[pbnj]

Hi people,

Just need some advice and suggestions on how I should approach my accounting future. I finished my MBA – Accounting from Keller (Graduate division of Devry) about 2 years ago. I have a really good GPA (3.7), and I have some years of experience of accounting in private industries under my belt (3 years of being staff accountant). I really want to get into public accounting, and I have tried and tried to breakthrough with no avail. Networking and job assistance at Keller/DeVry is a joke… I sometimes regret going there…

As for the CPA exam, I am working on them right now. None passed so far, but I am really aiming for finishing it by the end of this year.

Something that piqued my interest recently is that CSUN is offering a Master’s in Accounting program this fall, and with a 7/31st deadline, I can still get into it right now if I wanted to.

My question is, should I go back and get another master’s for the whole chance of getting networking and interning opportunities? It feels like it might be a waste of a $20000, to $30000 just for that… but then again, I spent $50000 at Keller/DeVry for hopes of getting into public accounting with no result…

Does anyone have advice on how I can get my foot in the door into public accounting?

Any feedback will be appreciated!

Thanks!

[SusanStudies]

My two cents: No. If you are thinking of getting a Master’s in Accounting just to make some contacts or use the school’s job-placement resources, I would say it isn’t worth it. If however, you are looking to obtain more credits in accounting in order to complete the requirements for licensure in your state, it may be worth it.

I recently completed a Master’s in Accounting and from what I’ve heard from others who were looking for work, that school’s resources for job placement were not that good either. They don't guarantee you a job.

If you’re dead-set on working in public accounting I would suggest continuing to submit your resume to firms, start with a smaller firm, revise your resume, look into job-placement companies (temp to perm situation), or try to make contacts in your local community. The city I live in has various business organizations citizens can participate in. Sometimes it is those contacts that could get you in the door. They say it’s who you know, not what you know that can land you a job.

Best of luck to you!

AUD: 07/11/11 - Passed
BEC: 08/27/11 - Passed
FAR: 01/17/12 - Passed
REG: 04/30/12; Re-take 7/16/12 - Passed

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

[SoonToBeCPAChick]

I agree, an MSA may be a waste of time/money after getting your MBA. I have my MSA, but I only did it to get to the 150. Public Accounting firms care more about the CPA than graduate degrees. Most public accounting firms do big recruiting in the fall from colleges. In addition, most firms will start to do more big hiring in the fall to get ready for the upcoming busy season (Jan-May-ish). So if you are finding it difficult right now to get into public accounting, it is probably because summer is not their typical hiring season. Most firms will show on their websites what positions they have available as of now and normally you can submit your resume. You will probably have better luck in a couple of months though.

FAR 10/1/2010 =====> 90
BEC 10/28/2010 ====> 81
REG 2/2/2011 ======> 82
AUD 5/28/2011 =====> 92 ===========>DONE!!!!

[killaking]

No big waste of money

FAR: 7/17/10 missed exam FML reschedule 8/29/10-77 EPIC!
REG: 5/31/11-73 SMH, 8/31/11-85
BEC: 4/15/10-72 : retake 10/3/10-80
AUD: 11/28/10-74, 02/27/11-71 FML, 8/1/11-80
Ethics 10/22/22-80, retake 11/28/11 - 88

[Minimorty]

$50k for an online MBA?!! Daaaamn. Cut your losses while you can and skip the masters in accounting. Only things that matter are professional designations and experience.

[IwannaBaCPA]

One word: NO!

Waste of time, energy and money especially since you already have an MBA. Your time and money is better spent getting various other professional certifications like CFE, CMA, etc. There are tons of them out there…

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[HazeEastwood]

MBA plus CPA is said to be the best combination. MBA plus Master in Accounting is a complete waste of time and even worst money!

FAR-81
BEC-84
AUD-91
REG-89

[rknight21]

well for the networking and ocr opportunity yes but other than that MS wont add value to your already good profile…..if youhave the time for school and can find a less expensive school then do it. I am paying $3,000 a semester at a CUNY school. thats a lil over 10,000 for the program, its a chance and an investment risk you could take…..its a risk tho because nothing is certain. if you attend a school with ocr and with your credentials i am sure you would get a job with a good firm

[Herbieherb]

What's diff between MBA and masters?

NEW YORK- DONE

[rknight21]

masters focus on accounting and mba focuses and management skills(whick companies like) google it tho there is a good article online somewhere about it… mba has more recognition when you are looking to own your own business or practice

[Anonymous]

I was in the opposite boat. I got the MSA, and then decided to go to law school. They really harp on the joint JD/MBA program. For one year extra over the JD program I could tack on the MBA from a top 20 school. I decided against it. After thinking about it, the MBA wouldn't really help my career path.

For you, I doubt it would help. The MBA and CPA combination shows that you have the business acumen, as well as accounting knowledge. The extra time and money you would spend to get a degree that doesn't mean much (sorry guys, but we all know the MSA is for the 150 credits) seems pointless.

Pass the CPA exam and find networking events on your own.

[SoonToBeCPAChick]

No offense taken! I have my MSA and consider it a joke degree! However if you do want to go for it, I felt like it was easier than undergrad lol.

FAR 10/1/2010 =====> 90
BEC 10/28/2010 ====> 81
REG 2/2/2011 ======> 82
AUD 5/28/2011 =====> 92 ===========>DONE!!!!

[pandasteak]

I just finished my MSA and value wise, the MSA is definitely a useless degree as it's pretty much the same undergrad professors teaching the exact same material to “graduates”. It is only useful for one thing, to get into an entry level Big 4 position through campus recruiting. The big4 only recruit straight from college for entry level or experienced individuals already in the profession. If you already have some accounting experience, then a MSA is useless to you. If you had no experience like me, then MSA is the only option to get into the big 4 which most of my class and myself did. Passing the CPA exam with zero experience is meaningless, it will not increase your chances at getting into the big 4, only experience matters. My program was only 13months, 4months of which were to allow us to do a winter internship at an accounting firm. So the internship basically covers the tuition costs and you get a job offer.

[Anonymous]

“No offense taken! I have my MSA and consider it a joke degree! However if you do want to go for it, I felt like it was easier than undergrad lol.”

Woah…I had to work my a** off in my Master in Tax program (MST). I did look at the MAAC programs offered and they just looked like my undergraduate classes for those who didn't get an accounting undergraduate. Maybe there's a big difference between a MAAC and an MST. MST/MAAC is definitely just for 150 hour rule though.

[WhyMe23]

I wouldn't say its a “joke” degree at all, it's better than an undergrad degree in accounting. Maybe you are talking about the Macc degree which is for accounting undergrads to get the additional credits. The MSA is for non-accounting majors to learn accounting and to get enough credits for the CPA, if you already know accounting there is no reason to get it. From my experience the classes were tougher than regular undergraduate accounting courses. It also got me a public accounting job.

B - 85 (5/31/11)
A - 93 (7/1/11)
R - 87 (7/29/11)
F - 77 (8/31/11)

[pbnj]

Thank you everyone for your insightful comments and feedback!

To clarify my main reason why I am considering going back for a MSA is because my MBA hasn't really opened up any opportunities for me. If I try to get a position that is suited with my MBA, hiring manager scoff at the school I went to, even though my performance there was high. If I try getting an entry level position, it feels as if people look at me as a flight risk… (overqualified and leave after 1 year).

Its very frustrating right now. I really do want to get into public accounting and make a career out of it, but no one seems to give me a chance!!!

[Author]

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