[MM_CPA]

I am currently unemployed with a CPA. I am really struggling to find a job. Do you think if I go with a good MST program and finish, that will get a job? Thoughts?

Passed all 4 parts exam.

[swans21]

Honestly, I couldn't see it hurting. My firm always looks at it as a positive and we're a large firm. If anything, it will help you explain any employment gaps. In addition, there's always job fairs that go along with these programs and firms recruit often from them.

REG - 87 7/13/13
BEC - 80 8/31/13
AUD - 79 10/28/13
FAR - 80 12/06/13

[swans21]

Honestly, I couldn't see it hurting. My firm always looks at it as a positive and we're a large firm. If anything, it will help you explain any employment gaps. In addition, there's always job fairs that go along with these programs and firms recruit often from them.

REG - 87 7/13/13
BEC - 80 8/31/13
AUD - 79 10/28/13
FAR - 80 12/06/13

[mla1169]

I would not go out of pocket on an MST program hoping it will help find a job. It may give you an edge over other candidates with similar credentials and personality traits but I doubt a realistic cost/benefit analysis would lean in favor of the MST. Plenty of people with that degree looking for work, too.

If you simply WANT the MST, get a job with tuition reimbursement and let your employer foot the bill.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I would not go out of pocket on an MST program hoping it will help find a job. It may give you an edge over other candidates with similar credentials and personality traits but I doubt a realistic cost/benefit analysis would lean in favor of the MST. Plenty of people with that degree looking for work, too.

If you simply WANT the MST, get a job with tuition reimbursement and let your employer foot the bill.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[futureCPA12]

An MST is only valuable if you want to go into Tax. If your considering other options in accounting, I'd say just stick with your MSA.

[futureCPA12]

An MST is only valuable if you want to go into Tax. If your considering other options in accounting, I'd say just stick with your MSA.

[W_HAMILTON]

The CPA designation is more important than a master's degree, so if you can't find a job as a CPA, I wouldn't think a master's degree would help much more.

On the other hand, if you pick a good, affordable school with a great recruitment program, it may definitely help in terms of job placement. But then again, you are basically paying at least $20k for the privilege of someone finding you a job, so maybe that's not smart either……

Have you sought out help from any recruiters?

REG - 93 (7/30/13)
BEC - 90 (8/19/13)
AUD - 98 (8/31/13)
FAR - 84 (10/19/13)

[W_HAMILTON]

The CPA designation is more important than a master's degree, so if you can't find a job as a CPA, I wouldn't think a master's degree would help much more.

On the other hand, if you pick a good, affordable school with a great recruitment program, it may definitely help in terms of job placement. But then again, you are basically paying at least $20k for the privilege of someone finding you a job, so maybe that's not smart either……

Have you sought out help from any recruiters?

REG - 93 (7/30/13)
BEC - 90 (8/19/13)
AUD - 98 (8/31/13)
FAR - 84 (10/19/13)

[Study Monk]

MM_CPA

How long have you been looking for a job since getting your CPA?

Do you live in or near a city?

I am going to be in your shoes after I pass the CPA exam. I have not done accounting for 6 years and will basically be relying on my CPA certification to find me a job. I am planning to apply to for a Masters in Accountancy program just in case the CPA doesn't hold its weight. I to want to try tax, but I am concerned that I might not make it and a Masters in Taxation will end up being useless. However I am also planning to use recruiting companies as two of my friends got jobs through them before.

You might want to look into the IRS as well. I am pretty sure the IRS will jump on you if you apply. You might have to wait for their recruiting season. You could then put in two years at IRS and then transfer to public. This is also a backup plan for me.

Keep me posted and good luck to you.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

MM_CPA

How long have you been looking for a job since getting your CPA?

Do you live in or near a city?

I am going to be in your shoes after I pass the CPA exam. I have not done accounting for 6 years and will basically be relying on my CPA certification to find me a job. I am planning to apply to for a Masters in Accountancy program just in case the CPA doesn't hold its weight. I to want to try tax, but I am concerned that I might not make it and a Masters in Taxation will end up being useless. However I am also planning to use recruiting companies as two of my friends got jobs through them before.

You might want to look into the IRS as well. I am pretty sure the IRS will jump on you if you apply. You might have to wait for their recruiting season. You could then put in two years at IRS and then transfer to public. This is also a backup plan for me.

Keep me posted and good luck to you.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[MM_CPA]

Thanks everyone with your feedback. Yes I contacted job placement recruiters but I think what is the issue also is I am from a small city & my job history is not stable. Think might be a good idea to contact recruiters from a large city several hours away? I know for a fact Big 4 will not want to talk to me because of my instability.

Passed all 4 parts exam.

[MM_CPA]

Thanks everyone with your feedback. Yes I contacted job placement recruiters but I think what is the issue also is I am from a small city & my job history is not stable. Think might be a good idea to contact recruiters from a large city several hours away? I know for a fact Big 4 will not want to talk to me because of my instability.

Passed all 4 parts exam.

[mena je twa]

If Instability is the issue, then i would not burn your money for a masters in taxation or take student loans to foot the bill.

If CPA can't land you a job, i doubt a masters will. At this point, try to network with families and friends, cause they will put a good word for you for your instability and there is a good chance you will be hired.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

If Instability is the issue, then i would not burn your money for a masters in taxation or take student loans to foot the bill.

If CPA can't land you a job, i doubt a masters will. At this point, try to network with families and friends, cause they will put a good word for you for your instability and there is a good chance you will be hired.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Anonymous]

I don't think anything will “get” you a job except your own initiative to find one… but if you do choose to go back to school, don't underestimate career fairs and “meet the firms” events.

[Author]

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