[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[quote]swimmer2500 wrote:
Auditors are here to start field work today (already did prelim testing a couple weeks ago).
Stress levels are high. I hate all you bastards.
:)[/quote]
We use McGladrey - a mid sized firm. They’re very good though. Company I work for is small - around 100 employees or so. Our accounting office isn’t real big, so the extra work load really takes its toll.
haha
How big is your company? Are we talking Big four firm here?[/quote]
Doing my Degree in accounting and finance.
Anyone got any advice on what to do my masters in???
Also wondered about the CIMA accounting body
[quote]yammy53 wrote:
Doing my Degree in accounting and finance.
Anyone got any advice on what to do my masters in???
Also wondered about the CIMA accounting body[/quote]
Here is my take on a masters degree for what it is worth to you.
Before deciding, go out and work in the field. Get some significant experience under your belt if you haven’t already got that. There are so many choices for accounting/finance masters degrees (atleast here in Australia), you want to choose something that you are good at, that you actually enjoy doing, and is relevant to your long term vision.
It also comes down to how far you want to go with your career. Do you want to be a general manager? the CFO? Specialist in a specific field? or are you happy working under managers?
Some might disagree with me, but that experience will be invaluable to you. Both in career positioning and when you actually go ahead and do that masters degree. The road I am taking is Bachelor Degree (obtained) >> Professional Accreditation (currently doing CPA) >> Masters Degree (if applicable to move up into a more specialised role)
Long term I am actually wanting to become an actuary.
Teledin - appreaciate the insight.
My whole idea was get the masters out of the way cause i doubt ill really want to get back into education when i take a few years out with work.
Guess i should look into it a little bit more
[quote]Teledin wrote:
[quote]yammy53 wrote:
Doing my Degree in accounting and finance.
Anyone got any advice on what to do my masters in???
Also wondered about the CIMA accounting body[/quote]
Here is my take on a masters degree for what it is worth to you.
Before deciding, go out and work in the field. Get some significant experience under your belt if you haven’t already got that. There are so many choices for accounting/finance masters degrees (atleast here in Australia), you want to choose something that you are good at, that you actually enjoy doing, and is relevant to your long term vision.
It also comes down to how far you want to go with your career. Do you want to be a general manager? the CFO? Specialist in a specific field? or are you happy working under managers?
Some might disagree with me, but that experience will be invaluable to you. Both in career positioning and when you actually go ahead and do that masters degree. The road I am taking is Bachelor Degree (obtained) >> Professional Accreditation (currently doing CPA) >> Masters Degree (if applicable to move up into a more specialised role)
Long term I am actually wanting to become an actuary.
[/quote]
I tend to agree with this. The only time I would say someone should go to school for their masters, in this field, before working is in an economic situation where firms aren’t hiring or only hiring those that already have the degree.
And also, it is going to depend on who you work for. I have clients that could give two shits about a master’s degree, and look at me because of my experience at the firm, and the fact I can have a conversation with them. There are going to be clients out there that will look for the letters after your name and hold you in a higher standing than those who don’t have the letters.
Like everything, it is going to depend on the situation.
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[quote]Teledin wrote:
[quote]yammy53 wrote:
Doing my Degree in accounting and finance.
Anyone got any advice on what to do my masters in???
Also wondered about the CIMA accounting body[/quote]
Here is my take on a masters degree for what it is worth to you.
Before deciding, go out and work in the field. Get some significant experience under your belt if you haven’t already got that. There are so many choices for accounting/finance masters degrees (atleast here in Australia), you want to choose something that you are good at, that you actually enjoy doing, and is relevant to your long term vision.
It also comes down to how far you want to go with your career. Do you want to be a general manager? the CFO? Specialist in a specific field? or are you happy working under managers?
Some might disagree with me, but that experience will be invaluable to you. Both in career positioning and when you actually go ahead and do that masters degree. The road I am taking is Bachelor Degree (obtained) >> Professional Accreditation (currently doing CPA) >> Masters Degree (if applicable to move up into a more specialised role)
Long term I am actually wanting to become an actuary.
