kj_nyc wrote: Many MBA programs don't require work experience.  The top (Ivy league level) ones do, but they tend not to have strong enough accounting programs to qualify you for the CPA exam, except possibly Wharton.  My bachelor's is also in a completely unrelated field, and I got an MBA in accounting in a program registered with NY state and geared toward people like us who don't have BAs in accounting.  And work experience is not required for that program.

thanks for the info kj_nyc.  what school did you get your MBA from?  do you think it was worth it in terms of the type of job offers you got after graduation?  Did employers expect you to have more business/accouting work experience even with an mba?  what do you think about the MACC?  thanks!!

Hi Donald, how do u like the program so far?  was it hard to get into the program as a post bach student?  how long will it take to finish?  what kind of jobs are your classmates getting?  thanks for your responses.

I actually have not started yet.  Classes start on Jan. 11.  As far as how long it takes, it depends on how many transfer credits you have and how any credits you take per term.  I had a easy tme getting in, probably because I have a 4.0 GPA.  But WSU is not a very selective school so all you need is a 2.5 GPA ad at least 30 credits.

I should also add that I'm doing the program online, as I am in NJ.

Well, I was already working in tax at a CPA firm before I went back to school.  I originally had no desire to become a CPA, as I was just interested in tax after a career change and was already and Enrolled Agent.  But the CPA firms have the best tax work, and all the companies I interviewed with, including my last company that finally gave me a job, were displeased with me for not being a CPA.  So I went back to school for the academic requirements while working full time, including during tax season, so I could be more employable (and also not get fired).

I never considered MAcc because I was never that interested in accounting in the first place.  But if you know for sure that you want to focus on accounting or audit, the MAcc could be a good choice.  MBA is better for those of us who want more flexibility in the type of work we want to do in the future.

Unfortunately MBA from a non-elite school is pretty useless, and the elite schools don't have great accounting programs.  My MBA was good only for qualifying me to take the CPA exam.  The value will be measured solely by the CPA license.

I went to a small private school in upstate NY that has no name recognition.  It is unfortunate, because the school has a great accounting department.  Email me if you want more information.  I'd rather not post my school name on a public forum.

Employers don't care about advanced degrees.  They care first about how much relevant experience you have, and next whether you have a CPA license.

so for someone with no business/accounting work background or education, what would be the best bet degreewise?  Masters in accounting, MBA or a second bachelors in accounting?

I want a degree that first, gets me in the door with good jobs with decent hours and second, helps me further my career later down the road.