<p>I am currently going into my senior year as an accounting major. I will be 20 hours short of the 150, and the masters program my school offers will fulfill these hours. If I am interested in starting my career with the public route (hopefully a big 4) should I go this route? I will get my 150, but also take meaningful classes. If anyone has any other suggestions that would be great. Thanks</p>
<p>I forgot to mention, I am currently have an accounting internship at an insurance company, and plan on finding an internship with a public firm between my senior and 5th year…</p>
<p>You sound just like my son. He graduated with his bachelors in May with about 135 hours. Last summer he interned with a financial services company - he will be finishing his internship with a Big 4 in a couple weeks, then he is off for his masters. </p>
<p>I’m assuming the Big 4 recruit at your campus - if not, you have a more difficult task since most internships go to kids at target schools. If so, you should definitely interview hard try and get an internship between senior year and grad school. Accounting firms want to you to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam before you are offered a job. </p>
<p>Even my son’s seniors have said the hardest part is getting the internship! If you land the internship, and don’t screw-up, you should have a job offer as long as the economy doesn’t crash. It will be nice to have that Big 4 offer in your pocket while you do your masters. At least at my son’s school, the firm offering after a summer internship can’t require a response until you have had a chance to interview with other firms or companies, if you want to, in the fall.</p>
<p>After you get your masters, most students will sit for the exam during the summer and then start with their firm in the fall. Hopefully you pass all or most of the sections so you can then concentrate on your job.</p>
<p>Good luck, it sounds like you have a good plan - go execute it. </p>