[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.

[Biff Tannen]

The masters program at my school was a joke! The professor would pass out extra credit points just for showing up to class. It was so damn easy that I ended up not registering for more classes once I reached he 150 credit hours needed to sit for the exam; it was a complete waste of money. My undergraduate program was definitely much more difficult, especially the weed out courses like intermediate accounting.

I’m currently studying for the CPA and putting in minimum 20 hour weeks of study. I would say the CPA study process is much more grueling.

[jenpen]

FWIW – I did my MBA online and it was super easy. Like, I don't even want to admit that I have an MBA because I don't really feel like I earned it. And IMO school doesn't compare at all to the CPA exam.

That being said, it was simply a means to an end. I didn't have an accounting undergrad, so I found the cheapest and easiest way to get to my goal of the CPA exam. I needed to fulfill not only the 150 hours, but also the accounting/business credit requirements. I did an MBA with an accounting concentration, and then took the electives for my program as accounting courses to get closer to my hours. After I was done, I was still 2 classes short, so I took those at the undergrad level because it was cheaper and one wasn't offered at the graduate level. I went so far as to email the Board in my state to make sure that my program would qualify and that I understood all the requirements I needed to meet. They were extremely helpful, and even reviewed course descriptions to see if certain classes would fulfill the requirements.

If you truly only have 120 hours, then some sort of masters might be beneficial to get for the requirements in your state. But if you aren't planning on having it do anything to help your career, then I suggest just finding the easiest and cheapest route to get it done. My MBA hasn't helped me at all, but my CPA sure has.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Ne’O]

Hardest: getting past the CPA exams
Hard: getting Florida DBPR to accept 150 of my hours as satisfactory for their various hurdles. I had around 177 hours after a postbacc and Masters in Accountancy.
Laborious but not hard: Masters in Accountancy

As per the DBPR reference, I am in Florida though I did my Masters with SUNY.

Newbie CPA Candidate

[yfz]

I passed all 4 exams in 4 months, but my scores range from 75 to 88. So I guess I'm not the type of people you request not to reply.

I think it depends on what you want to do with your career in the long-run. I did accounting for my bachelor, and I am doing an MBA instead of MSA because I see myself in a managerial position in the long run. I don't see there is a point of doing an MSA, especially because you have already passed all 4 CPA exams. Well, if any of MSA programs are willing to give you a scholarship that completely pays off your tuition, it's a different story.

In terms of difficulty, my MBA class is like a joke comparing to my undergrad (I finished 2 degrees in 4 years, accounting, and finance). I didn't go to a top-ranked MBA program though. But I did gain certain exposure to some interesting subjects like data analytics and project management through the MBA program. And many people in my MBA class don't pay for the class, as their employer has a tuition reimbursement policy.

[iwantthiscpa]

Yup CPA is harder than grad. CPA is just more… heartless and soul sucking.
If you're done with your CPA exams… the rest is a breeze. Don't stress about grad school! Remember, you only need the credits, so you don't even need to get an amazing GPA, if that helps at all lol

[4EverInDebt]

@Jay, I prefer accounting thought than MBA. But thanks for letting me know grad school was easier than studying for CPA

@RollForwardSpecialist, was this for masters in accountancy or an MBA?

@Jennifer, I actually have more than 120 credit hours. Looks like all I need is a couple of courses and that's it. I'm still thinking of accepting my acceptance into grad school though. I figured in the end, I'll owe more money but hopefully I'll be getting paid more where I can bring my debt down. But in the event that I change my mind, I don't have to complete my degree but still be able to get my CPA license.

@Ne'O, what kind of hurdles if you already had 177 credit hours? how long did it take for you to get certified from the time you applied? Based on what a lot of people on here and elsewhere have mentioned, looks like grad school is just a lot more work but not harder than studying for CPA.

@Yfz, yeah I hear that a lot that, there's no point if I already passed CPA exams but idk I think my best bet right now is to enroll in the first couple of courses and then decide from there if I want to continue and actually finish it or just be done with it after the first semester.

Iwantthiscpa,”heartless soul sucking” LOL FR!! Thanks for letting me know that CPA studying is harder than grad school.

[Mi Chan]

4EverInDebt To be honest the cheaper one has a very good program and near 100% job placement rate (i think you get which school I'm talking about). A lot of people got employed by the Big 4.I didn't think it was worth it to do private for an accounting degree….I mean all you really care is if it's a target school, and the CPA. In my Master's program you have to write a lot of papers and do presentations but that's basically every business program. In my opinion the CPA exam is the hardest exam I've ever studied for due to the amount of material. You basically have to cram everything you learned in undergrad in a short period of time. However, the program is pretty challenging, it's no joke. You have to study very hard to get good grades.

[4EverInDebt]

Hello to anyone out there with the same sort of worries as I had when I first posted this question.

Just wanted to give an update as I'm almost done with my first year doing a masters in accounting. And I will say that it has been EASIER than my bachelors and WAY EASIER than studying for the CPA. Lots of writing though in a few courses but I've gotten better with time and have gotten better grades writing long essays or papers that involve research. I've always hated group projects, but so far have had great team members, and the discussions on Canvas have been great as well. Some courses have exams or quizzes but also have been really easy. FR, many times I find myself asking is this for a masters program?! lmao. It's not an ivy league school so perhaps that's why it's easier but still a good school in terms of business and accounting in South Florida.

So for anyone out there unsure about doing a Masters in Accounting because you think it may be too hard, go for it, you'll be surprised!

p.s. good luck studying for the CPA exams and stay safe!

[jeff]

Thanks for your follow-up.

What's the target ROI for getting a MAcc after passing the CPA Exam?

Do you feel like the efforts would be better applied toward something like a CMA that will have more of a tangible benefit?

[Anthony]

Lol CPA exam is way more difficult than a MS degree in accounting. Hell, it's nothing more than an extension to undergrad in many schools.

Unlike the CPA exam, you are not under as much pressure as taking a course. I never came across a person who flunk out of an MS degree in accounting, but I know several people who couldn't stomach or gave up on the CPA exam.

[Author]

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