[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"

[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"

[tough_kitty]

Hey, I have no love for CSUS 😉 I worked there as staff for 4 years and I know it has some issues but which government entity does not? 😉 I just thought it would be a better option in terms of $ but I do agree with you that GGU has more attractive classes at least judging by titles. And recruitment part of it is obviously very important.

Thanks for posting that other question about accreditation. I'm curious to read the answers myself.

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

[tough_kitty]

Hey, I have no love for CSUS 😉 I worked there as staff for 4 years and I know it has some issues but which government entity does not? 😉 I just thought it would be a better option in terms of $ but I do agree with you that GGU has more attractive classes at least judging by titles. And recruitment part of it is obviously very important.

Thanks for posting that other question about accreditation. I'm curious to read the answers myself.

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

[Anonymous]

There isn't really studying involved with the GMAT. It's like a higher level of SATs. You should be fine taking the GMAT and studying for the CPA…unless the GMAT has changed in the last 10 years. I didn't study at all and did well on it.

[Anonymous]

There isn't really studying involved with the GMAT. It's like a higher level of SATs. You should be fine taking the GMAT and studying for the CPA…unless the GMAT has changed in the last 10 years. I didn't study at all and did well on it.

[Study Monk]

Thanks CPAMommyof3.

I am spending way to much time thinking about this…and not enough time studying FAR. I think the school that is cheaper and better accredited should be the easy choice;however i know for a fact that accounting firms recruit from GGU. An online degree from Sacramento probably won't have the recruiting opportunities at least in the Bay Area

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]

Thanks CPAMommyof3.

I am spending way to much time thinking about this…and not enough time studying FAR. I think the school that is cheaper and better accredited should be the easy choice;however i know for a fact that accounting firms recruit from GGU. An online degree from Sacramento probably won't have the recruiting opportunities at least in the Bay Area

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"

[tough_kitty]

Well, I know that big 4 offices in SF and SJ interviewed and hired a few people with B.S. degree from Sac State but you might want to do some more research on this. If you know for sure that you'll get a job after you get a degree with GGU then go for it.

And YES, go master FAR material! 😉 I'm slacking off with my AUD but I already scored over 80% on all topics… Now gotta review everything.

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

[tough_kitty]

Well, I know that big 4 offices in SF and SJ interviewed and hired a few people with B.S. degree from Sac State but you might want to do some more research on this. If you know for sure that you'll get a job after you get a degree with GGU then go for it.

And YES, go master FAR material! 😉 I'm slacking off with my AUD but I already scored over 80% on all topics… Now gotta review everything.

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

[FindYourBeach]

First off, I would definitely study for the GMAT, at least a bit. That's not something I would want to go into cold.

Secondly, when I was interviewing with Big 4 firms, I had a similar question. Mine was: should I get my Masters in Accounting or stay and take bull crap classes to qualify for the 150 hrs standard for the CPA. All of them said to forgo the masters, get the 150 hrs, and get the CPA. Once you have a CPA, few will care that you have a maters in acct.

[FindYourBeach]

First off, I would definitely study for the GMAT, at least a bit. That's not something I would want to go into cold.

Secondly, when I was interviewing with Big 4 firms, I had a similar question. Mine was: should I get my Masters in Accounting or stay and take bull crap classes to qualify for the 150 hrs standard for the CPA. All of them said to forgo the masters, get the 150 hrs, and get the CPA. Once you have a CPA, few will care that you have a maters in acct.

[Anonymous]

yea, studying for the gmat is kinda different than studying for the cpa. but you still need to practice and especially familiarize yourself with the format. first time i took the gmat, i ran out of time on the quantitative section so i retook it knowing i didnt perform my best.

[Anonymous]

yea, studying for the gmat is kinda different than studying for the cpa. but you still need to practice and especially familiarize yourself with the format. first time i took the gmat, i ran out of time on the quantitative section so i retook it knowing i didnt perform my best.

[jeff]

Don't get an MBA until you have 5 years of experience under your belt. It will mean more.

[jeff]

Don't get an MBA until you have 5 years of experience under your belt. It will mean more.

[Author]

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