[Lost1]

Please answer the following

1. Degree title and your reason for your choice

2. $$$ spent

3. How long it took

4. Are you happy with your ROI?

5. If you can do it over, what would you do different now?

Your input would help me out tremendously.

I know I asked alot, your response would be much appreciated.

"If you can do it, I can do it better."

[Lost1]

Thanks guys. It sounds like masters degree will pay off for the most part.That gives me hope and motivation. Anyone with bad experience? I hope more people will share their experience/knowledge on this thread. keep it coming!

I am debating between MAS/MST,.. gosh it's hard.. after hearing your stories, it's even more difficult to decide lol

I know the answer is “it all depends on the person” but this small data I was able to gather on this thread certainly will help me out a lot.

"If you can do it, I can do it better."

[Lost1]

Thanks guys. It sounds like masters degree will pay off for the most part.That gives me hope and motivation. Anyone with bad experience? I hope more people will share their experience/knowledge on this thread. keep it coming!

I am debating between MAS/MST,.. gosh it's hard.. after hearing your stories, it's even more difficult to decide lol

I know the answer is “it all depends on the person” but this small data I was able to gather on this thread certainly will help me out a lot.

"If you can do it, I can do it better."

[Erica H]

Are you opposed to a MAcc instead of a MSA? I'm currently enrolled in the MAcc online program at Stetson University. They have an accelerated one year program, AACSB accredited for both business and accounting (highest level of accreditation available for a graduate accounting degree), and it is designed for working professionals with online class sessions in the evening and all recorded so they can be watched at your convenience if unable to “attend” class.

Cost is about $22,500 in tuition plus books for the entire program. I'm on my 6th course of 10 courses and so far am finding it to be incredibly well-balanced in relation to content. Courses include advanced auditing, advanced business law, technology in business, fraud cases in financial accounting (GREAT course on how corporate governance, GAAP and audit failures affect fraud), governmental acct, tax research, cases in managerial accounting and can't remember the rest (haven't taken yet).

Anyhow, I just thought I would mention this, as it IS possible to get a MAcc degree in one year while working full time. Although admittedly if I worked for a less understanding firm I'd be having a rough time keeping up with my current course, as the work load is intense.

Spectrum.

AUD - 92
FAR - 73, 82
REG - 72, 82
BEC - 84 DONE!!!!!! 🙂

[Erica H]

Are you opposed to a MAcc instead of a MSA? I'm currently enrolled in the MAcc online program at Stetson University. They have an accelerated one year program, AACSB accredited for both business and accounting (highest level of accreditation available for a graduate accounting degree), and it is designed for working professionals with online class sessions in the evening and all recorded so they can be watched at your convenience if unable to “attend” class.

Cost is about $22,500 in tuition plus books for the entire program. I'm on my 6th course of 10 courses and so far am finding it to be incredibly well-balanced in relation to content. Courses include advanced auditing, advanced business law, technology in business, fraud cases in financial accounting (GREAT course on how corporate governance, GAAP and audit failures affect fraud), governmental acct, tax research, cases in managerial accounting and can't remember the rest (haven't taken yet).

Anyhow, I just thought I would mention this, as it IS possible to get a MAcc degree in one year while working full time. Although admittedly if I worked for a less understanding firm I'd be having a rough time keeping up with my current course, as the work load is intense.

Spectrum.

AUD - 92
FAR - 73, 82
REG - 72, 82
BEC - 84 DONE!!!!!! 🙂

[vkuthiala]

I don't mean to break the template that was set for this thread, though I think the people who have posted here would have the answer to my question….

How would you compare the time commitment necessary for a MBA or MAcc with that necessary for pursuing a CPA?

I just passed the last part of my CPA exam in Feb 2013 and want to get an idea of the time commitment and workload if I were to pursue a graduate degree.

Thank you,

Vishal

BEC - 77 (exp), (2.28.13) 85!!!!!!!
AUD - 90
REG - 78
FAR - 51 (No Study),71 (ARGH!), (2.23.13) 77!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal" - Henry Ford

[vkuthiala]

I don't mean to break the template that was set for this thread, though I think the people who have posted here would have the answer to my question….

How would you compare the time commitment necessary for a MBA or MAcc with that necessary for pursuing a CPA?

I just passed the last part of my CPA exam in Feb 2013 and want to get an idea of the time commitment and workload if I were to pursue a graduate degree.

Thank you,

Vishal

BEC - 77 (exp), (2.28.13) 85!!!!!!!
AUD - 90
REG - 78
FAR - 51 (No Study),71 (ARGH!), (2.23.13) 77!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal" - Henry Ford

[FlipACoin]

1. MBA-Wanted more of a general masters for flexibility purposes

2. $17K

3. 15 months no breaks (exec MBA style). Time committment was probably close to a CPA committment. Maybe a little less.