[/quote]
I tend to agree with this. The only time I would say someone should go to school for their masters, in this field, before working is in an economic situation where firms aren’t hiring or only hiring those that already have the degree.
And also, it is going to depend on who you work for. I have clients that could give two shits about a master’s degree, and look at me because of my experience at the firm, and the fact I can have a conversation with them. There are going to be clients out there that will look for the letters after your name and hold you in a higher standing than those who don’t have the letters.
Like everything, it is going to depend on the situation.[/quote]
I’m curious what you (anyone really) thinks about getting an MBA vs say a M.S. in taxation? Is it more valuable to specialize in something (tax) or is an MBA more valuable in terms of job growth.
I understand that’s pretty broad and depends on your aspirations and the company/industry you work in among other things.
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[quote]Teledin wrote:
[quote]yammy53 wrote:
Doing my Degree in accounting and finance.
Anyone got any advice on what to do my masters in???
Also wondered about the CIMA accounting body[/quote]
Here is my take on a masters degree for what it is worth to you.
Before deciding, go out and work in the field. Get some significant experience under your belt if you haven’t already got that. There are so many choices for accounting/finance masters degrees (atleast here in Australia), you want to choose something that you are good at, that you actually enjoy doing, and is relevant to your long term vision.
It also comes down to how far you want to go with your career. Do you want to be a general manager? the CFO? Specialist in a specific field? or are you happy working under managers?
Some might disagree with me, but that experience will be invaluable to you. Both in career positioning and when you actually go ahead and do that masters degree. The road I am taking is Bachelor Degree (obtained) >> Professional Accreditation (currently doing CPA) >> Masters Degree (if applicable to move up into a more specialised role)
Long term I am actually wanting to become an actuary.
[/quote]
I tend to agree with this. The only time I would say someone should go to school for their masters, in this field, before working is in an economic situation where firms aren’t hiring or only hiring those that already have the degree.
And also, it is going to depend on who you work for. I have clients that could give two shits about a master’s degree, and look at me because of my experience at the firm, and the fact I can have a conversation with them. There are going to be clients out there that will look for the letters after your name and hold you in a higher standing than those who don’t have the letters.
Like everything, it is going to depend on the situation.[/quote]
I’m curious what you (anyone really) thinks about getting an MBA vs say a M.S. in taxation? Is it more valuable to specialize in something (tax) or is an MBA more valuable in terms of job growth.
I understand that’s pretty broad and depends on your aspirations and the company/industry you work in among other things.
[/quote]
Seconded. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
[quote]Teledin wrote:
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[quote]Teledin wrote:
[quote]yammy53 wrote:
Doing my Degree in accounting and finance.
Anyone got any advice on what to do my masters in???
Also wondered about the CIMA accounting body[/quote]
Here is my take on a masters degree for what it is worth to you.
Before deciding, go out and work in the field. Get some significant experience under your belt if you haven’t already got that. There are so many choices for accounting/finance masters degrees (atleast here in Australia), you want to choose something that you are good at, that you actually enjoy doing, and is relevant to your long term vision.
It also comes down to how far you want to go with your career. Do you want to be a general manager? the CFO? Specialist in a specific field? or are you happy working under managers?
Some might disagree with me, but that experience will be invaluable to you. Both in career positioning and when you actually go ahead and do that masters degree. The road I am taking is Bachelor Degree (obtained) >> Professional Accreditation (currently doing CPA) >> Masters Degree (if applicable to move up into a more specialised role)
Long term I am actually wanting to become an actuary.
[/quote]
I tend to agree with this. The only time I would say someone should go to school for their masters, in this field, before working is in an economic situation where firms aren’t hiring or only hiring those that already have the degree.
And also, it is going to depend on who you work for. I have clients that could give two shits about a master’s degree, and look at me because of my experience at the firm, and the fact I can have a conversation with them. There are going to be clients out there that will look for the letters after your name and hold you in a higher standing than those who don’t have the letters.
