[sonygal57]

About Me:

I am working toward getting the CPA exams out of the way.

I graduated from Western International University with a 4.0 for my bachelors in accounting.

I currently work year-round at a McTax place (4yrs).

I do have my EA.

My Options:

WIU, UOP, NOVA (and other online schools)

State school where big four does campus recruiting (approx 90 miles away)

MAIN ?: I was wondering if I tried to get my masters from a college such as WIU, UOP, or Nova if I would be killing any shot I would have at a Big 4.

More info:

I am in a small town and would have to commute over 90 miles to go to the closest state school. I can’t move because I can’t afford to pay my mortgage and keep a second home (I don’t want to rely on selling or renting because neither market is good where I live). The commute would obviously be quite costly.

I am really considering returning to WIU for my masters because I can get the degree for less cost (including commute and living expenses) than any of the other schools I can find. What do you guys think?

Good old Gandalf, "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is give to us."
"Not all those who wander are lost."

FAR: I slayed the Dragon!
BEC: I defeated the Siren!
AUD: I eliminated Medusa!
REG: ?????

[Jennifer241]

@insiyah24

I would go online to Linkedin and look at the people who are working at the Big 4 firms, you should be able to see the colleges they went to. I would begin your research there.

@onmywhey

I thought that once a college was accredited that it's curriculums could be relied upon?

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[sonygal57]

@onmywhey I have a cousin who works for big four and who will be personally recruiting from the state school I am considering….Which makes me feel more confident about job prospects considering he is very confident in me and my abilities.

@guitarsalad…I got my bachelor degree at WIU…I know the UOP connection and feel like any WIU student who does not know that would be uhhhh really dumb! Which brings me back to Acamp…the reason why I want the masters from a state school is because I have my bachelor degree from WIU….dumb I know but it sure did work into my schedule (being online….interactive online at that!).

I have ruled this down to two options and I know the decision is mine and mine alone but I appreciate all thoughts:

1 go to state school…do well (get job in that city for hopefully more if not twice what I am making here..and assuming I get accepted)

Main issue with option 1 is a lot of assumptions that requires spending a lot up front….

2 rush through exams and supplement educational requirements with community college roughly $5 g staying at my current job and then apply all over US to get the better paying job and getting Macc later only if required or strongly desired.

Main issue with option 2 is will this even work?

Good old Gandalf, "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is give to us."
"Not all those who wander are lost."

FAR: I slayed the Dragon!
BEC: I defeated the Siren!
AUD: I eliminated Medusa!
REG: ?????

[sonygal57]

@onmywhey I have a cousin who works for big four and who will be personally recruiting from the state school I am considering….Which makes me feel more confident about job prospects considering he is very confident in me and my abilities.

@guitarsalad…I got my bachelor degree at WIU…I know the UOP connection and feel like any WIU student who does not know that would be uhhhh really dumb! Which brings me back to Acamp…the reason why I want the masters from a state school is because I have my bachelor degree from WIU….dumb I know but it sure did work into my schedule (being online….interactive online at that!).

I have ruled this down to two options and I know the decision is mine and mine alone but I appreciate all thoughts:

1 go to state school…do well (get job in that city for hopefully more if not twice what I am making here..and assuming I get accepted)

Main issue with option 1 is a lot of assumptions that requires spending a lot up front….

2 rush through exams and supplement educational requirements with community college roughly $5 g staying at my current job and then apply all over US to get the better paying job and getting Macc later only if required or strongly desired.

Main issue with option 2 is will this even work?

Good old Gandalf, "All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is give to us."
"Not all those who wander are lost."

FAR: I slayed the Dragon!
BEC: I defeated the Siren!
AUD: I eliminated Medusa!
REG: ?????

[Anonymous]

Yeah, those schools do get a bad rap (justified or not). I say do what is best for you and your family. Get the CPA done…that's the most important thing. I used to work with a guy in the Big 4 who got his MAcc (or MBA) from UoP and he's a jackass, but that could just be him lol. Hope whatever you choose works out for you.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, those schools do get a bad rap (justified or not). I say do what is best for you and your family. Get the CPA done…that's the most important thing. I used to work with a guy in the Big 4 who got his MAcc (or MBA) from UoP and he's a jackass, but that could just be him lol. Hope whatever you choose works out for you.

