[Hammer]

Any young CPA’s out there that have successfully jumped from public to the classroom? I feel a strong calling to become a professor someday, but not quite ready to jump in full-time.

Any advice for landing an adjunct role after passing the exam and still work full time in public? Do I need a master’s degree? How can I get my feet wet if I have no teaching experience? I want to try part time first before deciding if a PhD is in my future.

FAR - 70, 81
AUD - 83
BEC - 77
REG - 70, 78

Licensed in Ohio.

Now what the hell do I do?

[Anonymous]

Depending on the college/university, some will require a Master's and some a Doctor's, but I think only a few community colleges will allow professors to have Bachelor's-only. So, basically, Master's will be required, quite possibly with a certain number of credits in accounting.

That being said, the main accounting professor at the college I work at (I'm staff, not professor) is also a practicing CPA in town. She ran her own accounting practice for many years before she started teaching a couple classes, and now is the Department Chair of the Business Department (as well as still running her accounting practice in town). She started teaching at the college long before I was around to know what exactly that transition looked like for her, but she did do it. I know she now has a Doctorate, but not sure if she did when she started teaching.

For reference, here's a current job posting for a part-time accounting instructor at the college I work at: https://unionky.edu/sites/default/files/public/downloads/Adjuncts-Accounting%2012%208%2014.pdf My boss (the CFO) has an MBA and has taught a couple Business courses in the past. I'd like to try teaching a class or two after I get a Master's, but haven't done so yet. Additional reference – here's a local community/technical college posting for adjuncts in business fields: https://careers.kctcs.edu/job-details?jobID=9722&job=adjunct-faculty-business-and-professional-services&collection=true Looks like the community/technical college would allow a CPA with a Bachelor's, but the 4-year college I work at would require a Master's or equivalent graduate hours. I expect colleges in other parts of the country are stricter with their requirements, too.

[EuroAddict]

Don't most states require a masters to be able to sit for the CPA?

The college I attended is really well known for accounting/finance. A few of my accounting professors have are phd and CPA. A few had JD and CPA. Those that just had CPA's also have their own practice.

CPA and experience is what will get your foot in the door.

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BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[Anonymous]

Generally you will not be working full time in public while teaching. That is a pipe dream. Although you may be able TH work a flex time at your firm (be paid less but have spring term off). If you don't have a masters and just want to try teaching out, I'd think community college would be your best bet.

[Mayo]

“Any advice for landing an adjunct role after passing the exam and still work full time in public?”

Nope. That cannot be done unless you switch to part time in public.

“Do I need a master's degree? How can I get my feet wet if I have no teaching experience? I want to try part time first before deciding if a PhD is in my future.”

I've never seen a position that requires only a Bachelor's. Normally a Master's is the minimum to be a lecturer. Also, first year lecturer's/adjunct will be paid less than most first year public accounting jobs. That is, unless you have some kind of very interesting specialty that you can leverage real world experience from.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

“Any advice for landing an adjunct role after passing the exam and still work full time in public?”

Nope. That cannot be done unless you switch to part time in public.

“Do I need a master's degree? How can I get my feet wet if I have no teaching experience? I want to try part time first before deciding if a PhD is in my future.”

I've never seen a position that requires only a Bachelor's. Normally a Master's is the minimum to be a lecturer. Also, first year lecturer's/adjunct will be paid less than most first year public accounting jobs. That is, unless you have some kind of very interesting specialty that you can leverage real world experience from. But that normally requires a good amount of years in the field.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

Working as an adjunct while working full-time *can* be done. Online classes offer more flexibility for professor as well as student, but usually require prior teaching experience. Teaching a face-to-face evening class (specifically for fall semester, which is usually off-season for public) may be a good stepping-stone to not disrupt your work day but still get your foot in the door for teaching. I doubt many public accounting firms would be friendly to having you leave for 2 hours 2-3 days a week in the middle of the day to go teach a class, but something in the evening or at a job with a high level of flexibility may be an option. Not for all public accounting jobs, but some.

[Mayo]

@Lilla, I guess we have very different experiences in public. For me, especially in busy season, any kind of gig that requires as much time in teaching, preparing, and grading as a lecturer does would be impossible without switching to a flex/part time schedule.

So I think it depends on your role, but for the most part working at a medium-large firm, it's hard for me to imagine having the time to do so. Personally, I'd think that neither your firm or your class is getting your full focus.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

That's why I said not for all, but for some. For in-person classes, I'd think it would have to be off-season. So, for taxes, you could probably teach a class in the Fall semester. However, for online, you could probably teach a class with a day of work per week at most, so could get a day worth of hours over the weekend (I know weekends are still working days, but often shorter on at least one of the days). Ideal situation? No. Wouldn't work with some employers, even doing it on the weekends, or with some colleges that would require more week-round involvement. But, the professors I had for online classes (I've been involved with 4 different colleges' online classes – 3 as a student, 1 as an administrator) could've been working in public at the same time. Grading usually happened once a week, and other instructor involvement was usually minimal throughout the week and more on a certain day or day(s). So, for example, a professor might've looked like they spent 1-2 hours answering questions on Blackboard Wednesday afternoon, then disappeared till Sunday when they'd turn in grades and answer more questions or answer in more detail. Not necessarily a good situation for the students, but could be done if necessary to get one's feet wet.

[Thrawn]

You can technically teach associates level courses with only a bachelors degree, but the school may have a more stringent policy.

BEC 87 Feb 14
REG 84 Apr 14
FAR 82 Nov 14
AUD 86 Feb 15

[Author]

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