[Anonymous]

I am doing some research and I plan to kick this CPA exam’s A$$!!!!! I’m PI$$ED and am ready to make mince-meat of the AICPA.

But, I was wondering if anyone has any input as far as whether or not to go for an MBA as well and maybe a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) after that? I don’t need additional education for the CPA, but I am wondering about these additional educational programs and whether or not they would be instrumental in getting into an executive level position quicker.

Does anyone have a DBA on here? If so, did opportunities change a lot for you once it was completed?

[CPA soon]

Lolll I don't think you have any idea what you got yourself into 😀 I'd worry about the MBA and DBA later. You shouldn't consider and MBA if you don't have at least 2 years experience in the business world and probably at least 5 years before considering a DBA. Otherwise you will not get the benefit you need out of it. Pllus find a job that will pay for those degrees, it's not worth paying out of pocket. Just my 2 cents.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[CPA soon]

Lolll I don't think you have any idea what you got yourself into 😀 I'd worry about the MBA and DBA later. You shouldn't consider and MBA if you don't have at least 2 years experience in the business world and probably at least 5 years before considering a DBA. Otherwise you will not get the benefit you need out of it. Pllus find a job that will pay for those degrees, it's not worth paying out of pocket. Just my 2 cents.

FAR - 71, 68, 74, (8/31/14) 78 ✔
REG - 67, 71, 71, (10/18/14) 78 ✔
BEC - (11/29/14) 86 ✔
AUD - 73, (4/4/15) 86 ✔

I can't believe this is over! 2 years and 3 months..

[Anonymous]

Oh! No, no, no, no, no……I meant AFTER getting the CPA buttoned up…..I'm thinking long term…..DEFINTELY not at the same time…..I may be crazy, but I'm not THAT crazy!

[Anonymous]

Oh! No, no, no, no, no……I meant AFTER getting the CPA buttoned up…..I'm thinking long term…..DEFINTELY not at the same time…..I may be crazy, but I'm not THAT crazy!

[How many letters do you need]

I would say an MBA is mandatory if you want to be a CFO or any position that would be overseeing a controller. If your aspirations are controller you don't need the MBA but it will help you steer away from the coke bottle glasses accountant stereotype that can hurt you a little bit nowadays. Most companies nowadays want their controllers to have a firm grasp of accounting (obviously) but also be a business partner to an extent, which is where the MBA comes in handy. A DBA is really only helpful if you want to teach one day, want to consult one day, or just want it so you can make people call you doctor (like me). It can also have a slightly negative connotation though, some may see you as not “real world” enough, at least until you also have a decade of experience +.

All that said, all of these things will help open doors, which could lead to quicker advancement but it's always the experience that's going to get you there; these things may just give you opportunities you may not have had otherwise…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

I would say an MBA is mandatory if you want to be a CFO or any position that would be overseeing a controller. If your aspirations are controller you don't need the MBA but it will help you steer away from the coke bottle glasses accountant stereotype that can hurt you a little bit nowadays. Most companies nowadays want their controllers to have a firm grasp of accounting (obviously) but also be a business partner to an extent, which is where the MBA comes in handy. A DBA is really only helpful if you want to teach one day, want to consult one day, or just want it so you can make people call you doctor (like me). It can also have a slightly negative connotation though, some may see you as not “real world” enough, at least until you also have a decade of experience +.

All that said, all of these things will help open doors, which could lead to quicker advancement but it's always the experience that's going to get you there; these things may just give you opportunities you may not have had otherwise…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[M.O.D.]

Just curious, which universities offer a DBA?

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

Just curious, which universities offer a DBA?

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

I haven't looked into it a whole lot yet as far as universities that offer it, but I know University of Phoenix does.

[Anonymous]

I haven't looked into it a whole lot yet as far as universities that offer it, but I know University of Phoenix does.

[jeff]

Three letters to consider when looking at three more letters:

R.O.I.

[jeff]

Three letters to consider when looking at three more letters:

R.O.I.

[How many letters do you need]

There are a few. I'm in CA and I know a lot of the UCs do. The trick for a lot of people is getting in. Only one school I've ever heard of offers a part time program; it's fully accredited and all that jazz but probably not considered the best school. I checked into the one at UCI a while back, they had one with concentration in Finance but they only had 6 spots per year full ride if you teach part time. It's pretty much an all or nothing type of thing. Still, if you have the academic chops to get in I would think it would be an interesting ride

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

There are a few. I'm in CA and I know a lot of the UCs do. The trick for a lot of people is getting in. Only one school I've ever heard of offers a part time program; it's fully accredited and all that jazz but probably not considered the best school. I checked into the one at UCI a while back, they had one with concentration in Finance but they only had 6 spots per year full ride if you teach part time. It's pretty much an all or nothing type of thing. Still, if you have the academic chops to get in I would think it would be an interesting ride

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

Jeff: I agree completely. I think most MBAs offer an ROI, most DBAs probably do not, the DBA is more about academic achievement for most

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Author]

Replies