Bachelors in Finance -> Masters in Accounting -> CPA
or
Bachelors in Accounting -> Masters in Accounting -> CPA
Average State School
3.5 GPA
Everything Else Equal
If you want a job in accounting, I don’t think it will matter much. You may be better prepared for the CPA exam with a BS in Accounting.
If you have a CPA license your undergraduate degree is irrelevant at least for public accounting.
But you actually want to study Accounting to be prepared for the CPA exam. Undergrad in Accounting is the best approach if the CPA is your goal.
See, I have the same thought of the situation. My concern though is that would having a CPA, make my undergraduate in accounting obsolete. It’s like pre-law, it’ll better prepare you for the bar exam but it’s useless when comparing yourself to other people who passed the bar exam because to employers you both have substantial understanding of law. So my question is more geared towards that; for an accounting job, would an employer favor a cpa who also understands finance or is there substantial amount of accounting knowledge in an undergraduate degree that a M.Acc wouldn’t teach?
The best way to determine this would be to look at the classes you will take under each scenario. Every school is different so you need to research your school’s particular program. You can also talk to an adviser at the school. My guess is you will take more accounting classes and have a stronger accounting background with the BS in accounting route.
My S had a BS in accounting and was able to focus on very high level accounting/finance/tax topics in his master’s program. Again, you need to see what is available at your school.
And IMO (I am a CPA) a CPA will not make the undergrad accounting degree “obsolete”, but rather it will it will reinforce the degree’s value.