Big 4 for Non-Accounting Major

<p>I know there's a post about something similar on this same page, but I didn't want to hijack the thread or anything.</p>

<p>I'm an Econ major going into my last year of school. I've gotten more interested in Accounting as I do my internship in Accounting this summer. I'm interested in working at the Big 4 out of school, but obviously I'm not an Accounting major so I was wondering if I would have a chance on being accepted to work there? I'm looking for the most direct (and quickest) route to becoming a CPA after I graduate, but would like to start working after graduation. Also I know that Big 4 will pay for your Masters (at least some of the people I talked to had it paid for), and I'm trying to avoid paying for my Master's of Accounting because I'd hate to build more debt onto of my debt. I suppose I'll do what I gotta do though. </p>

<p>Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.</p>

<p>MSA would be your best bet, look for the cheapest program out there. Also I've seen some school give good financial benefits to those who have high GMAT scores.</p>

<p>Yeah that's what I was guessing. I was looking at FDU's MSA program for non-accounting majors, but it's going to come out to about $27,000 for the year. Is that the ballpark that I'm looking in? Or are their programs for much less? </p>

<p>Thanks for the help</p>

<p>The tuition at big publics cost about 30K for out of state. Private schools are in that range too. Some regional publics are 15-20K.
You might want to check out Jacksonville State. They're known for cheap grad programs.</p>

<p>Thank you for the responses. I hope I get some money awarded or something since I'm already $35k in debt :(</p>

<p>EDIT: Anyone who has any other suggestions for cheap graduate programs feel free to throw ideas in here! </p>

<p>It looks as if Jacksonville State does not offer an MS in Accounting</p>

<p>I've searched nearly 50 schools in the Mid-Atlantic, Chicagoland, California and Florida for the best MS Accounting programs at the best value. My search was prompted upon learning my state flagship had a young unknown program with a 36K tuition fee regardless of residency.
My findings were as I said before: Big publics 30+K, Privates 30K (Top privates 50K), Regional publics 15-20K.
A search on AACSB for the cheapest schools for OOS graduate students were the regional publics of Kansas and Missouri at ~13K.
Perhaps you can find better bargains scouting the in state rates of your state of residency.</p>

<p>I must warn you that most AACSB schools have extensive prerequisites for non-accounting majors. Northern Illinois requires 40 credits, 20 in introductory business courses and 20 in intermediate accounting courses, before one can start the 30 credit MS Accounting program. You're likely looking at 2 years to complete a MS Accounting program.</p>

<p>It might be cheaper and faster to take the necessary undergraduate classes to meet your state's CPA requirements.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help. I was actually just thinking of staying a little longer at Rutgers Undergrad and adding an Accounting major, but then I won't be done til 2010. That's way too long. </p>

<p>I'm going to study my a$$ off for the Gmat, score high, and hope one of the schools I apply to offers me some money.</p>