[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

I am career switcher who will be attending a MACC/MSA program next Fall (2014), and I was hoping I could get some information from those who’ve been in similar experiences, or have seen the experiences.

A bit of background:

from ages 19 to 23, I did part-time/full-time work in retail while also completing community college pre-requisites part-time to transfer to a 4-year University. I was a Tech Lead and Warehouse Lead at a few different jobs, so the work was good experience for someone at my age who hadn’t earned a degree yet. From ages 24-27, I transferred to CSUF and completed my BA in Business Administration, Marketing with an unspectacular, yet respectable, 3.3 GPA.

Unfortunately, After 8 months of a Marketing internship after graduation, I had learned I didn’t enjoy the field and employment prospects weren’t very good. Fortunately, a family member was able to get me a job doing health administration in small-mid size Podiatry Office. While the Health Administration route isn’t what I’m looking for, I’m thankful for the job during this time until the MS Accounting programs begin in August 2014. The GMAT has been taken and my applications are already in for my targets for 2014 (SDSU, CSUF, possibly USD).

Goals for the program:

* Obtain necessary knowledge/credits needed for exams. (CPA)

* Participate in accounting related internships and events at school (VITA, Accounting Societies and Fraternities)

* Obtain entry-level position in either public,private, or governmental accounting

* Enjoy the Program 🙂

So, my questions:

1. The goal leaving this program will be to acquire an entry-level accounting position. I understand these (many) MS Accounting programs are geared to prepare those without undergraduate degrees in accounting. If this is the case, does this mean recruiters/employers view the career changers in the program much like they would undergraduate Accounting students for entry level positions?

In other words, will my past unrelated (and a bit spotty) work history negatively affect me, or do the recruiters care more about my MSA GPA, Graduate Accounting internships, and if they like me?

2. I am 29 years old, and will be just turning 31 when I graduate in Fall 2015. While I know they can’t ask my age, I’m sure they’d see it sooner or later. Should I be concerned about ageism for acquiring a Public, Private, Government entry position at my age?

3. MSA/MACC GPA: Outside of Financial And Managerial Accounting, I don’t have an Accounting GPA to really stand by as I’m a newcomer to the field. I would assume that my MSA/MACC GPA will be my chance to prove myself again to recruiters for internships and entry-level employment?

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I’m definitely looking for all the guidance I can get at this stage. Thank you.

[W_HAMILTON]

1. I always thought that master's degrees in accounting were geared more towards those that were undergraduate accounting majors; I was an undergraduate major in accounting, and I know my master's program consisted of classes that I had never taken before, all in advanced accounting subjects (outside of ethics, which I was somewhat familiar with).

2. I wouldn't be worried about ageism in private or governmental positions; public accounting with a larger firm is more worrisome, but I was hired by a Big 4 firm when I was your age and I wasn't even the oldest in my class apparently. So, you definitely can get hired for an entry level position in public accounting even at your age.

3. Yes, don't $@&# up your master's GPA 🙂 You can look at it as a clean slate. If you have a really great master's GPA, your undergraduate GPA will be looked at as an afterthought. Speaking of which, a 3.3 is good, but to really stand out, you probably want a higher GPA.

REG - 93 (7/30/13)
BEC - 90 (8/19/13)
AUD - 98 (8/31/13)
FAR - 84 (10/19/13)

[W_HAMILTON]

1. I always thought that master's degrees in accounting were geared more towards those that were undergraduate accounting majors; I was an undergraduate major in accounting, and I know my master's program consisted of classes that I had never taken before, all in advanced accounting subjects (outside of ethics, which I was somewhat familiar with).

2. I wouldn't be worried about ageism in private or governmental positions; public accounting with a larger firm is more worrisome, but I was hired by a Big 4 firm when I was your age and I wasn't even the oldest in my class apparently. So, you definitely can get hired for an entry level position in public accounting even at your age.

3. Yes, don't $@&# up your master's GPA 🙂 You can look at it as a clean slate. If you have a really great master's GPA, your undergraduate GPA will be looked at as an afterthought. Speaking of which, a 3.3 is good, but to really stand out, you probably want a higher GPA.

REG - 93 (7/30/13)
BEC - 90 (8/19/13)
AUD - 98 (8/31/13)
FAR - 84 (10/19/13)

[Anonymous]

brandonreal- Your post reads like you are beating yourself up. Don't be so hard on yourself. First, your 3.3 undergrad GPA is good. Second, lots of people who go for a master's in accounting have various undergraduate degrees. Your business marketing undergrad flows well into an accounting program. My undergrad was a BBA in management so I had to take a ton of accounting prerequisite classes before getting my master's in accounting. Looking back, I'm glad I did that because all of my accounting classes were fresh before taking the CPA exams.

