[Anonymous]

I have a question, well I am seeking some advice. First, I will give a little background. I am late 30s, with about 15 years of experience in analysis, accounting, and auditing. I have a MBA and I have had decent positions earning up to the mid $90s. I have been very dependable, working at companies for over 7 years and being promoted every year or two. My career hit a speed bump about 4 years ago when a salary freeze went into effect, and then hit a brick wall 2 years ago when everyone above me and lateral to me were either laid off or demoted. My new superiors hated that our clients always went to me from day one and never stopped. For the past two years I have been doing the work of 3 people and two levels of management. I have been applying for jobs in accounting, analysis, and audit for the past two years. Few call backs and fewer interviews have occurred. I was laid off in February and had two job offers from clients, of which I accepted one (at a drastic pay cut) as a consultant. I am bored out of my mind because this is the work I did in the past but on a micro scale.

Ok, enough of that, my question: I have noticed positions in my field could really care less about experience, they ask for certifications. I know that a CPA is the best certification I can get, but that path would take a minimum of two years and would take away so much time from volunteer and family activities. So I am asking if anyone would suggest get a CIA or CMA? These would be a 6-9 month commitment.

I thank you in advance for any advice or critique. I am really drained of my energy at this point.

Thank you.

[surfer4life949]

CPA is going to be your best bet as it's the most widely known. CMA might be worthwhile since (from what I can gather) you might be in positions that would know about this credential and see it as useful. The CIA is probably only good if you plan to go into internal auditing.

B-85 OCT 2012
A-84 NOV 2012
R-90 JAN 2013
F-89 AUG 2012
Ethics-92 (3rd try)

I am DONE BABY!!!
Used Roger 2012 + Wiley + NINJA Notes

[DTBird]

Ill put it this way… I work in Internal Audit, and I am going for the CPA. Way more versatile in the long run. Plus if you don't have any Internal Audit Experience, you wont be making in the 90's just because you have a CIA.

BEC - 77 (5/16)
AUD - TBD (8/16)
REG - 80 (1/16)
FAR - 76 (8/15)

[Anonymous]

I think I was hoping for someone to say the CMA was beginning to be recognized. For the CPA, I have to take several accounting courses because some of mine no longer count toward the 30 credit hour requirement. So I basically went from having 24 hours down to 12 because of the prefix of FIN vs ACT.

I do have internal audit experience about 9 years.

[sarah40460]

I got my CIA, because I wanted to make the leap from external audit to internal audit. No other reason. My old director (in external audit) all but laughed at me when he found out I got my CIA – that was a real boost to my job search motivation.

I'm currently working on my CPA, because I really do think it's the top of all designations in the accounting area. The CMA is great if you want to go into managerial accounting, but I don't see much recognition for it outside of that.

And by the way, the CIA should not take 6-9 months to obtain. I did it in 3 months while working full-time, and I was being pretty lazy for about half of that time. If you've been in internal audit for 9 years, it'll be a cake walk for you.

AUD: 95 (11/2015)
FAR: 88 (02/2016)
REG: 89 (06/2016)
BEC: 90 (07/2016)
Ethics: 93

I'm never studying for anything ever again!

[Anonymous]

Another consideration, other than the time, I didn't mention is cost. The CPA will cost $6500 after classes, study materials and exam fees. The CMA would be $2500.
I know that it sound like I would rather do the CMA, and I would if it would solve my dilemma, but it sounds as if the CPA is the only direction at this point.

[Missy]

Very few people know what a CMA is, honestly. I think it is exceptionally valuable but if I was only choosing one or the other it would be a CPA.

The CPA doesn't even have to cost half of the $6500 you imagine. I am fairly certain I spent in all less than $2k but I used Wiley and Ninja material.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

he means additional classes to gain credit will run up the $ tab

[Anonymous]

The classes are $3135, review course $2150, exams and app $898, and ethics $249.

[Missy]

Oh didn't even consider additional coursework to be eligible, but still the $2150 for a review course? Its a good review course but I'm telling you I got a wiley book for each section for about $60 and ninja notes for AUD, so my entire review materials were under $400.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

Bite the bullet and get the CPA done. I just got mine and i turn 39 next month. Married with 6 and 4 year old kids. I also hit a ceiling and pushed through. We all know that the CPA is the one that matters most. Get it over with.

[Anonymous]

What study materials did you use? I plan on taking classes from North Alabama the CPA excel program. Just getting motivated for classes and studying again.

[Author]

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