<p>What are the pros and cons of each?</p>
<p>The long-term goal is to start own business in higher education (e.g. student housing, or educational consulting or higher education accounting practice). </p>
<p>The short-term goal is stability, a decent salary, and opportunities to start own business. </p>
<p>I'm currently not very employable (BA in philosophy) and I don't want to be in this same situation ever again. </p>
<p>As a corollary to the question, how do the Big 4 view an MBA with accounting emphasis vis a vis a MAcc? The plan is to have a fallback just in case the business ventures fail. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Your goals are more compatible with the MBA (w or w/o Acct Emphasis). Your goals are incompatible with Big 4 employment.</p>
<p>While a relatively small percentage of those who start their careers with a Big 4 firm will end up making careers in public accounting, they are looking for people who want careers in public accounting.</p>
<p>Hint: When a Big 4 recruiter asks where you see yourself in 10 years, a good response is as a partner in your firm.</p>
<p>Consequently, they tend to hire are certain type of graduate. You might want to try networking your way to an informational interview with a Big 4 manager to see if your particular background would be a good fit with their preferred type before you start working in that direction. </p>
<p>Do you have any reason to believe that you enjoy or have special talent for accounting? Neither is a requirement for the MBA w/Acct. Emphasis, but you’d better have both if you’re going to go the MAcc and/or Big 4 route.</p>
<p>talent for accounting-I’ve only taken an introductory course (recevied an A), but I like that it provides stability and I think it’s a nice compromise since it gives me a backup in case my business plans fail while at the same time allowing me to work in and with the higher education industry.</p>
<p>The Big 4 have higher education advisory divisions, which is why I’m considering them.</p>