- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
To get a CPA or to not?
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:02 am
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:02 am
I currently have 42 credit hours left to finish my Accounting degree at LSU and I have a good internship at a pretty big company based out of Baton Rouge. I'm trying to decide whether to go to grad school and get my CPA or not. If I decide to go to grad school I would try and graduate next summer and if I don't I will most likely graduate next December. Is it worth to get my CPA and go to school more or not? Thanks in advance for any advice
9
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:07 am to Wes225
Are you an accountant? Then - get a CPA.
Weather you are working for a mom pop or the big4 - CPA is fantastic cert to have.
Weather you are working for a mom pop or the big4 - CPA is fantastic cert to have.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:29 am to Wes225
All depends on what you want to do after graduation.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:33 am to Wes225
It depends on what your long term goals are.
If you're trying to be a controller or make it to the c-suite as a CFO, even in private sector, the CPA still carries a lot of weight. Your advancement will be somewhat limited with an accounting degree with no CPA.
I'd advise getting your degree, going into the workforce, then taking online classes to fulfill your requirements. LSU ODL is pretty flexible. You get 6 months to complete the courses at your own pace and it's not too expensive. I think $700-800 class.
If you're trying to be a controller or make it to the c-suite as a CFO, even in private sector, the CPA still carries a lot of weight. Your advancement will be somewhat limited with an accounting degree with no CPA.
I'd advise getting your degree, going into the workforce, then taking online classes to fulfill your requirements. LSU ODL is pretty flexible. You get 6 months to complete the courses at your own pace and it's not too expensive. I think $700-800 class.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:36 am to southernelite
quote:
It depends on what your long term goals are.
I hope to get a job where my internship when I graduate and I would like to move up the ladder at this company. Would getting an MBA online look any worse than getting an on campus MBA?
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:36 am to Wes225
It is a long, difficult and expensive certification to obtain. Having said that, it will pay itself back if you are in accounting or even finance. I wouldn't worry about it if you are going into a different profession.
I haven't practiced in years but I don't see ever going inactive
I haven't practiced in years but I don't see ever going inactive
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:54 am to Wes225
I wasn't necessarily talking about an MBA, but just getting the 150 hours of credit to sit for the CPA.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:55 am to Wes225
I was always told that an Accountant without their CPA was an overpaid bookkeeper. I would definitely get your CPA. Most Accounting or Finance related job listings I see say CPA preferred or required. Not having it will likely cost you opportunities. I would also start studying and taking the exams as soon as you can. When I was in school I assumed I would go into Tax or Audit after I graduated so I finished the extra hours required to sit for the CPA exam. After a year of doing taxes I didn't like it so I left for an industry job and that's what I've been doing ever since. Because I wasn't in public accounting and a CPA wasn't specifically required I put it off for 8 years. Trying to pass the exams after that much time had gone by was miserable.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:58 am to southernelite
quote:
I wasn't necessarily talking about an MBA, but just getting the 150 hours of credit to sit for the CPA.
I would need pretty much the same amount of hours to get an MBA as I would to meet the 150 hour requirement I believe. I'm assuming it would be worth it to go ahead and get my MBA also? If I do would an online MBA be looked at as lesser than an on campus one?
Posted on 8/16/17 at 10:09 am to tissle
quote:
Weather you are working for a mom pop or the big4
What does the weather have to do with accounting?
For real though, I agree. The CPA designation is crucial.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 10:21 am to Wes225
quote:
If I do would an online MBA be looked at as lesser than an on campus one?
If it's from a brick and mortar university there is no diffference.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 10:23 am to Wes225
If you plan on get your CPA I would advise getting an MS in Accounting over an MBA for the simple fact that the whole program is geared for getting ready for the CPA. The exams are cumbersome so having that one extra year of pretty much a big study program is really helpful. Also, IMO, being a CPA is similar to being an MD in that once you have the letters behind your name you won't be asked a ton of questions about it so the MBA really doesn't add that much value. When is the last time you asked a doctor what number were they in their class or how well they scored on their board exam? Same type deal with the CPA.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 11:04 am to Mingo Was His NameO
Exactly my thoughts--find a masters in accountancy program covering the courses you need to sit for the CPA. General MBA degrees are less valuable in the marketplace than the specialized MAcct. Don't do additional UG hrs simply to sit for the exam; find a masters program that allows you to prepare and results in a graduate credential.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 11:56 am to hungryone
I believe at LSU I can get an MBA while specializing in Accounting, would that or getting a Master's in Accounting be better?
