In addition, as you encounter various obstacles in your business journey, an MBA can help you to adapt to your changing circumstances. This is because as you earn an MBA, you learn how to think creatively and critically. Critical thinking involves examining a situation from multiple perspectives, ascertaining solutions, and evaluating the pros and cons of each. Regardless of the business challenge you face, as an employee or an entrepreneur, the critical thinking skills that come with an MBA can give you an edge over your competition. See how the schools you’re considering fared in Fortune’s rankings of the best part-time, executive, full-time, and online MBA programs.

Can an MBA lead to a CPA certification?

Given their level of responsibilities, CPAs are generally on the higher end of this salary range. CPAs may have more flexibility than their peers given the cyclical nature of their jobs (i.e., some times of the year are busier than others), according to the American Institute of CPAs. Within three to five years post-graduation, salaries can increase to $151,000 and $172,000, demonstrating the MBA’s strong return on investment in career advancement and earning potential.

CPA Costs and Commitment

• Generally, local cost of living and local industry demand are two factors that may impact salary.
• MBA graduates start with an average base salary of around $97,000, with potential for significant growth, reaching between $151,951 and $172,469 within three to five years.
• Often released annually, MBA programs report job details for their most recent graduating class, including statistics like average salary, which may be broken down further by industry, location, and specific employers.
• You should choose between a Master of Business Administration and a certified public accountant license by closely examining your skills, career goals and passions.
• Those who are holders of the CPA designation and wish to go back to school to pursue an MBA will find the resources to study with the CPA firm.

Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals. MBA graduates are poised for a positive salary trajectory in the years following graduation. According to research from the Forté Foundation, the average MBA salary after three to five years is between $151,951 and $172,469. Still, as you consider your post-MBA career options, it can be useful to consider where your industry of choice is concentrated, as there will likely be more financially competitive opportunities in those areas.

Key Differences between an MBA in Accounting and a CPA

However, it should be noted that the fees for an MBA degree vary across colleges based on their location, program, faculties, and various other factors. In the US, a CPA-certified professional’s median salary is around $68,000, with the bottom 10% drawing a salary of around $49,000 while the top cpa vs mba salary 10% earning more than $113,000 . On the other hand, an MBA graduate in the US draws an average salary of around $89,000 . Certified public accountants are in demand and often more educated than general accountants, but they work long hours, especially during tax time, if they work in taxation.

School attended

A CPA designation is renowned for its rigorous standards and comprehensive coverage of accounting, tax, and financial management principles. This certification equips professionals for a variety of specialized roles across different sectors. I no longer work in accounting but am an expert on how to help other accounting professionals become CPAs.

MBA Graduates

Once licensed, CPAs are the only individuals who can complete the required audits at public companies. An important difference between an average accountant and a CPA is that only the latter can write up an audited financial statement. This is an important reason why CPAs are in demand at large companies that need to provide audited statements. An MBA offers many opportunities for those seeking leadership roles in various business sectors.

Understanding the difference between a CPA and an MBA, how each affects your career path and the amount of time and money involved with each choice can help you choose which one is best for you. If you have your eye on a career in finance, earning an accounting degree is almost always in the picture. Your undergrad degree plus CPA licensure is essentially a surefire way to get you to one of those starting accounting or finance gigs, whether it be on Wall Street or at a public accounting firm. But could pursuing an MBA take you even further than CPA certification alone? ” With this question in mind, we need to understand that both options lead to two different career paths. While CPA is best suited for candidates who intend to become specialists in accounting, MBA caters to the needs of candidates who wish to join in management roles.

If you have your MBAbut you would like to advance your career and specialize in corporate finance or taxes, then it might be a good idea to become a CPA. Likewise, if you are a CPA who wants to have a better understanding of management and business operations, earning your MBA might be useful. But do you really have to choose between pursuing CPA licensure and earning an MBA? After earning a bachelor’s degree, an MBA degree can help you earn the rest of the requisite 150 semester-credit hours to qualify as a CPA candidate. After studying for and passing the CPA Exam, you can then apply for licensure in the state in which you intend to practice.

Get the latest news you need to know, from study hacks to interview tips to career advancement. The CPA and the MBA, while serving different purposes on the way toward a career in accounting, do have some commonalities and can both be beneficial when it comes to career advancement. The CPA, or Certified Public Accountant designation, is the most common certification in accounting and one of several other accounting certifications you should explore. The information presented here is true and accurate as of the date of publication. DeVry’s programmatic offerings and their accreditations are subject to change.

Do you plan to work for an accounting firm and ultimately open your own practice? Taking the time to answer these questions can help you narrow down which option will serve you best as you head down your chosen career path. UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA is designed for experienced professionals looking to take their career to the next level. Students have access to lifelong career benefits and a global network of 51,000+ business school alumni.