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Topic: Are there reputable online MAcc programs? (

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RcFuff
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Joined: 29 Apr 2012
Location: United States
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Posts: 4

Posted: 28 May 2012 at 17:27 \| IP Logged

I have 3 years of industry experience and am currently
getting my MBA. I would want to get my CPA after I complete
my MBA (at which point I will have 6 years industry
experience). I'm not as worried about the networking
opportunities. I was hoping to get the accounting course requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Is a MAcc program not
the best way to go about it?

Thanks for the responses.

CPA@23
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Joined: 07 Jul 2010
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Posted: 31 May 2012 at 03:02 \| IP Logged

RcFuff,

If I were you, I would probably take accounting courses
online at University of Phoenix or at a community college
because that's gonna be more cost-effective option for
you than attending full-time Master's program. Given the
fact that you are pursuing an MBA, I am not sure if you
really "need" another degree in business.

First, you have to check with your state board of
accountancy to determine how many accounting courses you
need to sit for the CPA exam. Virginia, for instance,
requires 24 credit hours of accounting courses and 24
credit hours of non-accounting business courses before
you can sit for the CPA exam. You will probably be fine
with general business courses after the MBA program, but
my guess is that you will need to take additional
accounting courses in order to be eligible to sit for the
exam.

After contacting your state board of accountancy, you
will have a good idea of how many additional accounting
courses you need. If you take as many accounting courses
as you can in your MBA program, you might just end up
needing 2 or 3 accounting courses in order to sit for the
exam. If that's the case, then taking courses online is
the best option.

However, if you can afford another business degree after
getting your MBA, MAcc programs are usually a great way
of entering the CPA profession because curricula are well
crafted to meet state boards' requirements.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that
the key determinant of your success on the CPA exam is
getting a quality CPA exam review course and following
your study plan diligently.

__________________
Licensed CPA in Virginia
AUD - 90
FAR - 85
BEC - 83
REG - 86
AICPA Ethics - 95
Used Becker

RcFuff
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Joined: 29 Apr 2012
Location: United States
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Posts: 4

Posted: 31 May 2012 at 19:10 \| IP Logged

Thank you so much! That was a very helpful comment. I will
definitely see what I can get out of my MBA program and
then based on the amount of remaining courses I may just
take the last few online. Any suggestions on CPA review
courses? Online versus local?

Thanks again! GREAT COMMENT!

CPA@23
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Joined: 07 Jul 2010
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Posts: 42

Posted: 04 Jun 2012 at 01:45 \| IP Logged

RcFuff,

You're very welcome! I was in your shoes two years ago
and I am happy to share my insight!

You will have a lot of options when it comes to CPA exam
review courses. I personally used Becker CPA review
because all the big four accounting firms consider Becker
to be the best and I cannot imagine passing the exam
without it. I do not want to sound like a spokesperson
for the Becker organization: I have heard that other
review courses (such as Wiley, Yaeger, etc.) are also
effective in preparing you to pass the exam. I had a
classmate who passed all four sections with Wiley on the
first try while he was still in school. But the truth is
that Becker candidates have higher passing rates than
others. I do not know whether that is due to the fact
that Big 4 firms put their staff through Becker or due to
the fact that Becker instructors are truly subject-matter
experts who really know how AICPA examiners think.
Probably there is some truth to both of the statements
above.

To answer your question regarding differences between
online and live courses, I would say that it really
depends on your determination and work ethic. Becker, for
instance, has three options: live/in-person, self-study,
and online courses. I chose the self-study option because
they did not offer live courses close to where I lived
back then. The primary difference between the self-study
option and online courses is that you have to log on to
their website in order to take the online course, whereas
you are pretty much on your own when you are doing self-
study (i.e. they send you the lecture DVDs and you can go
at your own pace, although they provide very detailed
guidance on how you should allocate your time).

I can see that a lot of people will say that taking the
live course will increase their motivation and I would
probably have taken the live option, if they had offered
it in my city. But regardless of whether you take the
live course or self-study/online option, you would pretty
much have to abandon your friends/family for couple of
months.

Best regards,

__________________
Licensed CPA in Virginia
AUD - 90
FAR - 85
BEC - 83
REG - 86
AICPA Ethics - 95
Used Becker

jessicap
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Joined: 02 Jan 2016
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Posts: 1

Posted: 02 Jan 2016 at 17:20 \| IP Logged

I don't know what state you're in, but check out UCLA
Extension. They are in CA and their classes will qualify you
for the CA CPA Exam. I'm not sure about other states, as I
reside in CA and know only about our state's rules. UCLA is
well-known for their accounting program, and at least one of
their professors teach Extension courses. Google UCLA
Extension to find out more into. As for qualifying, call
your state's CPA Exam Board.

The CPA designation is more important than having a Masters
in Accounting or Taxation. I think getting another Master's
will be a waste of time and money if you already have an
MBA. Focus on getting your required accounting classes and
pass the CPA exam. Remember that employers are ageists. They
sooner you finish, the farther you'll get in your career.

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