Active TopicsActive Topics  Display List of Forum MembersMemberlist  Search The ForumSearch  HelpHelp
  RegisterRegister  LoginLogin
CPA Candidates: Talk / Help / Tips
 CPAnet Forum : CPA Candidates: Talk / Help / Tips
Subject Topic: Master’s in Finance (MSF) (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
  
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
MinneCPA
Regular
Regular


Joined: 24 Apr 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 146
Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 11:56 | IP Logged  

I'm curious to hear about people's experience in studying for the MSF.  My undergrad was in Accounting, and I've passed the CPA, but I'm short of the 150 hours.  I decided to go for a master's in something that interests me, so I'm starting an MSF program this fall.  I also think the degree would help me with my current employer.  I have limited experience in the subject area - the only finance course I took in undergrad taught me next to nothing.  Any input into similar programs is appreciated.
Back to Top View MinneCPA's Profile Search for other posts by MinneCPA
 
Alex2008
Regular
Regular


Joined: 31 Aug 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 174
Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 12:31 | IP Logged  

Why do you take that path if you have limited experience in Finance? What university are you going to attend? I heard that the MSF degree is very difficult.
Back to Top View Alex2008's Profile Search for other posts by Alex2008
 
umbdude
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 26
Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 08:02 | IP Logged  

MinneCPA wrote:
I'm curious to hear about people's experience in studying for the MSF.  My undergrad was in Accounting, and I've passed the CPA, but I'm short of the 150 hours.  I decided to go for a master's in something that interests me, so I'm starting an MSF program this fall.  I also think the degree would help me with my current employer.  I have limited experience in the subject area - the only finance course I took in undergrad taught me next to nothing.  Any input into similar programs is appreciated.


I went for a MSF part-time over the course of 1.75 years and finished in late 2005.  The experience depends on what school you go to.  My school has a heavy emphasis on case studies, so in some classes we would pretty much work on cases all semester - that means a lot of Financial Modeling with Excel and writing up reports for the analysis, as well as group work (and some presentation).  The overall experience would be similar to one in an MBA program, compared with MAcc, which I think is more traditional lectures + exams. (I took 1 graduate Cost Accounting course. It required me a lot more effort than any of my MSF classes but I don't have a BS in accounting.)

Some of the classes you can take are: Corporate Finance (intro & advanced), investment analysis, economics, security analysis, fixed income analysis, credit analysis, statistics, investment banking, and financial modeling etc.  It really depends on what track you want to follow - you can usually concentrate in Corporate Finance or Investment Management (CFA track).

Overall, I enjoyed my MSF program most because I like group work and case studies are fun to analyze. I also like the practical approach (building spreadsheets and writing up reports) the program offered.

Because you already have a BS in accounting and passed all CPA exams, I think you could benefit from MSF.  Going for an MAcc seems redundant and having finance courses can diversify your background a bit.

Hope this helps.
Back to Top View umbdude's Profile Search for other posts by umbdude
 
MinneCPA
Regular
Regular


Joined: 24 Apr 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 146
Posted: 01 Jul 2010 at 13:31 | IP Logged  

Thanks umbdude, very helpful post.  Like you said, a MACC would be redundant.  I didn't want to go for an MBA because the thought of retaking all those business courses at a graduate level doesn't sound like much fun.  Specializing in finance is exactly what I'm looking for in a graduate program.  Thanks for the input!
Back to Top View MinneCPA's Profile Search for other posts by MinneCPA
 



Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.


  Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Powered by Web Wiz Forums version 7.9
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz Guide

This page was generated in 0.1094 seconds.

Copyright © 1996-2016 CPAnet/MizWeb Communities All Rights Reserved
Twitter
|Facebook |CPA Exam Club | About | Contact | Newsletter | Advertise & Promote