Business Major Questions (Accounting concentration)

XFER14
Wed, 13 Aug 2014 10:20:34 +0000

@happy1

She doesn’t mind much about not being able to work at a major firm; just a job where she can earn a decent salary for a year or two to pay off her student loans and go back to complete more credits for the CPA exam.

I’m still waiting to hear from the flagship but for college with the online program, I know that recent graduates only recently started getting hired to a couple local large CPA firms (as assistant accountants and staff). Starting salary is between $45,000 and $55,000 per year, depending on the position. How common is it to find jobs that pay this much with an accounting degree right out of college?

I’ve also heard that the business program at the online school is seeking accreditation from another Business accreditation entity. The guy didn’t specify which accreditation entity, however. Is the AACSB the “holy grail” of business accreditation? We’ve been looking at top master’s programs and the only accreditation many seem to recognize is the AACSB accreditation.



Also FYI, a candidate now needs 150 college credits (most colleges you need about 120 credits to graduate) to get a CPA (the exact requirements vary by state but every state has the 150 credit requirement) so many students now go for a one year masters degree to satisfy this. Again, the state flagship likely has a program for this while the other school might not but you need to check.

And I know you said she doesn’t want to go for the CPA right away, but just so you know, almost all accountants do for for the CPA right away. She would be taking a highly unusual path.



Yes, we’re aware that she’ll need 150 credits. However, she’s planning to work straight after graduation to gain experience before going back to complete additional credits. I think our state requires at least one year of accounting work experience to sit in for the CPA exam. How do most students satisfy the accounting work experience if her plan is unusual?

Also, looking ahead- once she passes the CPA exam and becomes a CPA, will all this worry about accreditation and online degree still haunt her if she goes with this path? We’d assume the playing field is all equal once she reaches this credential, no?