r/CPA • u/Amor_LV_1829 • 22h ago
GENERAL Current MBA, debating CPA
I graduated with my MBA in 2020 and was able to get an entry level finance position but now I want to get into something more specialized that could lead to a controller or senior analyst position- Should I go for my CPA?
I know job market is crap my role isn’t accounting in traditional sense it’s more audit and billing with some reporting. I want to become more formally trained to land a new role that could lead to a better job. Current role I am a one women show since it’s mom and pop company - I’m teaching myself / no one to really mentor me.
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u/Gloomy-End5409 5h ago
The CPA is a well respected designation for either accounting / finance related roles. It will float your resume to the top of the stack because it shows you can commit to something and have good work ethic. And if you pass all the exams first try it is only a ~$4k investment (study materials / exam fees) for a license that is way more respected than any degree.
Also when you talk to other people you can just say I’m a CPA. And you’ll get a few eyebrow raises and a “wow! Okay” in response!
Definitely do the CPA if you plan to work in finance / accounting in the long haul!
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u/Amor_LV_1829 4h ago
Thank you! I do want to stay in finance / accounting in the long haul. I was in customer service before which gave me supervisor experience to work towards a manager role in the future
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u/scarletstring 22h ago
So I think you need to plan what skills you want to develop. Having an MBA is great but the information it provides is very broad unless you have specific domain experience and know where to apply it.
A CPA is quite similar where it serves as a useful credential for getting a job & forces you to get an understanding of many areas of accounting. However, what you do with it is based on your experience. And if you want to do something specialized then getting a CPA might not be the best one.
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u/Amor_LV_1829 7h ago
I want to try and get a controller role or a more strategic finance in a bigger corporation. Which I know many start as a staff accountant or first year analyst for budgets
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u/backnine32 8h ago
I think you can pivot without the CPA. Many controller level positions want either/or. I'm not saying it won't help but you can can get where you want to go with just an MBA.
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u/Amor_LV_1829 7h ago
This is helpful as well. The reason why I am considering the CPA is because my MBA is general and now being in the workforce I know I want to become more specialized but my current role is too operations/ billing focus to get that expertise I need to jump roles. It helps fill my resume with time in a finance capacity.
I’m torn - I do plan to apply for jobs with just my MBA to see if I can jump sooner before I make my decision on if I need it
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u/backnine32 5h ago
If you wanted to go into public accounting then of course, it's a necessity. In private industry, it's a nice to have thing and if controller or accounting director is the goal then I think it has a very marginal edge over MBA as a credential. But a slight edge like that is absolutely not worth the effort it takes to pass the exams. I think you'd be better served to spend that time networking with people that can help you get that first accounting job.
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u/MessiPayNegreira 21h ago
MBA cost $30k to $150k depending on the school
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u/Amor_LV_1829 20h ago
Yeah confused I already have it but it was a general MBA with some finance / accounting upper level courses but not all of the ones I needed
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u/Due_Regret355 Passed 3/4 10h ago
I have been in your shoes! I'd say yes for working on your CPA. I got my MBA in 2010, and once I wanted to move past senior manager roles it was difficult to find anything that doesn't require a CPA license. If you have capacity in your life and motivation, it's worth going for.
Side note - being mid way through my CPA journey helped me land my current job.