[MrCPA2B]

Hello All,

Of course I’m back with another question 🙂 . I was in one of my Gemini moods today and began to think about a lot of things. For the past 5 months, I have been working on my MS in Accounting online while working full time as an accounting clerk for a private company. As stated in a previous post, I am interested in public accounting but unfortunately hadn’t had any luck yet. I am also studying concurrently to take the CPA exam (AUD first up in January 14). I have been back and forward on career blogs reading about the value of a MSA and reading the different opinions. A few blogs made a valid point that the MSA is redundant if you already have a bachelors in accounting. In which case, I do. So I have been toying with the idea of completely stopping my MSA mid-way. I have completed 15 credit hours of the 30 required credit hours needed for the degree. However, I already have my 150 needed for the CPA. Should I stop and focus on the CPA? I am scared that even after my MSA, I still will not find work in public accounting and I’ll be swamped with debt. Feedback please!

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[M.O.D.]

@mla, It might seem ridiculous but I met several CPAs here with a limited knowledge of English, both recent students and those in full-time practice. Several are even professors. Don't ask me how they do it, but the test-focused study habits of Asians are legendary.

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)

[mla1169]

oh stop, you're too funny. So a masters is somehow more difficult in yours and this recruiters opinion for ESL folks than the CPA exam? Here's a secret, they aren't professors if the don't have at least a masters too.

I'm going to make myself some popcorn and watch this thread blow up. LMAO.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

oh stop, you're too funny. So a masters is somehow more difficult in yours and this recruiters opinion for ESL folks than the CPA exam? Here's a secret, they aren't professors if the don't have at least a masters too.

I'm going to make myself some popcorn and watch this thread blow up. LMAO.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Tncincy]

Why is the MSA useless, a waste of time and money? What people assumed Accountancy is Mastered?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

Why is the MSA useless, a waste of time and money? What people assumed Accountancy is Mastered?

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[M.O.D.]

I've seen it. They translate the subject material in Chinese characters, then answer in Chinese and translate back to English. Just because they don't care to study in English does not mean they don't understand accounting.

Becker even prepares a Mandarin Chinese Workshop just for them. Just got an email about. I'll gladly forward it to you if you don't believe me.

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.]

I've seen it. They translate the subject material in Chinese characters, then answer in Chinese and translate back to English. Just because they don't care to study in English does not mean they don't understand accounting.

Becker even prepares a Mandarin Chinese Workshop just for them. Just got an email about. I'll gladly forward it to you if you don't believe me.

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)

[Tncincy]

Well that's the whole point of translation. What ever language you pass the test in equals CPA at the end of the Chinese, Japanese, non-English speaking name or what ever characters they use……does not make sense at all. What does that have to do with finishing a degree and studying/passing the exam………

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

Well that's the whole point of translation. What ever language you pass the test in equals CPA at the end of the Chinese, Japanese, non-English speaking name or what ever characters they use……does not make sense at all. What does that have to do with finishing a degree and studying/passing the exam………

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[mla1169]

Oh I believe you. This keeps getting funnier. And its somehow EASIER for people whose primary language to translate CPA review material to Chinese than their graduate coursework? LOL. Your logic is flawed. You'll see for yourself when you start sitting for CPA exams. Please come back and let us know which of your grad classes was harder than the exams.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Oh I believe you. This keeps getting funnier. And its somehow EASIER for people whose primary language to translate CPA review material to Chinese than their graduate coursework? LOL. Your logic is flawed. You'll see for yourself when you start sitting for CPA exams. Please come back and let us know which of your grad classes was harder than the exams.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[tough_kitty]

To OP: if you are already half way into the program, you should definitely finish it! You have only 5 more classes to go! Yes, I'm one of those people, possibly, who stated that having B.S. and MS in Accountancy + CPA is redundant but you'd still get your master's degree and it may have some value in the future.

To others: Funny. I know a few CPAs whose written and spoken English is pretty bad. Made me wonder how the heck did they pass REG and BEC but writing parts were separated before 2011 so I guess it was easier to pass.

I wouldn't say that getting MS is harder than passing the CPA exam, for Asian people or those whose first language is other than English. I'm originally from Europe and I got my master's degree in English but I found it hard to understand some of the business law questions on REG because there were a few words I didn't know and they were key!

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

[tough_kitty]

To OP: if you are already half way into the program, you should definitely finish it! You have only 5 more classes to go! Yes, I'm one of those people, possibly, who stated that having B.S. and MS in Accountancy + CPA is redundant but you'd still get your master's degree and it may have some value in the future.

To others: Funny. I know a few CPAs whose written and spoken English is pretty bad. Made me wonder how the heck did they pass REG and BEC but writing parts were separated before 2011 so I guess it was easier to pass.

I wouldn't say that getting MS is harder than passing the CPA exam, for Asian people or those whose first language is other than English. I'm originally from Europe and I got my master's degree in English but I found it hard to understand some of the business law questions on REG because there were a few words I didn't know and they were key!

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

[M.O.D.]

@tncincy The difference is that even though you pass the CPA exam (in some kind of translation), does not mean that you are fluent in English. In fact, if you have to resort to translations, it is because you are not fluent in English. And employers don't want hires who are not fluent in English (written and oral). Thus the preference for fluency, as demonstrated by a Masters.

@mla, Having to write hundreds of pages in English for a Masters program, and read dozens of books, and make dozens of oral presentations does have the effect of increasing English proficiency. I am not saying that a Master's is harder or easier than the CPA test. In some ways it is easier, in some ways harder. It depends on the school, and on yourself: how far do you take your Masters' studies. What I am saying is that the English-taught courses promote English proficiency whereas the CPA test may not be as effective at that goal.

I suspect some moderators and Jeff perhaps have a bias against graduate school. That is fine, I did too once. But I could use the same argument you do: try to take some graduate courses and report which is harder CPA or graduate school.

But that argument is beside the point about how to best measure proficiency in English.

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.]

@tncincy The difference is that even though you pass the CPA exam (in some kind of translation), does not mean that you are fluent in English. In fact, if you have to resort to translations, it is because you are not fluent in English. And employers don't want hires who are not fluent in English (written and oral). Thus the preference for fluency, as demonstrated by a Masters.

@mla, Having to write hundreds of pages in English for a Masters program, and read dozens of books, and make dozens of oral presentations does have the effect of increasing English proficiency. I am not saying that a Master's is harder or easier than the CPA test. In some ways it is easier, in some ways harder. It depends on the school, and on yourself: how far do you take your Masters' studies. What I am saying is that the English-taught courses promote English proficiency whereas the CPA test may not be as effective at that goal.

I suspect some moderators and Jeff perhaps have a bias against graduate school. That is fine, I did too once. But I could use the same argument you do: try to take some graduate courses and report which is harder CPA or graduate school.

But that argument is beside the point about how to best measure proficiency in English.

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)

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