The Application Process

I know this has to do with MBA programs but I thought some people here may have some knowledge on graduate accounting programs.

I am just here to ask if I'm expecting around a cumulative GPA of 3.3-ish and a Junior/Senior GPA of 3.8.
What would I need to on the GMAT to get into the top MaCC programs?

1. Different programs have different standards. Also, one thing you have to be aware of with MSA and MAcc programs is that they have prereq courses. Most require you to have 5 to 6 prereq classes. However, I have seen some that require about 8.

2. Some programs do not care about your professional background, while others very much do take your work experience into consideration.

3. Most programs seem to care about your GPA and recommendation letters - especially those that come from academic sources, because MAcc and MSA programs are more academic than MBA programs. Therefore, adcoms care about your potential for graduate study.

4. The GMAT is a bit tricky. Your overall score is important, but your breakdown is even more important. Additionally, your background and your score are considered in combination. For example, if you majored in English literature, a lower quant score may be forgiven more than a lower quant score for someone from IT/engineering. As for the actual number, I have seen a lot of programs with averages in the upper 500s and lower 600s. However, top programs look for something in the upper 600s and into the 700s.

May I ask why you are interested in a TOP program? The reason I ask is, as opposed to MBA, most graduate accounting programs pretty much teach the same thing with a few differences here and there (some offer special concentrations, special classes, certificates, etc.). The same six companies pretty much recruit everywhere you go: Ernst & Young, PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, Grant Thornton, and BDO Seidman. Aside from these giants, you'll see companies that need an inhouse auditor/tax advisor, or someone for financial planning and budgeting.

Therefore, you can go to a less well-known program, pay a lot less and still end up where you would like to be. Also, accounting programs are often more prestigious locally than they are nationally. While there are some big names - U of Texas, U of Illinois, Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Michigan State, and Ohio state - there are plenty of excellent local programs around the US. The final choice is your own, but I would not suggest overpaying for an accounting program if you end up in the same spot with a lower debt. For example, look at the accounting program at Belk, you are getting a degree at a true bargain, even if you are out of state; living expenses are the lowest I have ever seen.

https://www.macc.uncc.edu/

This is some excellent advice. School prestige matters very little in accounting, unless you're talking about big discrepencies such as an online, unaccredited program vs. University of Illinois (a top program).

My advice is to stay close to where you hope to work after graduation. For example, if you want to work in Minneapolis after you graduate, you'd be better off going to U of Minnesota than to the more prestigious U of Texas.

As for admissions, schools vary widely. My alma mater, USC, didn't require any prerequisites for the master's in accounting program. Most schools require at least a few; some require practically an undergrad major in accounting. Your performance in accounting/business courses and your performance later in your academic career will count more. As for the GMAT, the standards were pretty low when I applied a few years ago (I think USC had an average score around 550-600), but things have crept up now that accounting is hot and in-demand.

Let me know if you have more questions!

Just wanted to add a word about prerequisite classes. While most schools require you to have completed a certain number of classes prior to applying, there are some programs that will accept you with an understanding that you have to complete one or two summer sessions - you would take 2 to 4 classes during this period - in order to move on to more advanced masters level classes. This means that you will be there for a summer, fall, spring, summer track in order to graduate. However, other programs will require you to take a year's worth of classes, which makes the MS program a 2-year degree.

As for what Jim said, I agree with him 100%. Getting a job will be MUCH MUCH easier if you stay around the area where you would like to work. I am one of those unfortunate people, as I live in a city that offers no accounting degrees on a full-time basis. Two schools do, but practically require me to get an accounting degree before being considered. STILL, I am applying to schools that are in states right next to mine, PA. So I am applying to MA, NC, and am considering a couple of programs in NY. Therefore, you should certainly try to stay local, unless you don't mind relocating to the city or state in which the school is located.

