[greenbreen]

I am in the very nascent, newbie stage of preparation, and seek some guidance.

I completed a BS in 2002, never took a business course. By 2005, I realized while I love the idea of molecular biology, it may be a mistake to degree in it if I had no intention of going to med school, nursing school, or teaching. Now what? Support my wife who does love medicine, have a few kids and boom…8 years pass. We are solid, but I enroll at my community college and loved Accounting 101. I take a few more classes and find this is very enjoyable, sad I suffered through organic chemistry but interested in getting this going.

In California, any ol’ Bachelors means I am eligible for licensure provided I satisfy the other requirements:

As of Jan 2014, exam requirements include:

150 semester units

baccalaureate or higher

24 plus 20 units business and accounting

10 units of ethics

No more California requirements mentioning general accounting experience supervised under a licensed CPA (???)

https://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/tip_sheet.pdf

I confirmed with the state that it is acceptable to take these courses at a community college, and that, surprisingly, there is ALOT of leniency in grading (pass no pass, etc) This is my career though, so obviously it makes sense I work my tail off to get a firm understanding of the material.

Now, I have a backdoor, which with review courses and a ton of studying I could, in theory, get licensed.

But, my question is, by forgoing the traditional University route, clearly I will sacrifice the collegial network, but will I sacrifice job options? What else might I miss out on?

I have seen articles of AICPA exam pass rates, ranked by school and wonder if that really makes a huge difference. Sometimes instructors are great, sometimes, those classes are packed and you get the other guy. From reading posts here, most would probably agree that passing the Exams are a different animal than getting the degree.

(https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2012/09/14/which-schools-have-top-cpa-pass-rates.html)

My goal is to become a CPA and have my own business before turning 40. My community college instructors have counseled me towards a SECOND degree at the university level, more school, more time, more money invested in education, less money becoming my income. I am 37 and will begin taking Intermediate Accounting next Fall. Thanks for your earnest input.

[tough_kitty]

Well, if you don't have an accounting degree, I think you should go for a master's.

I suggest MS in Accountancy at CSUS. Very affordable, entirely online, and only one class at a time. You'll be done in 18 months.

And yes, there is still the work experience requirement under an active CPA.

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, if you don't have an accounting degree, I think you should go for a master's.

I suggest MS in Accountancy at CSUS. Very affordable, entirely online, and only one class at a time. You'll be done in 18 months.

And yes, there is still the work experience requirement under an active CPA.

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

[tough_kitty]

Sounds like you need to take accounting classes anyway… it would look weird on your resume:

B.S. in biology and a CPA….

Unless I misunderstood..?

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

[tough_kitty]

Sounds like you need to take accounting classes anyway… it would look weird on your resume:

B.S. in biology and a CPA….

Unless I misunderstood..?

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

[gt5717b]

I don't really think you need another degree. I was in a similar boat and chose not to pursue the accounting degree, but just took the required accounting courses so I could sit for the CPA exams. Think about how many people have accounting degrees but how many fewer have CPA licenses.

I could be in the minority, though, so I'm interested to see what others think.

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[gt5717b]

I don't really think you need another degree. I was in a similar boat and chose not to pursue the accounting degree, but just took the required accounting courses so I could sit for the CPA exams. Think about how many people have accounting degrees but how many fewer have CPA licenses.

I could be in the minority, though, so I'm interested to see what others think.

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[tomq04]

I think the degree would prove to be unnecessary as well, but the missing the experience would BE necessary! Keep trudging on those last few credits, and try and figure out how to trick a local business or firm to get you on, from there you would have the foundational building blocks to move forward I would think..

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

I think the degree would prove to be unnecessary as well, but the missing the experience would BE necessary! Keep trudging on those last few credits, and try and figure out how to trick a local business or firm to get you on, from there you would have the foundational building blocks to move forward I would think..

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Mayo]

Well, many entry level jobs are recruited at the University level before students graduate. They take the form of internships or part time jobs that eventually,transition,to full time. In addition, the network one has access to on campus (assuming your school is actively recruited. Not all are) is a big determining factor in locking down a position or an interview.

