[Anonymous]

I am currently USAF stationed overseas and looking to go for a online MSA/MAcc. My top choice as I am from California is CSUS, does anyone have any experience with their online program? I have a BS in management, thus I am limited to schools with minimum prerequisites or try and go get into a program that allows completion of the prerequisites through them. Stetson, SUNY Utica/Rome and UCONN are good program as well, however, they require a lot of prerequisites which cannot be completed through them. Let me know what you guys think?

[tough_kitty]

As far as I know, no one ever questioned quality of CSUS because they are accredited and they've been around forever. Some employers don't even realize the MSA program is entirely online because it wouldn't show on your transcript. But the program is differently funded so not sure if you'd get a military discount.

CSUS has on campus hiring events and all CPA firms from Sac area hire CSUS graduates. Some big 4 firms even hire for their bay area locations.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think experience is more valuable than the accredation of the school. I've never been asked where I got my accounting degree (in fact, I don't have an accounting degree…I have a degree in Construction Management then went back to school to get enough credits to write the CPA exam).

I was hired for this position because I have experience in HR, know how to complete a WIP report, know what a SOV is and what they are used for, know how to fill out a Form 702/703, etc.

If you can get experience, even if it's at your local tax outreach office on the base, you'll be doing yourself a huge favor. The biggest disservice anyone can do is it not have any experience whatsover and try to land a “good” job.

This site has some good info: http://www.CompetencyCrisis.org “Companies are seeing a record number of applicants with basic skills, but there is a dearth in the proficiencies needed to lead teams and drive business forward. This lack of highly-skilled labor is making it nearly impossible to fill key accounting positions inside organizations, hampering performance, growth, and economic expansion. And it all starts with accountants.”

Good luck!

[Study Monk]

I think after I pass my CPA exams I am going to get Quickbooks and Sage certified. I know its probably a cash cow for these companies, but I think pairing the accounting proficiency demonstrated by passing the CPA exam with practical software knowledge might be a good way to get that first accounting job.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

Studymonk~

I was Sage certified but found that there was not enough work using the software to hone my skills and pay for the program (est $500/year). QuickBooks on the other hand…after 4 hours of “consulting”, I walked out with an additional $100 in my pocket (I know, I'm working cheap…but it's more of a favor that I can fit into my schedule rather than a money making venture. I just need to pay for the software at approx $500/year).

[Study Monk]

@ CPA_AnyDayNow

Thanks for the advice. I read an article that I forgot to bookmark that said that about 23% of the software expertise that is requested on job posting was Quickbooks and Sage was 8%. I through Sage in there because I like the idea of working for a slightly larger company. That being said I didn't really think about the yearly costs of having both so Quickbooks it will be:) Thanks again!

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[jferguson0000]

Study Monk

I have a BS Accountancy degree from CSUS and I think that it has a good reputation, at least in the Sacramento area. As the area is grows the program is becoming more and more impacted which drives up the demand, which is good. Also, I have heard good things about the MSA program, and I think it holds more weight than one of the private schools. I would say that employers are most interested in a CPA license anyway so anything else is really icing on the cake.

You mentioned earlier that because you are taking CPAExcel you don't have to worry about units. Are you talking about the new 150 unit rule?

AUD - 81(5/29/13)
BEC - 76(10/13/13)
FAR - 70(4/1/13), 68(7/2/13), 81(2/28/14)
REG - 65(5/30/14), 73(8/31/14), 83(10/8/14) DONE!!!

[Study Monk]

@jferguson0000

I have more than 150 units but will now need an addition 6 units of accounting classes and 6 units of ethics requirements. It looks like the cpaexcel business law class and auditing will cover the ethics. I am taking cpaexcel tax 1 and 2 for the accounting units. I will begin looking for work after I knock out a couple exams and if I can't find anything by August I will definitely get the masters. I will not go back to retail even if I have to attain a masters, mba, cma, quickbook accreditation, and a soul to get a job. I will sell everything I own if I have to.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[jferguson0000]

Just keep looking, you'll find something. Just saying that your sitting for the exam on your resume should help you. Good Luck!

So I am a few units short of the 150, I was planning on taking just any class at the JC. Are you talking about the cpaexcel review course? They offer accredited units that the state will accept?

AUD - 81(5/29/13)
BEC - 76(10/13/13)
FAR - 70(4/1/13), 68(7/2/13), 81(2/28/14)
REG - 65(5/30/14), 73(8/31/14), 83(10/8/14) DONE!!!

[Study Monk]

When I found out about the new educational requirements in CA I was so discouraged and then I found this…

https://una.cpaexcel.com/papp/enroll.html

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

So.I got into CSU Sacramento for the upcoming fall semester. I'm pretty excited about the program and appreciate the information about it, is there anything else that anyone would like to share useful for going into the program? Thanks to all who have helped me make this decision!

[Anonymous]

So I was wondering if anyone would be able to provide me some information about the final capstone course associated with the CSUS MSA program. The course is ACCY501: Culminating Experience Project in ACCY & Ethics. This sounds like a normal capstone course, but the word project kind of throws me off a little. Can anyone provide me some more information possibly?

[Anonymous]

@ 4eyelove

I guess we are in the same cohort. I was at the orientation that they had a couple of months ago. The professor for 501 was there. She said that it would be some kind of group project, but to be honest I think she still isn't sure. They are still trying to figure out how to approach the new curriculum. Since that class is still 13 months off she probably doesn't have much planned yet. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information. Yea that makes sense I wish that I would have been able to make it to the orientation it would have been nice. Are you taking ACCY/250 right now then CSUS2015?

[ahugemistake]

CSUS grad here. I only did the undergrad accounting program but I have a very good feel for the school, professors, and the courses. I know a lot of the professors that taught the undergrad program are also going to be teaching the grad classes. It's a very good program and they take pride in it being fully online.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone,

I recently completed MSA from Sac State, have non-Accounting/Finance background and am a CPA aspirant.

As per the new California CPA licensing requirements, a MS in Accounting qualifies to fulfill the extra 20 semester units of Accounting Study requirements, but a MBA in Accounting does not. The Sac State MSA degree reads MS in Business Administration (Accountancy).

Can anyone with a similar academic background and with a Sac State MSA degree let me know if the way this degree reads will come in the way of attaining the California CPA license?

TIA.

[Author]

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