[tsokoberst]

A brief background about me is that I recently passed all parts of the Uniform CPA Exams and now reviewing for CMA Exams. I’m having a hard time on finding a job because I’m inexperienced which hinders me from qualifying in most entry-level jobs(which requires at least a year of experience) and I do not also qualify for internships because I’m not anymore a student(not to mention that I have a bad GPA of 2.88 after being evaluated – my school is from different country).

Does earning an Accounting Certificate especially if it is from UCLA(extension) will help me improve my credentials and increase my chance of setting my foot into the accounting profession as the same as what an MBA degree can do( in which I’m lacking the necessary funds to pursue such a degree)? I can see that employers more easily tend to accommodate resumes that has a “USC” or “UCLA” somewhere in the educational backgrounds. I saw that the Accounting Certificate program tuition is just around $10k and will be a cheaper alternative as compared to 6 digits tuition MBA or MAcc programs.

BTW, here is the link to the program I’m talking( https://www.uclaextension.edu/pages/ProgramDetails.aspx?reg=CF028 )

I’ll gladly appreciate any advise that you can give with regards to my case.

"It's not about the hours you put in, It's about what you put in the hours."

F-94,A-93,R-91,B-88 ->HELL!

PH CPA exam -87.57 -> DEEPER HELL!!

[Anonymous]

If you're aiming for a national accounting firm, you'll have no choice but to go through an accounting program for campus recruiting opportunities. Also, they will not consider you unless you state your GPA on your application/resume. However, if you're seeking opportunities with smaller firms, you're already equipped to do so. Just search for networking events that your target firms will be attending.

CPA > MAcc degree only in the event that you have the work experience. Sometimes, a firm's desired qualifications can be a bit vague. For example, I have friends that have passed the CPA exam with flying colors with several years of private accounting experience, but public accounting firms did not extend them a job offer. FYI I attend one of the prestigious accounting programs you named.

[Anonymous]

If you're aiming for a national accounting firm, you'll have no choice but to go through an accounting program for campus recruiting opportunities. Also, they will not consider you unless you state your GPA on your application/resume. However, if you're seeking opportunities with smaller firms, you're already equipped to do so. Just search for networking events that your target firms will be attending.

CPA > MAcc degree only in the event that you have the work experience. Sometimes, a firm's desired qualifications can be a bit vague. For example, I have friends that have passed the CPA exam with flying colors with several years of private accounting experience, but public accounting firms did not extend them a job offer. FYI I attend one of the prestigious accounting programs you named.

[tsokoberst]

@agentgforce: thanks mate. Hopefully, someone will call. I'm also hoping that calls will come after busy season.

"It's not about the hours you put in, It's about what you put in the hours."

F-94,A-93,R-91,B-88 ->HELL!

PH CPA exam -87.57 -> DEEPER HELL!!

[tsokoberst]

@agentgforce: thanks mate. Hopefully, someone will call. I'm also hoping that calls will come after busy season.

"It's not about the hours you put in, It's about what you put in the hours."

F-94,A-93,R-91,B-88 ->HELL!

PH CPA exam -87.57 -> DEEPER HELL!!

[Tncincy]

@agentgforce,

so are you saying that passing the cpa exam does not make a difference to some public firms? so what do you have to do to get a position in a public firm?

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

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

[Tncincy]

@agentgforce,

so are you saying that passing the cpa exam does not make a difference to some public firms? so what do you have to do to get a position in a public firm?

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

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

[tsokoberst]

@tncincy: I can feel what he agentgforce said. I haven't received any phonecalls or interviews since I have started submitting my resumes after I pass the CPA Exams. I'm hoping that it is so just because of the busy season and hopefully they will start checking my resume after April 15 – I'm beginning to think that the value of passing the exams is not as high as I expected.(fingers crossed) 😐

"It's not about the hours you put in, It's about what you put in the hours."

F-94,A-93,R-91,B-88 ->HELL!

PH CPA exam -87.57 -> DEEPER HELL!!

[tsokoberst]

@tncincy: I can feel what he agentgforce said. I haven't received any phonecalls or interviews since I have started submitting my resumes after I pass the CPA Exams. I'm hoping that it is so just because of the busy season and hopefully they will start checking my resume after April 15 – I'm beginning to think that the value of passing the exams is not as high as I expected.(fingers crossed) 😐

"It's not about the hours you put in, It's about what you put in the hours."

F-94,A-93,R-91,B-88 ->HELL!

PH CPA exam -87.57 -> DEEPER HELL!!

[Anonymous]

Passing the exams in itself doesn't necessarily lead to a job offer. Especially with larger firms, it's basically an expectation you pass within a certain time-frame after you start, regardless. If you pass before you start work, it gives yourself a leg-up to focus on your career, rather than having to study every night after you get home at night. That's why I'm stacking on the CPA review on top of my immense graduate course-load. The way I see it is it's still not as brutal as working and studying.