Like everything, it is going to depend on the situation.[/quote]
I’m curious what you (anyone really) thinks about getting an MBA vs say a M.S. in taxation? Is it more valuable to specialize in something (tax) or is an MBA more valuable in terms of job growth.
I understand that’s pretty broad and depends on your aspirations and the company/industry you work in among other things.
[/quote]
Seconded. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
[/quote]
Ya I’m pretty torn about it especially since I’m not exactly where I want to be employment wise. I start a M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services next week as a way to hopefully help me get my foot in the door in an accounting department or in public accounting. It’s been harder than I thought finding an accounting job in MD.
Eventually I’d like to get an MBA for both employment growth and hopefully more job opportunities, but I’d also like to have an advanced degree in a specific field to help become the “expert,” problem is I don’t have a field yet (kinda important I know). I’ve even thought about a Ph.D. in Business Admin. Is that even worth it for public accounting? I would think about teaching, but it’s not on the top of my career goals list.
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
[quote]Teledin wrote:
Seconded. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
[/quote]
Ya I’m pretty torn about it especially since I’m not exactly where I want to be employment wise. I start a M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services next week as a way to hopefully help me get my foot in the door in an accounting department or in public accounting. It’s been harder than I thought finding an accounting job in MD.
Eventually I’d like to get an MBA for both employment growth and hopefully more job opportunities, but I’d also like to have an advanced degree in a specific field to help become the “expert,” problem is I don’t have a field yet (kinda important I know). I’ve even thought about a Ph.D. in Business Admin. Is that even worth it for public accounting? I would think about teaching, but it’s not on the top of my career goals list.
[/quote]
If you don’t want to work in tax, whether it be in public or at a medium-large firm that has it’s own department, don’t think about an MST.
Tax isn’t for everyone. I like it, but I am a giant fucking dork. I also like audit, but I am, again, a giant fucking dork.
An MBA is going to span more than one job, and an MST will peg you more towards one than the other, but it isn’t like an MST is going to stop you from getting hired if your ecperience is right.
Experience trumps education for most of the god ol’ boys. Younger HR people might be hot for a bunch of book leanrin’, but the gray haired bastards like people with both.
[quote]countingbeans wrote:
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
[quote]Teledin wrote:
Seconded. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
[/quote]
Ya I’m pretty torn about it especially since I’m not exactly where I want to be employment wise. I start a M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services next week as a way to hopefully help me get my foot in the door in an accounting department or in public accounting. It’s been harder than I thought finding an accounting job in MD.
Eventually I’d like to get an MBA for both employment growth and hopefully more job opportunities, but I’d also like to have an advanced degree in a specific field to help become the “expert,” problem is I don’t have a field yet (kinda important I know). I’ve even thought about a Ph.D. in Business Admin. Is that even worth it for public accounting? I would think about teaching, but it’s not on the top of my career goals list.
[/quote]
If you don’t want to work in tax, whether it be in public or at a medium-large firm that has it’s own department, don’t think about an MST.
Tax isn’t for everyone. I like it, but I am a giant fucking dork. I also like audit, but I am, again, a giant fucking dork.
An MBA is going to span more than one job, and an MST will peg you more towards one than the other, but it isn’t like an MST is going to stop you from getting hired if your ecperience is right.
Experience trumps education for most of the god ol’ boys. Younger HR people might be hot for a bunch of book leanrin’, but the gray haired bastards like people with both.[/quote]
Beans - that was the exact no BS answer i was looking for.
So basically I’ve got nothing to lose (except probly 9K)
Got my shit took by REG today. I left BEC and FAR knowing I passed. Today, I left not even sure I cracked a score of 60. My first testlet I think I got everything right and as for my second testlet… I don’t even think I got one right. And maybe I got half on my third testlet. And as for the sims, they took easy topics and set them up so that they were unfamiliar territory. I don’t think I would have gotten a single point if not for the authoritative text. Looks like I’ll be retaking this, and goddammit! I hate REG. I think what ever score I’m going to get would not be any different from if I didn’t study at all. SHIT!!
