| Topic Name: |
MBA or BS in Accountancy |
| Message Name: |
If it's between BA or MBA... |
| Date Posted: |
08/12/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
Hello!
Currently I hold a BA in Psychology. This obviously has not helped me much in the job market. I do not want to make the same mistake twice. This time around, I would like to go to school and pursue a degree that will lead me to a career I like with better pay. It has taken me awhile, but I have narrowed down my career search to the Financial/Accounting field.
Being that I already have a BA, would it be wiser to pursue a BS in Finance or Accounting or would it be wiser to pursue an MBA??? or is there a better choice?
I am having trouble deciding how to pursue this goal and am asking for advice of people who are currently working in these fields. Knowing what you know now--what if you could go back and do it "all over again" what would you do?
I would appreciate some good adive! |
| Message: |
...then of course, get an MBA. You may be able to do an MBA with an accounting emphasis which would be better if you plan to go into accounting.
Planning on just a bachelors in accounting these days isn't recommended if you want to get in with a big firm.
Personally, the real question ought to be: MBA or MAcc?
That would be tougher. An MBA seems more marketable for the corporate world in general. With an emphasis in accounting or finance, you'd be set for a job in public accounting as well.
A MAcc, on the other hand, is definitely credible if you want to do accounting.
By the way, if you're just planning on a BA accounting, make sure that the state where you want to get your license doesn't present an eligibility conflict. Most states have a 150 hour requirement, which a bachelors doesn't usually cover. But, you did say you have a BA Psych, so you're probably OK. Make sure you'd be able to fulfil all the state-specific class requirements too (under your BA accounting program).
Lastly, you may look into your university's program to see if they've got an integrated masters program for accountancy. Where I attend, a MAcc is only one extra year on top of the BA. And, I went summers, so I only extended my stay by 6 months. Not a bad deal.
Knowing what I know now, would I change it, and go for an MBA instead of a MAcc?
Nope. I got offers from all the Big 4, so it worked out well. I get to do what I wanted to do.
If I want an MBA, then I'll go back in a couple years. After all, almost all MBA programs look for 2-3 years of relevant work experience (i.e., work related to the MBA), before they'll even look at your application.
Be sure to consider that as well.
|
|
