Do most people work while getting their masters/cpa?

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    Topic
  • #186960
    TobyU
    Participant

    I’m a sophomore but i’m in a 4 year accounting degree system. My school does offer a masters in accounting to fulfill the remaining 30 credits, since i will most likely have 120 by the end of my 4 years. So if I happen to get hired by a big 4, do i start work after my senior year, while getting my masters/studying for the cpa? or do I do an internship after my senior year and try to get hired towards the end of my masters.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 26 total)
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  • #581002
    Vlakmir
    Member

    Most do masters for the credit hours.

    The CPA exam – it's up to you. Your hours accrue for the last 3 years, so you can pass it and be insta-licensed 1-2 years in working if you want.

    Personally, I've chosen to try to get it done before working.

    If you're working, you need to schedule your CPA exam studying habits very thoroughly.

    If you are trying to do the CPA exam in two testing windows – I suggest just taking the summer off before working and bust your ass.

    Most people only work lightly during either of those two, as they are both very time consuming.

    I worked 20 hours doing taxes during tax season the last year of my masters, spring 2014. It was demanding, but very helpful for the CPA exam (see my scores so far? hope BEC/FAR go OKAY ><)

    When you take a tax class, a law class, work in taxes, and then study for REG the following weeks, it's much easier to grasp.

    Auditing will be easier if you have worked in auditing before.

    As for the other two, we'll see.

    REG - 92
    AUD - 90
    BEC - 82
    FAR - 82
    BISK Review Materials
    DONE! /Happydance

    #581003
    TobyU
    Participant

    @Vlakmir So should I try for an internship the summer before my masters, then wait until after my masters to work full time? As opposed to, internship after junior year, getting hired senior year and working/getting masters/ studying for the CPA. I'm sorry for all the questions, but I just want to have my plan figured out before I'm in a dilemma.

    #581004
    mla1169
    Participant

    When it comes to masters/CPA there is no such thing as “most people”. Some don't work while completing their education, very few have the luxury of exclusively studying for the CPA. Many people don't bother with a masters at all, and some of us worked full time, taking 2 classes per semester, studying for the CPA while running Girl Scout meetings and cheer practices. CPA candidates are pretty diverse in my experience!

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

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #581005
    TobyU
    Participant

    @mla1169 So do you have a recommended route?

    #581006
    samdiegoCPA
    Member

    Why not work PT or do something fun while you're young while getting your masters since you have to anyways? You could always work PT somewhere you like and intern at a CPA firm or PT at somewhere with a CPA. I highly recommend taking time while you're young to travel and not work 80 hours a week at age 22. Save some of the money, start taking the CPA exam and quit the jobs if you want to finish everything. You'll have everything completed then while enjoying your YOUTH!

    I miss being in college full-time and that's all I did and traveled around the world and got to fly back to see my family whenever I wanted. I wouldn't trade that for not having student loans.

    AUD: 84
    REG: 84
    BEC: 79
    FAR: 83

    #581007
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I worked 50 hours a week during undergrad and grad school, and chose to wait to sit for the exam until was done with school because of it. I had no choice but to work during school so that is why I did it. If I had it to do over again, and had the option to sit for the exam while in grad school instead of working, I would.

    #581008
    mla1169
    Participant

    What I recommend is start with your long term goals and work them into your short term goals. If big 4 is your goal, then apply for intetnships ASAP. If you get one right away, great! If not, continue with more education and try again in a year. A perfect world allows you to finish your undergrad, get an internship that leads to a full time job that pays for your masters and CPA. Make a plan of your IDEAL situation, then a back up and a back up to the back up. Can't tell what's best for you because I'm not you!

    I was a single mom of a 10 and 3 year old with only a high school education when I started at a community college. By the time they were 19 and 12 years old I had my masters and CPA. It will be different for you but right for you!

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

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #581009

    Not everyone can afford to travel the world as a student while working part time. I suggest you get your MS and CPA done as soon as possible so you can get the most competitive job you can when you are done. There are plenty of students doing this. You should get in touch with and talk to other students at your school. You will have options and set yourself up to have enough money to travel and have plenty of fun in your twenties. You either pay now or pay later. It is much easier to pay now in most situations.

    Florida:
    AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
    BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
    REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
    FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

    CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

    #581010
    Zackrampage
    Member

    Hi Teetee 😀

    FAR - 62 , End of aug 2015
    BEC - 67, 67
    AUD - TBD
    REG - TBD

    #581011

    Hi Zackrampage! How are you?? How's the studying going?

    Florida:
    AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
    BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
    REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
    FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

    CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

    #581012
    Zackrampage
    Member

    Studying BEC, need as many tips a possible since im working full time now.

    FAR - 62 , End of aug 2015
    BEC - 67, 67
    AUD - TBD
    REG - TBD

    #581013

    Oh ok, that's good. Memorize the formulas until you can write them out without looking at your notes and get a good handle on IT and Cost Accounting. Those were my weak areas which I think helped to get me over the hump…Nonstop MCQs were essential because the wording of the questions and knowing exactly what the question is asking can get tricky with BEC.

    Also, study whereever you can. Bring your formula list with you to meetings that don't require your full attention. Study at lunch and after work at your desk. Give as much as you can at work but don't sacrifice your study time right before the exam.

    Florida:
    AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
    BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
    REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
    FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

    CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

    #581014
    Zackrampage
    Member

    Ah thanks. As you may remember, I hate calculation problems. I went to the local CVS today during lunch break and bought 2 packs of idne cards to write out formulas and start memorizing. Got any other tips for memorizing? I try to read my notes a smuch as possible during the day.

    FAR - 62 , End of aug 2015
    BEC - 67, 67
    AUD - TBD
    REG - TBD

    #581015
    Zackrampage
    Member

    Ah thanks. As you may remember, I hate calculation problems. I went to the local CVS today during lunch break and bought 2 packs of idne cards to write out formulas and start memorizing. Got any other tips for memorizing? I try to read my notes a smuch as possible during the day.

    FAR - 62 , End of aug 2015
    BEC - 67, 67
    AUD - TBD
    REG - TBD

    #581016

    Wrire them out over and over. Act like you are in elementary school and write them 3 times each every day. It may feel tedious writing 60 or so formulas multiple times but at some point they will start sticking in your mind and then, when you get MCQs that flip them around inside out, you will be prepared. Switch it up between MCQs, reading/writing notes, and practicing formulas so you don't get bored.

    Florida:
    AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
    BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
    REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
    FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

    CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

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