MBA vs. Professional designation (ie. CPA, CGA, CFA)?

I'm a recent grad who majored in accounting and finance in university. I plan to work for 2 years and then go for my MBA degree. However, most of the jobs I've looked at would prefer students to work towards getting their CFA/CPA/CGA. However, these designations would probably take more than 2 years to achieve, which would conflict with my MBA plans. Is it better to receive a designation first before going for the MBA?

MBA vs. Professional designation (ie. CPA, CGA, CFA)?windows themes

If you want to be an accountant, take the CPA, if not, go for an MBA at a top school.

MBA vs. Professional designation (ie. CPA, CGA, CFA)?internet explorer 7 internet explorer

CPA is the toughest and the best. I have an MBA which isn't worth much unless you go to a top 10 school. That is not true for the CPA because the exam is the same for everyone. You can take courses anywhere and for a lot less money. If you want the MBA, go to work for a big bank and let them pay for it.
It depends on what kind of career you're looking at. A CPA is a minimum requirement for most accounting jobs, with an MBA being the icing on the cake. I'd go for the CPA while the accounting classes are fresh in your mind because depending what state you live in, there's an exam you have to pass to become one, and it's as brutal as the law exam, but each state has different requirements on how many college credits are required to sit for the exam.

If you're going to specialize in finance, then CPA or CFP can help. Again, the MBA is good if you're going into the corporate accounting or finance, but not needed if you're going to work for a bank or brokerage or CPA firm.
To be competitive in business today( never mind in 10 or 20 years) you must have either a certification or a Masters.

If you are a high enery,ambitious person , have the free time, and are a good student, then go for the CPA.But wait for about six months until you have learned new job and are sure you can handle it %26amp; pursuing the CPA.

But do not start the CPA %26amp; not finish it.Or at least don't tell prospectives employers you passed two parts but never passed the rest.

If you want to pursue MBA ,why are you interviewing for positions that are accounting?And,if you were really interested in accounting,why didn't you take CPA exam while you were still in school? I am guessing your interests and abilties lie with finance-not accounting, but having a CPA cannot hurt,either.

You didn't say how many courses you have in finance vs accounting, but I assume your major is finance, with a minor in accounting,since you want to get an MBA%26amp; not a Masters in Accounting . (Also, since you have not already taken it and are concerned about during it in two years) I assume you have the 8 or so accounting classes that are necessary to take the CPA exam? ( I think it is more in some states-like Florida,where a 5-year degree is required,so many students get a combo UG %26amp;Masters in accounting)

If you want to pursue a certification, go for the CPA since it is more general and it will be appreciated in any type of business . But do it soon,while college classes fresh in your mind %26amp; take a CPA prep course,which is offered usually at nights or weekends. Many companies will pay for employees to take review course and they usually even pay cost of test itself.

Ask prospective employers if they support the CPA,because you will need 40 hours per year of CPE(continuing professional education) to submit to CPA board to stay an active CPA.

Most employers like to hear you ask about that,because it shows you are serious about pursuing.

It should not take you more than 2 years to get CPA,since the exam is offered 2 times a year.You might even pass it the first time! You will need two years of experience (1 year if you have a Masters) to actually get the certificate(vs just taking the exam) %26amp;the experience must be in accounting or audit in a public accounting firm or similar experience in a corporation. Be sure that the job you will be doing will qualify and that your immediate superviser or that person's immediate supervisor are CPAs,or I think the experience will not count. You could take the exam now %26amp;get the necessary experience after you get the MBA,but it is less likely that position after MBA would qualify.

The CPA is really intended for accounting and the MBA for finance,but if you have background and interest in both,then go for both. But go to the best MBA program you can qualify for %26amp; can afford.Be sure it is an equal or better school than your UG

or it can actually take away from your resume-not add to it.

This is especially important if your UG was at a really good or mediocre school. Don't hurt an Ivy League UG by adding a bad MBA school. And a so-so UG school will be almost ignored by adding an Ivy League MBA.

Many companies also will pay for an Executive MBA or PT MBA for their employees. If they do, the amount they can pay and you not have to pay tax is the amount the IRS allows each year. Last time I checked it was a little over $5,000,but probably more now since it goes up a little every year

I think 3 years at first company(not 2) is ideal.Not too short,not too long. And ask about a LOA(leave of absence) to take MBA.. You never know what economy will be like 2+ years in future,so having previous company as a fall-back option is good.

If you have not finished CPA by time you start MBA, then leave work a few months before MBA starts and/or study for CPA during summer between first %26amp; second years of MBA program.

PS Check out Newsweek's annual rankings of best business school programs to see which graduate business schools have best programs for regular and executive and part-time programs
i have one word of advice for all of u that take so much time to post a question on here...if its too long no one really reads it... they move on to the next one.. so spend as much time on ur resumes or job applications rather than on here... and youll do a lot better ....!