[4EverInDebt]

I just finally passed my last section of the CPA Exam. It has been a long journey and tbh I didn’t think I would pass and I was on the verge of losing credit of my first exam. So struggling through I never once considered grad school since I thought, well, why get myself in more debt if I’m not even going to pass. Well, I passed, so I was like, now what? Well, seeing how the exams expire in 3 years I have no choice but to apply for grad school. Or do I really want to start all over again? HECK NO!

I already got accepted to one place and just waiting for my application to be reviewed at the other institution. Unfortunately, my third choice, my alma matter is being a little snobby and keeps telling me they’ll review my application in a few weeks. The other two places and the people I have been in contact with have been great, super friendly, helpful, and quick to respond. I feel because my GPA and my CPA exam scores weren’t in the top range, my alma matter is purposefully lingering in hopes I go somewhere else. Well, at least that’s how I feel. In any case, their rigorous program (meeting twice a week at night for 4.5 hours and all day saturday 8-6pm) for one year is probably not best for me either. Plus the commute is horrible.

The other two programs offer the 2 year completion of the program, which is more doable for me. But what I really want to know is if these graduate courses (advanced accounting etc) are much more difficult than what I had to study for the CPA? Are the homeworks, projects, term papers really difficult?

I only passed AUD on my first try, REG, & BEC on my 2nd try, and FAR on my 3rd. That being said, I HAVE STRUGGLED. Perhaps it would’ve been easier had I gotten my masters first. But what can I say, live gets in the way, I can’t look back but only forward.

I feel so overwhelmed, have looked at two potential program’s curriculum and syllabus of first courses and sounds like so much. So much more than studying for CPA.

What has been your experience? I’d like to get answers from people that have struggled like I have. I’ve asked some people I know but the ones that got between 85 and 96 scores on their CPA exams on their very first try and passed all 4 in 6 months please do not reply.

Also, I haven’t worked as an accountant as most of the jobs I have held have been in accounts receivable, payable, and even interned with a CPA but he had me doing most of the tedious work entering data into quickbooks for all the clients, filling out some 1040s, print F/S and enter some journal entries. Other than that I have no experience and not sure if a professor expects one to write papers or do presentations based on work experience. What if you don’t have that experience, is one still able to pass these courses?

Sorry for all the questions. I’m new here so I just posted this.

[chandler]

I realize that I fit the profile of who you requested not reply. Nonetheless, I would like to throw out my opinion is that you should get the hours in whatever the easiest/cheapest way possible. CPA certificate far outweighs a Masters in Accounting. Yes, grad programs are wider in material than CPA exams. Difficulty in comparison probably depends vastly on program chosen. Generally, professors will NOT expect you to have professional work experience since most masters are designed to be taken in conjunction with the bachelor's/before most would have FT experience.

[4EverInDebt]

Appreciated Chandler. But I cannot get my CPA certification unless I meet all the requirements. I realize every state is different, but I am in FL so I have no choice but to complete the 150 credit hours by enrolling into a Masters Program. Most graduate programs are between 30 and 36 credit hours if you already have the undergraduate required courses. The one university I'm waiting on is one of the cheapest but still at 25K.

[Daisy]

You’re in Florida? Dude, you just need like 2 upper level accounting classes and maybe 1-2 upper level business classes, depending what school you went to in FL.

The board just cares that you have 150 credit hours and 30 of them are upper level accounting and 36 are upper business level (and 1 class of business law). The rest of the credits can be anything else.

Just use an accredited online school, take whatever classes you want. Just as long as you got the above. Don’t stress too hard.

[Recked]

I'm also in the group you don't want to hear from but I, like you, assumed that I would need a masters to get the 150 credits.
Based on the stories of other posters on this forum, you don't need an MBA or masters, you can fulfill the education through other cheaper options.
I'd research florida's actual requirements a little more indepth before dropping $25k+ on more schooling you really don't need.

[4EverInDebt]

Thanks for the input but if one graduates from undergrad with the usual 120 credit hours, how is one supposed to get 30 additional credits by any other means than enrolling in a master's program? I mean if I'm going to take that many credit hours to reach 150 credit hours, then I should get a damn degree after for the hard work. I guess I haven't researched what other ways to do it. I'm assuming taking classes as a non-degree seeking student but idk if that's going to be cheaper or in the end be more or less the same.

I was hoping to get an answer on my original questions as far as work load and difficulty of a masters's program, compared to having studied for the CPA exam. What was the hardest thing?

But I do appreciate your advises and suggestions. Just not sure I want to make such a decision when I'm days away from committing to it. Classes start next month so it's not like I have more time to decide. I just don't want to make a decision I will regret later. But if enrolling, and getting those first courses in is enough to get my certification then that's another option. Better to have my foot in the door than reject it and then not be able to take any courses.

[74phoenix]

Hi – I achieved my 150 credits without a master's degree. Depends on how you want to schedule your llfe, I guess. My undergrad was PACKED. I never had any AP credits from high school so I went in at zero credits. Graduated with 136 credits. I took summer classes, and loaded up every semester. I also worked part time jobs and lived on campus.

My first summer after graduation I took a few more classes to get 150 credits. I barely noticed the classes while I was working – they were not hard online classes.

