[Small4]

Hello,

Happy New Year to all. Curious, has anyone here pursued an MBT (for tax professionals) or MBA and it significantly was the reason why you moved up? I’m still in the process of completing my CPA educational requirements but have passed all the exams. I want to hear from anyone if you were somewhat “stuck” with “just having a CPA”, or does it really matter to have an MBT or MBA to propel a career?

These masters programs as so expensive and having a family + a job that doesn’t pay for one really makes a person think twice to even pursue it especially if person x already has a CPA and a ton of work experience…im curious if you or anyone you know have experienced that these masters programs were the MAIN reason your career got further..or it was the main stumbling block

Thanks!

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[maxb]

Have mst/cpa …masters degree doesn’t really matter once ur in an organization. If your looking for jobs, it may help. So if your in a job that you don’t see yourself leaving anytime soon, I’d say don’t bother with either. Good luck!

[MIsconnie]

Generally an MBA is sought by experienced employees who want to be put on the management track. For the CPA I would say it could help marginally, but in the accounting profession it doesn't carry as much weight as in other aspects of business. If you like where you are I wouldn't think the benefit is worth the cost. Obviously I am no expert, but have had this same question myself and this is usually the answer I get. A masters in Tax is always a good thing, especially in accounting.

[aaronmo]

One area where either could help mid government; you are at a significant disadvantage looking for govt. jobs with just a CPA. They set standards and salaries on education…the license means squat, which is, of course, utterly insane.

I think a masters in tax is a definite advantage and value add in public and private.

To me, a cpa getting an MBA is like a surgeon getting licensed as a nurse.

[ultrarunner]

I have a CPA and a ton of work experience in private industry, but I didn't have a public accounting experience. Also, I want to work in tax. Pursuing Master in Tax or MBT is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I spent quite a money for sure, but it was worth it. I will start working in public accounting soon.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[ohiocpacma]

I've been in corporate accounting the first three and years of my career and moved over to finance for the past four years. I started my part time MBA a year ago. It's expensive, time consuming, and it is not a guarantee that I will be promoted after completion. I decided to pursue it because I enjoy learning and I'm a strong believer in growing your skills. I've decided to focus on courses in data analytics which has improved reviewing financial statements, forecasting, budgeting, and financial transactions. I think you have to review all the factors before making such a commitment. I probably would not have chosen my specific program without financial aid (ie my spouse works for the university and I get a nice discount).

Also, take the advice from others who have not pursued a graduate degree with a grain of salt. Look out for those who were in a similar situation as you and research it from that angle. I searched out past colleagues who did the same and that largely helped me level my expectations when starting my MBA.

[Anonymous]

MBA is not as highly regarded as it once was. I wouldn't waste my time on that personally. I knew too many idiot MBA's and by the time I was looking into getting one, 10-12 years ago, it was already out of style. To quote one of my old accounting profs (he's CPA and has MS in taxation, etc etc) said to our class, “Anyone today can pay to receive an MBA from any fully accredited online university.” LOL

I think 20-30 years ago it was quite highly regarded, more in line with the CPA. Although the CPA requires nowhere near what other professional certifications do (JD, PhD, MD, etc etc), it continues to be the one to get in the accounting world, so if you have it, you will probably never be unemployed, underemployed, or stuck in any kind of shitty job. You did mention that you're still in the process of completing the CPA educational requirements….how did you get to take the exams if that was the case? Unless you're in a state that doesn't require the same things that most states do? I'm in California, and here they just require a BS degree and X number of business/accounting hours of study. Other states require master's degrees I think?? Anyhow, skip the MBA and now that you've passed the exams, all you really have to do is get the work experience.

[Jen-J]

I've been stuck on deciding on this for years. I have my 150 already from undergrad so I don't have to. I considered a Master's in Tax 6 years ago but I work for a nonprofit and the only local program isn't very good. I'm considering an MBA from the best school in the area (although definitely not top tier or anything), and my company would pay for some of it (my boss's boss is in the program now). I'm having trouble justifying the return on investment and the school's requirement to finish in 5 years, remembering what I went through to get my bachelor's while working more than full time. (Plus, I'm a conflict-avoidant introvert. MBA programs are full of people who eat people like me for lunch. Group projects would be a nightmare.) Right now it's either quit after getting my license to start over at 40 to get that elusive experience in B4 public that everyone seems to care so much about (in which case grad school is off the table), or a master's starting in the fall to invest in trying to move up at my current employer.

[mtaylo24]

I'm starting my part-time MBA in two weeks, not top 10 or anything but pretty decent in my region. Doing it mostly to develop skills, to network, and to possibly move out of Accounting, hopefully a pay bump. Working in industry, it probably will benefit me more than having a CPA. I'm kind of tired of the hoops that you need to jump through in Accounting and being 32 and working industry accounting for the past 7 years at two different places, I'm kind of past the switching to public audit or tax at 50 or 60K and working that ladder, that was never the plan, and now that I think about it, my accounting career was kind of a fail lol. It's only been 4 months, but the CPA actually hasn't done anything for me at this point but get me into this program as a GMAT substitute. Broken promises of what will happen once I pass at my current workplace and had a few interviews but still don't get offers. Even if I get a raise or new job, I'm gonna stick with it and see where it will take me…

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Small4]

@crazyleon Yeah im in CA where the requirement is you need just an BS, i graduated yearssss ago before CA changed their rules in 2014 where i realized i was extremely short on units for licensing (but not for testing) so i got the testing out the way + worked for about a decade. Now im at a cross-road of “im very comfortable where im at” but cant help wonder if there is a bigger fish that is worth it to pursue (granted it will probably definitely reduce work-life balance). I'm sort of the case of having about a decade of both public and private experience but got away with it without having a license (so i'm somewhat older now with license in sight but wondering if a MBT is a must).

its nice to know that there are adults here who provide many insightful replies so appreciate you all. I'm leaning on perhaps just sticking with the license and maybe pursue it much later (if i somehow get another gig that pays for it or at least more than my current situation).

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[Stilgoin]

I have an MBA in accounting. I do not remember anyone with a master’s degree ever saying it was not worth having. The only people I ever hear criticizing post-graduate education are the people who don’t have it. I have seen a lot of people criticize the CPA as well, but just like the education, never anyone who has the designation. I will say having an advanced degree is very beneficial in public accounting. Big business is complicated and a 4 year degree in accounting is not enough to work in public, imo.

B | 62, 78
A | 73, 67, 79
R | 82
F | 59, 59, Waiting

Ethics | 93

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
~Winston Churchill

“In a world full of critics, be an encourager."

[Author]

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