[sln1000]

Is there a need to study further after CPA or Is CPA enough to get us a good career?. I sometimes feel that if we keep on updating ourselves, CPA should be enough. What is the point in holding too many qualifications? Even if you are doing something, you may actually not be learning anything new. Are employers satisifed with a CPA?

Your comments please

BEC: 77(Nov 2010), 81(Jul 2012).
FAR: 80(Jul 2012).
REG: 72(Jul 2012), 78(Oct 2012).
AUD: 71(Nov 2010),74(Jul 2012),74(Oct 2012),75(Jan 2013)- Thanks God, without you i couldnt have done this. I'M DONE !!!

[mdrobbin]

I think it all depends on what field you go into. I don't work in public but I assume a CPA is the extent of what would be useful… Maybe MBA's are beneficial if you get into management.

I work in corporate finance and I think a CMA would be very beneficial from a cost accounting standpoint, although I haven't thought beyond the CPA exam at this point.

If you want to transition into valuation or equity/fixed income analysis I think a CFA is much more valuable than a CPA. However, of all the certifications, I personally think the CPA is exam provides the most well rounded and overall well-known certification in finance/accounting.

FAR - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER)
AUD - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES)
BEC - 2012 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES)
REG - 2013 - PASSED (YAEGER + NINJA NOTES + NINJA AUDIO)

ETHICS - 2013 - PASSED

DONE!!! Thank you A71 for all the support! Hiya!!!

[Anonymous]

I've been thinking about that myself. My big tripping point on additional certifications is that I'm not sure exactly what direction I want to take my career in next. I like the idea of the CMA, but I'm not sure I want to stay in my current corporate finance role for the long-term, and if I do leave this type of role, I don't know how applicable it will be. I want to make my career very broad and work in a lot of different areas (not just finance)- and while I know the CPA will be respected in most places, the other finance/accounting certifications seem more specialized- they can't hurt at all, but will they help?

Can't have too many certifications though- the beauty of a resume is you can tailor it based on what you are applying for.

[FlipACoin]

I think drobbin has it right. It all depends on your specialty. In the corporate world the CMA will help some, but it will pale in comparison to the CPA to be honest (It's also tons easier…CPAs should be able to get the CMA in 3-6 months). There is actually a brand spanking new certification by the AFP coming out either late this year or next geared toward FP&A. I think it's a specialty that is so critical and has been ignored by the certification world, so that would be helpful for anybody either in or looking to get into FP&A.

Other than that I noticed the ICPA does some specialty certifications for existing CPAs but it looks like you need significant experience in the specialty before sitting.

TLDR: Bottom line, the CPA is more of a general certification, but once you pick a specialty where you might be for a while, it could definitely be worth it to pick up one or two in that area.

[Anonymous]

If you like building things, get certified in an accounting software package and consult.

Your CPA plus a few years experience will get you making $125k pretty quickly on the right software packages. SAP, IBM, Oracle are the big ones.

[Tncincy]

@bryan,

You made a good point about being certified in accounting software packages, do you just look these up online? How do go about getting certified.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[kts1010]

@FlipACoin

I am wanting to move into FP&A from tax so I will have to do some research on that. I didn't know there was going to be a certification for this so I will have to do some research. Thanks for the heads up.

AUD - 08/20/12 - 82
REG - 10/30/12 - 82
FAR - 01/05/13 - 80
BEC - 04/15/13 - 84

[MACTEP]

I am planning to do Forensic accounting and Business valuations, so I got my CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) I will also get some valuations certifications. Besides there are quite a few certifications that have CPA as a mandatory requirement. Additional certifications make you stand out during a job search.

FAR - 88
AUD - 85
REG - 82
BEC - Late Feb/13

[Mayo]

At some point though, don't multiple certifications make you look like you're overcompensating for work experience?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

God I hope not! Just think about the CE with additional licenses! I'm sure there is some overlap but not all of it!

[mypetmeatball]

Since I am involved in IT Auditing I will be going for the CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) after this

[Anonymous]

@tncincy. The big4 will hire and train in these. Smaller boutique firms will look for accountants with systems capability and talent. You can learn these on the job is my point, but if you wanted you could always look up certification paths on the vendor websites. CPA plus a big accounting package cert will have you billed out at $300/hour in no time if you don't mind traveling.

[musicamor]

No, no other certifications are necessary; that is, if you have your master's.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

After your CPA, start working on your EGOT (obscure reference).

[FlipACoin]

Mayo: Although I agree that certifications do not replace the need for experience, as a hiring manager the only thing that might stick out to me is if the certifications didn't overlap at all. I might question the focus of the candidate. For example, the CFA and CPA. I think they are two VERY different certifications meant for two very different worlds. They both carry some SIGNIFICANT swagger with them due to their difficulty but especially if they received both around the same time I would question the focus. Otherwise though, I look at most financial certifications as a specialty cert of the CPA. The CPA is very broad, from there what do you want to do? Audit? FP&A? Corp Accounting? Fraud? IT/Techy Stuff? I would seriously suggest once somebody picks their route they do a specialty cert to define their direction. It shows you put your money (and time) where your mouth is.

[Anonymous]

How do you get certified in SAP,Oracle? I work in finance company. Are these software packages more manufacturing related?

[Author]

Replies