[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

I earned a bachelors degree in business administration (BBA) back in 2013, from Florida atlantic university. I majored in general business. Now I have developed an interest for accounting.

In order for me to earn a degree in accounting I’d only have to take 6 additional classes, but many universities that I spoke with do not grant second business degrees. The best they can do, is offer me a post baccalaureate certificate in accounting.

I’m interested in the accounting certificate at TESC.

I have a few questions for you guys.

1. How do you believe employers would view a person with a bachelors in accounting vs a person with a bachelors in business administration (with a post baccalaurate certificate in accounting, granted the post bacc certificate offers all the classes that an accounting major would take)?

2. I have not had any luck finding a school that allows someone with a business degree to earn a second business degree in accounting. Do you know of any school that allows this?

I know that this post was long. Thank you in advance.

[Anonymous]

I know a school that does it (the one I work at) because we regularly have students graduate with 3 or 4 business degrees, but we require the last 36 credits be from this college, so that won't help you any. 😛 Are you sure TESC won't let you do a BSBA: Accounting? I got my degree from TESC and they seemed pretty flexible to me.

[JohnWayneIsGod]

My advice is to consider getting a graduate degree in accounting. It will take more the six classes, but it will be worth it. The only downside is that most business graduate programs require the GMAT, which is a rigorous test. However, there are a few schools out there that don't require it although they likely are not AACSB accredited. The great thing about a Masters Degree in Accounting is that it really prepares you for the CPA, looks great on your resume, and some state boards require extra accounting credit from those who only have a bachelors degree.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Anonymous]

Yeah, get a post-bac or a MACC. Most schools will not give you a BA degree with their schools name on it unless you take approximately 4 years at the school (with the first two years to be transfer credits). 1 BA is a total of four years. To get another BA for just 6 credits and say you got a new BA in accounting from a new school, does not work that way. You COULD see if schools will let you into accounting classes for 6 credits without being enrolled in their major (the school you actually graduated from would be most likely to do this) and without seeking the degree (only the credits). They may depending on how full their classes are. But to answer your questions: 1. You'd be seen as the same. 2. I would think most/all schools would let you earn another BA but may require to take 2-4 years of credits at their school (and for good reason- as described above).

[SomedayCPA2015]

I did an online, post-bacc accounting program through a private college in order to satisfy the requirements to sit for the exam in Oregon. I have an undergrad degree in economics. I had no issues getting interviews, no issues getting a job, and personally did not see the point in having additional debt for a masters when I was still going to be starting at an entry-level position, regardless of what firm I picked. Best of luck to you!

REG - Passed
BEC - Passed
AUD - Passed
FAR - Passed!!!! I have my life back.

[fuzyfro89]

Probably depends more on the school than whether you get a post-bac or a master's.

If the firms you are interested in joining recruit actively at that school, then you'll be able to at least get access to them while you're a student. If not, then it won't matter much which program you do there.

I'd suggest going to the best state/regional program you can manage, and you could probably get away with just a post-bac… asssuming that gets you to 150 total credits and any other education requirements in your state.

Unless a Master's is something you want, it's not really neccessary. Firms and companies reward people for having a CPA, not Master's… except for some tax specialties.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

I'd go with the certificate to avoid more debt considering you're going to start entry level somewhere and it may not be the best pay (and it might take more time than you think to land a job). The advantage of a MAcc would be campus recruiting, but I'd make sure the school gets that type of coverage. And then I'd also make sure you want to do the hours of public.

I did a certificate and I'm happy with the results so far.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[SomedayCPA2015]

To echo fuzy and lion, I was very active in the campus recruiting events and knew that the firm I really wanted was also at those events for my particular college.

REG - Passed
BEC - Passed
AUD - Passed
FAR - Passed!!!! I have my life back.

[Anonymous]

Auburn offers an online (2nd) degree in accounting. It's only for those who have business degrees in a field other than accounting. They also offer the online graduate certificate in accounting and if you choose, you can transfer those hours into their online MS ACCY program.

[Author]

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