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Hey guys, I'm 24 and my background is a Bachelors in Multidisciplinary Studies (Dec. 2007 WVU) with 3 minors in business administration, economics, and entrepreneurship. Currently I work customer service at a bank's mortgage division and I am pursuing a Post-baccalaureate certificate in Accounting (Dec. 2010 VCU). After the certificate I will have all of the necessary requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Should I go for these degrees, or just try to find work in Accounting? If you think I should go for these degrees, which degree do you think would benefit me the most? I know I wouldn't want to do Accounting forever, and I decided pursue a CPA because it seems like a good way to get my foot in the door for the "business world". Thanks in advance...
Definitely get the CPA, it will never hurt to have it, even if you never directly do bean counter work. Accounting IS NOT at all defined by most people's perception of it. Understanding the numbers is seriously useful in almost any business activity, many people don't. The CPA can be an excellent stepping stone for further financial development. Go for it. JMO
Pursuing a CPA to get my foot in the business world is the wrong reason for pursuing a CPA? Please explain this one to me, because every CPA I know tells me otherwise. I was told the experience you gain in Public Accounting can establish a solid foundation and take you in so many different directions.
It can be difficult to get into public accounting as a nontraditional student. You absolutely need to be CPA eligible to go that direction, though.
Yes I have heard this, but my program is just like a regular 2nd bachelors in Accounting. I have classes with all the undergraduates. I joined my state's society of CPAs and they put me in this mentor program to work closely with a CPA. I believe my mentor worked with Ernst and Young, and she has a sister who is a manager with Ernst and Young out in Charlotte, NC.
I figured I have to do as much networking as possible since I am a non-traditional student. I plan on attending a workshop out at Virginia Tech this summer for Accounting students. Also, whenever school starts up next week, I plan to establishing a great relationship with my career services center. I figure that applying for these jobs online won't get me in, I just have to use all of my resources since I'm at such a "disadvantage". If it all fails, I will at least have enough experience with the bank I already work with to find a better position.
Hey guys, I'm 24 and my background is a Bachelors in Multidisciplinary Studies (Dec. 2007 WVU) with 3 minors in business administration, economics, and entrepreneurship. Currently I work customer service at a bank's mortgage division and I am pursuing a Post-baccalaureate certificate in Accounting (Dec. 2010 VCU). After the certificate I will have all of the necessary requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Should I go for these degrees, or just try to find work in Accounting? If you think I should go for these degrees, which degree do you think would benefit me the most? I know I wouldn't want to do Accounting forever, and I decided pursue a CPA because it seems like a good way to get my foot in the door for the "business world". Thanks in advance...
What do you want to be when you grow up?
If you want to spend your days working in the taxation field, get a MS in Taxation or attend law school.
If you want to work in accounting, A CPA can help. You are NOT too old for the accounting firms (who generally cut off at 30) but you need to find out which accounting professors at VCU have contacts with what accounting firms as their are relationships that need to be developed.
If all you are doing is "to get a foot in the door", you are wasting your time getting the CPA.
Do realize that the average person goes through 3-4 careers or professions in a lifetime.
Pursuing a CPA to get my foot in the business world is the wrong reason for pursuing a CPA? Please explain this one to me, because every CPA I know tells me otherwise. I was told the experience you gain in Public Accounting can establish a solid foundation and take you in so many different directions.
Different directions? You mean like being an accountant at other firms? Or opening up your own Accountantcy shop?
The jobs with the best exit ops are I-Banking and Management Consulting. Look at the majority of candidates from top 10 B-Schools, most go into M&A or Management Consulting at a Big 3 --> exit ops are amazing, PE / VC for I-Bankers and C-Level Execs at fortune 500 companies if you make partner at a McKinsey.
Accountants are rule followers. Most of them are idiots who went to sub-par schools and don't have the grades / ability to think creatively and get into a top school --> finance. Stick them in a cubicle in the basement.
Different directions? You mean like being an accountant at other firms? Or opening up your own Accountantcy shop?
The jobs with the best exit ops are I-Banking and Management Consulting. Look at the majority of candidates from top 10 B-Schools, most go into M&A or Management Consulting at a Big 3 --> exit ops are amazing, PE / VC for I-Bankers and C-Level Execs at fortune 500 companies if you make partner at a McKinsey.
Accountants are rule followers. Most of them are idiots who went to sub-par schools and don't have the grades / ability to think creatively and get into a top school --> finance. Stick them in a cubicle in the basement.
Lol that sounds a lot like me I never was or planned on being Mr. Harvard, I just want to make a reasonable income in the future..Doing alright to me would to be a VP of a Department in a company and not VP of the company itself. By the way that you describe things, It sounds like your more of a fan of the MBA rather than both of the MS programs.
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I never was or planned on being Mr. Harvard, I just want to make a reasonable income in the future..Doing alright to me would to be a VP of a Department in a company and not VP of the company itself. By the way that you describe things, It sounds like your more of a fan of the MBA rather than both of the MS programs.
