If you dont want a life yes. I wouldn't plan on working too though. You really have to put the time in for both of those. Someone asked how long someone will be staying in public. I'm trying to go for 5 years.
Depends on what you mean. It seems like most states have the 150 CR hour requirement for becoming licensed (and some states require that you have those credits before you can even sit), of which a certain number have to be accounting & business related. So for most people, since you typically get your bachelors with ~120 CR, you need to get the masters or MBA before you even start taking the tests. If you double majored or had a bunch of minors or something and already have 150, I honestly wouldn't even dick around with getting an advanced to be honest (unless you just want to stay in college). Just take the exam and study hard. I advised someone earlier that the classes you take getting your masters or MBA would help with studying for the exam, but that was more directed to the OP who was looking at picking up the extra credits at community college. The idea of working towards an MBA, while holding a job, AND studying for the exam sounds technically possibly, but it also sounds absolutely miserable and I wouldn't attempt it.
Get your accounting hours to fulfill the 150 hour requirement and then just study your butt off for the exam. Supplement your Beckers, Lambers, or Bisk CPA review materials with Wiley questions. Don't give up on the exam. It's tough just because of the sheer volume of information. I'd take Finance or Auditing sections first. Regulation and Business Environment is a bit easier but do not take them lightly. Also, whatever you do, once you pass one portion of the exam, really try not to let the credit for that section expire. Its demoralizing to have to take the same section over. There are also a lot of websites out there that talk about the CPA exam. Going Concern is a tabloidy Big 4 focused site that has lots of articles about the CPA exam. CPA Review for Free has some free multiple choice review questions from the same test banks that the paid ones use. The NASBA twitter is also good for when you're waiting for scores. Good luck.
It is really up to you. I personally went the the MBA route rather than MAcc since I consider it a cheap degree (hoping to go back for my PHD eventually). Once CPA follows your name, it doesn't matter what degrees you have (at least in public accounting). One nice thing about the MAcc is that everyone in the program is going to be taking the CPA exam, and so you may find people to share study materials with, and the courses may be geared towards helping you pass.
Yes. Whether or not you should depends on: a) Do you work full-time b) Do you have a family c) How well do you retain information d) Do you need to study (Almost everyone needs to study some) Try working 60/week during tax season while managing a family, taking MBA classes, and sitting for the CPA exam. That is torture. Best course of action is getting your MBA and taking the CPA exam right after earning your undergrad and avoid working/starting a family if possible until after you've finished the exam.
Old thread is old. Finally completed my 150th credit hour this December. I still have a semester of grad school left but I'm putting that off for now and take the CPA this year. Sorry for the bump, I'm just really excited it's almost over.
If you've hit your accounting minimum for the CPA, there's possibly no reason to get a Masters in Accounting instead of just taking 26 hours either at a community college or, more usefully as a post-Bac non-degree at your current undergrad. However, if you could get into MS Finance, Economics, MS Operations Research/Ops Mgmt, MS Computer Science or Master's MIS, that might be worth a look.
Congrats! I'm kind of in the same position. I graduated with a finance degree so I have 0 upper level accounting hours. I got laid off in December (Fun right?) and every job I applied for asked if I had any accounting experience. I'm starting a MSA program to help me get the 30 upper level accounting hours required for me to sit for the CPA. I start next Wednesday and can't wait to begin a new career path.
Thats great! I'm getting ready to take the GMAT to get started on a Masters. I've put it off long enough so time to start to put a plan together. One thing that is nice is that I've been at my job for a year now so I have a feel for everything and how much time I have on my hands and I know that I shouldn't have any problems with overloading myself with work between the two.