[quote]RRibber wrote:
Got my shit took by REG today. I left BEC and FAR knowing I passed. Today, I left not even sure I cracked a score of 60. My first testlet I think I got everything right and as for my second testlet… I don’t even think I got one right. And maybe I got half on my third testlet. And as for the sims, they took easy topics and set them up so that they were unfamiliar territory. I don’t think I would have gotten a single point if not for the authoritative text. Looks like I’ll be retaking this, and goddammit! I hate REG. I think what ever score I’m going to get would not be any different from if I didn’t study at all. SHIT!![/quote]
If it makes you feel any better, FAR had her way with me. I was bent over and abused. Also I’ve scored in the 70s twice now for AUD. Working on try #3…yay for me!
weird… I got an 85 on Reg. I was sure I failed that. I just have AUD which I will schedule for late October. Going to an event next week to try to score an interview at a big 4. Hopefully things work out for me since that’s been my goal since I started all of this. Getting sick of my current job even though I know work will be 10x harder in 2013 regardless of which firm I end up at.
Any of you that are looking to go into tax, or will have to do some, this is worth the price. They have their finger on the pulse so to speak.
It will point out a lot of things, and give you a great jump off point for things to further research.
I went to a big 4 event at my alma mater last week and things are not panning out for me. Spoke to some managers, directors and partners and they all had hard ons until I told them I have been an alum for 4 years. Seems the prejudice for older prospects is worse than I thought. I had a few “I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t submit an online app ASAP”, but subsequent interactions makes me think they were just cock teasing. Also spoke to a lot of associates who seemed intimidated and even spoke to some who didn’t hide the fact that they hated working in public accounting. Very irritating since I would take their job in a second.
Gonna start moving down the list to GT, McGladrey and BDO, etc. I screwed myself over by not taking full advantage of going to an elite school. I definitely regret effing around in college but this whole experience has really lit a fire under my ass. Also need to start studying for my last section, AUD.
[quote]RRibber wrote:
I went to a big 4 event at my alma mater last week and things are not panning out for me. Spoke to some managers, directors and partners and they all had hard ons until I told them I have been an alum for 4 years. Seems the prejudice for older prospects is worse than I thought. I had a few “I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t submit an online app ASAP”, but subsequent interactions makes me think they were just cock teasing. Also spoke to a lot of associates who seemed intimidated and even spoke to some who didn’t hide the fact that they hated working in public accounting. Very irritating since I would take their job in a second.
Gonna start moving down the list to GT, McGladrey and BDO, etc. I screwed myself over by not taking full advantage of going to an elite school. I definitely regret effing around in college but this whole experience has really lit a fire under my ass. Also need to start studying for my last section, AUD.[/quote]
Yes sir it’s tough right now. I’ve managed to get a few interviews, but it’s always the same thing…someone more qualified. That’s just the times I think.
AUD, have fun. I take it on Monday for the 3rd time. Missed it by less than 5 points both previous takes.
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
That’s just the times I think.
[/quote]
Please don’t under estimate this as a factor.
You can’t let the outside environment get you down. 8 years ago you would have had a job at the fair. We don’t live in the same world anymore.
Things like the current election, state of the economy and IFRS implimentation are playing a large role in hiring. (There is more to it than just those however…)
CPA is slaughter amongst full time work and other commitments. I should do well though and fortunately I’m about a week ahead of the workload.
Exam in 22 days. Locked, cocked and ready to unload.
Took AUD yesterday and thought it went really well. I’m taking REG 11/30, any advice?
[quote]Teledin wrote:
CPA is slaughter amongst full time work and other commitments. I should do well though and fortunately I’m about a week ahead of the workload.
Exam in 22 days. Locked, cocked and ready to unload.[/quote]
I technically have this designation. My Canadian CMA is recognized as an Australian CPA. In fact a guy in my program moved to Australia after he completed the program since most of his relatives live there.
I wonder how the structure of the programs differ of here vs Australia