[vasaline]

For those working in public accounting, have any of you worked with or known anybody in the field with an unrelated degree (no bachelors or masters in business/accounting) such as biology, history, psychology etc. and have gotten their CPA requirements by going through the community college route. If so how common is it?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I know that you don't need anything additional for the CPA eligibility…I was just meaning that if you thought having the official degree title would help, you could probably get that for less $$ and work than a Master's. Probably would just require the one online course which consists of about 3-4 papers and 5-6 discussion board posts, so is not too much work, if you thought that the official degree title would help you.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I know that you don't need anything additional for the CPA eligibility…I was just meaning that if you thought having the official degree title would help, you could probably get that for less $$ and work than a Master's. Probably would just require the one online course which consists of about 3-4 papers and 5-6 discussion board posts, so is not too much work, if you thought that the official degree title would help you.

[vasaline]

Would the degree be recognized tho? Would employers frown upon my degree for getting it online?

[vasaline]

Would the degree be recognized tho? Would employers frown upon my degree for getting it online?

[Anonymous]

Online college options are becoming increasingly accepted. I've had questions about it, but haven't had it be a negative thing. Given that you took your accounting classes face-to-face, that should relieve any concerns that they had. I wouldn't get a degree from one of the schools that advertises on TV that anyone can get a degree there (like Pheonix), but TESC is a state school and does have brick-and-mortar facilities, too, so I doubt it'd be too much of a concern. To each his own though. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Online college options are becoming increasingly accepted. I've had questions about it, but haven't had it be a negative thing. Given that you took your accounting classes face-to-face, that should relieve any concerns that they had. I wouldn't get a degree from one of the schools that advertises on TV that anyone can get a degree there (like Pheonix), but TESC is a state school and does have brick-and-mortar facilities, too, so I doubt it'd be too much of a concern. To each his own though. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Bringing this thread back up because it is related to my concern.

I have a social science degree, with no business related courses and no business related experience. To fulfill the education requirements for CPA in my state, I only need to complete 36 credits in business and accounting courses. It is my choice to take them at a community college or university. Obviously, the community college route would be cheaper, but I am concerned about quality. Would classes taken at a community college be enough to prepare me for the exams or would I be better off taking the courses, particularly the more advanced accounting courses, at a university? Or is it a case where it doesn't matter because it will come down to how much I study beyond the coursework?

[Anonymous]

Bringing this thread back up because it is related to my concern.

I have a social science degree, with no business related courses and no business related experience. To fulfill the education requirements for CPA in my state, I only need to complete 36 credits in business and accounting courses. It is my choice to take them at a community college or university. Obviously, the community college route would be cheaper, but I am concerned about quality. Would classes taken at a community college be enough to prepare me for the exams or would I be better off taking the courses, particularly the more advanced accounting courses, at a university? Or is it a case where it doesn't matter because it will come down to how much I study beyond the coursework?

[stag]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I had an engineering degree and background in software programming as well. I have been taking classes at community colleges for the last 3 years to fulfill the credit requirements since I didn't have any credit in accounting or business prior to deciding to give accounting a shot. Even with close to 4.0 GPA and passing multiple CPA exams, I still have a hard time getting an interview with Big 4, never mind a job. I think my lack of experience in the accounting field is really hurting me.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[stag]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I had an engineering degree and background in software programming as well. I have been taking classes at community colleges for the last 3 years to fulfill the credit requirements since I didn't have any credit in accounting or business prior to deciding to give accounting a shot. Even with close to 4.0 GPA and passing multiple CPA exams, I still have a hard time getting an interview with Big 4, never mind a job. I think my lack of experience in the accounting field is really hurting me.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[M.O.D.]

The quality depends on the the community college. I found one which specializes in CPA preparation and the quality was good. But in retrospect I should have tried an MAcc even if the coursework is undergraduate level accounting.

I think that the classes will definitely prepare you for the exams, but a Masters is more prestigious on your resume.

Still, efficiency-wise, it is better to take the undergraduate accounting classes at the Comm. college and save the Masters for graduate-level coursework.

I think it is shameful to take undergraduate courses at a graduate school and call it a Masters degree. But employers may or may not see the shame.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

The quality depends on the the community college. I found one which specializes in CPA preparation and the quality was good. But in retrospect I should have tried an MAcc even if the coursework is undergraduate level accounting.

I think that the classes will definitely prepare you for the exams, but a Masters is more prestigious on your resume.

Still, efficiency-wise, it is better to take the undergraduate accounting classes at the Comm. college and save the Masters for graduate-level coursework.

I think it is shameful to take undergraduate courses at a graduate school and call it a Masters degree. But employers may or may not see the shame.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

An old manager o mine had a degree in mathematics, then went to law school and did her focus on taxation

soooooo, yea, she was prob gonna pass the CPA anyway

i agree with @MOD if possible, do a MACC but i know they're not cheap.

[Anonymous]

An old manager o mine had a degree in mathematics, then went to law school and did her focus on taxation

soooooo, yea, she was prob gonna pass the CPA anyway

i agree with @MOD if possible, do a MACC but i know they're not cheap.

[Paravinja]

My degree is in Psychology and my minor is Human Resources. I just found out that I was accepted to an MBA program. I've been looking at the school's programs, and I noticed that they have a specialization in accounting. I am very interested in taking this route. I am an assistant store manager currently at a pharmacy, so I have business experience. My question is if my psychology credits will count towards the 150 credits needed for the CPA? Does it have to be from a business degree or any degree? I know I am required 24 credit hours from accounting. Also, If I only have a specialization in accounting, will that hinder my chances of landing a job? What about a specialization in accounting with CPA? Thanks

[Author]

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