[Mayo]

IF you choose to go U of P, get awesome grades, do extracurriculars, and network your tail off.

-Networking ideas: Try linkedin professional groups in your area that meet in person, join your local CPA society and get to know the people (don't just sign up), and join the local AlPFA professional chapter.

-ALPFA is a great resource because you don't have to be latino to join, there are great conferences you can attend and meet tons of people with big 4, industry, public, etc. types of backgrounds. Also, most of the meetings are social in nature and are not centered around CPE. So there's a more relaxed atmosphere.

Honestly, coming from a for-Profit online university is a huge hurdle if you're trying to get to big 4. You almost have to do everything to get the recruiters attention, and I would say you'd need a recommendation/referral to even get your foot in the door.

But that's why networking and volunteering (don't fool yourself, this is also networking if you pick the right volunteering events)is so important in your situation.

Hope that helps. Keep us updated 🙂

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

IF you choose to go U of P, get awesome grades, do extracurriculars, and network your tail off.

-Networking ideas: Try linkedin professional groups in your area that meet in person, join your local CPA society and get to know the people (don't just sign up), and join the local AlPFA professional chapter.

-ALPFA is a great resource because you don't have to be latino to join, there are great conferences you can attend and meet tons of people with big 4, industry, public, etc. types of backgrounds. Also, most of the meetings are social in nature and are not centered around CPE. So there's a more relaxed atmosphere.

Honestly, coming from a for-Profit online university is a huge hurdle if you're trying to get to big 4. You almost have to do everything to get the recruiters attention, and I would say you'd need a recommendation/referral to even get your foot in the door.

But that's why networking and volunteering (don't fool yourself, this is also networking if you pick the right volunteering events)is so important in your situation.

Hope that helps. Keep us updated 🙂

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

@insiyah24, I work at a Big 4 in the SF Bay Area and our office has a few people who went to St. Mary's. It doesn't have as many people from there as from schools like Cal, UCSB or UCLA, but we do recruit from there.

[Anonymous]

@insiyah24, I work at a Big 4 in the SF Bay Area and our office has a few people who went to St. Mary's. It doesn't have as many people from there as from schools like Cal, UCSB or UCLA, but we do recruit from there.

[Kenada]

Thank you BruinCPA.

I am considering applying at San Francisco State University as I heard its better than Cal Uni.

In your opinion have you noticed employers have a better preference if someone went to live courses at a University verses online courses?

Cal had an online program and it would be super ideal for me but my worry is that it might some something employer tend to look down at.

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

[Kenada]

Thank you BruinCPA.

I am considering applying at San Francisco State University as I heard its better than Cal Uni.

In your opinion have you noticed employers have a better preference if someone went to live courses at a University verses online courses?

Cal had an online program and it would be super ideal for me but my worry is that it might some something employer tend to look down at.

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

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure as I'm not involved with recruiting. But I can't imagine that there would be much of a difference between live and online courses at an accredited school like SFSU or St. Mary's. The main thing is you want to be able to attend all the recruiting events.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure as I'm not involved with recruiting. But I can't imagine that there would be much of a difference between live and online courses at an accredited school like SFSU or St. Mary's. The main thing is you want to be able to attend all the recruiting events.

[Kenada]

Yes i can't imagine that either.

When i was in Houston, Texas looking for a job, the first thing i was asked in the interview was, did you do your Degree online. I hadn't so I said no.

Even the recruiters all sighed with relief when I they found out my degree was not done with online classes.

It was really werid.

I am think SFSU may be the best choice for me, given my circumstances. I am working full time. I have about 3.5 years in Public practice in the UK and close to 7 years now in industry 🙂

All I want to do is get my Masters with a University that is recognized and employers will not look down at. Esp since a Masters does cost a fair bit. Looking at 30K.

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

[Kenada]

Yes i can't imagine that either.

When i was in Houston, Texas looking for a job, the first thing i was asked in the interview was, did you do your Degree online. I hadn't so I said no.

Even the recruiters all sighed with relief when I they found out my degree was not done with online classes.

It was really werid.

I am think SFSU may be the best choice for me, given my circumstances. I am working full time. I have about 3.5 years in Public practice in the UK and close to 7 years now in industry 🙂

All I want to do is get my Masters with a University that is recognized and employers will not look down at. Esp since a Masters does cost a fair bit. Looking at 30K.

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

[Author]

Replies