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kj_nyc
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| Posted: 23 Dec 2009 at 18:49 | IP Logged
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caper wrote:
| But to get the experience you need to go to a semi-decent school. |
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I don't think so, at least not in public accounting. Most people at CPA firms (at least the 2 I worked at) went to random schools with no name recognition.
When I got my first public accounting job 3 years ago, I was an Enrolled Agent with a few years of part time tax experience (while working full time in an unrelated occupation) and no accounting degree but an unrelated BA from an Ivy League school. And every company was unhappy with me for not being a CPA. While at my last job, I worked my way through an MBA in accounting at a no-name school that did not require work experience for the MBA. When I got my current job a year ago, I think the companies cared only about my relevant work experience and not about my education.
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KJ, CPA licensed in New York
AUD - May 2009 - 99
FAR - July 2009 - 99
REG - Aug 2009 - 99
BEC - Oct 2009 - 93
License applied for Nov 2009, received Jan 2010
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mikejeff
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| Posted: 24 Dec 2009 at 19:29 | IP Logged
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The second bachelors is a really bad idea. Get an MBA in accounting or a MAcc. You might then need to take a couple extra accounting classes outside your degree program with the MBA, just like you'd probably have to take a few extra business courses if you did a MAcc. Plan for an extra course a semester or find a cheap school like a community college for the extra credits.
Alternatively, check out community colleges. There are a few community college programs in my state that have programs aimed at getting people with BAs in other fields to the CPA exam. Some have higher CPA pass rates than many four-year colleges. In CA, I know someone who did a similar program at Santa Monica City College and said the classes were as good as at her very good four-year alma mater.
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Donald11
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| Posted: 24 Dec 2009 at 21:54 | IP Logged
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Thanks for the advice, but I really want to get an MBA from a top notch school so that I will have more career opportunities down the road. I could get an MBA right now, but it will be from a crummy school and useless outside of the accounting profession. I'm sure some people here have had success with a third tier MBA, but everyone I speak to always says either to get a top notch MBA or don't get one at all. And since I have no work experience, I won't be able to get into a good school right now. That's why I decided to get a 2nd BS. Sadly, an MBA is rarely helpful unless your school is ranked decently.
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Smart
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| Posted: 24 Dec 2009 at 22:23 | IP Logged
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This is 2009. LOL. You do realize a bachelor's degree in history is worth every bit as much as an accounting degree right now, right????
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"He's a CPA, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn."
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kj_nyc
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| Posted: 24 Dec 2009 at 22:36 | IP Logged
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No, an accounting degree qualifies you to take the CPA exam. But yes, besides that, the accounting degree is not worth any more than the history degree.
__________________
KJ, CPA licensed in New York
AUD - May 2009 - 99
FAR - July 2009 - 99
REG - Aug 2009 - 99
BEC - Oct 2009 - 93
License applied for Nov 2009, received Jan 2010
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Topic: MACC for Non-Accounting majors?
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