[LarryBird]

So here’s my story. I graduated in accounting the spring 2012 and will hopefully have the FAR and AUD sections of the CPA exam passed by the end of February. The problem is that I have zero job prospects whatsoever, and I’ve quickly realized that sending online resume’s is the equivalent of writing letters and dropping them into the trash can. I declared accounting my junior year, so being so far behind in credits and accounting classes really prevented me from pursuing an internship while in school. From what I’ve gathered so far, this is the only way to get a decent job, or any job for that matter, in public accounting.

Should I bite the financial bullet and try to get into a good graduate school and finish my masters in accounting? I figure not only will this give me something extra to throw on my resume, but hopefully give me a second chance at the internship. Good idea? Waste of money? Please tell me the fact that I declared accounting a year late isn’t going to resign me to payable jobs the rest of my life!

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of good threads about MAcc degrees: https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/forum/mba-macc

Those should help you a lot in evaluating if a MAcc is a good fit for you. I'm a big supporter of a high-quality MAcc program, but as with everything, its not always the answer.

And no, declaring a major late will not resign you to payable jobs for the rest of your life. (I used to work in college advising with undecided students, and you are definitely not the first person concerned about this).

I did an internal audit internship, and chose to go into industry right away (same employer as my internship). But I had many colleagues that didn't intern with accounting firms, and they accepted offers from the Big 4 and from some of the mid-tier firms. Internships are great, but they aren't the only way to get your foot in the door.

A great MAcc program can help launch your career- just be aware it's not the only option.

[LarryBird]

Thanks. I'll probably take the GMAT and at least see what kind of schools I can get into. I've been researching and I see a lot of the deadlines for fall admissions are in three or four months. Add GMAT study to my AUD schedule. Good, good, good…

[LarryBird]

Thanks. I'll probably take the GMAT and at least see what kind of schools I can get into. I've been researching and I see a lot of the deadlines for fall admissions are in three or four months. Add GMAT study to my AUD schedule. Good, good, good…

[LarryBird]

Ha alright, go ahead send it eight times computer. Hopefully online forum literacy isn't apart of this test.

[Author]

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