<p>I think MIS would be far better unless you are really, really interested in only auditing financial institutions. If you are in NYC, that might be in the cards for you, but otherwise it’s hit or miss. </p>
<p>Besides, if you don’t like auditing but you like the firm you start out with, maybe you can transfer to the IT side(within ERS, Advisory, whatever your firm calls it).</p>
<p>question…are firms big on where you do your MAcc? does it matter whether you go to a university or do your MAcc online? im under the impression that firms don’t care and are okay as long as you meet the requirement to sit for the CPA exam</p>
<p>Seeing as how I’d rather go the double major route rather than Masters in Accounting or CC credits to fulfill the last 30 credits for the CPA requirement, would statistics be a good second major? I’d prefer to take math courses than humanities or econ and such.</p>
<p>So how important really is MIS for accountants, generally? I am pretty certain that I will be headed in accountancy, but am not a huge tech person at all. I’m thinking long term and how much of am impact it will have on me from day to day operations.</p>
<p>Hello, I’m thinking about applying to San Jose State University’s MST and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s MSA-Tax program. Does any one have any opinions on either program?</p>
<p>Ndynslvr, “Seeing as how I’d rather go the double major route rather than Masters in Accounting or CC credits to fulfill the last 30 credits for the CPA requirement.”</p>
<p>why do you think that way? I also can not decide what to pursue yet: a masters degree or a double major.</p>
<p>Oh, if you have no knack for tech stuff, then don’t go with MIS. I think general consensus is that double majors and minors aren’t really worth it. If you think it’ll be fun then do it, otherwise don’t. IMO MIS would be the best minor to get in terms of true value added, but that’s just my sense of it because accounting firms tend to hire those people too, and they do work which relates to what the accountants do.</p>
<p>Well, if you want to get into a big 4 auditing firm, I imagine the school DOES matter?</p>
<p>I mean, say I am in LA. The big 4 recruiters would give all the jobs to UCLA guys, and the Cal State LA guys probably wouldn’t stand a chance at getting into the big 4 branch, even if he has a good GPA.</p>
<p>Of course school matters, anyone who tells you otherwise went to a bad school.</p>
<p>Dawgie,</p>
<p>I’ve known plenty of Big 4 guys who went to lesser or no name regional schools. I’d agree school does factor in, but it’s not an end all, be all.</p>
<p>i agree with @NittanyLion</p>
<p>Hmm, any advice on where to go guys?</p>
<p>I could go ti SUNY Bing for 5 years and get a BS+MS in Accounting or go to Boston University and get a BS in 4 years.</p>
<p>The price will be around the same (With BU being 2k more a year) but I heard the MS doesn’t really matter once you get your CPA. (+ Additionally, they may pay for you to go back and get your masters)
Only thing is, I have to take 5 courses every semester at BU to get my CPA due to 150 credit requirement instead of the 4 courses for 5 years at bing.</p>
<p>@Significa</p>
<p>5 classes isn’t that bad per semester during your first 2 years, but once you start getting into your upper level accounting courses it’ll be tough</p>
<p>5 classes per semester is standard, quit crying.</p>
<p>^ Wrong. Four is standard.</p>
<p>Don’t know where you went to school at Significa, but in most places, 5 is the standard. 4 classes is the minimum to be considered a full time student, but most students take 5 classes per semester in order graduate in 4 years, assuming no summer school or anything like that. Again, it may be different at some schools, but at least at the one’s I’ve heard of, this is the norm.</p>
<p>Maybe with three credit courses. At BU, it’s mostly 4 credit courses x 4 (16credit/semester).</p>
<p>That makes sense I guess. First time I’ve heard of that, but I trust you know what your talking about. Any other schools that you know of that have 4 credit classes?</p>
<p>Bing too, its a mix and match though. Most semesters are 4 x4, there are two semesters I need to take 4 x3 and 1 x4</p>
<p>Earlier in the thread someone asked about the interviews with the Big 4 acctg firms. My son is going through the recruiting process right now and I can tell you a bit about his experiences up to now, he’s a good relater so I’ve got pretty many details.</p>
<p>He is interviewing for an 8 week internship that is required for his program in the spring of his 4th year (which will be spring 11). He got interviews with all 4 firms, starting with Deloitte, then KPMG, E&Y, and finally PWC. The initial interviews were held on-campus with a pre-interview dinner, then formal interview the next day.</p>
<p>At the Deloitte dinner, he recognized that they seemed to be the most “buttoned up”, and he went to the interview the next day feeling like it wasn’t really a good fit for him. The interview itself was the most “interview 101-ish” with questions such as, “Tell us a time where you had to prioritize.” and, “Name your strengths and weaknesses and how you feel you could bring those strengths to Deloitte.” It lasted for about 45 minutes and he spoke with 2 people, a recruiter and a senior manager. He left the interview thinking that he did okay, but was glad it was his first of the 4 and was able to practice with them.</p>
<p>2nd - KPMG - He has some “ins” at this firm, knowing a number of people who work there, so the dinner was a lot of fun. At the conclusion, he was invited out for drinks. He had an assignment due the next day, so was going to decline, but he wisely decided to get the work done, then meet them later (called home and dad said - get that work done, this is part of the recruiting process, don’t drink more than a beer, but be sociable!). The next morning, he had his formal interview. He was met at the interview by the managing partner of the office he is interested in working for, and spoke with him briefly, then a senior partner came in. This interview was pretty funny in that the guy first kind of gave him a hard time, but then, when he saw that my son could take the pressure, basically said, “I’ve got a list of things I’m supposed to ask you, but I’ve seen your resume, and I’m not going to waste your time.” Then they talked about college football and baseball. He felt great after this, and good about his prospects at KPMG.</p>
<p>E&Y, he also has an “in” there, so at dinner he was seated at a table with the managing partner and a number of senior associates and a couple of other students. It was “old home week” at the dinner, with easy conversations. The next morning, his interview was with the senior partner who will be following him through the recruiting process and his internship (if he chooses E&Y), and when he came out, the managing partner was there to see how it went. Pretty great vibes from them, and feels good about prospects at E&Y.</p>
<p>PWC - no real “ins” although he has met some people there earlier in his college career, but not in the field or office that he’s interested in. Dinner went well, he felt that he really connected with the recruiter and his dinner companions. Interview went well, was with a senior associate, not very “interviewish” other than talking about things in his resume that somehow made him a good fit for the profession. He felt pretty good, but not like he had after KPMG and E&Y.</p>
<p>So, next week comes, he is dropped by Deloitte, but continuing recruitment by the other 3, and that’s when the fun starts :eek: Now, it’s “small group” dinners, golf outings, scavenger hunts, etc. All of the “get to know each other better” mien. Also, he is getting called by various people to feel out how he is leaning and to express that they want him to give them serious consideration.</p>
<p>Next will be the “home office” visits, which will be right after school ends in a couple of weeks. Officially, he will hear who has invited him next week sometime. At this point, he’s counting on KPMG and E&Y, but not as sure with PWC.</p>
<p>It has been very interesting to hear all the hooplah with the recruiting process so far, and I’m looking forward to hearing what all goes on with the next rounds. I’ll update if y’all are interested.</p>