ferryboat10

You were going to have to anyway. Most states require continuing education to retain a CPA license.
Doesn't hurt to prepare now. Most colleges offer international accounting electives.
This summer I'm taking the pre-req for a XML class so I can be knowledgeable of the ins/outs of the coming XBRL standards.

veryspoiledgirl

I'm wondering about the career prospects for an internal auditor or it auditor. Are they the same and if they are not the same what makes them different? I have a degree in the liberal arts and will receive my master's in information technology at the end of summer 09. I have taken two accounting courses and the basic business courses. And I have also been looking at the Big 4 and other firms for an internship in the spring/summer. What would be the best way to get an internship? Is anyone on this forum an internal auditor or it auditor? What do you do exactly?

ferryboat10

What 2 acct courses? Principles/Foundations/Intoduction to Financial and Managerial Accounting? Every business major or minor takes those. It would help if you took junior level courses like Intermediate Accounting or Auditing

Dawgie

You might need to take intermediate accounting I and II if you want to signficantly increase your chances of getting in.

meg12822

Question, I live in Illinois and you need 24 hours of Accounting courses to sit for the exam, I have 18 hours at the undergrad level and then rather then getting my Masters in Accounting I got an MBA. I got a letter today from the Illinois Board of Examiner saying I do not meet the requirements to make the exam because I'm six hours short of "pure" (ACCT) credit hours. What is the best strategy to get those hours in the shortest amount for time?

ferryboat10

Why not take the 2 classes at your local 4-year college, online or local community college (some offer a AA program with advanced accounting courses that don't transfer to 4-year schools but are recognized as accredited by the state). Make sure to read the course descriptions closely to avoid having one of your classes not counted due to duplicate content.

honglei

I m an international student in GA and i will graduate next may with a double major of acc & bus. I also have minors in maths and finance. my gpa is high~ 3.8,,,and i have working experience, interns.
but what i m conerned is that i heard many companies dont hire international students since they dont want spend time and money changing our visas.
the big 4 might be better, but still limited....

ReadingFlutist

So, has anyone found Accounting Master's programs that don't require a business background? I looked through quite a few and the only one I found was University of Cincinnati's program. The rest either didn't specify what they wanted or specifically said a buisness/accounting degree was needed.

I've heard that government jobs have good benefits, but what about the salary? How about for corporations? I just want to work 40 hours/week, make a decent living, and have health insurance

pugfug90--I like a good Office reference! I'm more of a Pam.

Sam Lee

^UT-Austin, UNC-Chapel Hill, USC, Geroge Washington...etc.

ferryboat10

UNC Charlotte has a program requiring just 14 classes that is acceptable by the North Carolina CPA board. UNC Charlotte :: MACC Program Outline

HOWEVER, many states require a business background to go along with your accounting coursework. These states often require a CPA, holding license in another state, to also meet all their education requirements.

Research the requirements of the state(s) you want work in.

ferryboat10

Sam Lee,
Texas and USC have the typical intensive pre-reqs for their programs that can push it up to 54-57 credits, same as most programs.

GW's program is only 37 credits and acceptable by DC standards, but would not qualify the graduate to take their license right across the border in Maryland or Virginia.

UNC claims to take only 1 year. UNC takes advantage of the same ruling by NC's CPA board that UNC-Charlotte does. Holders of a graduate accounting degrees do not need to meet the specific course requirements. Again, this is only acceptable in NC as far as I know and you must meet additional education requirements if moving to a new state.

DaNDHSIrishGuy

So how much actual travel is in Auditing? I want nothing more, but to travel and make a comfortable income. I admit it; I am incredibly materialistic, always wanting the latest toys, i.e Italian sport bikes, Ducati/Aprillia, Habana cigars. I am a firm believer that money makes happiness. money=entertainment, entertainment=pleasure, and pleasure=happiness. Anyway, back on topic, how much potential is there actually for auditing. I was looking at CareerBuilder, and the auditing salaries capped out at 75k, while tax guys were making 100k+. IA's make partner, too, right? Is it better to getba CIA or a CPA? Thanks

taxguy

DandhsIrishguy, I will tell you a truism that I have found in life. You can accept or ignore my view on this. Money DEFINITELY doesn't buy you happiness or even will necessarily make you happy by itself! In fact, to many people, making or having large amounts of money has been a curse. ( Yes, I know the old joke: Please smite me with this curse).

However, You will generally be much happier rich than being poor!

What I said has a lot of implications. For example, even if you are earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, if you are traveling a lot to earn that money, and don't see your kids growing up, or your travel harms your relationships, the money isn't worth it! There are tradeoffs in life that we have to come to terms with and try to achieve some sort of balance. If you end up rich but alienating everyone around you, it won't be worth it!

leo187um

Really? I thought Big 4 firms, or any acct firm for that matter, don't lay many ppl off. Acct is famous for its super-stability.

taxguy

Leo, unless things have changed dramatically over the last twenty year, you heard incorrectly, especially regarding the Big 4.