I'm currently in a bind at the moment. I currently have been working for an accounting firm for the past year but time to move on and progress...

Each choice, whether i decide to go for the MBA route or the CPA route, will take time and patience.


I've studied the benefits of each designation but I would like to hear from you guys in terms of which route you'd go?

As for the CPA, i plan to utilize the CPA license to work in a corporation, not to become a personal accountant..

 

mba.
you can always use your experience in accounting for reference. mba will give you a broader spectrum of choices ( management material as well) you can always go back and pursue that specific route (cpa / accounting) later.
my 0.02

* what a GREAT bind to be in - in either choice, you benefit - its a win/win situation* congrats.

 

i would go CPA. It gives you direction that won't necessarily be there with an MBA. Plus you can always go CPA then get your MBA if you see yourself climbing the ranks.

 

If you get the CPA you'll likely be working for someone who got their MBA. Being the boss pays more so I say MBA.

 

cpa class + testing fees = 5k max
mba = 60 - 100k

get the cpa first, it will help you get into a better mba program.

 

Go CPA then become a lawyer.

Everyone has a MBA and now a days you need one to make it to middle management. An MBA doesn't make someone a leader or inventive.

Many of my clients are CPAs that went on to become lawyers and make very good money. One owns his own Accounting Firm and on the floor above that he has his own law firm.

 

If you play your cards right, the CPA is more valuable than MOST MBA's. Ivy League MBA is worth the bank, most others are not.

If you want to be cash money, get your CPA, then your CFA. Work for an investment bank or hedge fund.

I'm a CPA and have passed Part I of the CFA. My job currently prevents me (time-wise) from studying for Part II and III of the CFA.

 

CPA and the nstart your own business. My pops just changed careers and did this and he's doing a lot more with it then the MBA plus he makes more.

 

MBA if you want to keep your options open, and more importantly, if you can get into a highly ranked and well-known business school.

CPA if you can't get into a well-known business school or know for sure that you'd be okay with doing accounting in the long term.

I've got a MBA and whether it pays off depends A LOT on your school's reputation and your background. For instance I have a computer programming background and I still have a far easier time getting jobs that require programming experience than ones that require a MBA. Since your background is accounting, you'll probably get more out of it (since you're already in a business discipline), but I'd wager hiring managers will still focus on the accounting experience more than the MBA.

 

NBA! HAHAHAH