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Subject Topic: MST vs MAAC (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
  
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topitoff
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Posted: 28 Apr 2009 at 14:07 | IP Logged  

I'm planning on pursuing either a Masters in Taxation or a Masters in Accountancy next spring in order to get my 30 extra hours for the CPA exam.  I would like to go into audit, but I feel like a Masters in Taxation would be more valuable.  Would it effect my chances of getting into the audit field if I went with the MST over the MAAC?
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JDMilan
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Posted: 28 Apr 2009 at 19:22 | IP Logged  

I think all firms just care if you have your 150hrs, whether its via MAcc, MTax, or another BBA/BS.  I opted out of the Masters as my goal was to become a CPA since in the field that holds the weight and not the Masters, most people assume since you can sit for the exam that you a masters.  I planned on going back to get my MBA but if I wasn't going to do my MBA and I had to chose either I would probably pick the MTax (just my opinion) I would love to have a better understanding of taxation as compared to the basic undergrad classes and Becker's review.  Taking the advanced accounting classes with the MAcc should better assist you in passing FAR I would think.  Its a toss up, but as far as firms are concerned since I did do a couple years of recruiting it really doesn't matter unless you have 150hrs.  I got two BBA's and still got offers from B4/TierII/and local firms. 

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BarbaraCPA
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Posted: 29 Apr 2009 at 11:40 | IP Logged  

Most schools offer 'Tax track' or 'Audit track' for MACC program. Tax track students have to take more tax classes to meet graduation requirement, as the name implies.

But students are pretty much free to enroll in any accounting/tax classes provided by MACC program. There are always many ambitious students working on both tracks.   

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nacp
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Posted: 29 Apr 2009 at 11:42 | IP Logged  

Let me start by saying that entry level Audit jobs are very scarce right now.  Both firms and job candidates are in denial of the situation.  Firms don't want to admit they are just not hiring, hurts their image on campus.  Candidates do not want to be realistic, lest pessimism creeps in.

That said, a Bachelors with 3.5 GPA and CPA eligibility (150 hours) is all that top tier firms are looking for in audit hires.  A MAcc makes sense for non accounting majors to fulfill CPA eligibility requirements.  For somebody with a Bachelors, who is CPA eligible it makes no sense at all, just redundancy of Accounting knowledge.  Salary wise the premium is minimal.

On the other hand, a MST or MBT program is a good career investment for those planning to go into Taxation.  Good programs, provide a much deeper knowledge in taxation, compared to somebody with just a Bachelors in accounting.  Specially the Thesis at the end of the MBT program enhances a persons understanding of taxation immensely.  Firms too seek MBT's or MST's as Tax new hires.  Hiring of these students is much better compared to audit hires.

So decide what you want to get into Audit or Taxation.  Should you want to be in Taxation a MBT is great, for Auditing, I would say work hard to get a job, don't waste your energy on a Master's.

nacp

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topitoff
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Posted: 29 Apr 2009 at 15:14 | IP Logged  

I'm not planning on going into taxation, but would like to get into the big four for audit.  Unfortunately my gpa is around a 3.0 and I wasn't granted an interview this past fall.  I'm hoping to boost my gpa with the masters, and was leaning towards the Masters in Tax because the MAcc seems more or less like just an extension of my undergrad.
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