CPA or GMAT? MAC Program Grad- Incoming F100 FLDP with Corp Dev Aspirations or MBA -> IBD

Hi Monkeys,

A little about me. I graduated from a top 20 target in Econ but didn't get the job I wanted out of undergrad, decided to do a masters of accounting degree at a similar school and now will work at a F100 FLDP. As stated above my goals are to break into corp dev internally then possibly an MBA -> IBD.

Given my situation is it worth it to do the CPA? I only have about 2.5 months before I start work. If I don't do the CPA I planned on traveling/relaxing and getting >=720 on the GMAT. Worst case scenario and I don't get into Corp Dev I end up in corporate finance, does the CPA matter there? Would I be held behind if I didn't do the CPA.

Will having a Master of Accounting degree without a CPA look strange? Obviously it a different situation since I opted for a FDLP vs Big 4 so unsure on how to determine the CPA's value.

Thoughts?

2 Comments
 
Best Response

CPA licensure depends on the state you live in. Keep in mind, CPA licenses are different for each state, but some might be transferable. Often, earning a Masters in Accounting is the only way individuals get the required hours to sit for the CPA exam. It's quite common to find CPAs with a Masters in Accounting.

If you want to do anything corporate related, especially corporate finance, a CPA will set you leagues above your peers without CPAs. A CPA's value is huge ESPECIALLY in corporate finance. Outside of corporate finance, you can do Big Four Accounting, go into IB, work at a boutique investment firm, work for a CPA firm, start your own firm, etc.

There's a lot fewer CPAs than MBAs.

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