Your goals look good. My only advice is to take advantage of campus recruiting and networking events. All of your fellow accounting students will also look for jobs and they may help you out. Also, your master's program will have younger and older people, so age does not matter. Lots of people go back to school after a few years.

Lastly, you will have an advantage with a master's degree, especially if you become a CPA. Your master's GPA will take precedence over your undergrad. Lots of opportunities will open up after you graduate. You're taking big steps towards an exciting time in your life. Good luck and enjoy it. =)

[Anonymous]

brandonreal- Your post reads like you are beating yourself up. Don't be so hard on yourself. First, your 3.3 undergrad GPA is good. Second, lots of people who go for a master's in accounting have various undergraduate degrees. Your business marketing undergrad flows well into an accounting program. My undergrad was a BBA in management so I had to take a ton of accounting prerequisite classes before getting my master's in accounting. Looking back, I'm glad I did that because all of my accounting classes were fresh before taking the CPA exams.

Your goals look good. My only advice is to take advantage of campus recruiting and networking events. All of your fellow accounting students will also look for jobs and they may help you out. Also, your master's program will have younger and older people, so age does not matter. Lots of people go back to school after a few years.

Lastly, you will have an advantage with a master's degree, especially if you become a CPA. Your master's GPA will take precedence over your undergrad. Lots of opportunities will open up after you graduate. You're taking big steps towards an exciting time in your life. Good luck and enjoy it. =)

[Anonymous]

Thank you both for the insight! It has been very helpful.

W_Ham – Yes, I should have clarified better. The MSA programs are definitely geared for those extra accounting units for the CPA exam. “Geared toward those without undergrad accounting” was probably the wrong way to put it. A better way to say it is that the programs welcome those without the undergraduate accounting degree. From what I've gathered from AdComs, as long as I have the necessary GPA and GMAT I can gain acceptance, but will be spending an extra semester or so doing the upper level accounting courses (Intermediate, Federal Taxation, etc). 🙂

ausiaf – Thanks for the nice bode of confidence and positive outlook. 🙂 Yes, perhaps I take a bit of a negative tone that I don't quite recognize. I think after working hard during my undergraduate degree and working hard on the GMAT, I didn't quite expect so much uncertainty, so the last two years have let me a bit stunned and unsettled. But honestly, it is great to hear there's others who've taken this walk as well successfully. I've heard 90% of entry-level positions come from on-campus recruiting, so I will certainly be at every event I can attend. I will certainly enjoy my time with these new life decisions as well! 🙂

Do you guys have any opinions on attempting internships now well before the program? Tax is the specialization I'm looking to choose, and a tax internship would be nice, although it would require me to leave the job I'm at it. Would it be that much more beneficial for me now, or should I just wait for the program to begin and stick with my current job?

[Anonymous]

Thank you both for the insight! It has been very helpful.

W_Ham – Yes, I should have clarified better. The MSA programs are definitely geared for those extra accounting units for the CPA exam. “Geared toward those without undergrad accounting” was probably the wrong way to put it. A better way to say it is that the programs welcome those without the undergraduate accounting degree. From what I've gathered from AdComs, as long as I have the necessary GPA and GMAT I can gain acceptance, but will be spending an extra semester or so doing the upper level accounting courses (Intermediate, Federal Taxation, etc). 🙂

ausiaf – Thanks for the nice bode of confidence and positive outlook. 🙂 Yes, perhaps I take a bit of a negative tone that I don't quite recognize. I think after working hard during my undergraduate degree and working hard on the GMAT, I didn't quite expect so much uncertainty, so the last two years have let me a bit stunned and unsettled. But honestly, it is great to hear there's others who've taken this walk as well successfully. I've heard 90% of entry-level positions come from on-campus recruiting, so I will certainly be at every event I can attend. I will certainly enjoy my time with these new life decisions as well! 🙂

Do you guys have any opinions on attempting internships now well before the program? Tax is the specialization I'm looking to choose, and a tax internship would be nice, although it would require me to leave the job I'm at it. Would it be that much more beneficial for me now, or should I just wait for the program to begin and stick with my current job?

[Anonymous]

I would say stick with your current job. I don't see any advantage to doing the tax internship before starting your master's program (unless it would help you look better for the admissions process). An internship would be helpful towards the middle or end of your master's program so that it would hopefully turn into a job when you graduate. If nothing, the internship would build connections and count towards your experience requirement for the CPA exam.

[Anonymous]

I would say stick with your current job. I don't see any advantage to doing the tax internship before starting your master's program (unless it would help you look better for the admissions process). An internship would be helpful towards the middle or end of your master's program so that it would hopefully turn into a job when you graduate. If nothing, the internship would build connections and count towards your experience requirement for the CPA exam.

[Author]

Replies