I think if I could go back now, I would take the extra year to do a masters. Just because i wish I had more time to appreciate being an undergrad…..I still had a wonderful experience but I could have relaxed more.

Graduated 05/2016.
NY CPA Candidate.
Public accounting.
FAR COMING UP 07/07/2016 !! GOD HELP ME.

[74phoenix]

I have heard from my colleagues that their masters classes were hard, but manageable, and more geared towards passing the CPA so it helped and was worth it. Personally I would have gone to a cheap state school for my masters just to give me that extra time to study/knowledge for CPA.

Graduated 05/2016.
NY CPA Candidate.
Public accounting.
FAR COMING UP 07/07/2016 !! GOD HELP ME.

[Recked]

My 2 cents. The local state school did not offer a masters in tax. The only thing they could offer was a MBA with a focus on accounting. They reviewed my transcripts from CC and another state university and told me I would need 36 credits at $500/credit just for the hours, not counting books and fees etc.
Generally undergrad credits are cheaper, and online credits even cheaper.
NY only requires a bachelors and total of 150 credits, with a certain amount in accounting and business. Probably more cost effective to not take all graduate level courses just to meet the 150 unless you have a desire or need for the masters, or possibly need networking/recruiting. You'll have to do your own cost benefit analysis.
I'll leave this thread back to your original questions. I know someone that did an online Masters in Tax and they did not describe the workload as overly difficult or challenging. They were working full time so the course load was probably stretched out a little more than you are looking at.

[turo9992000]

I live in CA, and I just took a bunch of art classes and music classes while getting my undergrad. I graduated in 5 years rather than 5, but I learned a lot about art stuff that's really useful in my everyday life.

[Tyler]

Almost everyone I have talked to who has a Masters in Accounting says it is pointless, other than just getting the credits needed to get 150 and to help prep for the CPA Exam. Since you have already passed, the latter statement doesn't apply. I personally was able to get 150 in undergrad (I took online Grad level courses through my school in the summer for cheap).

If I were you, I would just find the cheapest community college or online school around. CPA far out ways a Masters in Accounting – coming from a CPA without a MAcc 🙂

[MaLoTu]

The MBA and or MSA will require nothing close to what the CPA takes. I wager to say that since you have finished the exam everything will be relatively easy when it comes to accounting. I finished my MBA and MSA within about 15 months (combined electives and core classes). I wouldn’t opt for the course that requires 15 hours in class a week.
I also agree with Tyler, the only thing the MBA or MSA are good for are getting the credit. Employers like it but the CPA means more.

[Mi Chan]

I am in FL too we might be in the same program…

[iwantthiscpa]

You don't need to complete a whole degree if your concern is CPA license. You can just get the additional credits needed. For me, the CPA was way harder than the degree. It is easier to pass a grad class than to pass a CPA exam.
I got my masters before I even decided I'd take the exam, so luckily I didn't have to deal with that after I passed. I dont think having the masters really helps/helped me, and even moreso now after I passed the CPA exams, since employers care more about CPA than masters.
Get the credits, don't worry about the whole degree if you don't want it, it'll be a waste of time and money.

[4EverInDebt]

74phoenix, thanks for sharing. So did you become a CPA? As for the master classes, I'm sure they will be manageable. One of my flaws is that I start stressing about stuff way in advanced and start getting anxious. I know I can do this, I'm just going through this process.

Recked, thanks too for the input. Btw those are really admirable scores! I wish I was that smart. I remember taking AUD and I had studied so much (of all AUD is what I like most) I even finished the exam 30 mins before and I felt so confident I was getting above an 85 or even thought I could get a 90. I was so confident. I get my score back and I got a 78!! My confidence dropped so much, I felt like a total failure. I've struggled ever since. No matter how much I study and stuff I know, come exam time, it's like a blur. But I got those out of the way so I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life.

Turo9992000, good you did that. I love sciences and wish I could've taken more but just couldn't afford to nor had the time.

Tyler, I mostly hear from people, at least the ones that are currently doing a masters that it's so worth it because it will look good for their careers and for future jobs. At least down here in FL it's so competitive. Most people I know in the field that are certified all have their masters and if they don't they are working or will be working towards that degree.

MaLoTu, thanks, I hope that too. That since I passed all 4 exams that going through the master courses will be easier.

MiChan, I'm in South Florida. But I haven't responded to the university that accepted me (private). I'm waiting for the other one (public) to then make my choice. I think I will get accepted, and if I do, I really don't know which one to go with. You would think I should pick the cheaper one, but for some reason I keep thinking that I like the private program better. They both have more or less the same but idk why I'm leaning more towards the most expensive one. Ugh, decisions, decisions…I don't want to regret this after.

Iwantthiscpa, so even after completing your masters you found the CPA exams harder? I just thought it would make it easier rather than harder.

Thanks again everyone for the input.

[Jay]

I have a masters in accountancy and a CPA. I would go for a MBA instead of accountancy if your undergrad is accounting. My undergrad was in IT. Just make sure you meet you state board requirements. A CPA is the cake and a masters is the icing on the cake.

The CPA was much harder then grad school. I studied very little in grad school compared to the CPA. I did not go to an ivy league grad school though.

Giving up is not an option.

REG 82
FAR 76
Aud 8/31/2016
BEC 11/30/2016

[Author]

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