Accounting or Finance Masters?
I have been back and forth on the idea of a MSF or MAcc. I hope to eventually work my way into corporate finance, consulting, or banking(I know that's broad). Not totally sure if a MSF or MAcc is the way to go but it seems as if the MAcc offers much more in the way of stability in the job market I just dont want to get stuck doing tax prep for a living.
If I choose the accounting route,I am curious to know which of these masters of accounting degrees will give me the most broad exposure to banking, consulting, and advisory:
UVA UT Austin Boston College Baruch Villanova
would also consider going abroad if anyone has university suggestions
For the Finance route:
UVA - MS Commerce Duke - MMS WUSTL - MSF Villanova - MSF
also would consider int'l programs, suggestions welcome
Could I basically do everything with the degrees in the finance route that I could with those in the accounting route except for tax and audit (which I don't want to do anyway)? Thanks.
Sorry, forgot to add Umichigan in the list of accounting masters.
No expert, but a MAcc is gonna be tax, auditing, etc. Specialisation like that will inevitably result in potentially a big 4 job. I would imagine OCR is primarily accounting firms, so not sure how you can leverage that into banking or finance.
A friend went to LSE for accounting and finance and is working for PWC. But school is good
MSF imo
MSF unless you want to do accounting.
The MAcc is a huge signal that says you want to be an accountant. The MAcc is to accounting what a post-bac premed program is to medicine.
I think I have only seen one or two guys outside of accounting with MAcc's, and they all started at Big4's anyways.
The LSE program mentioned is different than the US MAcc; the US programs are basically year long prep courses for the CPA exam.
If you want finance than you need to do the MFin. the MAcc will getting all acconting jobs. In terms of course work, the MFin is more relevant for all finance jobs (banking, consulting, ect). It would also be extremely hard to explain why you got a MAcc when you want to work in finance. Bottom line--accountants have a steady career progression and can make some excellent money, but if you want finance you need the MFin.
In terms of strength, go for the best name brand you can get. If you can't get into a top MFin program then take the geography into consideration as business nearby will recruit (an example would be Villanova getting recruited by NYC and Philly firms, but it would be harder to find a job in Boston coming from Nova). Talk to ANT, but Nova has a solid MFin program with some decent placement, but if you are going to rank the MFin programs that you listed it is 1/2 Duke and UVA 3) Nova. I am not sure which is stronger with a MFin, UVA or Duke. Both have a strong name brand and excellent MBA and undergrad recruiting. UVA is probably slightly ahead because it is a normal MFin and doesn't have a management focus, but Duke has a lot of active alumni.
You should also look into NYU
Thanks for your posts everyone. Gekko, I assume by MFIN you mean MSF. Duke and UVA are not actual MSF programs but are more broad based and dabble a little in management and finance. The Villanova program is definitely more finance focused and I like the program, ANT has help a lot in terms of clarification. My only problem is that I lack and relevant finance experience (although I may have something small lined up for the summer) and this will definitely hurt me in recruiting. With this, I figure I either need a job security play - Accounting, or a great brand name-Duke / UVA.
Definitely curious about what kinds of positions I could get in the big 4 with on of the finance based programs I listed. Thanks all.
There are corporate advisory jobs at all the Big4 which are similar to M&A only they work on MM deals, but it is not like it is easier to get a finance job just because it is at a Big4. Accounting jobs are easier to get because there is such a demand for them and their class sizes are huge. If you want a finance related job, it is going to be difficult no matter where you go. I would get some part time/free internship experience and apply to the Master's program that you want to make a career out of. Don't have a short term focus for what should be a long term goal.
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