<p>I will be a senior this fall and hopefully I should be graduating in spring 2014 with a bachelors of science in accounting. I will be graduating with 120 hours. In Florida, you need 150 hours to get your CPA license. </p>
<p>The way I see it is I have several options. I am wondering what most people do and what is the best approach:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>I can go to grad school the following fall (2014) and try to simultaneously get a job as well. I would like to stay in South Florida so I would be looking at firms there. My assumption is that it would take me 2 years to complete the masters program (maybe more) because I will be working.</p></li>
<li><p>Complete the masters program within 12 months but then I would not be working as I would be taking a full course load. I have heard the full course load is quite intensive. After that get a job with a cpa firm.</p></li>
<li><p>Or is there another option?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>And so when in my scenario would it be best to study/take the CPA exam?</p>
<p>I am currently interning at a regional accounting firm in Southwest Florida (30-35 CPA's work here, fairly small firm). Would it be smart to look for a summer internship in 2014 which can then lead to a position in the fall or when I graduate in spring 2014, should I just look immediately for a full time job?</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice.</p>