[kelly017]

Hi everyone!

I’m currently in a Financial Analyst position (with just my BS in Accounting) and I found that I really like that work compared to accounting. I’ve also recently had a discussion with my boss and was told that either education or experience will get your promoted to a higher level. However, I’ve noticed that most (if not all) of the senior members here have their MBA.

My question is, with a CPA, is there a chance I can work my way up to the senior levels?

I’m scheduled to take the FAR exam 7/23 and I’m terrified! I’ve been doing MC, watching lectures, and taking notes but the information is just not sinking in as well as it should. The only section I feel so comfortable with is the Basic Concepts.

What are your thoughts?

[CPA soon]

I am a financial analyst as well. Generally most of senior managers in finance studied accounting not finance, simply because accounting is a better foundation. So regardless, if you want to be in finance, CPA is way more valuable for promotions. The second piece is, if you want to be a controller or CFO, you NEED to be a CPA. However if you want to be a senior manager outside of finance or accounting, then you can take the other route which will be easier. Bottom line the CPA license will open up more doors for you than the MBA.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[CPA soon]

I am a financial analyst as well. Generally most of senior managers in finance studied accounting not finance, simply because accounting is a better foundation. So regardless, if you want to be in finance, CPA is way more valuable for promotions. The second piece is, if you want to be a controller or CFO, you NEED to be a CPA. However if you want to be a senior manager outside of finance or accounting, then you can take the other route which will be easier. Bottom line the CPA license will open up more doors for you than the MBA.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[Anonymous]

Take it from my dad who is an MBA and not a CPA (studied Economics in undergrad, Fiance in grad), get your CPA at all costs. He has interviewed for many CFO positions, and while some of them narrowed it down to just him and another candidate, they always went with the candidate with the CPA.

[Anonymous]

Take it from my dad who is an MBA and not a CPA (studied Economics in undergrad, Fiance in grad), get your CPA at all costs. He has interviewed for many CFO positions, and while some of them narrowed it down to just him and another candidate, they always went with the candidate with the CPA.

[Fanalyst]

Also a Financial Analyst and had the same discussions with multiple people in management. Not a single person singled the MBA out. All of them said either “Just make sure you get one or the other” or “Get the CPA.” I was really hoping they would all say the MBA was the better route because I thought I'd enjoy the content more, but it was blatantly obvious that the CPA carried more weight at my particular company. Obviously it will vary.

[Fanalyst]

Also a Financial Analyst and had the same discussions with multiple people in management. Not a single person singled the MBA out. All of them said either “Just make sure you get one or the other” or “Get the CPA.” I was really hoping they would all say the MBA was the better route because I thought I'd enjoy the content more, but it was blatantly obvious that the CPA carried more weight at my particular company. Obviously it will vary.

[kelly017]

🙂 Thank you ALL for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

I had this discussion this a senior member at my company and was somewhat swayed into thinking I will never be able to work my way up to Senior Financial Analyst without my MBA (granted I do have my CPA). However, now I will def. stick with obtaining the CPA and hopefully I will be able to stay in the finance died. 🙂

[kelly017]

🙂 Thank you ALL for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

I had this discussion this a senior member at my company and was somewhat swayed into thinking I will never be able to work my way up to Senior Financial Analyst without my MBA (granted I do have my CPA). However, now I will def. stick with obtaining the CPA and hopefully I will be able to stay in the finance died. 🙂

[pikachu]

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/financial-analyst-sql-excel-to-cpa-making-60000-now-how-transition-back?replies=1#post-407546

Hi Kelly, I have a similar experience to you. I am a finance/IT person, and love it, I just want the CPA title. Getting the appropriate experience will be hard.. I'm just trying to pass the tests now…

MBAs are definitely a dime a dozen. I think you can get them from any random online school 🙂

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[pikachu]

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/financial-analyst-sql-excel-to-cpa-making-60000-now-how-transition-back?replies=1#post-407546

Hi Kelly, I have a similar experience to you. I am a finance/IT person, and love it, I just want the CPA title. Getting the appropriate experience will be hard.. I'm just trying to pass the tests now…

MBAs are definitely a dime a dozen. I think you can get them from any random online school 🙂

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[kelly017]

@pikachu

Yeah! My former coworker had told me that MBA are so common nowadays it doesn't make his resume marketable on the job market anymore. He's also on the CPA route as well 🙂

Ahh, typo on my last post. Instead of died, I actually meant to write field**.

[kelly017]

@pikachu

Yeah! My former coworker had told me that MBA are so common nowadays it doesn't make his resume marketable on the job market anymore. He's also on the CPA route as well 🙂

Ahh, typo on my last post. Instead of died, I actually meant to write field**.

[Mathgirl7]

I worked my way up from accounting positions to FP &A and now am an executive in FP&A. Either one will help you move up. If you are interviewing with an MBA they may emphasize that an MBA is more important likewise with a CPA.

AUD - 2/1/2014 - 92
BEC - 2/8/2014 - 79
REG - 5/17/2014
FAR - 5/21/2014

CA Ethics Exam - Passed

[Mathgirl7]

I worked my way up from accounting positions to FP &A and now am an executive in FP&A. Either one will help you move up. If you are interviewing with an MBA they may emphasize that an MBA is more important likewise with a CPA.

AUD - 2/1/2014 - 92
BEC - 2/8/2014 - 79
REG - 5/17/2014
FAR - 5/21/2014

CA Ethics Exam - Passed

[Anonymous]

Get the CPA and then get an MBA (online or part-time is fine, should only be 10-12 classes), which will then count towards CPE. I have a CMA and an MBA, and I will value the CPA much more highly than the other two once I am done.

[Author]

Replies