Any Accounting majors/accountants on NT?

[moderndarwin]

there was a dude in here, modernderwin (?), who did his master online and i think he has an offer from an audit firm

Yep, did that. Don't be worried about the stigma of an "online" degree. My degree is the exact same as the people that went to class, and in fact, it probably involved quite a bit more work. The university I went to simply gives you multiple options of how to take the class (go to lecture in person, do it blended, or do everything online). The actual work involved, the homeworks, discussion, etc is all the same.

And more to the point, the Meet the Firms event (where companies come and try to recruit) is exactly the same. Nobody even has to know you did it online (there is no difference in the degree you are awarded, and it doesn't say anywhere).

I got offers from every single firm there that I interviewed with (3.97 GPA). I also went to UCSB for undergrad (which is highly touted and recruited from for accounting) and my experience getting a job through my Master's program was significantly better.

However, if you have your heart set on Big 4 I would suggest going to specific universities where they recruit from (look this up before hand). At my uni, only 1 or 2 of the Big 4 recruited for the accounting program. I knew people at all of them though so they set me up with interviews outside the normal scheme of things + I just showed up the Tax recruiting Meet the Firms (where all Big 4 do show up for my uni) and got recruiters business cards and emailed them directly.

Glad to see this thread is alive and kicking. Got my results for FAR (91) last week. Such a relief to pass my 1st test! I've never studied so hard in my life.

 

[lazyj10]

Since I do some recruiting but albeit for a specialized business unit- I couldnt care less if you have a masters or where it's from.

Chances are you know very little about alternative investments when you join so youre going to learn a ton on the job

 

[36 ounces]

You can go to school while on probation

 

[ii flash ii]

By probation I meant probation from my job... Meaning schedule isn't the same and I won't have any pull to change it

Not the probation you guys are thinking

 

[skip2mylou23]

Gonna read every post in the thread.

Currently finishing up year 4 & will be starting the MPA program next semester.

Starting my 2nd internship with a big 4 firm (both internships with the same firm) this summer.

MPA at the University of Texas?

 

[shekki]

How important is a Masters degree for an accountant? Like what benefits does it give you compared to someone who just has a bachelors? I'll be going to grad school next summer (because I'm part of the PPA program) but I'm not sure if it'll be worth it or not cause I'll also be trying to get my CPA.

***side note: Interviewed with both GT and MCG and got offers for both of them for an internship next spring, but ultimately chose GT 

 

 

[biggie62]

How important is a Masters degree for an accountant? Like what benefits does it give you compared to someone who just has a bachelors? I'll be going to grad school next summer (because I'm part of the PPA program) but I'm not sure if it'll be worth it or not cause I'll also be trying to get my CPA.

***side note: Interviewed with both GT and MCG and got offers for both of them for an internship next spring, but ultimately chose GT   

Useless really unless going into tax and getting a Masters in tax. As long as you get your 150, or whatever the qualifications are for your state, then you're fine. They just want you to be eligible for the CPA. Most people just choose to do it rather than trying to squeeze 150 credits in 4 years because that will mean no time off.

 

[stay lurkin]

I need to look into it, as I am planning on the MACC, but in Utah I believe you have to have your masters to get to CPA.

But I would have to check

 

[shekki]

 

How important is a Masters degree for an accountant? Like what benefits does it give you compared to someone who just has a bachelors? I'll be going to grad school next summer (because I'm part of the PPA program) but I'm not sure if it'll be worth it or not cause I'll also be trying to get my CPA.

***side note: Interviewed with both GT and MCG and got offers for both of them for an internship next spring, but ultimately chose GT 

 

Useless really unless going into tax and getting a Masters in tax. As long as you get your 150, or whatever the qualifications are for your state, then you're fine. They just want you to be eligible for the CPA. Most people just choose to do it rather than trying to squeeze 150 credits in 4 years because that will mean no time off.

Gotcha. I'm doing tax instead of audit, but I do know that we just need the 150 hours to take the CPA (I live in TX). Why does it matter for a tax person to get their Masters instead of both tax and audit people? I might just consider getting my 150 hours done and just taking the CPA if that's the case.

