MBA + CPA combo: Worth it?

I have a BA in Accounting and currently work as a Sr. FP&A Analyst at a large automotive firm in Detroit. I was thinking about doing a PT MBA at uMich to advance my education while also moving me up to management. It will be fully paid for by my employer and is the 6th best program in the country, so it's pretty much a no brainer decision. After I complete the MBA, I will have enough credits to sit for the CPA license. But will having the CPA/MBA combo be worth anything in the corporate finance field? I'm curious to know where (or in what kind of jobs) it will give me a leg up. There's also the CMA certificate, which seems to be just as respected as the CPA and is also more applicable to the CF field in general. Would that be a better option?

Any advice? In what jobs would I have a leg up?

2 Comments
 
Best Response

Hey man, a few thoughts (CPA and current participant in a FT MBA program).

CPA is a far more respected and well known certification than the CMA, so I'd devote my efforts to the CPA if you're considering any certification. I personally think the CPA can be a nice check box if you're looking to move up within Corp Fin (useless for lots of other jobs) - lots of CFOs have a CPA license and the MBA should also be a nice addition to the resume.

To me, neither of these moves are drastic enough to really push you out of Corp Fin into something else; however, seems like you're happy staying within CF, so I think both of those options will help you advance up the ladder more quickly (assuming you're doing excellent work at your job the whole time). Without more information and since the program is free, it's hard for me to come up with something else your spare time would be better spent doing to advance your career (besides just maintaining your personal life).

Just my $.02 - good luck!

 

Sequi et voluptatum tempora qui perspiciatis officiis doloremque. Alias nobis voluptatibus in fugiat. Deserunt ex sit sed aut non.

Ipsam explicabo iusto id officia. Consequatur voluptatibus quo modi fuga incidunt quia corporis. Sapiente blanditiis exercitationem numquam eum dolor soluta mollitia. Nesciunt omnis aut tempore corporis.

Numquam aliquam modi id vel voluptatibus aliquam error. Labore impedit aut voluptas officia asperiores quas iusto qui. Impedit laudantium repellendus ex aperiam architecto. Perspiciatis error debitis quis ducimus consectetur. Et eligendi et sequi perferendis necessitatibus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”