[snoordin]

I recently passed all of my exams (THANK GOD!!!) and can finally begin to think ahead for myself and what to do next. I thought about law school as a lot of others have. However, once I began reading up on it, I realized that it is NOT a good idea to take on all that debt without really getting much of a return. This leads me to my next question…what about a CMA or a CIA certification (or both)? Are these worth it and should I pursue them? I am currently working at a corporate office with diversified commercial real estate investments as the Controller. Would love some advice and any general thoughts. Thanks!

AUD - 81 - 08/29/2014
BEC - 84 - 12/10/2013
FAR - 81 - 02/28/2015
REG - 86 - 08/26/2013

[Thrawn]

You have to ask, what do you want to do? You are a controller but just finished the CPA exam and decided not to go to law school due to RoI. A certification is useless if it is unrelated to your career goals. So you have to decide, what do you want to do, where do you want to be, and what helps you achieve that goal?

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

[Tncincy]

@Thrawn, really good answer. Sometimes we get caught up in certifications and extra degrees with no purpose, only to re-live the sense of accomplishment by taking more tests and taking more classes,and changing careers on paper. It takes time to really think about what we are trying to do, and be and what will I accomplish when it's all done…including the rol.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[fsugirl2005]

I agree with what the others have said. Figure out what you want to do. But frankly, you're either one of two things. You are either grossly insecure and constantly have to proof yourself or you are just bored. I noticed in the past that when I had extra time or was stuck in a rut, I thought about furthering my education in something else. It passes believe me.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[LongShot]

I like this question, because I've thought about the same thing. I currently work for a bank and really have no way up other than waiting for people to retire (my boss is the controller and my boss' boss is the CFO). I've thought about either/both the CMA and the CFE. From what I've heard, the CFE's basically just resume-filler. Not sure about CMA though-sounds nice on paper, but in practice I'm not sure anyone at work would care (I don't think my boss has any certifications, is just really, really good at the job). About the only thing I can think of that might actually give me a good shot at snagging a promotion when people start retiring is an IT-related certification. I'm definitely way better than the average person at IT stuff, but am basically retarded compared to an actual IT person so not sure if I should pursue that.

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[Mayo]

“I am currently working at a corporate office with diversified commercial real estate investments as the Controller. Would love some advice and any general thoughts. Thanks!”

Advice:

1.) Have a career goal instead of just posting random threads in A71

2.) Work towards that goal

3.) Profit

Not that complicated. I mean..you're in real estate…what the hell is a CMA/CIA going to do for you in that industry? Seems like a not well thought out question to me…

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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