[Lost1]

Please answer the following

1. Degree title and your reason for your choice

2. $$$ spent

3. How long it took

4. Are you happy with your ROI?

5. If you can do it over, what would you do different now?

Your input would help me out tremendously.

I know I asked alot, your response would be much appreciated.

"If you can do it, I can do it better."

[J]

1) MBA (general business, no specialization)

2) $0 (I finished my undergraduate studies early and was on an athletic scholarship. I agreed to come back for my last year of eligibility if they paid for graduate school, as long as I finished by the following summer).

3) Took a year. Had almost all of the prerequisites out of the way and really worked hard to be finished ASAP. Took 6 classes in the summer to finish.

4) I guess… obviously I didn't put money into it… just time… I haven't made the most of it, though.

5) What would I have done differently? A couple of things: (A) I would have taken all of my accounting classes back then (I had to do 6 upper level accounting classes a couple of years ago in order to be eligible for the CPA, which I then put off until the end of 2012). (B) I should have taken advantage of more offers and connections right after finishing. There were reasons that I didn't, but hindsight is always 20/20.

I know my situation is particular, but hopefully that helps you out a little.

[J]

1) MBA (general business, no specialization)

2) $0 (I finished my undergraduate studies early and was on an athletic scholarship. I agreed to come back for my last year of eligibility if they paid for graduate school, as long as I finished by the following summer).

3) Took a year. Had almost all of the prerequisites out of the way and really worked hard to be finished ASAP. Took 6 classes in the summer to finish.

4) I guess… obviously I didn't put money into it… just time… I haven't made the most of it, though.

5) What would I have done differently? A couple of things: (A) I would have taken all of my accounting classes back then (I had to do 6 upper level accounting classes a couple of years ago in order to be eligible for the CPA, which I then put off until the end of 2012). (B) I should have taken advantage of more offers and connections right after finishing. There were reasons that I didn't, but hindsight is always 20/20.

I know my situation is particular, but hopefully that helps you out a little.

[someaccountant]

1. MBA (Felt this was better for a position later in life in corporate environment)

2. Roughly $5,000 (Employer paid the rest)

3. 2 years. Started off 2 classes a semester the last year I took 4 each semester, including one summer semester.

4. So far so good. Due to employer-assisted support, they were aware of my pursuits and provided a nice bonus on completion. Anything in the future is straight profit and a positive ROI.

5. If I could have done it differently I would have immediately committed to 4 classes a semester so I could finish in 3 semesters. Also, I did this while working full time with a baby the last two semesters. It was rough but well worth finishing sooner than later to commit to the CPA exam. I had to wait anyways for 2 accounting classes before sitting for the CPA exam.

FAR - 84!
REG - 76!
AUD - 80!
BEC - August 2013

[someaccountant]

1. MBA (Felt this was better for a position later in life in corporate environment)

2. Roughly $5,000 (Employer paid the rest)

3. 2 years. Started off 2 classes a semester the last year I took 4 each semester, including one summer semester.

4. So far so good. Due to employer-assisted support, they were aware of my pursuits and provided a nice bonus on completion. Anything in the future is straight profit and a positive ROI.

5. If I could have done it differently I would have immediately committed to 4 classes a semester so I could finish in 3 semesters. Also, I did this while working full time with a baby the last two semesters. It was rough but well worth finishing sooner than later to commit to the CPA exam. I had to wait anyways for 2 accounting classes before sitting for the CPA exam.

FAR - 84!
REG - 76!
AUD - 80!
BEC - August 2013

[Anonymous]

1. MSA (I obtained it in order to change careers)

2. $17k in student loans (Employer paid for CPA)

3. 2 years going to school part time and working full time.

4. Without question I'm satisfied. I've doubled my salary in just a few years and I would not have been able to land my current job without it. It wasn't the greatest accounting program but I've definately made my $17k back. I wasn't going ivy league so I went the cheap route.

5. I would of been an accounting undergrad major and got my CPA ten years ago. Instead I clowned around in school and graduated with a crap undergrad degree. However, I feel like I'm back on track even if I'm a little behind the peers in my age group. I'll get there soon enough though!

It's never too late to change paths in life. You control your own destiny. If you want it, then do it.

[Anonymous]

1. MSA (I obtained it in order to change careers)

2. $17k in student loans (Employer paid for CPA)

3. 2 years going to school part time and working full time.

4. Without question I'm satisfied. I've doubled my salary in just a few years and I would not have been able to land my current job without it. It wasn't the greatest accounting program but I've definately made my $17k back. I wasn't going ivy league so I went the cheap route.

5. I would of been an accounting undergrad major and got my CPA ten years ago. Instead I clowned around in school and graduated with a crap undergrad degree. However, I feel like I'm back on track even if I'm a little behind the peers in my age group. I'll get there soon enough though!

It's never too late to change paths in life. You control your own destiny. If you want it, then do it.

