Is CPA worth it if I only desire to stay in the Private Sector?

I'm kind of in the same boat but I haven't really dedicated the time it takes to pass. Took audit twice and was within 6 points of passing. Plan to take it again in August. Definitely worth it if you can sacrifice a social life.

 

I think you should get it. It doesn't hurt to have when life makes you make changes and you can't work in the private sector.

Since you said you have no family or anything, it would be a good time now.

 

Requirements to sit for the CPA in Texas:

Be of goodmoral character.
Hold a baccalaureate or higherdegree from a board-recognized United States college or university, or an equivalent degree as determined by board rule from an institution of higher education in another country.
Complete150 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents of college credit.
Complete 30 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents of upper levelaccounting courses from a board-recognized college or university, of which 15 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents must be in traditional face-to-face courses. Within the coursework two-semester hours of accounting or tax research and analysis are required .
Complete 24 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents of upper level relatedbusiness courses. Within the coursework two-semester hours of accounting or business communications are required .
Complete a 3-semester-hourBoard-approved ethics course.

 

When I was studying, I just did an hour to two hours everyday with the becker review. I'd give myself about a month and a half to two months of prep time. You can do it with less but you're daily hours of study should be higher.

Becker does a good job on the review. If your company pays for it, you should definitely use it. I worked in public accounting, so they paid the first round of it up front.

 

Do it.

 

I worked IT at an OIL and GAS once
The Engineers had the best badest computers
they seemed to be always working on new drill designs

I use to shrug and think . . .. how many different ways can they make the same parts

BUT back on Topic: GET IT!! GET THE CPA

Rocket River
I sit on the fence about a CNA

 

That's what I have now. I planing just doing 100 question each day and 500 each day Saturday and Sunday until end of August. Increased my score 10 points on the second try doing that.

 

Which one is preferable, get your masters and take the CPA exam or just take the CPA exam?

 

Whomever left me their email in the comment section, I tried to send you an email but it spit it back as undeliverable.

 

I've tossed around the idea as well in the past but decided against it because I needed a good amount of accounting credits. But if you're qualified, I would definitely pursue it. Like mentioned, it does open up doors.

About the masters question, usually people get a masters in order to to fulfill the credit requirements of the CPA. If i had to rate which would be more valuable on a resume, I would probably go with CPA over the masters...but again, it depends what you're going for.

 

Others can confirm or correct, but you don't have enough requirements to sit for the CPA if you only have a bachelor's. You will be missing credits and classes needed for the CPA. If you take a Master's in accounting, the Master's program should/will lay out all the classes you need for the CPA.

I went the non-masters route and got all my credits/requirements without a Masters but haven't taken the CPA. Looking back it would of been more easier to know what requirements I needed, oh and i guess i would have a masters too.

 

Do you have the videos and books as well? Those helped me a lot.

I did see a few of the becker questions on the actual CPA exam. Thought they were a trap.

As to the master's question, I have both. A lot of the programs now are "5 year programs" where you get a MS in Accounting and are CPA eligible.

When I went, they didn't have that, so I actually have an MBA. It just depends on what you want to do. If you're thinking accounting all the way, the MS is good.

Some schools make it to where you can't get all the credits you need unless you go through the entire program.

 

It's worth it. The professional designation is worth it in any field IMO. I can't say it's been a requirement for every accounting job I've had, but it definitely elevated me from those who didn't have one.

If you go for it just keep doing the questions over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. You will eventually memorize them and the exam ones aren't that different.

 

Most MAcc programs are geared towards you passing the CPA exam. If you are going to do a MAcc, I'd definitely take the exam after.

You can sit for the exam without getting the 150 hours (though that could vary between states, but generally the requirements are the same), you just can't be awarded your license prior to achieving the 150 hours, and other requirements.

 

The AICPA recently released CPA exam questions is the single most valuable resource I've seen.

I also recommend Wiley Exam Prep Books from Amazon for those paying for their own study materials.

 

Yes I look for those released questions as well. Really gives you an understanding of what to expect on the actual exam.

 

I've seen repeated multiple released questions on exams before. I can't help but think these are still pretest questions. I know it's fair to everybody, but no question should be pretest on these exams. If you get some right, you should not be penalized by these questions not counting towards your score. It's also a progressive exam meaning you MUST do well on the 1st testlet to pass. Subsequent testlets will be considered more difficult and this is the main reason why people who swear they failed ended up passing with high scores. I've also seen the exact opposite when the exam remains easy and everyone claims they got every question right and end up failing.

If you haven't already, I advise checking out another71.com. There's some great information on that site and they have a forum as well where people are willing to help out. The owner of that site also gives out free practice exams and flash cards.

In reference to the OP, I would definitely get a CPA if you're in the private sector. I don't know any controller, CFO or Finance VP without a CPA designation. For the most part, accounting/finance function is just a back office job. You can definitely advance your career and make decent money without it, but it just opens up doors faster. I'm a finance team leader within a division at Chevron and I don't even do anything accounting related. I supervise people with 5-10 years more experience than me all because I am able to stick three letters after my name on my business card. I don't even have a degree in accounting.

 

I thought I did really well on auditing (I assumed >90), but failed it. Next time around I made a 99.

I hate that they don't let you review your tests any more. In GA, even if you appeal the score, you never get to see anything, and they basically say you are just throwing away money to appeal. I would have appealed, but it costs as much as the re-take.

 

I want your job.