[Anonymous]

I just started at a regional firm in NJ as a staff. Is an MBA something I should actively pursue early? Can I just put it off until I move up in rank? How do MBA classes differ from undergrad accounting classes in terms of structure and difficulty?

[wowurrcool]

1. You're going to need some full-time work experience to get into any reputable MBA program, so “actively pursuing it early” isn't an option yet.

2. MBA classes are much more in-depth than undergrad classes, which generally provide a basic understanding/overview. If you go to a decent school for an MBA they will be more difficult than a diploma mill, which won't do you any good.

FAR - 87 (7/19/13)
BEC - 82 (8/29/13)
REG - 86 (10/18/13)
AUD - 91 (12/06/13)

Becker. Licensed VA CPA 12/31/13

[wowurrcool]

1. You're going to need some full-time work experience to get into any reputable MBA program, so “actively pursuing it early” isn't an option yet.

2. MBA classes are much more in-depth than undergrad classes, which generally provide a basic understanding/overview. If you go to a decent school for an MBA they will be more difficult than a diploma mill, which won't do you any good.

FAR - 87 (7/19/13)
BEC - 82 (8/29/13)
REG - 86 (10/18/13)
AUD - 91 (12/06/13)

Becker. Licensed VA CPA 12/31/13

[jeff]

Two questions to ask:

1. What will it cost in both time and $$?

2. What is the projected return on that investment? What are people from that school making before and after?

Also: Read the chapter on business schools in this book first. It's a must-read if you're seriously considering it.

[jeff]

Two questions to ask:

1. What will it cost in both time and $$?

2. What is the projected return on that investment? What are people from that school making before and after?

Also: Read the chapter on business schools in this book first. It's a must-read if you're seriously considering it.

[Gerg, CPA]

for me, an MBA consisted of like 1 actual accounting class and 1 finance, unless you get an accounting concentration – that is an additional 2 accounting classes (electives). the majority of the classes are management & marketing classes. if you were an accounting major for undergrad, the accounting classes in the MBA program shouldnt be a problem.

it looks like the program i took now requires 3 electives for your concentration. But it is an MBA, not a Masters of Accountancy or Tax or whatnot … the accounting classes arent too bad

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[Gerg, CPA]

for me, an MBA consisted of like 1 actual accounting class and 1 finance, unless you get an accounting concentration – that is an additional 2 accounting classes (electives). the majority of the classes are management & marketing classes. if you were an accounting major for undergrad, the accounting classes in the MBA program shouldnt be a problem.

it looks like the program i took now requires 3 electives for your concentration. But it is an MBA, not a Masters of Accountancy or Tax or whatnot … the accounting classes arent too bad

FAR - 1/26/2012 - PASSED (78, but Lost credit), re-do 11/27/2013 - PASSED (87)!
AUD - EPIC FAIL, 71, 69; 68; 5/25/2013 - PASSED (85)!
REG - 10/1/2012 - 72; 7/1/2013 - 73 UGH, 10/1/2013 - PASSED (85)!
BEC - 2/28/2013 - PASSED (82)!
Licensed CPA!

Used Becker self-study materials (just this for FAR original & REG #1), WileyTestBank, NINJA notes/audio, and Roger cram course for AUD #5, REG #3 & FAR reboot. CPA!

[M.O.D.]

The focus of an MBA is towards business management, not accounting. You'll have people who don't have a clue what a financial statement is, but can still be excellent businessmen.

The kinds of classes are: teamwork, operations, IT, systems, finance, international supply chains, etc.

That being said, you'll gain a lot of confidence writing long APA papers and making public presentations since that is required in all classes I've taken. The classes are more self-directed than undergraduate classes. I found them harder than accounting classes, because it requires you to think imaginatively. Accounting just requires a lot of homework to master the material.

It depends what you want to learn. If you want to focus on accounting, an MSA would be more interesting. MBA is a generalist's introduction to business.

Also, choose a school that matches your intelligence. Because of the emphasis on teamwork (grade-wise too) you'll hate it if you are misplaced “socially”.

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.]

The focus of an MBA is towards business management, not accounting. You'll have people who don't have a clue what a financial statement is, but can still be excellent businessmen.

