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jssj10
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Joined: 27 Dec 2011
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Posted: 27 Dec 2011 at 14:55 \| IP Logged

Hi everyone,

I am currently a third year law student at a third tier law school in NY who hates everything about the practice of law. After realizing this halfway through law school, I contemplated dropping out but decided to continue and will attempt to pass the bar in July. I am now considering going back to school after law school to pursue a degree in accounting and eventually get my CPA license.

My question to you all is - what would be the best degree for me to get in order to be able to sit for the CPA exam in NY and eventually get a job as an accountant? I have not taken any business/accounting courses in college as my undergraduate degree was in liberal arts. I have considered going back to college to get a second Bachelor's degree in Accounting, getting a Masters in Accounting (but this doesn't seem feasible since I have no business/accounting courses), and an MBA with a concentration in Accounting but I am lost as to which degree will be best for me.

Also, will the fact that I returned to school immediately after law school to pursue a degree in Accounting hurt me when I am interviewing for jobs (preferably at a Big 4 accounting firm)?

milkatz
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Joined: 19 Nov 2010
Location: United States
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Posts: 99

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 17:29 \| IP Logged

I went to Baruch in New York and got an MBA with a concentration in
accounting. You already have an undergrad degree so go for the
MBA. Since you dont have any business courses under your belt, it will
take about two years full time or four and a half part time. There were a
few students there who were working on the accounting degree. But
pass the bar first. It can only help.

__________________
milkatz
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Passed all four on the first try!!!!!

jakemia
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Joined: 20 Aug 2011
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Posted: 29 Feb 2012 at 02:35 \| IP Logged

Have you considered practicing tax law? I don't know the specifics of how to become a tax lawyer, but master's in tax (MBT/MST) is fun because it's all about tax law.

Also, since you don't have a bachelor's in accounting, a Macc is a good idea too. Masters in tax is only a one year program, while Macc is two years. The MBT fulltime program is only eight months.

You're obviously a good student and can withstand reading for long hours, so you can subsidize your tax knowledge reading the South-Western Taxation textbook. Maybe the Manhattan NYPL has an older copy you could read. CCH has a tax textbook as well. These texts will help you make sense of studying tax law. The textbook teaches you the practical while the masters teaches you the theoretical aspects of tax law.

anirow
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Joined: 28 Feb 2011
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Posted: 07 Mar 2012 at 01:13 \| IP Logged

Why don't you pursue a good self paced online accounting course, which will give you a know how about the field and then try to do apprenticeship in a good organization, some thing which will equip you with the practical knowledge and put you on a solid footing in job market.

moiseskline
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Joined: 19 May 2012
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Posted: 19 May 2012 at 02:24 \| IP Logged

I think a bachelors degree in accounting would be your best bet. Ive read about colleges that allow their students to complete their programs in less than the normal time required so you can start working that much sooner. Why dont you look up California College San Diegos programs in accounting? Ive read a few reviews about California College San Diego that make me think that this college would make a good fit for someone who is career-focused and wants to join the workforce as soon as possible. You can then pursue a master in accounting or an MBA with a specialization in accounting; whatever you think suits you best.

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