 - Done !

[mla1169]

Have you thought about what state you would apply to? Many states do not allow the graduate degree as a substitute for experience. Massachusetts does, but then you go on to mention the ethics exam which is not required for licensing in MA.

Personally I wouldn't pay for a masters to get a job. I'd get a job that provides tuition reimbursement if you want the masters.

I know the job market is tough out there, but you are by no means guaranteed employment for the $ you gamble on a masters degree.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Have you thought about what state you would apply to? Many states do not allow the graduate degree as a substitute for experience. Massachusetts does, but then you go on to mention the ethics exam which is not required for licensing in MA.

Personally I wouldn't pay for a masters to get a job. I'd get a job that provides tuition reimbursement if you want the masters.

I know the job market is tough out there, but you are by no means guaranteed employment for the $ you gamble on a masters degree.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[kky617]

@ymmit

Yes 🙂 The required accounting and business credits are included in the 150 credit hours.

@mla1169

I will apply for the license in Colorado. Thankfully, Colorado accepts education in lieu of experience as follows:

(b) Education Only (Rule 2.7) i.e. Education In Lieu Of Experience

– Master’s degree, doctoral degree OR bachelor’s degree with 30 additional hours (i.e. 150 credit hour)

– 45 semester hours in Accounting, including 6 hours in Audit with coverage of US GAAS

– 36 hours in General Business related subjects with no more than 9 hours in any subject

– No experience is required

Were you able to find a job without any experience as a non-accounting major? If so, could you let me know how you got it?

Thank you :)!

[kky617]

@ymmit

Yes 🙂 The required accounting and business credits are included in the 150 credit hours.

@mla1169

I will apply for the license in Colorado. Thankfully, Colorado accepts education in lieu of experience as follows:

(b) Education Only (Rule 2.7) i.e. Education In Lieu Of Experience

– Master’s degree, doctoral degree OR bachelor’s degree with 30 additional hours (i.e. 150 credit hour)

– 45 semester hours in Accounting, including 6 hours in Audit with coverage of US GAAS

– 36 hours in General Business related subjects with no more than 9 hours in any subject

– No experience is required

Were you able to find a job without any experience as a non-accounting major? If so, could you let me know how you got it?

Thank you :)!

[kky617]

The college near me only offers MBA in Accounting. Would it qualify for the education in lieu of experience requirement for CPA license?

[kky617]

The college near me only offers MBA in Accounting. Would it qualify for the education in lieu of experience requirement for CPA license?

[tough_kitty]

I'm not sure if you need both degrees (MBA and MSA), but if you only need one to meet the CPA license requirements, then definitely get the MSA.

I did this one and it's the most affordable and convenient program I found.

https://www.cba.csus.edu/graduate/MSA.html

My first degree wasn't in business/accounting and English isn't my first language and I graduated with 3.97 GPA while working full-time and also enrolled in pre-MBA and MBA classes. I had to take business classes, too. All of this for the CPA license and personal fulfillment……but still waiting to see if it helps with my career…..Right now I have a state job, which is pretty good and I was able to double my income within 2 years of getting my MSA degree but I still want something more than just a job……

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

[tough_kitty]

I'm not sure if you need both degrees (MBA and MSA), but if you only need one to meet the CPA license requirements, then definitely get the MSA.

I did this one and it's the most affordable and convenient program I found.

https://www.cba.csus.edu/graduate/MSA.html

My first degree wasn't in business/accounting and English isn't my first language and I graduated with 3.97 GPA while working full-time and also enrolled in pre-MBA and MBA classes. I had to take business classes, too. All of this for the CPA license and personal fulfillment……but still waiting to see if it helps with my career…..Right now I have a state job, which is pretty good and I was able to double my income within 2 years of getting my MSA degree but I still want something more than just a job……

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

[tough_kitty]

– 45 semester hours in Accounting, including 6 hours in Audit with coverage of US GAAS

– 36 hours in General Business related subjects with no more than 9 hours in any subject

That's A LOT of units…Looks like you would need MSA + MBA and then some more classes!

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

[tough_kitty]

– 45 semester hours in Accounting, including 6 hours in Audit with coverage of US GAAS

– 36 hours in General Business related subjects with no more than 9 hours in any subject

That's A LOT of units…Looks like you would need MSA + MBA and then some more classes!

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

[kky617]

@tough_kitty

Yes, I need to take a lot of classes :p I have 27 credits in Accounting and 21 credits in Business, so I would need 18 more credits (6 classes) in Accounting and 15 more credits (5 classes) in Business.

You sound amazing to speak English as a second language and get 3.97 GPA while working full time! Whoa! Are you looking to stay at your state job, or are you planning to relocate?

[Author]

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