[grunt99]

I hope my circumstances are unique enough to warrant a new thread. Here’s my situation:

I spent a few years in the Army, and now I’m out. I start my undergrad this month at a reputable liberal arts college. The problem is that they don’t have a dedicated accounting program within their business department. So my plan is to major in business with a concentration in accounting and then attend a Masters program, where I can satisfy the 150 hour requirement, learn more about accounting, and also prepare for/pass the CPA. Does this sound like a solid plan?

I’m trying to find out what the best Master’s programs are in the country, where the top firms recruit from. Would this be an accurate list?

https://classic.marshall.usc.edu/assets/151/24970.pdf

Any advice appreciated. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

They don't have a dedicated accounting major.. so you're going to major in accounting.. alright. If you end up taking classes up to intermediate/cost, you'll want a masters of professional accounting which is a fancy way of saying “intermediate 3 and 4 plus some random elective shit you didn't take in undergrad.” If you end up not doing anything past financial/managerial in undergrad, you'll just want a masters of accounting which is a fancy way of saying “all the shit you would have taken if you had a real accounting major.” If for whatever reason you get everything done in undergrad and want to get paid more, get a masters in tax which is a fancy way of saying “a whole bunch of tax elective classes you could have taken in any of the other masters programs.”

Where you get it from doesn't matter unless you're applying nationwide or trying to be a tough guy. Otherwise, the firms in your area recruit from your area, even the smaller schools.

[Anonymous]

This forum software needs an upgrade for double post prevention.

[Anonymous]

That list seems accurate to me. Master of Accountancy and Master of Tax seem to be the two I hear about most. I have a Master of Accountancy which seemed to me to be more theoretical as opposed to the undergrad degree, which was more applied. Master of Tax seems pretty self explanatory to me. It seems like you have a good plan to me. You may also want to consider finance as an undergrad if they do actually have a dedicated finance program.

[M.O.D.]

Your accounting undergraduate classes will generally be sufficient to pass the CPA if they include intermediate accounting, and taxation.

If you go for a masters' get one that does not duplicate your undergraduate coursework. Review their curriculum before you apply.

Unfortunately most MAcc and MBAs too duplicate many courses because they assume undergraduates did not take them (non-business majors).

You might also find some subjects more interesting than others. If you are just starting as an undergrad, 4 years is long time to learn about the subject/work possibilities.

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)

[grunt99]

Here are the accounting courses they offer at my undergrad institution:

Introduction to Financial Accounting

Introduction to Managerial Accounting

Intermediate Accounting

Income Tax Accounting

Auditing

[Anonymous]

If those are the only ones they offer you may have to take some of the undergrad prerequisites for whatever grad program you do.

[Anonymous]

The undergrad prereq for an MS in accounting is usually just financial and managerial.. that's it. The reqs for a MSPA is usually intermediate+auditing+a tax.. so honestly he's probably fine either way depending on the school.

[M.O.D.]

Agreed, your undergrad selection is pretty skimpy. Most masters in accounting or taxation will not duplicate much.

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)

[Author]

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