4. YES. I've had my MBA for about 10 years (got it early) and there is no doubt in my mind that the MBA has led to higher pay and greater resume consideration for higher paying jobs. My first job post MBA came with a promotion, $18K raise + $10K raise 9 months later. That alone = +ROI.

5. Nope. Glad I got it and happy with the timing. 2-3 years of experience after undergrad is a great time to spring for it.

[FlipACoin]

1. MBA-Wanted more of a general masters for flexibility purposes

2. $17K

3. 15 months no breaks (exec MBA style). Time committment was probably close to a CPA committment. Maybe a little less.

4. YES. I've had my MBA for about 10 years (got it early) and there is no doubt in my mind that the MBA has led to higher pay and greater resume consideration for higher paying jobs. My first job post MBA came with a promotion, $18K raise + $10K raise 9 months later. That alone = +ROI.

5. Nope. Glad I got it and happy with the timing. 2-3 years of experience after undergrad is a great time to spring for it.

[splinter1643]

Planning to pursue a graduate degree, so I can't answer your question yet. I just wanted to say your forum topic here is very helpful.

Are you in tax or planning to be? I've noticed that the job descriptions for many high-level tax positions now require an MST in addition to a CPA. If anything, a Masters in Tax could help you get promoted.

CPA license in progress....

[splinter1643]

Planning to pursue a graduate degree, so I can't answer your question yet. I just wanted to say your forum topic here is very helpful.

Are you in tax or planning to be? I've noticed that the job descriptions for many high-level tax positions now require an MST in addition to a CPA. If anything, a Masters in Tax could help you get promoted.

CPA license in progress....

[splinter1643]

Planning to pursue a graduate degree, so I can't answer your question yet. I just wanted to say your forum topic here is very helpful.

Are you in tax or planning to be? I've noticed that the job descriptions for many high-level tax positions now require an MST in addition to a CPA. If anything, a Masters in Tax could help you get promoted.

CPA license in progress....

[splinter1643]

Planning to pursue a graduate degree, so I can't answer your question yet. I just wanted to say your forum topic here is very helpful.

Are you in tax or planning to be? I've noticed that the job descriptions for many high-level tax positions now require an MST in addition to a CPA. If anything, a Masters in Tax could help you get promoted.

CPA license in progress....

[vkuthiala]

@splinter – Thank you for your response.

In answer to your question, no, I am not in Tax. I actually work in an Internal Audit role. I have my CIA, and CFE to go along with my CPA, but was thinking of pursuing an MBA in something I find interesting (ie. Fraud Detection and Deterrence) or something like MAcc considering its ultimate usefulness.

An MST may completely fry my brain considering I have never been much of a tax person to begin with….though I won't dismiss it without doing my due diligence and understand what it entails.

Thank you again for your response. Best of luck with your graduate degree.

I am sure one of the many people that have completed or are currently pursuing their Masters degrees can elaborate on the time commitment.

Vishal

BEC - 77 (exp), (2.28.13) 85!!!!!!!
AUD - 90
REG - 78
FAR - 51 (No Study),71 (ARGH!), (2.23.13) 77!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal" - Henry Ford

[vkuthiala]

@splinter – Thank you for your response.

In answer to your question, no, I am not in Tax. I actually work in an Internal Audit role. I have my CIA, and CFE to go along with my CPA, but was thinking of pursuing an MBA in something I find interesting (ie. Fraud Detection and Deterrence) or something like MAcc considering its ultimate usefulness.

An MST may completely fry my brain considering I have never been much of a tax person to begin with….though I won't dismiss it without doing my due diligence and understand what it entails.

Thank you again for your response. Best of luck with your graduate degree.

I am sure one of the many people that have completed or are currently pursuing their Masters degrees can elaborate on the time commitment.

Vishal

BEC - 77 (exp), (2.28.13) 85!!!!!!!
AUD - 90
REG - 78
FAR - 51 (No Study),71 (ARGH!), (2.23.13) 77!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal" - Henry Ford

[Anonymous]

1. Degree title and your reason for your choice – MAcc – I chose to go to the closest school to where I did my undergrad.

2. $$$ spent – Around $12,000 in Tuition plus another $500 for Books. Luckily, my wife has her Masters and works full-time. I work as an Accountant part-time at the University I attended for my undergrad. We don't have children yet either. We made it through debt free! (Dave Ramsey would be proud, right Jeff?)

3. How long it took – Started in June of 2012 and finish in May 2013

4. Are you happy with your ROI? – Yes – it opened up doors for me that were nonexistent before. I was hired by one of the Big 4, and it was due to the connections I was able to establish with the firm through my involvement in the MAcc program. The school where I completed my undergrad didn't have any such connections.

5. If you can do it over, what would you do different now? – Nothing really – it's worked out great.

[Author]

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