[hagos20]

Hello,

I have my MS in Accountancy and my BS in Accounting from the same school (San Diego State University.) I also just recently finished my CPA and I plan to take the CMA in the Jan/Feb test window. I am seriously considering going back to San Diego State University for my MBA. I have no interest in going to a top ranked MBA program because I have obligations keeping me in San Diego and I do not want the debt associated with those top ranked MBA programs. Also, I currently have 5 years work experience, since I know a lot of people will say don’t do an MBA without work experience.
I have a two questions:

1) Do I need an MBA or is MBA, MSA, CPA, and CMA too much?
2) Does is matter that if I do get my MBA, it will be from the same school as my MSA and BS? Will three degrees from the same school be looked at negatively?

[tskits75]

Are you going for the whole alaphabet? HAHA. I have my MBA and I honestly think you having an MSA, CPA and a CMA it would be overkill to add MBA.

I don't see why the same school would look bad.

AUD - 92
BEC - 79
REG - August
FAR - TBD

[M123]

5 years work experience – that's good.

I have had dozens of employees and interviewed hundreds including MBAs and even Ivy League candidates. The question is always – what have they actually done to apply their credentials. Credentials are “potential energy” that has to be converted into “kinetic energy”. Employers want the kinetic part.

What are the top 3 things that your 5 years of experience has taught you that you know would benefit from an MBA? What do you expect to gain from an MBA and what is the payback period?

I'm in the category that I've gathered a number of credentials and thus letters so adding more is something I take seriously as at some point – one becomes a “horder” rather than a “doer”.

I would see no disadvantage with going to the same school for 3 degrees. However, I would view your MA as your “MBA equivalent” unless there's some deficiency you want to fill.

It's also great when your current job demands it and will even pay for it 🙂

[Missy]

If you want to do it, and more importantly someone else is paying, go for it!

I don't think the return on investment will be justified if you look at it from a purely financial standpoint. You're not likely to find a job that requires all of those letters and for any other position they're not going to increase the compensation offered based on how many letters after your name.

That said I truly ENJOY being in school, and if my employer was paying I'd go back for an MBA even though I have my CPA and MSA.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

That would be overkill. If you haven't been able to land a dream job or get to where you want to be with the certifications you already have, I don't think any more credentials will do anything for you. If you happen to go back to school, I'd recommend focusing on building your network and meeting the right people. A person with all those certifications who doesn't know whether or not they should go back to get their MBA when they already have a graduate degree AND their CPA…I'd say there is a bit of disconnect with translating your academic experience into real world results. In which case an MBA won't do anything for you.

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about taking the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) exams instead of the CMA/MBA? From my understanding, they are much more difficult than the CPA and you appear to be looking for a challenge. Plus the CFA is highly prized in the financial sector and coupled with a CPA you would have your pick of jobs in the industry.

[So FAR So Good]

Overkill if you're not planning on going to a top 10 program and seeking a career change.

F - 91 (6/5/2016)
A - 7/30/2016
R - 10/8/2016
B - 12/10/2016

[hagos20]

Thanks for your advice everyone. My main reason for going back for my MBA is that a lot of Financial Analyst/Business Analyst job postings I see say “MBA/CPA and/or CMA preferred.” I'm not interested in Accounting positions, in which I feel my MSA would be more applicable. Out of my 5 years of experience, only 2 years are in actual accounting. Also, I keep hearing that if you want to get into a management/executive position, an MBA is preferred. Lastly, I have considered taking the CFA exam, but I don't have the work experience and I don't see myself getting the necessary work experience in the foreseeable future to actually get the credential. I am happy with my current job now, and I know that the only thing that will lead to a promotion is more experience rather than an MBA, but I am thinking more long term.

[Missy]

Don't pay too much attention to the credentials listed in a job posting. Not one of them is a dealbreaker or a guarantee. Bottom line is by the time you get to those senior type positions either your experience makes you a good fit or not. I see too many times people here applying to positions they have the credentials for and scratching their head that they never get an interview. The real reason they put that in there is a way of saying “If you're a kid with no marketable experience and a shiny new bachelor's degree don't waste our time.”

Is your experience as a financial analyst/business analyst? If so you should absolutely be applying to those jobs anyway.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[M123]

Looks like we may have saved you $25-40k. REG is starting to be a distant memory but that may be a taxable event (relief of future debt, no?) so please send the tax for that to my address and I will process as appropriate for you to make life easier. Shall we go with 30% tax bracket, then?

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that certain experience as an accountant or accounting analyst qualifies. If you want to work as a financial analyst, the CFA should be your top priority.

[Author]

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