[Anonymous]

I am thinking of getting a Master of Science in accounting and obtaining my CPA licence because my undergraduate degree in hotel management has gotten me no where. I continue to be stuck in low level customer service jobs.

There is a great bridge program at the state university for people who were business majors during undergrad that I have a pretty good shot at getting into. I took several accounting courses during my undergraduate study. Additionally, I am currently taken a graduate level accounting course online at Wharton through Coursera.org.

I would really love to become an accountant and get my CPA licence. However, I know that the “Big Four” accounting firms will NOT hire anyone over 30 let along some career changer in her 40’s. It seems tough to get any kind of entry level job at middle age.

Is it worth it for someone in their mid 40’s to get a M.S. in Accounting and CPA licence? Will I be able find gainful employment?

Some honest feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Missy]

Big 4 hires people in their 40's. Not as often but not unheard of. I was over 40 when I got my license but it wasn't a career change. If I were, you I'd, find,a, job in accounting first and let them pay for your master's. It will be hard to find a job in accounting but it's going to be hard, with a master's degree too if, you have no accounting experience.

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

[CPA50]

Hiya,

I will be 51 tomorrow! I am halfway through my exams and I would be 51 regardless of the path 😉

I have a degree in Speech Communications – a lovely little liberal arts degree that did not translate into a meaningful career.

I started at 40, taking additional accounting classes to fulfill the 150 hour requirement.

My biggest issue is finding experience hours. I have several individual CPAs that I do work for on a contract basis who will sign off, but that could take awhile. I am a self-employed fraud examiner and I need the CPA designation (and then CFF) to go further and get bigger assignments.

You could most certainly get a job in industry with the CPA/Masters Degree plus some meaningful work experience.

It is a commitment, so you don't want to go through this and then change your mind after investing so much time and money.

I'd take a good hard look at yourself and find out why you get pigeon-holed into low level jobs. It might not be your degree. Perhaps talking with a career coach might give you some insight?

Best wishes!

AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
REG 75 (expired) September 7
BEC 72, 77

The adventure continues...

[spikesrd]

While Big 4 experience does carry weight within the accounting field, it is not the only path to success. Being good at what you do is all you need to be successful in any industry. Besides, Big 4 experience comes at a steep price with regards to the amount of time you have to put in. Unless you're willing to work 70 – 80 hours per week while living out of a hotel, I would caution you to look for something outside of public accounting. Big 4 firms love hiring younger accountants because they don't have families and responsibilities preventing travel and long hours. BUT, if you aren't aren't deterred by the above you should go for it with reckless abandon.

“The reward for work well-done is more work.”

BEC - 05/26/2015 77
AUD - 07/27/2015 88
FAR - 08/31/2015 80
REG - 11/30/2015 73, 04/18/2016 80 Done!!!

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

I'd echo mla a little bit and suggest finding a job in accounting first and letting them pay for a MAcc. Or, since you already have a BA, go to comm college and pick up the required Acc and Business credits. This is a lot cheaper and your accounting coursework will prepare you just fine for the CPA (this is the route I picked).

I'm in my 30s, transitioning from full-time parent to wannabe CPA, and I don't think the job search is going to be as easy as I thought. I could easily see it taking three months or more to land ANY accounting gig.

I say go for it if it is what you want to do, but I don't think accounting will be big time lifestyle changing money within the first few years. I know I'll be starting at entry level and in the market I'm in, I'm looking somewhere between $40-$50 a year, obviously depending on what kind of job I can get.

Good luck, go for it, but be realistic.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[trish_1234]

@ AccountingSavy So if you think your to old you might as well retire now and forget about it. Point being, 40's is not the age to retire, you are young and have lots of life ahead of you to attain many goals. You may find obstacles along the way as do 20 yr olds. Many people change career paths. If accounting is what you want go for it, just be realistic about the debt you may incur and the low starting salary (which wont be any different if you were 20).

AUD 69, 92 7/15 Gleim and Ninja test bank
FAR sometime in 10/15 Gleim
BEC not taken
REG not taken

[trish_1234]

@ AccountingSavy So if you think your to old you might as well retire now and forget about it. Point being, 40's is not the age to retire, you are young and have lots of life ahead of you to attain many goals. You may find obstacles along the way as do 20 yr olds. Many people change career paths. If accounting is what you want go for it, just be realistic about the debt you may incur and the low starting salary (which wont be any different if you were 20).

AUD 69, 92 7/15 Gleim and Ninja test bank
FAR sometime in 10/15 Gleim
BEC not taken
REG not taken

[Rb899]

@ Lion_of_the_Rock

Hey what review course did you use to pass your exam? tx

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

@Rb Roger Vids and Wiley TB for BEC. Roger Vids and NINJA MCQ for AUD and FAR. Roger Vids and Gleim TB for REG.

After using all these I think NINJA MCQ can get you thru if you wanna do a budget prep. Roger has great vids if you actually watch them but his TB sucked when I had it (his vids on Govt saved my butt on FAR). Gleim will give you all you need: thorough book and good bank. If you read and do MCQs I'd say Gleim will def get you through.

So it just depends on how much you want to spend and if you want vids or not. If I had to pick just one I'd say go with Gleim (I haven't seen NINJA book yet and NINJA notes didn't do it for me, sorry Jeff, you still rock though).

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[Author]

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