Good advice Alex and Jim. I'm in a similar boat in that I'm looking at an MS in Accounting. The state schools are bargains, and the Big Four recruit directly from them. You will still be CPA eligible and have the same career prospects as if you graduated from a prestigious private school. Also, I was told by an Acc Prof that once you get the CPA license from your state, where you graduate from is irrelevant.

rj,

It is actually almost absolutely irrelevant where you graduate from. I would say that 90 percent of accounting programs (if not more) are absolutely identical. The other 10% distinguish themselves with a given specialization. For example, a school might specialize in technological approach to accounting and financial reporting, or it might have a specifically international perspective of business in general and accounting in particular, it might also specialize in a given area (M&A, forensic accounting, etc.). Otherwise, as long as you attend an accredited school, you should be fine. Firms care more about you eligibility to sit for the CPA, and an MSA certainly moves you closer to attaining a CPA designation.

here are the list of top accounting (MS) programs in US

https://www.bentley.edu/graduate/banner_ ... report.pdf

Good advice,that is useful for me.

Sorry for hijacking this thread. I would like to ask Jim questions for Jim lives in Portaland which is my target city.

Jim, I'm starting to apply to Master of Science in Financial Analysis in Portland State University. Does this school have good reputation in Portland? Is there other schools in Portland offering Master of Accountancy?

How's the employment placement for MsA graduates in Portland? I'm a Canadian, and don't have accounting experience, but I'm a fast learner and willing to work hard.

Any piece of advice would be greatly appreciated!

PSU is the only large university in Portland, so it enjoys a good reputation in the city. Outside Portland, I can't comment.

I am not that familiar with PSU's master's programs. However, the accounting job market is still hot, and as the only graduate accounting program at the largest university in the city, I imagine that PSU has excellent placement for graduates.

I'm not sure if any other schools offer master's in accounting programs in Portland. You might also want to look into U of Oregon, which is in Eugene (about 90 minutes south of Portland).

Good luck!

Thank you very much, Jim. Your comments are helpful!

Hi everyone and thank you for your insightful responses. I'm thinking about starting a MSA at Golden Gate in San Francisco. My accounting backround is limited altough I have a master's in finance. At the moment, I can't decided between a post-grad. undergrade certificate at UCLA v. a MSA at Golden Gate. They both cover pretty much the same courses and prepare for the CPA. Neither requires GMAT. But the program at Golden Gate ends up with a master's degree (v. just a certificate) and they also have companies recruiting on campus. The UCLA program is through their extension arm and does not offer recruiting. I heard that one has a much better chance of getting a job with the top 4/6 companies if he/she has a masters in accounting. On the other hand, the UCLA program is cheaper and it may have a better name recognition. Should I be suspicious of a master's program that doesn't require a GMAT, even if they have the same accrediation?

Is anyone familiar with either of these programs? Any ideas which alternative provides a better start for a career in accounting?

I went to school in California and worked in accounting in both LA and SF, so I am pretty familiar with the accounting programs there. The short answer is: it probably doesn't matter where you go, since you already have a master's degree. My guess is that you're probably not going to get placed at a Big Four firm from either UCLA or GGU (although it's definitely possible, depending on your prior work experience and connections). So, in either case, you're probably looking at large regional firms or local firms.

Those firms tend not to care about what school you went to - they are mainly concerned that you are eligible for the CPA exam. Those firms are also always short on staff, so your job prospects are excellent from either UCLA or GGU. There are many GGU grads in high level CPA firm positions, but I think that many of them received their master's degrees after attaining a high level in the firm. UCLA has more national name recognition.

My decision would probably boil down to cost and whether you hope to work in LA or SF. Obviously, it's easier to find a job and make connections if you go to school in the city where you want to work.

Like I said, you probably can't go wrong. Good luck!

Hey,

I'm also deciding between UCLA Extension or a masters in accountancy at Golden Gate University.

...except my case is different in that I don't already have a masters of any kind. I only have a bachelor's degree in psych.

Does this change anything? Does it make the GGU option any better?

The fact that UCLA Extension woudln't offer campus recruiting of any kind worries me. I think it could be a huge handicap come recruitment time.

It boils down to this for me:

-GGU's high cost
-GGU has little to no name recognition nationally

vs.

-UCLA Extension's lack of campus recruitment
-Employers are aware that "UCLA extension" isn't the same as "UCLA"