Getting your CPA, Do you really need a MBA or MSA/MAcc?

Graduate School Business School - MBA
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<p>I am a bit confused on the best way to sit for the CPA exam. I am an accounting major. I know it requires 150 credit hour in most states. What is the best route to get there? I've known people who continued their 5th year as an undergrad to satisfy the 150 credit hour. Also, others apply to a MSA/MAcc program during their senior year to satisfy the other 30 credits to get a total of 150. My question is wouldn't getting a BSBA/BBA and a MSA/MAcc better in the long run than just doing a 5th year and getting only a BSBA/BBA even though both routes would satisfy the 150 hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam? </p>

<p>People have also told me an MBA is not the best way to in satisfying the 150 credit hour because you need experience before applying to a MBA program. People who usually aim in getting the CPA wants to take the CPA exam right after their studies than waiting a few year and having a full time job. But aren't there MBA programs that specialize in Accounting? Like Wharton and Columbia? Can't you use the MBA in Accounting to satisfy the 150 requirement as well? But yet these school, when applying to the MBA programs want some experience. What is the difference then between a MSA/MAcc to the MBA in Accounting? </p>

<p>And one more thing, say you got your CPA, how useful and helpful is it to go back and pursue the MBA? Should you get your MBA in something else or stick with getting a MBA in Accounting after you are certified? Is it just too extraneous and not required especially when you are working in an accounting firm like the Big 4? Do people with CPA and MBA get higher paid than just a MBA or just a CPA? Or do the firms just scorn on it, suggesting you might not be loyal to the firm since getting a MBA means changing paths other than accounting and moving up?</p>

<p>I know these are very specific questions and the usual answers to these are depended on what your goals and what you want to accomplish and do. But I would like some suggestions and personal experiences of accountants or people who know accountants or are pursuing the accounting field themselves. I would really appreciate any answers. I've been researching and nothing has completely addressed these issues and it's very frustrating.
Please respond and not leave me on a dead end.</p>

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<p>Audit or tax?</p>

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<p>You do not really need either, but as you have noticed, you need the 150 hr requirement in the state in which you want to practice. Many of my friends who all ready sat for the CPA with just four years of undergrad accounting classes, passed just fine. Some didn't and failed all three sections. It really depends on how well you absorbed the information during your undergrad years. I myself am getting my MS in Accounting with an emphasis in Tax due to the fact that in order to get higher in many companies today it is necessary. Otherwise you'll be just like the three hundred other candidates for the same position and looked over. If the school you are looking at offers the MS in Taxation, I would choose that degree as many firms love to have people with MS Tax in the manager-level positions.
In regards to the MBA, I would wait on that due to that degree being for people that really have had experience in a certain field. As I have understood from many people that are involved with schools that offer MBA programs, the degree is helpful for candidates in management that have had experience and can use what they learn from their work experience combined with their degree to become stronger in business sense. Many CPA firms I have spoken with regarding the MBA have said it really doesn't make much of a difference in their selection compared with what the MS in Accounting offers.</p>

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<p>Bump. I would also like to know the answers to these questions.</p>