[ImaCPA168]

You didn't ask about MAcc but I think any graduate degree to further your career/or to jump start your career is well worth it. Just remember that the degree alone won't get you there. Hard work and dedication during school, in your new carrer, and networking is the biggest part.

DEGREE: MAcc – Accounting

WHY I GOT IT: 4 years into my original career path, I decided to go back to school to get a MAcc and change careers.

TIME SPENT: 1 year (full-time)

AMOUNT SPENT: $80K Total–$20K from my savings; $65K in loans. Private school costs and standard of living costs in Los Angeles are high.

RESULTS:

Doubled my pre-graduate school salary in 2 years.

Fully paid off my student loans in 4 years.

More than tripled my pre-graduate school salary in 5 years.

I'm satisfied that the one year and $80K I spent on grad school has completely overhauled my career in such a short period of time. After 4 years in my old career, I left to go to school and when I got out, I had to start as an entry-level first year audit associate, while my counterparts who stayed in the old career path were all getting ready for their 2nd/3rd promotions to managers. In the throes of busy seasons, I really wondered if I made the right decision.

Fast forward a short 5-year period… I know I definitely made the right decision. I was still able to “catch- up” and supass many of my old counterparts in terms of title and earning potential. Grad school and Big 4 really accelerated my life.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[ImaCPA168]

You didn't ask about MAcc but I think any graduate degree to further your career/or to jump start your career is well worth it. Just remember that the degree alone won't get you there. Hard work and dedication during school, in your new carrer, and networking is the biggest part.

DEGREE: MAcc – Accounting

WHY I GOT IT: 4 years into my original career path, I decided to go back to school to get a MAcc and change careers.

TIME SPENT: 1 year (full-time)

AMOUNT SPENT: $80K Total–$20K from my savings; $65K in loans. Private school costs and standard of living costs in Los Angeles are high.

RESULTS:

Doubled my pre-graduate school salary in 2 years.

Fully paid off my student loans in 4 years.

More than tripled my pre-graduate school salary in 5 years.

I'm satisfied that the one year and $80K I spent on grad school has completely overhauled my career in such a short period of time. After 4 years in my old career, I left to go to school and when I got out, I had to start as an entry-level first year audit associate, while my counterparts who stayed in the old career path were all getting ready for their 2nd/3rd promotions to managers. In the throes of busy seasons, I really wondered if I made the right decision.

Fast forward a short 5-year period… I know I definitely made the right decision. I was still able to “catch- up” and supass many of my old counterparts in terms of title and earning potential. Grad school and Big 4 really accelerated my life.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[henryv]

@OP Can you add to your queries if the Masters helped in the job or it's just the prestige the employers are looking for. Thanks!

FAR - 92 02/2013
AUD - 90 05/2013
REG - 85 10/2013
BEC - 80 12/2013

I'M DONE. THANK YOU LORD!

[henryv]

@OP Can you add to your queries if the Masters helped in the job or it's just the prestige the employers are looking for. Thanks!

FAR - 92 02/2013
AUD - 90 05/2013
REG - 85 10/2013
BEC - 80 12/2013

I'M DONE. THANK YOU LORD!

[jeff]

Ima – whatever you made pre-MAcc you have to add that to the cost of the program since you went to school full time, right?

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[jeff]

Ima – whatever you made pre-MAcc you have to add that to the cost of the program since you went to school full time, right?

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[smp73]

1) MBA -professional accountancy

2) $17,000 in student loans, rest was a scholarship (on top of $17,000 in undergrad loans)

3) Year and a half working full time

4) It helped me get the job that I have not but it was a joke of a program compared to my undergrad degree and I really have not used anything I learned getting the degree in the job I have now

5) If I had to do it again I would chose a program that I thought would challenge me more and make me feel like I was getting my moneys worth out of the degree.

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[smp73]

1) MBA -professional accountancy

2) $17,000 in student loans, rest was a scholarship (on top of $17,000 in undergrad loans)

3) Year and a half working full time

4) It helped me get the job that I have not but it was a joke of a program compared to my undergrad degree and I really have not used anything I learned getting the degree in the job I have now

5) If I had to do it again I would chose a program that I thought would challenge me more and make me feel like I was getting my moneys worth out of the degree.

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[ImaCPA168]

@ Jeff. Yes you are right, Jeff. I do have to add the year salary that was forgone because I was in school full time. I am not going to disclose my pre MAcc salary because I think some of my colleagues also frequent this site and my current salary would be easy to figure out from the info I provided.

Whoops…I just saw that I didn't add correctly in my original reply! $20K cash and $65K in student loans is $85K not $80K. Sorry!

Anyway, I just want to say grad school was one of the best decisions I made. But it is a big investment in time and money so one should figure out approximately what kind of returns they can expect before going forward. (NOTE: Use conservative estimates–Say, if you are considering a law degree and you know lawyers makes anywhere from $100K to $3M a year, using $100K and adjust for 3-8% yearly increases would be more accurate than using $3M in your ROI calcuation.)

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Author]

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