I need to look into it, as I am planning on the MACC, but in Utah I believe you have to have your masters to get to CPA.

But I would have to check

Heard about the MACC, but not sure what that is. That's interesting...in Texas, we're just required the 150 hours in order to be eligible for the CPA, which is why I was questioning whether it's even needed to go to grad school in my case. 

 

[biggie62]

Gotcha. I'm doing tax instead of audit, but I do know that we just need the 150 hours to take the CPA (I live in TX). Why does it matter for a tax person to get their Masters instead of both tax and audit people? I might just consider getting my 150 hours done and just taking the CPA if that's the case.
Heard about the MACC, but not sure what that is. That's interesting...in Texas, we're just required the 150 hours in order to be eligible for the CPA, which is why I was questioning whether it's even needed to go to grad school in my case. 

With a masters in tax you are more specialized and they think you know a bit more coming into a tax group. I know PWC in NYC pays you 70k start + bonus with a MST in the tax group while a masters student going into tax with a MACC or an undergrad BS will get ~59k. I'm not sure about other markets as I live in NYC and spoke to friends/classmates on what their offers and such were.

Audit is general financial work so you don't need any tax knowledge really. The starting salary is also less in audit since the majority of people bail after 3 years and go into private. Tax, you generally need to stay 5-6 years in public to have a good to great exit opportunity from what I've been told by a partner at CBIZ that I'm close with and numerous other senior professionals that I've met and spoke to. These are ones that I'm not even going to work under, but ones that I've gotten to meet and speak on frank and friendly terms with. I'm going into tax myself, but I'm debating on switching into transfer pricing. Hours are more stable will less volatility since there aren't really any busy seasons, pay is higher, and it's a hot and growing area right now.

 

[dman22193]

GPA dropped to 2.9 after this semester I graduate in December and was going to apply for a few MACC programs, but I'm under the "B" average most state schools require.

Am I doomed NT?

 

[biggie62]

GPA dropped to 2.9 after this semester I graduate in December and was going to apply for a few MACC programs, but I'm under the "B" average most state schools require.

Am I doomed NT?

Better get all As, and take a summer class or 2 since they are easier.

 

[skip2mylou23]

The MAcc has basically come about because of most states requiring 150 credits in order to be licensed. You can double-major in undergrad to get to 150 credits, but some states require a certain number of graduate-level credits (nine graduate credits in Florida), so most people opt to do the MAcc.

One possible solution is to just take the additional graduate credits and not complete the whole master's. Most accounting firms are just concerned about you getting your CPA license, so as long as you can do that, they don't care. However, all else equal, a master's is better than no master's. The question would be if it's worth the marginal cost.

 

[skip2mylou23]

Im one. Pay is good but I dont like it. But it's good knowing that by 30 I will be making 6 figures. (which would make me a failure in my nigerian family but still)

Thinking of doing the CFA I next december and seeing if I can make it into the finance world. I dont need to be an investment banker but I think it might be too late for any of that. I'll still try.

Any luck with that? I've been thinking about doing the same thing.

 

[strongmind3]

Getting ready to start studying for the CPA but the cost for these study materials is looking to be too much for me to handle.

Can anyone suggest materials for the more frugal?

 

[dman22193]

The MAcc has basically come about because of most states requiring 150 credits in order to be licensed. You can double-major in undergrad to get to 150 credits, but some states require a certain number of graduate-level credits (nine graduate credits in Florida), so most people opt to do the MAcc.

One possible solution is to just take the additional graduate credits and not complete the whole master's. Most accounting firms are just concerned about you getting your CPA license, so as long as you can do that, they don't care. However, all else equal, a master's is better than no master's. The question would be if it's worth the marginal cost.

Great. I was only doing a MAcc program to get my CPA. I will have 126 credits when I graduate, so if grad school falls through I'll just take a few courses in the Spring and start reviewing for the exam.

 

[biggie62]

Getting ready to start studying for the CPA but the cost for these study materials is looking to be too much for me to handle.

