Masters degree in accounting or a second bachelors degree?
Your mother is partly right, and you are partly right. A masters degree is definitely better than an undergraduate degree. Also, going back for a second undergraduate degree is way more expensive than getting a masters and takes way more time. It's just not ideal. There's really no argument there. Unfortunately, though, she is right about the CPA. Getting a masters in accounting without a CPA will not do you as much good. Whether you do an MBA or a MAcc., you'll need to pick up quite a bit of accounting work in order to qualify to sit for the CPA. Moreover, a MAcc. program will probably require you to have quite a bit of undergraduate accounting work before you can enter their program. Still, a MAcc degree will be much stronger than an MBA to an accounting firm, and if you get it at a good school, then sit for the CPA, it will probably be the best fit. I think, though, rather than stacking up so much Calculus (one or two classes is more than enough), I would encourage you to add more and more accounting, past the basic classes. Every extra accounting course you take will help you as you progress toward the CPA, which is really what you need. And, of course, be sure to check into the pass rate of MAcc grads on the CPA exam. If it's a good program, the pass rate ought to be very high. If it's a bad pass rate, go elsewhere. Univ. of South Florida has a very strong MAcc. program with a very high pass rate, just as an example. Be sure to check that out.
Should I pursue a Bachelors degree in Accounting or a Masters degree in Accounting?
I have a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. I'm 2 courses into my Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Should I continue with the Bachelor's degree or should I shift gears and go straight for the Master's of Accounting? My concern is struggling through the Master's program without enough basic knowledge of Accounting. Thanks for the help.
Are two bachelor's degrees better than one?
Well, I would have to say it will make no difference whatsoever in the hiring process unless they extra knowledge will really apply to the position. As a former senior executive, I use a person's education as the basic, mininum requirement to be considered. After that, it is any pertinent job experience, but after that the most important factor is chemistry - as in, will you fit? You could have several BA's, working on an MBA, and have several years of experience, but if you are not going to fit in my organization, you are not getting hired. The point is that your extra education is a wonderful asset, but doesn't give too many extra points, and takes nothing away from your candidacy!! Hope this helps!! Email me at mike@directyourcareer.com and read my free career advice blog at www.directyourcareer.com Mike
I am getting a second Bachelor's Degree, this time from Ashford University... bad idea?
I have my BA in English Writing from a private college I went to, played sport at, etc... the "normal" college thing. I have struggled to find a job and have decided to get a second Bachelor's this time in Accounting from Ashford University online. I've heard conflicting stories about hiring people with "online degrees" will this affect me since I have a "normal" BA, too? Anyone from HR with information on how online degrees are looked at in the hiring process and anyone else in accounting/finance... will I have trouble finding a job with an online Bachelor's? Thanks in advance!
Is a bachelor's degree in accounting good enough?
I teach accounting at a university, but the following is just IMHO. I believe that accounting is one of the best majors if your goal is to get a job. A BS in finance is a good adjunct to accounting, but remember, accounting is the "language of business" and if you don't understand accounting, you really won't be able to understand, really understand what's going on in the world of finance. Accounting is also a good basis if you want to work in marketing, information systems, general management, anything really, even if you're interested in working for the government or for a nonprofit. I do have 3 suggestions: (1) be sure the accounting program (preferable) and/or the business school/college of the college or university you go to is accredited by AACSB --- only the best schools are accredited and this is where most companies go to look for students. Some primarily liberal arts schools are accredited by a different organization -- better than nothing, but not as good as AACSB -- check this out carefully. They must say ACCREDITED, not a MEMBER and not a CANDIDATE. (2) If you are interested in working in public accounting and becoming a CPA, you must, in most states, have earned 150 semester hours --- or 5 years of college rather than 4. Some colleges have a special program --- where I teach, accounting majors get a B.S. and an MBA in 5 years plus most of their financial aid continues. And, of course, an MBA doesn't hurt. (3) Grades count!! They really do!!
Is pursuing a second undergraduate degree worth it?
The question - pursuing the second undergraduate degree comes in mind when you made wrong decision or studying the subjects you are not interested in. After high school, every student has two options to choose from, for studying undergraduate degrees. The options are STEM & Non-STEM, based on the interest students decide to study either STEM degrees or Non-STEM degrees.The major STEM degrees subjects/fields are: Life Sciences, Accounting, Civil engineering, Psychology, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Programming.Non-STEM degrees Majors: Arts, Business Management, Law, Media communication, Journalism, Nursing etc.As it is young age, students face the challenge in choosing the right degree for their career. So, after the degree or during the degree, they realise what their interested subjects and career goals are. Then they look for second undergraduate degree to study their interest subjects through which they want to start the career. As per my experience, if you do not have any plans to go for higher educations like masters, PhD, then considering the second degree is not good idea. But it is worth studying if you have plan to study the PhD and other self-professional qualifications.Considering the second bachelor’s degree is very rare. One can also start a career by pursuing the professional qualification in which they are interested and get jobs.When Second Bachelor’s degree is better option:Your first degree was awarded from any schools in engineering or pharmacy, but you are not interested with it and want to get business management or law or any arts degree, then pursuing the second undergraduate degree makes sense.In other case, you earned the first degree few years ago and now you want to change the career which really needs more educational qualifications, then pursuing bachelor’s degree once again makes sense.Other alternatives to second undergraduate degrees:It is one of the best options to go with alternative to second bachelor’s degrees. Based on your career goals you can go for short term professional qualifications or co-operative diploma courses.Additional certifications/accreditation – For example, you earned your degree in STEM subjects and realised you’re not satisfied with the subjects but interested in non-STEM subjects like business management, administration, arts etc. Then, the additional qualifications in accounting, like, ACCA, CIMA would be your best option to advance your career.