ebitda
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Joined: 28 Jan 2010
Location: United States
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Posts: 61
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| Posted: 28 Jan 2010 at 02:41 | IP Logged
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I apologize in advance if this has been discussed many times, but I didn't get the specific answers I sought when I searched, so I thought I would make a new topic about this.
What do you guys think of satisfying the 150 hours through a post-bac certificate program? I mean taking courses at universities with names attached like School of Continuing Studies, Extension School, etc. I noticed that many programs offer courses that have the same content as a typical accounting major or masters program (audit, federal/individual tax, advanced accounting, and many elective choices), only they are a lot cheaper. At the end, they give you a non-degree Certificate in Accounting.
My questions are:
1.) To get a job/succeed in accounting, is it enough to just get the 150 hours and pass the CPA? Will I be at a disadvantage compared to those with a MAcc + CPA? I've been told that it doesn't matter what your school/degree is as long as you pass the CPA exam. Many posts on this forum suggest that idea as well. I was wondering to what extent this is true.
2.) I understand that masters programs, unlike these certificates, have on-campus recruiting to facilitate job placement. (I guess that's what you're paying for, besides the tangible degree.) After getting just a certificate, is it still realistic to land an entry-level offer in accounting through a self-directed search?
3.) Following question 2, how would it look to pass the exam's 4 parts before the job search (no experience beforehand besides internships)? Since many states require qualifying experience before you actually get licensed, I was wondering if passing all 4 parts (but no "CPA" after my name) signals anything for entry level job hunting. It seems like most candidates, usually recently hired out of school, take the exams while they start their jobs, not before. I just don't know if my situation will just end up sort of like a chicken-egg dilemma, if you know what I mean.
To give a bit of background: I recently graduated with a BBA intending to go into finance, but due to the '09 market
I haven't been able to land any offers relevant to my interests. I'm
now thinking about doing a post-bac certificate program in accounting
to take the CPA, and go that route instead for more options. My resume is actually a better fit for accounting than finance anyway, and I wouldn't mind pursuing an accounting career. The only thing is I have no full-time experience in anything, just internships. The main reasons I was considering a post-bac certificate, not MAcc, were 1.) low cost and 2.) I can just sign up to take classes right away without going through an application process, meaning no rec letters and no GMAT needed. I just don't want to waste much more time.
If my thinking is flawed or under-informed, I'll be open to any insight you can offer. Are there any other options you would recommend? Some people seem to have gone the community college route to satisfy the requirements. Is that better? Thank you for taking the time to read this long post. I appreciate any input you may have.
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Topic: Post-bac Certificates vs. MAcc
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