[Anonymous]

So, here is my debate. Why people are so stubborn to not understand the difference between designation vs. a degree… People are so confused putting MBA after their name (which is incorrect since this is NOT a designation) and that bothers me because we are working hard to be recognized for this designation (CPA) and thus we actually deserve to use it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying MBA is not an accomplishment (it is), I am just saying that this should not be included after your name because it looks silly… I also hate the fact that in the corporation I work for, they hired a new senior accountant (with an MBA) and he puts it in the email signature (I guess he wants to feel special)… Also I would look silly if, for instance, put MAcc after my name (because I do have Master in Accounting)…

I founnd the following article interesting: https://watchyourwallet.blogspot.com/2008/06/should-i-put-mba-in-my-title-on-my.html

---

FAR: PASSED

AUD: PASSED

REG: PASSED

BEC: PASSED

EXPERIENCE: Done

* My CPA journey took 1 year and 2 months but it felt like an eternity

** Applied for the license on 06/17/14

[Monkey Wrench]

Don't get me wrong, i agree that mba should not go after your name….but

“I am just saying that this should not be included after your name because it looks silly”

Using that as a reason is just silly, its the equivalent of basically being in audit and saying “Boss, I can't believe they put that information there, this is fraud because I said it is!”

[WeWillSee]

Obviously I am on this forum because I am taking the exam, so I understand how difficult it is, and how much knowledge you need to pass – but I'm not learning anything that I didn't learn while getting my undergrad, or while working in public accounting. I'm not against getting a CPA or saying that having your CPA means nothing, but it doesn't mean you are automatically a better accountant than someone who hasn't passed all the exams yet – however the general public perceives you as a better accountant. Maybe not MBA because that really has nothing to do with accounting, but having an MBT may cause the public to perceive you as being a better tax accountant, and why wouldn't you want them to think you are better at your job.

[Mayo]

“but did you read the article?”

Yes, it was an opinion. More accurately, it's an opinion of a few people really.

Look, overall I agree it's unnecessary and overkill in a few places. But I just don't see anything wrong with it.

Besides, we're talking about an email signature. Who cares? (other than people who get annoyed by it 😛 ). If I had an MBA I'd probably just put it on my linkedin and resume; not in title. But if I saw it…meh, I wouldn't think twice.

Anyways, these are all just opinions. I only took exception to the idea that a degree can't also be a designation.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

“I have to say that MBA is not a designation….getting an MBA is a proud accomplishement but it is just that and not a designation.”

Look, I think you're confusing designation with certification.

A designation is basically, “a distinguishing name, sign, or title”

A certification is, “official approval to do something professionally or legally”

MBA fits the former, but not the latter.

Even if you meant certification, who is making these rules? Is there an official body of email signature rules that I'm not aware of?

MBA is used on business cards, linkedin profile titles, email signatures, etc. I've never seen someone scoff at seeing someone use the MBA as a title in an appropriate setting. Again, an appropriate setting. We're not talking about having an MBA when you work as a customer service rep.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[wrj02]

First of all, one year is not that long to consider yourself experienced.

I understand that while studying for the CPA exam, I have learned much more than I ever thought I would. However, I think that is something only we (accountants) understand mutually…clients don't know what that entails. When a client sees CPA, they think we must be more qualified than others in our field (without that designation).

Say I graduated in May, sat for all my exams at once through the summer, then waited ONE YEAR (not that long of experience, might I add…..not that I am complaining) to be able to call myself a CPA. Would I be more qualified than a 5-year senior at an accounting firm, who took their first job immediately after graduation under a firm that was busy all year and offered little time to study? I don't think so.

Mind you, I am neither of those scenarios.

BUT to a client, they don't see that. They see CPA. They don't know how grueling and demanding the exams are, and much of the time are irrelevant to what a particular employee is practicing at the time. Just like a Master's, it's buying your reputation. For a master's in tax, over time, I'm sure you could take all of the same content via CPE, have the same knowledge, but not have MBT after your name and therefore not as credible to your clients….Unless you pay $40k to get those letters. That's just reality.