Posted on 8/16/17 at 12:14 pm to Wes225
Most people get a Masters in Accounting so they will have the hours requirement to sit for the CPA exam (150 hrs). While not useless, the Masters of Accounting is generally obtained as a way to meet the requirement
While probably more difficult (due to less focus on accounting in MBA), I think obtaining an MBA and a CPA would be superior to a Masters of Accountancy and a CPA
If you have a CPA nobody is going to Care if you have your masters in accounting. But if you decide to get out of Accounting a MBA will carry more weight than a Masters of Accounting
While probably more difficult (due to less focus on accounting in MBA), I think obtaining an MBA and a CPA would be superior to a Masters of Accountancy and a CPA
If you have a CPA nobody is going to Care if you have your masters in accounting. But if you decide to get out of Accounting a MBA will carry more weight than a Masters of Accounting
This post was edited on 8/16/17 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 8/16/17 at 2:05 pm to POCKET
I'm going to agree with Pocket.
Before the 150 hour requirement came around, the only reason people got an Master in Acct was if they wanted to teach.
If you want to go public accounting, especially Big Four, they seem to like MACCT more than MBA, which is stupid, but that's what it is.
If you see yourself staying in Business and Industry, definitely get the MBA. But I would do it while working.
CPA certification is less valuable in B&I early in your career. Later on, it's good to have when going after controller type jobs.
Before the 150 hour requirement came around, the only reason people got an Master in Acct was if they wanted to teach.
If you want to go public accounting, especially Big Four, they seem to like MACCT more than MBA, which is stupid, but that's what it is.
If you see yourself staying in Business and Industry, definitely get the MBA. But I would do it while working.
CPA certification is less valuable in B&I early in your career. Later on, it's good to have when going after controller type jobs.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 8:59 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
If you want to go public accounting, especially Big Four, they seem to like MACCT more than MBA, which is stupid, but that's what it is.
I'll offer up a possible reason - in undergrad the focus is on GAAP, in other words, the accounting rules used for a for-profit corporation.
Accounting regs for auditing and nonprofit/government accounting get much better treatment in grad school and if you want to understand how/why accounting is done this is a necessary step. Same is true for internal controls and business governance.
An MBA is more about project planning, strategic marketing, etc. Important skills to be sure but if you want to run the show you really need both.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 9:16 pm to Wes225
Speaking of CPA, anyone else dreading the score release at midnight after the 2.5 - 3 month wait?
Posted on 8/16/17 at 10:45 pm to Wes225
The best thing you can do in this field is become a CPA.
Posted on 8/16/17 at 11:11 pm to geauxpurple
Masters in accounting provides little value once you have your CPA. I never recommend it.
If you want to stay in accounting, the CPA will propel your career much faster in early stages.
Smart folks without a CPA can definitely succeed in the industry without it, but the doors don't open quite as quickly and as often.
If you don't want to stick exclusively in the defined accounting norms of the private sector, the MBA will open plenty of doors for you if you show operational aptitude.
An accountant with no CPA is by no means relegated to a "book keeper" role. It's all about your ability, drive, and work ethic. I've had some great non CPA guys do just fine and transition in to other roles.
I always recommend the MBA if you need the hours, and work on CPA as soon as you get the hours.
If you want to stay in accounting, the CPA will propel your career much faster in early stages.
Smart folks without a CPA can definitely succeed in the industry without it, but the doors don't open quite as quickly and as often.
If you don't want to stick exclusively in the defined accounting norms of the private sector, the MBA will open plenty of doors for you if you show operational aptitude.
An accountant with no CPA is by no means relegated to a "book keeper" role. It's all about your ability, drive, and work ethic. I've had some great non CPA guys do just fine and transition in to other roles.
I always recommend the MBA if you need the hours, and work on CPA as soon as you get the hours.
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News