Can anyone suggest materials for the more frugal?

There are cheaper alternatives out there, just google them. Your school doesn't offer discounted programs? Or what about the company you work for/will work for? I mean I'm lucky because my school has a scholarship program but since I'm starting employment at a CPA firm in the fall they'll cover it all.

 

[nydunkhead]

Getting ready to start studying for the CPA but the cost for these study materials is looking to be too much for me to handle.

Can anyone suggest materials for the more frugal?

Try another71.com

They have something called Ninja, I was able to score Becker on eBay before they switched from CD-ROMs, you still might be able to score something on eBay.

Good luck!

 

[jigsta05]

Try another71.com

They have something called Ninja, I was able to score Becker on eBay before they switched from CD-ROMs, you still might be able to score something on eBay.

Good luck!

I used becker and the Ninja audio to pass my exams. The ninja audio you just play anytime you're driving and listen to it over and over and it sticks in your head. Works great and not expensive either.

Either way, the 3,000 you pay for becker will pay off in the long run. Don't look to much into the cost because you'll end up paying a lot more if you don't pass the first few times.

 

[stay lurkin]

I was saying that in Utah you have to get your MACC (Masters of Accountancy) to qualify for CPA.

I also have been told that because of that requirement a CPA from Utah is accepted in almost every state.

But once again I would have to look into that.

 

[T0INE]

Getting ready to start studying for the CPA but the cost for these study materials is looking to be too much for me to handle.

Can anyone suggest materials for the more frugal?

Try Gleim.

That's what I used to pass the CPA exam.........eventually.

Their cheaper than Becker (the Becker program cost $3,000 when I was studying for the exam, not sure about the price now) and you'll have continued access to the exam materials until you pass.

They'll ship you updated CPA exam materials (books, test prep etc.) when they become available.

https://www.gleim.com/accounting/cpa/

https://www.gleim.com/accounting/products.php?cat=CPA

 

[delete1234]

I'm about to have my last year of school next semester. And I'm taking intermediate 2 in a couple weeks as a summer semester. The 5-week mini.

Can't wait to get this over with. Ready to be done with school!

 

[ill steelo]

How important is a Masters degree for an accountant? Like what benefits does it give you compared to someone who just has a bachelors? I'll be going to grad school next summer (because I'm part of the PPA program) but I'm not sure if it'll be worth it or not cause I'll also be trying to get my CPA.

***side note: Interviewed with both GT and MCG and got offers for both of them for an internship next spring, but ultimately chose GT   

For public accounting: It's useless for Audit. You learn everything you need in undergrad + CPA, the rest you'll get on the job.

For tax it's useful to get the MTax, but not required.

Most offices don't bump up your starting salary if you have a masters nor promote you faster, so I just went & got a Finance undergrad to hit the 150 hours. Saved myself money + stress. I cannot understate the stress part. I straight up cruised.

If you plan on leaving public accounting, the jobs you look for might look more favorably on the MPA, but ultimately you'll have the CPA + experience so you shouldn't be significantly hampered.

Congrats on the GT offer.

One important note is that you're required to have a certain number of accounting credit hours to get the CPA. The MPA ensures that you hit this mark, but if you decide against getting the MPA, make sure you know how many accounting hours you graduated with in undergrad how many more you have to take. Different states have different requirements.

 

[delete1234]

Anyone in here do forensic accounting ? Or know a lot about it?

 

[nydunkhead]

Try another71.com

They have something called Ninja, I was able to score Becker on eBay before they switched from CD-ROMs, you still might be able to score something on eBay.

Good luck!

I used becker and the Ninja audio to pass my exams. The ninja audio you just play anytime you're driving and listen to it over and over and it sticks in your head. Works great and not expensive either.

Either way, the 3,000 you pay for becker will pay off in the long run. Don't look to much into the cost because you'll end up paying a lot more if you don't pass the first few times.

The guy Jeff from Ninja expanded to a lot more than audio. I have not used it since I used Becker but all materials are about $1,000 which is very reasonable.

http://www.another71.com/products-page/