[Anonymous]

Just wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on getting a joint MBA and MAcc degree? I am especially interested in the marketability (to whom would I be most valuable and what types of jobs can I expect to be best qualified for etc). After having done Accounting in undergrad, I do not think I want to “do accounting” type of work only, however I realize that those types of skills are much more marketable, and would do them if I thought it could lead to something else (I liked the finance aspect that I learned while taking accounting courses much more). The MBA is only another handful of courses and would not cost too much more than just a MAcc on its own.

[fuzyfro89]

I'm assuming you need more than your undergrad to get the 150 credits to be CPA eligible?

So, you are looking to get a grad degree, Macc, MBA, or both.

Ignoring the whole issue of MBA rank and all that jazz…

1) I believe that the MBA is only useful to advance your career AFTER you spend a few years working full time and want to either switch industries/roles or want to enhance your management capabilities (or perceived capabilities).

You CAN get an MBA straight out of undergrad, but it's basically a factory degree. It's not an MBA in the traditional sense of a degree that will help propel you into management.

2a) If you plan on having a career in accounting and never plan to go back to get your MBA and switch careers, then I say go with either of the two, or both, if you happen to want it for some reason.

2b) If there's a decent chance of you wanting to switch careers at some point, then DO NOT get an MBA now. It will be much more useful, and will get you into a much better reputed program, if you spend a few years working first. Additionally, you will have a clearer idea of what you want to do with your career and can go to the *right* MBA program to help you meet that goal(s).

Did I miss something? Is there another reason you prefer to get an MBA now, or to do both?

To sum it up, an MBA is a management degree, not an academic one. There's a reason many top programs have a grade non-disclosure policy (meaning you can't tell an employer your grades and they can't ask without pissing off your school) because they believe the true value of the program is in networking, learning, and growing professionally. Take it with a grain of salt, but it does mean something…

[thechapman]

Jeff pointed this out in one of his YouTube videos (maybe on the topic of the CMA?) in saying that an MBA is a little different due to the fact that employers don't necessarily know what that means. I definitely think that makes sense. I could go get an MBA at the local community college or whatever located in a strip mall, or I could get one from Wharton. It doesn't automatically put you in the same ballpark as other MBA recipients because there is an extremely good chance that the quality of education varies widely.

As a disclaimer, that was just my interpretation of Jeff's point. Not trying to put words in his mouth!

Passed - 2014

[Anonymous]

Yes, I'm doing the MAcc in order to get the credits to sit for the CPA. I have about 5 years of work experience doing middle management type work with my undergraduate business management degree. I worked in collegiate and professional sports for a time as well but didn't feel like I had a career in it (too much uncertainty, long hours w no pay, more applicants than jobs available, need to relocate states every few years for promotions, heavy and high pressure sales). I went back to school to get the necessary accounting pre-recs for the MAcc. Once I was accepted and took a semesters worth of courses, I realized I had the option to also get an MBA if I took another semesters or so worth of courses. Seems like I could finish out the course work for both degrees ( MAcc & MBA) then study for the CPA and be on my way to at least a job in accounting or finance?

[Anonymous]

Well dear I think it’s a good choice to get a joint MBA and MAcc degree. But if you want professional consultation I recommend to you to consult my professor Dr.Aloke Ghosh as he provide free consultation to the students.

[fuzyfro89]

If you can become CPA-eligible with just a Macc or just a MBA, I don't see a benefit in doing both.

MBA without experience won't help you get into management right away… especially from not-so-well-ranked MBA programs (but that's another discussion).

If you really want it and can afford it and like to learn, then by all means go for it; however, I don't see the time/money inveestment as worthwhile to get both.

If you don't intend to get a MBA later to switch careers, then you could also just get a MBA now and concentrate ina ccounting. See if you'd be able to get enough accounting credits to qualify for the CPA with just MBA coursework.

Best answer: It depends on your goals. It can't hurt to have both, but there's probably a more optimal way to do it…

[Anonymous]

Doing both is a waste of time and resources. However, if you have no problem taking on another $20k in student loans and flushing a year or two of your life down the toilet, by all means- get both.

[TNCPA16]

It's certainly not going to hurt you to have both, but there really is not much of an advantage. A MAcc is only good for getting the hours to sit for the CPA exam and, unless you are getting an MBA from a top school, it really doesn't mean much either (every school has an MBA program these days!) A CPA is MUCH more marketable than either degree. If I was in your shoes, I probably would have gone for the MBA over the MAcc…actually, I was in your shoes, and did exactly that!…but since you've already started with the MAcc, I would finish that, pass on the MBA, and knock out the CPA exam as quickly as possible.