I'm working towards my CPA and plan on getting my MBT after. I'm just not going to attack someone just because the cold, hard truth sucks.

FAR 77
REG 82
BEC 73, 83
AUD 59???, 87! DONE!

[Mayo]

Finally got a signature in honor of this thread 😛

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Excel14]

As many on here that seem to want to get the CPA for mere fun/personal achievement, I'm a bit surprised that anyone on here would even want to put the letters behind their name (should be a non-issue). Please don't kill me, but I just had to do it. 🙂

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Anonymous]

@Mayo- Me too… look at my signature.

according to the intelligent people who say that MBA should be after your name… if that's the case I am going to be putting a lot initials after my name (I hope the following joke would not be taken seriously because I've seen many smart people commenting in this thread)…

Aguirre, HS, AA, BA2F, Macc, SBCPA, SBCMA

HS: High School

AA: Associate in Arts (Accounting)

BA2F: Bachelor's in Accounting (Second major-Finance)

MAcc: Master's in Accounting

SBCPA: Soon to Be a CPA

[Mayo]

@aguirre, Hmmm, I'm assuming you didn't finish grade school? It's not in your signature.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

@aguirre, Hmmm, I'm assuming you didn't finish grade school? It's not in your signature.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

@Mayo- oh shoot I forgot, you're correct… thanks

[Herbieherb]

MBA doesn't impress me unless its from a top tier school…there are way too many for profit diploma mills that take anybody who can get student aid and it really cheapens the meaning

NEW YORK- DONE

[John Tucker]

I read that article years ago, and also other articles of it's kind. I think the people calling the individuals who put MBA after their name “douchbags” or something of the like, is a form of either jealousy or insecurity because they themselves HAVE no MBA and in turn don't want others seeing the person with the MBA as being “more qualified than they are”.

When it all comes down to it, many academic department chairs have stated that when you put something behind your name, it should only be the terminal degree or regulated license within that area. So I can be:

John Tucker, PhD

John Tucker, DBA

John Tucker, CMA

John Tucker, CFA

John Tucker, CPA (which is what I'm going for)

Has nothing to do with the difficulty of the program, how much it cost, etc. Now, you might run into a situation when you are working somewhere that's relevant, and you are the only one with the terminal degree or license and management refuses to allow you to put it behind your name for the reasons I stated above (insecurity). But that's the terms and conditions of your employment at that firm.

If you have your own consulting practice for example, you can honestly do whatever you want. An argument is also made that when you are seeking jobs, it helps to get your application noticed when you put John Tucker, MBA at the top of the resume. Me personally, I just include in the Professional Summary section on Resumes and LinkedIn that I have the MBA, it doesn't go behind your name unless it's a terminal degree within that content area.

So when you work in Accounting and Finance, you have a CPA or CMA, and someone in your office/your manager/your employer tells you it's WRONG to put it behind your name, then you know they are strictly coming from the insecurity angle which is quite sad in my opinion. They might even come out and tell you they are coming from the insecurity angle, “John, you can't put CPA in your email signature because, most of the other Account Executives don't have that license and we don't want them to look inferior to you.” You don't increase human capital within a firm by downplaying achievements, no matter if they were from actual work related activities or continuing education.

* State of MA CPA Exam Candidate
- BEC: Sunday, August 24th
- FAR: Saturday, November 29th
- AUD: TBA for February 2015
- REG: TBA for May 2015

[Anonymous]

“MBA doesn't impress me unless its from a top tier school”

This.

[Anonymous]

“When it all comes down to it, many academic department chairs have stated that when you put something behind your name, it should only be the terminal degree or regulated license within that area.”

I agree with this. Technically you could put a degree as a designation, but all it really says is that you are not licensed or certified by a federal or state board or association in any capacity.

Doctors can choose to go by M.D. or Ed.D. or Ph.D, but usually they'll just go by “Doctor”. Sounds cooler anyway. Lawyers too, they have a J.D. after law school, but would not use that unless they are not licensed to practice law (the title of “Esquire” is conferred when they become licensed).

[Author]

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