In terms of finding a position in public accounting, I would say a reputable graduate degree would open up the most opportunities. A certificate only gives you the necessary units to sit for the CPA exam.

With all that said, based on your constraints, I advise checking out Santa Clara University's CAAP (Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency). I did some research on it in the past and it seems like SCU has the best value for people looking to break into public accounting (people like you with international degrees, people with non-business undergraduate degrees, career-changers). Although the SCU certificate is more costly than the average certificate, they provide ample recruitment opportunities. From what I've seen, people coming from that program do well in placing with CPA firms. SCU's accounting department is high-quality, you can't go wrong. After starting my graduate program, I wondered to myself if I made the right choice to make such a large investment for a MAcc degree and whether I should've gotten the SCU certificate, instead. This route is the most cost-effective in achieving your objective, but I realized this year after going through my program that it also a lot of intangible long-term value (more than job placement, e.g.: strong alumni/professional network, reputation, etc). A full graduate degree is a huge upfront cost, but I believe it's worth every penny if you fully utilize it. Ultimately, your education and how much you want to put in/get out of it is up to you.

Here is the link to check them out: https://www.scu.edu/business/caap/

Finally, the number one skill firms are looking for when networking/interviewing with a candidate is their personability. Interpersonal communication is key. When considering you, they assume your intelligence and technical skills are sufficient based on your academic performance. To be honest, sometimes displaying social skill is more difficult than technical knowledge, especially when you're competing against thousands of other applicants.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Passing the exams in itself doesn't necessarily lead to a job offer. Especially with larger firms, it's basically an expectation you pass within a certain time-frame after you start, regardless. If you pass before you start work, it gives yourself a leg-up to focus on your career, rather than having to study every night after you get home at night. That's why I'm stacking on the CPA review on top of my immense graduate course-load. The way I see it is it's still not as brutal as working and studying.

In terms of finding a position in public accounting, I would say a reputable graduate degree would open up the most opportunities. A certificate only gives you the necessary units to sit for the CPA exam.

With all that said, based on your constraints, I advise checking out Santa Clara University's CAAP (Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency). I did some research on it in the past and it seems like SCU has the best value for people looking to break into public accounting (people like you with international degrees, people with non-business undergraduate degrees, career-changers). Although the SCU certificate is more costly than the average certificate, they provide ample recruitment opportunities. From what I've seen, people coming from that program do well in placing with CPA firms. SCU's accounting department is high-quality, you can't go wrong. After starting my graduate program, I wondered to myself if I made the right choice to make such a large investment for a MAcc degree and whether I should've gotten the SCU certificate, instead. This route is the most cost-effective in achieving your objective, but I realized this year after going through my program that it also a lot of intangible long-term value (more than job placement, e.g.: strong alumni/professional network, reputation, etc). A full graduate degree is a huge upfront cost, but I believe it's worth every penny if you fully utilize it. Ultimately, your education and how much you want to put in/get out of it is up to you.

Here is the link to check them out: https://www.scu.edu/business/caap/

Finally, the number one skill firms are looking for when networking/interviewing with a candidate is their personability. Interpersonal communication is key. When considering you, they assume your intelligence and technical skills are sufficient based on your academic performance. To be honest, sometimes displaying social skill is more difficult than technical knowledge, especially when you're competing against thousands of other applicants.

Best of luck!

[tsgil]

All – I came across this thread as I am considering or at least looking at a Certificate Program in Accounting so I could sit for my CPA. I have a Master's of Public Health (wish I had done a MBA) which has served me pretty well focusing on healthcare administration. Currently, I am the CFO of a department within a large health system – took several finance and accounting courses in grad school with a Biology undergrad degree. After meeting with the HealthSystem CFO last week I feel that having a CPA could provide not only valuable skill and knowledge but also legitimacy in the world of hospital finance.

It sounds like people have a variety of thoughts surrounding the Certificate program. I would love to just get my Master's in Finance or a MBA but I don't want to take on the additional debt. Are these certificate programs even worth looking at or should I just get my MBA?

Thanks for the advice.

[tsgil]

All – I came across this thread as I am considering or at least looking at a Certificate Program in Accounting so I could sit for my CPA. I have a Master's of Public Health (wish I had done a MBA) which has served me pretty well focusing on healthcare administration. Currently, I am the CFO of a department within a large health system – took several finance and accounting courses in grad school with a Biology undergrad degree. After meeting with the HealthSystem CFO last week I feel that having a CPA could provide not only valuable skill and knowledge but also legitimacy in the world of hospital finance.

It sounds like people have a variety of thoughts surrounding the Certificate program. I would love to just get my Master's in Finance or a MBA but I don't want to take on the additional debt. Are these certificate programs even worth looking at or should I just get my MBA?

Thanks for the advice.

[Author]

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