[yajjoe]

I don’t have any relevant experience and my bachelors degree is in marketing and management. I have been taking accounting classes at my local community college, but I am trying to decide which method will help me get an accounting job:

Go back and get a second bachelors degree in accounting which will take a year

OR

Take CPA exam

I know many people will say to take the CPA, but I’m worried I won’t get a job because the employer will think I will leave for another job as soon as I can.

Please provide any feedback, opinions and/or real life experiences.

[mla1169]

Do you have enough credits (particularly accounting credits) to qualify for the CPA exam? In most cases you're going to need 150 credits to be licensed, AND you are more likely than not going to need accounting experience to obtain a license (except in MA where you can get a license with a Masters degree and no experience).

But I can tell you a bachelors in accounting by no means guarantees an accounting job, actually a CPA doesn't have that guaranteed either.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Do you have enough credits (particularly accounting credits) to qualify for the CPA exam? In most cases you're going to need 150 credits to be licensed, AND you are more likely than not going to need accounting experience to obtain a license (except in MA where you can get a license with a Masters degree and no experience).

But I can tell you a bachelors in accounting by no means guarantees an accounting job, actually a CPA doesn't have that guaranteed either.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[yajjoe]

I have enough credits to take the CPA exam. I'm in Michigan and 2000 hours of experience is required to be licensed.

My reasoning is because many entry level jobs usually require an accounting degree.

[yajjoe]

I have enough credits to take the CPA exam. I'm in Michigan and 2000 hours of experience is required to be licensed.

My reasoning is because many entry level jobs usually require an accounting degree.

[Gatorbates]

I did both. Had my bachelors in Business Administration, then worked for 3 years … then back to school for a 2nd bachelors (Accounting). Took an extra 4 semesters. Glad I did it. Now sitting for the CPA … I was going to do it right after my bachelors in Acctg (2000), but wanted to get my career started, so the exam went on the back burner until now. I'd say get your 2nd bachelor's … then take the exam as soon as you can after you finish school. I waited 10 years and it's not fun.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

I did both. Had my bachelors in Business Administration, then worked for 3 years … then back to school for a 2nd bachelors (Accounting). Took an extra 4 semesters. Glad I did it. Now sitting for the CPA … I was going to do it right after my bachelors in Acctg (2000), but wanted to get my career started, so the exam went on the back burner until now. I'd say get your 2nd bachelor's … then take the exam as soon as you can after you finish school. I waited 10 years and it's not fun.

Licensed Florida CPA:
B: 71, 73, 79
A: 83
R: 78 (expired), 77
F: 74, 74, 80

It's finally freaking over.

[yajjoe]

Thank you for the advice Gatorbates.

[yajjoe]

Thank you for the advice Gatorbates.

[KiwiCPA]

I would probably contact a recruiter and ask them the question.

Whether you ask a recruiter from one the big 4 or an indepenent recruiter may not matter.

But at least you will a feel for what the market is looking for.

Reg 82; FAR 75; AUD 91; BEC 11/9/13; result due - 11/22/13

[KiwiCPA]

I would probably contact a recruiter and ask them the question.

Whether you ask a recruiter from one the big 4 or an indepenent recruiter may not matter.

But at least you will a feel for what the market is looking for.

Reg 82; FAR 75; AUD 91; BEC 11/9/13; result due - 11/22/13

[Nude Rooster]

I can only speak for my experience, but if you are going into PUBLIC accounting, I don't see why any CPA firm would really care what your degree is in as long as you qualify to sit for the exam. At the firm I work for there are two people who have completely unrelated degrees and went back and finished enough classes to complete the accounting and business core along with the 150 requirement to sit for the exam and did. Again, only speaking about my experience in public accounting.

[Nude Rooster]

I can only speak for my experience, but if you are going into PUBLIC accounting, I don't see why any CPA firm would really care what your degree is in as long as you qualify to sit for the exam. At the firm I work for there are two people who have completely unrelated degrees and went back and finished enough classes to complete the accounting and business core along with the 150 requirement to sit for the exam and did. Again, only speaking about my experience in public accounting.

[yajjoe]

My concern is that many of the entry level jobs require a degree in accounting to even apply. Even if I pass the exam, I'm still not considered a CPA until I get the hours.

[yajjoe]

My concern is that many of the entry level jobs require a degree in accounting to even apply. Even if I pass the exam, I'm still not considered a CPA until I get the hours.

[tough_kitty]

I'd consider getting a master's degree instead of 2nd bachelor.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Author]

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