[gbeste]

I graduated with an Economics degree in 2008 and based my limited résumé and the condition if the job market around then, I realized I needed to go back to school if I was going to get anywhere. So I spent a year in law school because my dad is a lawyer, bailed on that, and then started taking accounting classes so I could sit for my CPA exam.. I honestly have no intention of doing actual accounting for a career but saw the CPA as an avenue to get into analytics and then maybe do the CFA. My question is has anyone had success with using a CPA to get into analyst roles in finance? If so, what additional schooling have you done and so on. I currently work as a data analyst and all I really do make spreadsheets all day in Excel. It is horrible. Thanks.

FAR - 84
AUD - 93
REG - 76

[Mayo]

Can you define what “get into analytics” means to you?

Also, there's a bit of overlap from getting the CFA. Passing one or two exams MAY cause some to consider you for a FInancial Analyst/FP&A position. But dang, it's a tough exam. And the jobs in which a CFA is useful are still a bit on the scarce side. But if you've passed the CPA exams, Level I is doable. Level 2 is where the rubber meets the road.

Really though, you seem a bit all over the place. Care to go into more depth on what you want to do?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[mla1169]

Your best bet is to search job websites (indeed.com, monster.com, craigslist, etc) and get a feel for what the current demand for analysts w/CPA credentials. Even if you come across one or two people here who have successfully followed that path, almost all career fields are fickle and it may not be relevant in 2013.

Question is, will you be able to meet the experience requirements (depending on the state you've applied in) to become licensed?

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Another question… Do you intend to actually get licensed?

[gbeste]

In Delaware, you get your CPA certificate once you pass all the sections and do the ethics portion. You can then file for a “Permit to Practice” which requires the work experience.

https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/accountancy/newcertificate.shtml#PageContent

What I was trying to get at was that I am basically using the CPA as a resume booster to get into mid level financial analysis and once I finish maybe a MBA or Masters in Finance, I would start to work on my CFA in order to move higher. It may seem like a lot of work to study and pass all the sections with no intention of working as an accountant, but the job market in these fields is pretty tight.

I am not using the CPA in order to prepare for the CFA, but I am attempting to use it to get a career going while I move along with my education. What I was trying to express is if anyone on here has had success in using their CPA credentials to land positions outside of normal accounting roles, more specifically in finance..

FAR - 84
AUD - 93
REG - 76

[gbeste]

But in reading the site it looks like I was going on old information and would need to get the work experience. I was kind of going on what my father's accountant had said and it looks like it was dated advice… So yeah, I would need the work experience.

FAR - 84
AUD - 93
REG - 76

[FlipACoin]

It sounds like you might want to get into investment analytics since you mentioned pursuing a CFA? I can't speak much from that perspective, but from a strictly corporate finance/FP&A perspective, the CPA will probably not help you as a resume booster at this point in your career. It might give you a slight edge over somebody else with the exact same qualifications minus a CPA, but otherwise I don't see it boosting you to the top of the candidate pool. Corp finance/analytics/FP&A is a specialty where experience is king and I hate to say it but there are no shortcuts. You need 2-3 years of relative grunt work before you will begin to be considered for mid level FP&A jobs (By mid level I mean Sr. Analyst). Until you can get there you will be doing 90% reporting in excel, that's just how it is. Now, there is an FP&A specific certification coming out by the AFP sometime next year I believe. That could help some but since it's so new it probably won't help you stand out by anybody who isn't involved with the AFP. At this point in your career, a masters will probably help a little bit more, and it sounds like you are on that track. Even then, you won't be trusted to provide meaningfull analytics until you have 2-3 years under your belt, and even then you will probably still be doing 40-50% reporting.

With that said: The CPA is an EXCELLENT thing to have in your back pocket for when you want to reach Director level, especially if you will be in a position to be over Finance & Accounting. So I am by no means suggesting you stop. I just would hate for you to get out there and expect the Corp Fin/FP&A world to bow at your feet because you have a CPA. You will be sorely disapointed.

I DO, however, expect them to bow at my feet 🙂

[Author]

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