So I'd say, yes, there is a built-in disadvantage to going the route you've mentioned due to the realities of on-campus recruiting and what not. Not to say there isn't opportunities because there are. However, getting your foot in the door can be difficult and oftentimes can find you starting in a position with fewer responsibilities or at a less prestigious company had you been recruited through school.

So I'd really ask yourself a few questions:

1. What kind of work would I want to do with my CPA?

2. What does the career progression look like for the future?

3. How do I get said job?

I think really putting some time to investigate #3 is important. If your plan is to apply online, then maybe go search right now toget a feel of hw many openings are entry level.

Hope that helps.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Well, many entry level jobs are recruited at the University level before students graduate. They take the form of internships or part time jobs that eventually,transition,to full time. In addition, the network one has access to on campus (assuming your school is actively recruited. Not all are) is a big determining factor in locking down a position or an interview.

So I'd say, yes, there is a built-in disadvantage to going the route you've mentioned due to the realities of on-campus recruiting and what not. Not to say there isn't opportunities because there are. However, getting your foot in the door can be difficult and oftentimes can find you starting in a position with fewer responsibilities or at a less prestigious company had you been recruited through school.

So I'd really ask yourself a few questions:

1. What kind of work would I want to do with my CPA?

2. What does the career progression look like for the future?

3. How do I get said job?

I think really putting some time to investigate #3 is important. If your plan is to apply online, then maybe go search right now toget a feel of hw many openings are entry level.

Hope that helps.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[runnerup]

My BA was Political Science. I have no Accounting major (no plans to get one either).

As for the suggestion to get a Masters in Accounting, I thought about that too (while I was trying to figure out how to get the required accounting units). I was told I'd have to take a ton of undergrad accounting classes since I didn't have any or otherwise prove I can hack the grad level classes. I did get accepted for an MBA program (which I started and didn't finish since they dropped their accounting concentration) despite my undergrad degree, so that might be an option if you're looking to get another degree and fulfill your accounting units at the same time.

Just my two cents: college classes don't really prepare you for the CPA exam nor for practicing as a CPA. Passing the exam doesn't mean you're ready to practice on your own either. Experience is key.

As for finding work as a Biology major/CPA… I don't know how employers look at that sort of thing 🙂

REG 10/12/13 - 94
FAR 10/17/13 - 93
AUD 11/11/13 - 92
BEC 11/20/13 - 87
ethics 11/27/13 - 92%

[runnerup]

My BA was Political Science. I have no Accounting major (no plans to get one either).

As for the suggestion to get a Masters in Accounting, I thought about that too (while I was trying to figure out how to get the required accounting units). I was told I'd have to take a ton of undergrad accounting classes since I didn't have any or otherwise prove I can hack the grad level classes. I did get accepted for an MBA program (which I started and didn't finish since they dropped their accounting concentration) despite my undergrad degree, so that might be an option if you're looking to get another degree and fulfill your accounting units at the same time.

Just my two cents: college classes don't really prepare you for the CPA exam nor for practicing as a CPA. Passing the exam doesn't mean you're ready to practice on your own either. Experience is key.

As for finding work as a Biology major/CPA… I don't know how employers look at that sort of thing 🙂

REG 10/12/13 - 94
FAR 10/17/13 - 93
AUD 11/11/13 - 92
BEC 11/20/13 - 87
ethics 11/27/13 - 92%

[Mayo]

“college classes don't really prepare you for the CPA exam nor for practicing as a CPA”

I'd say I slightly disagree on the first part and agree on the second.

A Bachelor's in Accounting curriculum is designed around the exam itself in terms of what courses are taught and what is covered. So I'd say 80% of what is covered in a Bachelor's shows up on the exam. The rest of the 20% can show up during elective coursework at the Graduate and possibly the undergrad level.

But runnerup is right. Passing the exam is nice, but experience PLUS the exam is key.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

“college classes don't really prepare you for the CPA exam nor for practicing as a CPA”

I'd say I slightly disagree on the first part and agree on the second.

A Bachelor's in Accounting curriculum is designed around the exam itself in terms of what courses are taught and what is covered. So I'd say 80% of what is covered in a Bachelor's shows up on the exam. The rest of the 20% can show up during elective coursework at the Graduate and possibly the undergrad level.

But runnerup is right. Passing the exam is nice, but experience PLUS the exam is key.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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