General Advice?

[redpen]

Hello All,

I work for a Big 4 accounting firm in southern California in the audit practice. I am feeling that accounting is too much of a specialization and that my current position is leading me into a pigeon hole. I passed the CPA exam and the level one of the CFA exam (hopefully complete it in summer 2010). I enjoy all things technical, quantitative and analytical but I want to be a more integral part of a business. I don’t want to be just another numbers guys. To get to the point I am concerned about my current work experience as it relates to an MBA. Is my work experience relevant to what MBA programs are looking for? Or am I just being totally insecure about my experience?
I would greatly appreciate any advice, especially from a CPA/Auditor who has applied to B-School.

Thanks.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear redpen,

Schools are not looking for specific professional experiences are value one over another. They want a diverse set of experiences in the classroom to add richness to case discussions. What matters is what you have done in your current career--do you have a demonstrated record of success? have you progressed at the expected or faster rate? are you an expert in your field? has the level of responsibility given to you increased over time?

As long as you can answer those questions with a "yes" and point to examples, then you have the type of professional experience the schools seek. Likewise, you need to demonstrate the need for an MBA to take you from your current career to your desired career.

Best of luck,
Lisa