Value of PT MBA for Moving from Accounting to FP&A?

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could comment on whether or not an executive/PT MBA could help if I wanted to move from accounting to traditional corporate finance (think FP&A, not IB/HF). I currently work at the Big 4 in audit, but I'm pretty sure that I don't want to just do financial reporting/controls for the entirety of my career and want to move into a more decision-making/decision-support role with the finance side.

Ideally, I want to avoid a FT MBA because it's expensive and I don't know how much value it would give knowledge-wise since I've already had the Ps of marketing hammered into my brain in undergrad. Therefore, I was wondering if an executive MBA or whatever they're called could be a good middle-ground for me. Accounting and Finance ARE related, and even though PTs aren't usually the best idea for people looking to change careers, I'm wondering if it's that hard of a sell to request this type of switch and if the MBA can lend credence to this move. After all, it's not like I'm trying to make a jump from accounting to marketing or accounting to MBB/IB.

Does anyone have experience/advice regarding this?

6 Comments
 
"whattherock"

How much of a leverage is that MBA?

aka which school are you talking about... are you in

I haven't applied yet or even retaken the GMAT. It's just something I'm considering and I'm wondering if it's worth it or if my time would be better spent networking if the PT MBA won't hold much weight

 
"Frank Slaughtery"

PT/exec don't really make sense for a career switcher. if you can go to a Top 15 or so FT program, it'll be worth it

agree. tough without top-tier OCR

 
Best Response

1) If you can go to a Top 20 FT program, do it. Will absolutely be worth it.

2) If it is solely cost that keeps you from going full-time, you need to start thinking like a Finance guy and not an accounting guy. This is an investment that will provide returns throughout the rest of your career...UNLESS you have some other mitigating circumstance. Smart debt doesn't bankrupt people; bad debt does. School loans are rarely ever "bad" debt.

3) If you still can't rationalize a FT MBA, a PT program is fine. As noted above, you'll be on your own recruiting-wise, which will make placement that much more difficult. BUT, if your focus isn't on getting in to a big-name corporate that recruits on-campus, you should be fine.

Plenty of F50 companies will take you. Again -- you'll be on your own. Going the PT route means making the commitment to network like no other to get out of your current gig.

Director of Finance and Corporate Development: 2020 - Present Manager of FP&A and Corporate Development: 2019 - 2020 Corporate Finance, Strategy and Development: 2011 - 2019 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 

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