re: To get a CPA or to not?

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.