[Study Monk]

So here is the dilemma…

California is being hit with new education standards and I need to take 2 more courses in accounting and 2 courses in ethics. I am unemployed with no accounting experience in the last 5 years. I am not overly ambitious at this time but I basically just want to get back in accounting. So here I am on the path of becoming a CPA!

With these new educational requirements I started thinking well I might as well take classes towards a Masters. So I am looking into a Masters of Accountancy, Masters of Science in Accounting, and a MBA with an accounting focus all at Golden Gate University. Which one will look look better on a resume for an accounting job initially and which one will look better in the long run? Is Golden Gate University a good enough school to make a difference?

Keep in mind if I was in accounting right now I would probably feel fine with climbing the latter slowly and just taking these units on the cheap at a community college. However I am worried that the CPA might not hold its weight with my lack luster resume. I am going to feel silly if I take these 12 units at community college only to find that I need to go back to school for a masters to land a job. However I will feel even more stupid if i get a masters and can’t find a job and owe $27,000.

I could focus on my CPA exclusively right now and worry about the educational requirements later, but I am also concerned that if I don’t have an active license its not going to make much of a difference on my resume that I passed 4 sections. So the plan was to go to school part-time while studying like a maniac towards passing the CPA exam.

I am looking to use you guys as a career councilor…..any thoughts on my situation.

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"

[futureCPA12]

Its likely that you'll find a job with a MS in Accounting. Remember, you're school will have access to employers. Just find a cheap program that won't take too long to complete (a year). It definitely will make you more marketable.

[futureCPA12]

Its likely that you'll find a job with a MS in Accounting. Remember, you're school will have access to employers. Just find a cheap program that won't take too long to complete (a year). It definitely will make you more marketable.

[tough_kitty]

If you are going with GGU, you should get an MST.

If you want to get an MSA, I'd strongly suggest CSUS with their online, fast and affordable program. You'll need to take the GMAT but it's an accredited university and there is no mentioning on your transcript that the program was online. Also, they have a 6 weeks long classes so you can concentrate on just one at a time.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

If you are going with GGU, you should get an MST.

If you want to get an MSA, I'd strongly suggest CSUS with their online, fast and affordable program. You'll need to take the GMAT but it's an accredited university and there is no mentioning on your transcript that the program was online. Also, they have a 6 weeks long classes so you can concentrate on just one at a time.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

MBA with accounting won't get you the 20 units credit they require. They only give credit for MSA or MST.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

MBA with accounting won't get you the 20 units credit they require. They only give credit for MSA or MST.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

Study Monk- I vote for part-time school while studying for the CPA exams. Can you find a master's program that will accept some credits from the community college?

The master's degree will help you in your career and you will learn tons about accounting. Then again, I have a master's in accounting, lots of student loans, a cpa license, and the job search still stinks. Do what makes you happy. =)

[Anonymous]

Study Monk- I vote for part-time school while studying for the CPA exams. Can you find a master's program that will accept some credits from the community college?

The master's degree will help you in your career and you will learn tons about accounting. Then again, I have a master's in accounting, lots of student loans, a cpa license, and the job search still stinks. Do what makes you happy. =)

[tough_kitty]

Here is the link: https://www.cba.csus.edu/graduate/ProspectiveMSA.html

The program will cost you about $22K vs $31K at GGU which is not AACSB accredited.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Here is the link: https://www.cba.csus.edu/graduate/ProspectiveMSA.html

The program will cost you about $22K vs $31K at GGU which is not AACSB accredited.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

Just my two cents based on my experience in corporate accounting…

I look at accounting resumes for staff accountant and accounting clerk positions as an Accounting Manager. If you are hoping to get into accounting in an entry level position in corporate accounting I wouldn't worry about getting a Masters. You would likely be viewed as overqualified for any entry level position if you had it. I also don't believe it will matter if you have a Masters once you have a CPA. I opted to just take the classes I needed to be licensed and not actually go for a Master's of Accountancy. That is my suggestion to you. I do have an MBA, but truthfully it is not worth much in the accounting world until you get to the point where you want to be CFO or CEO. Honestly, though, once you get to that point you will have been in business long enough to have learned first hand more about business than what you would have learned from the MBA courses.

This means nothing if you are trying to get into Public Accounting, of which I have no knowledge or advice. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Just my two cents based on my experience in corporate accounting…

I look at accounting resumes for staff accountant and accounting clerk positions as an Accounting Manager. If you are hoping to get into accounting in an entry level position in corporate accounting I wouldn't worry about getting a Masters. You would likely be viewed as overqualified for any entry level position if you had it. I also don't believe it will matter if you have a Masters once you have a CPA. I opted to just take the classes I needed to be licensed and not actually go for a Master's of Accountancy. That is my suggestion to you. I do have an MBA, but truthfully it is not worth much in the accounting world until you get to the point where you want to be CFO or CEO. Honestly, though, once you get to that point you will have been in business long enough to have learned first hand more about business than what you would have learned from the MBA courses.

This means nothing if you are trying to get into Public Accounting, of which I have no knowledge or advice. Good luck!

[tough_kitty]

I would agree that employers don't really care if you have a B.S. or MS in Accountancy as long as you have one of those. And especially when you have a CPA license, master's degree in the same field seems redundant. That's why I suggested MST.

But if you really want an MSA due to your specific circumstances – being out of job and accounting for 5 years, I gave you an option to consider. Very convenient and something you could still easily complete even if you find a good job in the meantime. Also, if you apply for entry level positions, you don't have to mention your MS degree on your resume 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

I would agree that employers don't really care if you have a B.S. or MS in Accountancy as long as you have one of those. And especially when you have a CPA license, master's degree in the same field seems redundant. That's why I suggested MST.

But if you really want an MSA due to your specific circumstances – being out of job and accounting for 5 years, I gave you an option to consider. Very convenient and something you could still easily complete even if you find a good job in the meantime. Also, if you apply for entry level positions, you don't have to mention your MS degree on your resume 😉

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Study Monk]

Thanks guys for the suggestions!

@tough kitty I opened another post asking about AACSB accreditation. I know you live out there in Sacramento so you might have some love for your local state college, but one thing GGU will have is local recruiting in the bay area. I am wondering how many hiring managers will actually pay attention to what kind of accreditation my masters has.

The reason why I am not doing their tax program is because I am not sure that I will end up in tax. A master in accounting is more well rounded. A cool thing about GGU is their Masters of Science in Accounting is structured so that it is almost all electives. You basically take 2 required courses and choose the other 8 from other graduate courses. They also have a financial forensic focus if you choose.

I am hoping the AACSB accreditation is not a big deal, because I would prefer not to have to study for the GMAT while studying for the CPA exam. As you can see from my signature I have a lot of work ahead of me :O. Only reason I am considering getting started so soon is I am hoping a tax course could help me REG study time and units.

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"

[Author]

Replies