I currently hold a BA in Business and earned my MBA in '08.  I do not have an emphasis in Accounting.  I want to sit for the CPA and know that I have about 24 hours of upper level credits to complete.  I do not have the time nor the money right now to enroll in a full time Masters Program in Accounting.  The quickest solution is to complete these hours at an accredited and very credible community college here in town. They offer a CPA certification program and allows me to transfer any hours I already have into the program.  My question is is this a path that will benefit me in the long run having passed the CPA or will community college classes hurt me.  I don't see a problem with it if I prepare well and pass the test.  I am looking at about $200 per class as opposed to about $1500 per class for an average masters program in town. 

Any advice would be much appreciated.  Thanks

I know your probably looking for advice from people who are already CPA's, but I'm in a similar situation.  I hold a BA in Management and I am currently working on my Masters in Economics.  I am stopping that and going back for second bachelors in accounting starting this summer.  I could have went for my Macc, but I am attending a good school that has a good regional reputation and I want to stay around here.  Plus, they have good employment statistics after graduation.

Now, here's where advice I have received might help you.  The reason I want my second bachelors is strictly personal.  I just want to do this for myself.  I have talked to the program director about this over and over again over the past couple weeks and some of the things we talked about relate to your situation as well.

You already have your BA and an MBA.  Your BA alone with the CPA exam complete will be much more competitive than your BA with an MBA and only CPA qualified.  Also, you're not going to show your community college classes on your resume, unless you want to.  The only people that will see that is the state board of accountancy you apply to sit for the CPA exam in.  As far as that goes, all they care about are the required accounting and business classes.  Some employers may request transcripts, but again, they will see your BA and your MBA and realize you had to take classes at a community college to meet requirements. 

I hope I didn't make this longer than I had to.  Basically, IMO, take the classes and get your CPA.  You will be much more competitive in the job market than trying to find employment at a firm, and than sitting for your CPA exam.  

I have been doing a lot of research also and looking at a lot of peoples profiles here at local firms, and not too many have master's degrees.  I know there are a lot on this site that have them, but I really don't know how much more competitive it will make you.  Seems to me having the CPA exam passed is much more marketable.  I was going to start my masters, but I am going for a 2nd bachelors because it is something I want to do for myself as well.  Also, a very good school and I'm hoping the classes, along with CPA reviews, will help me with the exam.

What's the market like for CPA's in Boise?  I have been wanting to move their for awhile.  Is it easy to find entry level at firms?