[NumberCruncher4lyfe]

Current Dilemma: I am 25 years old and recently graduated from university in Virginia with a BS in Accounting this year. I am interested in going into public accounting and test the waters with auditing. However, it has been months on my job search and have had maybe 3 or 4 accounting firms contact me and after the interviews no offers. I just decided to enroll in the MS in Accounting program from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA to enhance my chances of getting a job. In the meanwhile, I was just offered a job as an accounting clerk for a manufacturing company back home and the controller assures me that this position will help me get some kind of experience as some of the job duties include some operation audits (very light). Should I take the clerk position and use it for experience while I work on my MS in Accounting and then when i’m done with that move to public after having the masters degree? The reason that I am so eager to get the masters now is because a lot of jobs that I see even entry level staff accountant positions prefer someone who has completed the CPA or someone with a masters degree. Also, does the prestige of your school really matter? I’m afraid that since Liberty is not a well-known or even a less respected school that I won’t get hired by any of the big 4’s or any good larger company. Thoughts please!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing useful information.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing useful information.

[zieba]

1. Death

2. Taxes

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

1. Death

2. Taxes

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[NumberCruncher4lyfe]

Thanks for the valued feedback

[NumberCruncher4lyfe]

Thanks for the valued feedback

[Anonymous]

lol

[Anonymous]

lol

[Iron_Victory]

I don't understand why people with a BS in accounting would go get a masters in accounting. What, if anything, does this give you in public accounting?

I would say most of your problem is you have no experience doing taxes or auditing, i.e. no internship. Masters degree won't get you this and an accounting clerk job will not get you this either.

If you want to go get a masters degree only to start that same accounting clerk job you're being offered now, it seems like a good choice.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Iron_Victory]

I don't understand why people with a BS in accounting would go get a masters in accounting. What, if anything, does this give you in public accounting?

I would say most of your problem is you have no experience doing taxes or auditing, i.e. no internship. Masters degree won't get you this and an accounting clerk job will not get you this either.

If you want to go get a masters degree only to start that same accounting clerk job you're being offered now, it seems like a good choice.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[teeteenounouche]

@ NumberCruncher4lyfe, try and get an internship with public accounting while you get your MS. I assume you need the credits for CPA 150 hour requirement. Public accounting firms will not view an accounting clerk job as audit experience no matter what the controller says. Ask her what her background is and how she was able to land a controller position. Not sure about what companies would think about your school but maybe you can talk to the career center and find out which companies recruit there.

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

@ NumberCruncher4lyfe, try and get an internship with public accounting while you get your MS. I assume you need the credits for CPA 150 hour requirement. Public accounting firms will not view an accounting clerk job as audit experience no matter what the controller says. Ask her what her background is and how she was able to land a controller position. Not sure about what companies would think about your school but maybe you can talk to the career center and find out which companies recruit there.

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[MarathonRunner1]

Op, number 1, you have a great attitude. That is one of the most important qualities one could have. Also, You know your circumstances better than anyone else, so I'm sure you will Make the best choice. However, I would recommend pursuing your masters, become part of an on campus accounting club and try to get a position as an officer. Start aggressively applying for jobs your first semester. A lot of top firms like to hire a year in advance. Good Luck. It's a tough journey, but you got this!

AUD: 94 (Nov. 2013)
FAR: 76 (Oct. 2013)
BEC: 79 (Nov. 2012)
REG: 84 (Dec. 2013) It's Mile 26.2, and we finished. Blood, sweat and tears, passion, perseverance, and never giving up, we did it!

California Candidate

[MarathonRunner1]

Op, number 1, you have a great attitude. That is one of the most important qualities one could have. Also, You know your circumstances better than anyone else, so I'm sure you will Make the best choice. However, I would recommend pursuing your masters, become part of an on campus accounting club and try to get a position as an officer. Start aggressively applying for jobs your first semester. A lot of top firms like to hire a year in advance. Good Luck. It's a tough journey, but you got this!

AUD: 94 (Nov. 2013)
FAR: 76 (Oct. 2013)
BEC: 79 (Nov. 2012)
REG: 84 (Dec. 2013) It's Mile 26.2, and we finished. Blood, sweat and tears, passion, perseverance, and never giving up, we did it!

California Candidate

[Iron_Victory]

OP don't listen to these people.

There is no significant ROI on a masters in accountancy.

You will pay for a masters degree and make the same amount of money as people with BS/BA degrees.

You will not solve your issue of being looked over for public accounting positions.

You have no evidence that this school is one that Big 4 recruit from or in fact it is a school carries any weight with any potential future employer.

Being positive is one thing, making uninformed/bad decisions is quite another.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Author]

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