[Small4]

So I’m in my 30s, wife and kid, short 30 units (quarter) so that’s like 6-8 courses….in CA, and I recently passed my exam (Thank God)….however since CA changed its rules to 150 units, I graduated w/ a BA only about a decade ago short on units…I had enough to take the exam but not to get a license.

Specifically I lack 2-3 accounting courses and 2 ethics courses. Rest can probably be “basket weaving” courses to up my units to 150…

I’m currently trying to enroll to a Community College and do these slowly per quarter…OR somehow sign up to a 1.5 year MST program. I can see my company pay for the tuition if broken down in smaller installments, but the problem issss the time spent on taking these courses away from family life…

I understand getting a MST helps a lot, but how much does it REALLYYYY help if say you get a CPA regardless of the method (CC vs MST)….? I’m somewhat in a funk workwise/no upward movement…however, it works well with having a family since its literally a 9-5 (even less) job, pay is ok (not mgr type $$ but higher 3rd year senior in Big 4 type $$), and really no pressure to move…..however, does having an MST later down the road helps??? Or can it be somewhat “pointless” as long as one has the CPA designation?

Trying to get your thoughts out there for those who are on a similar boat.

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[Substantive Testing]

It really depends of what you want to be in the long term. If your ultimate goal is to partner in tax firm at a mid to big size firm, then MST is a must. But if you are just looking to stay at a senior management level or partner at a smaller firm, then CC would be the most reasonable choice. If you are not sure and enjoy learning, you should just go for the MST. The only thing it can hurt is your wallet.

[ultrarunner]

Small4, I took all my accounting/business classes at CCs. I don't have accounting degree, so CC was the only option to fulfill the basic educational requirement. I was not interested in tax at all, so I didn't mind not pursuing MST. However, once I passed the exams, I got interested in taxation. So I started MST. Whatever you choose, I wish you the very best of luck.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[RobertJason]

My girlfriend was on the same path as us 12 years ago (B.S.; big 4; CPA exams; etc.) and she's currently a controller. When I asked her the same question a couple years ago she said don't go for the MST. She explained that CPA and MST were pretty equivalent from the viewpoint of employers. Also, she said that an extra year in the field, rather than in school, would be more valuable. Still, it's difficult to know for sure.

[Anonymous]

I have a mst in ca. Work in public accounting. I cannot even articulate how much the mst has helped me career wise. It was the best thing I ever did when combined with the cpa.

[Small4]

Thanks for the comments. I worked in big 4 for a few years but ended up opting for just a basic industry gig…I don't really see myself as “big shot” partner anymore..but would like to get more recognition career wise later on in the industry. i guess a CPA + MST is better than CPA only regardless..but I wish it was a quantifiable difference

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[Anonymous]

If you are wanting to work in tax, then MST is good.

But if you're not wanting to work in tax, then it's not helpful. Are you working in tax in your “basic industry gig”, or are you doing financial accounting? If it's financial accounting, then I'd think an MBA or MPA or MSA would be more suited to your career than an MST. Some MBAs are quite cheap; the one I'm doing is $11-13k depending on the track you pick and if you've met the pre-reqs (any business degree). Granted, that's not as cheap as 6 courses at a CC, but the notion that MBAs are all ridiculously expensive even compared to other Master's isn't accurate.

IF you're doing tax in industry, then an MST will show you're dedicated to tax and move you in the right direction, so go for it if that's the case.

However…all in all…I'd still heavily consider doing undergrad courses to meet the CPA requirements, and then look into a Master's after that, cause 10 or 11 graduate level courses will probably be more demanding then 6-8 undergrad (especially since 2-4 of them can be random topics). CC courses on random topics could even include the wife and kids – maybe they offer ballroom dancing and she'd love to do it, or outdoor exploration/appreciation and allow kids on the trips, etc.

Personally I got my 150 with undergrad courses, then took the RTRP (now extinct) exam, then the CPA exams, and I've had about 2 years off from studying. Now I'm getting back into it with my MBA. I prefer this route to having pushed the MBA when I didn't really want the Master's yet, just trying to get the CPA. However, at that time, I hadn't found this school and offer yet, so maybe I would've felt differently if I'd had all information available.

[Ryan]

CLEP exams. Much cheaper and quicker than CC.

[jzhan026]

Wherever you decided to go, just be careful about the accounting ethics requirement starting this year. Many MST programs don't have the course and you will have to take it at a CC.

[Author]

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