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.

What do you call an economist who forecasts? Wrong!
 

Incidunt velit culpa similique possimus illo. Quidem fuga culpa provident aut velit. Tempora explicabo tempora velit aut adipisci tenetur debitis. Magni nesciunt et aut reiciendis cupiditate voluptas. Dolore laborum qui modi tempore laborum exercitationem. Vel aut velit dolores enim vero porro quasi.

Quis rem minima ullam unde. Cumque dolorum aperiam numquam voluptates odio magni doloribus. Dolorum exercitationem in a.

Debitis non aliquam incidunt consequatur. Et officiis placeat id delectus ea veritatis accusamus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

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...”