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ChicagoFrank
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| Posted: 28 Jul 2009 at 12:29 | IP Logged
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I am about to pass the final CPA test on Aug 20th (I hope). I think I'm one class away from getting a bachelor's degree in accounting, but I've assumed that once the CPA tests are complete, having a bachelor's degree in accounting wouldn't matter. The degree is from a weak school, basically a 4 year community college. I happen to like the school (Northeastern Illinois University) and think it's underrated, but from the outside, the accreditation are weak. I'd like your opinions on whether getting a bachelor's in accounting would help get a job or not. Thanks.
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chevyrcrz28
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| Posted: 28 Jul 2009 at 14:23 | IP Logged
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I assume that you are going to complete the degree anyway seeing as how you are one class away. I am in somewhat of a similar situation in the sense that the school I attended for my bachelors is not as widely known as others in my area (to those outside of my area anyway). That being said, the accounting program was top notch in my opinion. I think that passing the CPA exam will provide evidence that your school's program has prepared you well for entering the field. I can't speak for the larger firms, but the smaller firms that I interviewed with before accepting a job were less concerned with the school the degree came from and more concerned with the knowledge that I obtained while there. My school required participation in a program that set all accounting majors up with a tax prep internship of sorts as part of the degree requirements. We spent one tax season preparing returns for the public (all returns reviewed by CPA's) with the incentive of free tax prep for the public. This attracted a lot of returns that are similar to those you would encounter in your first season in practice. The interviewers were more focused on this experience than the degree itself. Anyway, to stop rambling I will sum up by saying that I doubt you will be out of consideration for a job simply because you didn't attend the most expensive school. A good GPA, some extra activities/experience, and passing the CPA exam should take you a long way. I would think while a good school on a resume may attract attention, it is not a necessity. Again, I can't speak for the large firms, but the smaller firms I interviewed with were really not all that concerned about the school itself.
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salvia
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| Posted: 28 Jul 2009 at 15:04 | IP Logged
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I don't think there's much of a difference between institutions, and I think most people who don't live in ivory towers understand that. I went to 3 different schools through my college experience. I took classes at my main state school, a local community college, and a more prestigious top institution. In the end, classes didn't seem any different between the 3. I started off in a top institution, but couldn't justify the cost. I switched to a state school and took some summer credits at a local community college to save money.
If you compare the syllabus and texts, they're often the same or very similar. You pay for reputation, equipment, and professors. Unless, you're in science or medicine, wish to be a CFO in a short period of time for a top company, or would rather be guest lectured by the FASB instead of a local business success story, I don't think its worth the cost of a prestigious school.
People will see you've put in the effort to graduate and beyond that obtain your CPA designation. You're also not going to be in the mountain of debt like someone coming out of Notre Dame.
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chevyrcrz28
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| Posted: 28 Jul 2009 at 15:26 | IP Logged
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Very good point regarding the debt. It felt very good to leave college with a degree and no student loans.
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ChicagoFrank
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| Posted: 28 Jul 2009 at 17:24 | IP Logged
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Thanks for the input. I agree that there isn't much difference between institutions. I should have probably taken the course during the summer but didn't.
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Topic: Does degree matter for CPA?
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