[whopper]

I’m thinking about going back to school and learning more about databases, etc. I really like working with accounting software. Does anyone know about taking this route? Any specific IT degrees that compliment a CPA?

REG - 89, 04/29/13
BEC - 81, 08/06/13
FAR - 84, 12/19/13
AUD - 82, 10/05/13

[Anonymous]

@wannabe – I took the CISA in 2011 and passed. Of course, it's a cakewalk compared to the CPA and employers value it especially in the IT Audit field. Give it a shot after you're done with the CPA.

[Samzary2k]

This is exactly what i want to do too as it makes your career more diversified. Go for it!

I am actually planning to go for masters in computer science or information technology. But does anyone know, would these credits in info system be sufficient to fulfill 150 credit requirements to get my CPA license? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

FAR-88
AUD-88
REG-88
BEC-05/27

[tomq04]

IT is definitely higher demand, and likely higher “low” to “middle” career wages (first 10-15 years) I would then wager that salaries merge after that point. Opportunities abound. Don't spend too much money on an extra masters though…hard to recoup 40k of debt.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[abranaugh]

Samzary2k, I do not know for sure, but I would think those would count as long as you have enough accounting hours and you meet all the other requirements already. I was able to do a double major in my undergrad in Management of Computer Systems and Accounting and was able to sit.

[wannabeCaliCPA]

@Cracked thank you. yeah, i will proceed with that one. Please, let me know about the experience requirement… I read it online, but it still did not make whole lotta sense because they keep saying: oh, but it can be substituted by this and by that….

one last exam score to wait for......
FAR - 78
BEC - 84
AUD - 92
REG - 88

[Jordan23cc]

@Samzary2k it definitely works! I am in Texas, but I got my ugrad in accounting and grad in MIS. I have roughly 30 hours of IT related hours. As long as you have all of the accounting, business, and ethics credits you can definitely use the IT courses to get the 150. That's what I did.

F - 2/15/2014 - 85
B - 2/26/2014 - 88
R - 4/1/2014 - 83
A - 4/21/2014 - 95

Licensed CPA in TX

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[Anonymous]

how much do Business Analysts/ERP Implementors make?

I think i was looking on glassdoor and Business Analysts for Salesforce in San Francisco made around $90..

[Anonymous]

Just started a new job at a public stock bank and the SEC requires all public companies to file F/S in XBML. Companies that just tag statements make big bucks because I small accounting department can't handle the work or does not have the expertise. Sounds like a great career move to combine the auditing with IT.

[HappyDayss]

I jumped to IT after i got my CPA license. Didn't go for an IT degree tho. If you can get a job at the bigger firms as an business analyst (big 4, accenture, etc) they will give you the job experience/exposure you need so you probably dont need the extra degree or they might even sponsor your MBA..

Done ^_^

[Anonymous]

@HappyDayss big jump in salary, too after your move to IT?

here in SF, I'd say IT probably make $80-100k starting. it'll take me 4-6 years to make that much in public accounting.

not sure about the career advancement/upward mobility for IT though. seems like there are good increases to CPA salary each year, except along with that, comes more time at work and more stress

[HappyDayss]

There certainly is a jump in salary but its now that significant. I joined with big4 firm to start a new career in IT as a functional consultant (no development, coding, sql, etc.). Im looking forward to quitting here cuz I cant stand the firm contribution activities thats required on top of client work plus all the utilization hours you by have to meet.

starting salary is 60 to 80 most was at 70. The huge salary jump will come after this firm. Many analyst leave after promotion to consultant , which takes 2 years, because of burn out and higher pay offers. My firm is constantly looking for analysts cuz they keep quitting. Best way to get in is through referrals. Career wise, starting at a huge firm is a good move as it helps you find mentors that will teach you the “tricks of the trade”. That combined with on the job training trumps any degree.

As an accountant, i didnt have to deal with too many people. As a consultant, I have to deal with clients (lots of crazies in the mix) which is a different level of stress.

Atleast i don't ever have to go through another year end, audits, pbc lists ever again

in my opinion being functional is advantageous over technical because technical jobs can always be outsourced.

Done ^_^

[numbercruncher123]

Not sure if this was already ask, but is somewhat related to original post. To be an IT auditor, which degree would be most beneficial, MSIT (Masters in IT) or MS ISDS (Masters in Information System Decision Sci)? Btw, both are offered under the college of business fr my university where I got my bachelors in acctg. Thnx

Looking at prev posts, I guess other univ just call it something else… Acctg info sys / mgmt info sys… But when u add MSIT in d mix it becomes a bit too confusing.

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[Samzary2k]

Thank you very much guys, your feedback was helpful.

numbercrunchermaniac, for an IT auditor, I would go for information system. Information system is rather large field, whereas information technology focuses on the technology part of information system. I think in order for an IT auditor, you need to understand the system which involves people, processes, and technology.

FAR-88
AUD-88
REG-88
BEC-05/27

[msgolds]

As an ERP Implementor I make a little bit more than I did as an Auditor, but not much more. What I will say is I find the work WAY more interesting. As an Auditor, you spend most of your time trying to FIND problems, and the rest of your time writing up documentation to support your findings. Being the bearer of bad news became very tedious and disheartening for me after a while.

In ERP Implementation Consulting, your big emphasis is on SOLVING problems. You take the time to learn the client's internal business and accounting processes, and you work with the client to determine how your firm's solution can best accomplish those goals and improve their processes. Sure there is the tedious side to the job too; like when you run across a bug and you spend hours in the test database trying to recreate it and write it up for the developers. But your job satisfaction is so much higher at the end of the day.

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I DID IT!!!!

Using Becker Self-Study

"If we were put here to carry a great weight, then the very things we hate are here to build those muscles."

[whopper]

@Msgolds, do u mind telling me the degree you have that helped you get that job?

REG - 89, 04/29/13
BEC - 81, 08/06/13
FAR - 84, 12/19/13
AUD - 82, 10/05/13

[Author]

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