The kinds of classes are: teamwork, operations, IT, systems, finance, international supply chains, etc.

That being said, you'll gain a lot of confidence writing long APA papers and making public presentations since that is required in all classes I've taken. The classes are more self-directed than undergraduate classes. I found them harder than accounting classes, because it requires you to think imaginatively. Accounting just requires a lot of homework to master the material.

It depends what you want to learn. If you want to focus on accounting, an MSA would be more interesting. MBA is a generalist's introduction to business.

Also, choose a school that matches your intelligence. Because of the emphasis on teamwork (grade-wise too) you'll hate it if you are misplaced “socially”.

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]

My MBA program required 2 accounting classes and 2 finance classes. The accounting classes were basic–financial and managerial accounting. More in depth than thos same undergrad classes, but not as advanced as the upper level accounting classes required to sit for the CPA. I don't really think an MBA is going to be useful for you in the beginning. Unless you just have time on your hands, I would wait a couple of years and get more real world experience before doing the MBA program.

[Anonymous]

My MBA program required 2 accounting classes and 2 finance classes. The accounting classes were basic–financial and managerial accounting. More in depth than thos same undergrad classes, but not as advanced as the upper level accounting classes required to sit for the CPA. I don't really think an MBA is going to be useful for you in the beginning. Unless you just have time on your hands, I would wait a couple of years and get more real world experience before doing the MBA program.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everything M.O.D. said. It is a difficult program geared towards business, not accounting. There is teamwork in nearly every single class. My business strategy class required two 60+ page papers and 3 major presentations in one semester, working in a team of 3. If you are apprehensive at all about writing or public speaking, the MBA program will not be a good fit for you. Teamwork is also #1 in any MBA program. Group work is usually involved in every class, except the accounting classes.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everything M.O.D. said. It is a difficult program geared towards business, not accounting. There is teamwork in nearly every single class. My business strategy class required two 60+ page papers and 3 major presentations in one semester, working in a team of 3. If you are apprehensive at all about writing or public speaking, the MBA program will not be a good fit for you. Teamwork is also #1 in any MBA program. Group work is usually involved in every class, except the accounting classes.

[PorterAJ1]

I received my MBA before even thinking about sitting for the exam. Like M.O.D said, its a little bit of everything. I had some great professors and one of my biggest takeaways they put us in situations where we had to think differently. We were always asked to look at things from another perspective and not always have such a tunnel vision mindset. This has actually a helped me quite a bit because now I consider myself a “problem-solver” and have had great success in my places of employment.

Aside from the knowledge benefit, I always thought of having the MBA (and hopefully soon a CPA) on my resume will get me a leg up on securing an interview. If you were comparing apples to apples, odds are the interviewer will choose to interview the one with the additional certification. Once you're in the interview room its up to you to secure the job.

Just my 2 cents.

FAR - 77 (10/31/13)
BEC - 75 (12/4/13)
AUD - 85 (1/16/14)
REG - 68 (2/28/14); 69 (4/10/2014); 81 (7/15/14) DONE!!!!

[PorterAJ1]

I received my MBA before even thinking about sitting for the exam. Like M.O.D said, its a little bit of everything. I had some great professors and one of my biggest takeaways they put us in situations where we had to think differently. We were always asked to look at things from another perspective and not always have such a tunnel vision mindset. This has actually a helped me quite a bit because now I consider myself a “problem-solver” and have had great success in my places of employment.

Aside from the knowledge benefit, I always thought of having the MBA (and hopefully soon a CPA) on my resume will get me a leg up on securing an interview. If you were comparing apples to apples, odds are the interviewer will choose to interview the one with the additional certification. Once you're in the interview room its up to you to secure the job.

Just my 2 cents.

FAR - 77 (10/31/13)
BEC - 75 (12/4/13)
AUD - 85 (1/16/14)
REG - 68 (2/28/14); 69 (4/10/2014); 81 (7/15/14) DONE!!!!

[Anonymous]

Also agree with everything M.O.D. said, I have an MSA and many of our courses were cross-listed with the MBAs. An MBA is more focused on business management, but the few technical accounting/finance courses you take will not be any more difficult than an undergrad course.

[Author]

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