We are currently looking to fill a few open positions and have had several resumes come through that have master's degrees, but no CPA. We have passed on all of them.

[MICpaCandidate89]

I'm starting my MAC in about a month, I have an accounting undergrad and struggled with the exam. I'm doing the MAC to really do a deep dive into understanding accounting so after the MAC when I take the exam i will understand the material much better than I do now. The MBA is just intro to business classes, plus in most companies a masters degree is a masters degree. Especially for rising to CFO, they aren't going to hold you back because you have a MAC rather than an MBA. IMO you're wasting time and money by getting the dual degree. for me, learning the material to pass the cpa is the goal, plus big 4 recruit heavily from MAC programs. Everyone's case is different though.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why there's so much MBA hate…my impression is that MAcc is generally seen as completing the requirements for the CPA, and is pretty common within the world of public accounting. MBA is more common in the business world/private accounting – if you want to be a CFO, MBA is probably more valuable than MAcc.

If you don't really know what you want to do, then doing both would make sense, and then in the future, you can market yourself with whichever one fits the career you're shooting for. Going to a premier school could be nice if you've got the budget for it, but it's not necessary. An MBA from any school with a reasonable reputation will still be a resume boost outside of the most elite employers. I can tell you that when we were interviewing recently, an MBA was a plus, and there was only one college that we went “Ehhh, maybe not”…but that's because this college has a reputation for giving degrees to anyone.

All that being said, waiting a couple years for an MBA is more common and not a bad idea. Given that you already have management experience, though, you probably wouldn't need to.

[Skynet]

Ok. Here is my take on it.

1. Cost & Benefit Analysis. Can you afford both and will it be worth it that you have to consider? Can you really afford taking on a huge debt load?

2. Will it be able to really set you apart from the rest?

During the recession, everyone was going back to school and getting higher education. Many were studying for the MBA. The issue was that everyone was getting an MBA. There was also the issue that by having an MBA, employers felt a little threatened by it and the fact they may be demanding a high salary or felt that they were just overqualified for the positions.

I has considered getting an MBA before many years ago. But at $30K and not necessarily guaranteed a job, I hesitated and decided against it.

One advice is that if you can take additional courses at your university obtain additional units even if they are just filler courses to meet the 150 semesters units. Do it. That's what I did. I delayed graduation a little bit to take additional business classes just to meet at least 150 semester units.

[jaredo155]

The right answer in this thread, similar to other degree related threads, is going to be very dependent upon your personal goals and situation.

I am having a similar quandary in regards to whether I should do my MBA with a concentration in tax, or a dual degree with an MBA and MST. So I will outline my thought process, and perhaps it will be of some value to you.

1. Do you plan on working in public, private industry, or maybe a combination of the two?

If you are going to work in public, then in my experience an MBA is more or less useless (unless you are in consulting), while as another person said MAcc programs tend to be highly recruited by accounting firms. If you are going to work in private industry, then the MBA is going to be far more valuable than the MAcc over the long term of your career (pretty much regardless of the school you go to).

2. What is your desired outcome from the education, to learn, to propel your career, or both?

If you are legitimately trying to learn theoretical knowledge that will be valuable to your accounting career, there is no question the MAcc is going to be the superior degree. If you are looking for what degree is going to propel your career, then I would say reference point 1. Also a big component here is going to be the makeup of your classmates. MAcc students traditionally are straight out of undergrad with little to no work experience, that plan to go into public accounting. MBA students tend to be professionals with a few years of experience, who are likely across a broad range of industries. Either of these networks could be valuable for a number of reasons, but it is important to know which one will be helpful in the career path you plan to take, as well as which one might add valuable knowledge to your education process.

3. What is the cost of the program, and your financial situation?

If you have an employer who is willing to pay for part or all of it, and the financial burden is going to be minimal, I would say get as much education as you can. If however you are largely paying it out of pocket, or the cost is relatively significant (either monetarily or from a time perspective), then you probably really need to weigh which degree is more important to you and go with that option.

Much like the CPA is for public accounting, the MBA in private industry is kind of right of passage or threshold in my experience. What I mean is, it isn't going to necessarily get you a certain job opportunity, promotion, or raise, but not having it might keep you from getting those things.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

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