[skd8]

Hi all, I am planning to return back to work after 4 years to take care of my family. To make this transition easier I am going to get an MBA from a great university. I come from a strong technical background with bachelors in Computer engineering and over 6 years working as a senior consultant in technology field. I applied for MBA which I am starting in August but I would like a little more help since this is a comeback after career break and a career change I would like to know what certifications should I pursue and if there is anything else I could do to make my resume stand out. I was looking into CMA would that be an impossible feat for someone from non-accounting background? I will not be eligible for CPA because of non accounting related work experience. Is there any other certification I could consider. Any help/advice will be appreciated.

[Missy]

Have you given any thought to your end goal, and can you define why accounting? There is an experience requirements for the CMA as well. However given your background there's IT audit position in public, which could bridge you to wherever you hope to end up.

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

[skd8]

Thanks so much for your reply. I honestly believe accounting would have been the right career for me if I had a do-over. I never really enjoyed IT but I am exceptionally good with numbers. IT audit sounds great except for I dont CISA or any certifications and I would not be qualified to get those certifications without any related experience. Would CMA be a starting point to break into this field and then get more certifications along the way? Thanks in advance

[Missy]

Depends on what you're looking to do with it. You need 2 years experience to take the CMA as well. Fewer people have ever heard of the cma, so it's not likely to be recognized as a demonstration of aptitude like the cpa. I think when combined with cost accounting experience it becomes valuable but if cost accounting isn't your cup of tea, it's benefits may not become apparent until further along in your career.

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

[Nessie]

skd8,

Don’t worry about having an accounting background. And to be quite honest, you don’t even have to be good with numbers. I am guessing you are an engineer? Accounting is really about adding and subtracting. It is conceptual, so you have to know when to add and subtract, but it does not require you to be a math wizard by any stretch.

I had an artsy undergraduate degree and I am just about to finish an MBA. If you are getting an MBA (assuming it is one with the 150 credit hours required to get a CPA) you will only have to work for 1 year to become a CPA, no two….At least that is how it is in New York.

One other thing, although I have 10+ years in finance, (I have accepted an offer at a big 4), I am not getting too much recognition for my past experience. At least not yet. So you might want to get comfortable with the idea that you will be working at a lower level than you are used to.

Regardless, good luck with it and with school on the fall!

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[Credit Revenue]

I disagree with anything Nessie has to say. J/K…

A - 79 expires 4/30/16 need a pass on REG
B - 78
F - 80
R - 83!!! Can live again!

[Mayo]

“I am going to get an MBA from a great university”

Going into accounting is overkill if you get an MBA from a great university. Maybe think about Finance instead? Why do you want to do accounting if you can get in to a great MBA?

Are we talking top 10 MBA?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[skd8]

Thank you all so much for your advice. Since I am an engineer good with numbers, I assumed accounting with MBA would be the best way for me, especially with all the job related data out there projecting accounting as the fastest growing field. For finance I have heard from a lot of people that its hard to get a job these days. Since I am going back to work after so many years, I want to be doubly sure that I am not making a bad career decision. Please advice.

Also is there any certification I can take right now while working on my MBA to make my resume standout a little more? Please advice.

[Mayo]

Can you specify what ranked MBA you would go to? It makes a difference.

And while I say “finance” I don't mean investment banking, buy/sell-side investment analyst, or private equity. I mean corporate finance at a F100, business valuation in a big 4, consulting in a big 4, or equity research.

Nothing against accounting, but getting a top 10 MBA, for example, is like getting an MD to become a Nurse Practitioner. For one, a Nurse Practitioner is a sought after job nowadays, but with an MD from a top medical school you can become a surgeon. So again, it's a bit overkill.

If you are simply getting an MBA from a *good* school, then accounting is fine. No biggie. But getting an MBA from a place like Wharton and then going into accounting? Seems like a waste to me tbh.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[skd8]

My MBA is not top 10! Based on US news more like top 20. Its 20th rank, I am glad because I finally have an opportunity to go back to work. Based on this information, could you please advice based on your experience would corporate finance be a better bet or should I stick with accounting? I will look into this more in depth but its nice to have a starting point. Thanks again

[Mayo]

“Based on this information, could you please advice based on your experience would corporate finance be a better bet or should I stick with accounting?”

Just depends on what your interest are really. I mean, there's nothing wrong with getting a Harvard MBA and then going into accounting. But it's not the best bang for your buck, seeing that a top MBA is not necessary to get into the accounting field.

Regardless, it seems that top 20 would be a good opportunity to go into a variety of positions. Corporate Finance, Accounting (public or private), consulting, etc. Again, just depends on what you're looking for overall.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Missy]

Agree with mayo that you need to establish what you're looking for. I see too many people here that really don't have a clear vision, just know that “‘accounting” (which is much more broad a term than you can imagine) is secure, stable, etc.

I'd go at it another way: start with how you envision your days. Is it 9-5, or whatever it takes to get the job done. Is it working in a group or fairly autonomously. Do you thrive in tight deadlines, or do you need time to be thorough.

The path to get to Partner in a public accounting can be very different than the path to get to Controller of a Fortune 500 company, which is very different than an auditor for a government agency. Each of those positions can be considered accounting. and I am sure each have members who came from a top 20 MBA as well as others with an undergrad. The pros and cons of each type of work are very unique but its a pain to spend a few years chasing one path only to realize you loathe it. Of course there are no guarantees that you'll like any of them but it helps make strategic decisions if you can somewhat lay out where you want to end up.

Think of it like a vacation. Right now you're saying “I want to go to Europe”. Great, do you want ocean or inland, touristy or off the beaten path. Focus on what suits you then the questions here will flow like “hey whats a typical day for a partner like?”

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

[Author]

Replies