asol22 wrote:
Hello all,
I am just curious to understand what the background is of a majority of the folks applying and getting admitted into top 25 MBA programs here in the US. Per my research of various MBA program's websites, is that a lot of applicants have finance/consulting/engineering backgrounds.
What about CPAs? Do you know if a lot of CPA's apply for (and are admitted into) top 25 MBA programs? As a CPA myself (with Big 4 Audit experience)- I don't see a lot of my colleagues consider pursuing an MBA after a few years into their Audit/Tax careers. Most of us already have a Master of Accounting to cover our 150 credits required for the CPA.
The purpose of my question is to understand if the application pool is flooded with CPAs as it appears to be with finance/consulting applicants. And if not- how do top MBA programs view applicants with CPA background (i.e- am I unique or just fall into a large pool).
I personally believe my audit/CPA background has provided me great insight into how companies operate and are accounted for. It has also provided me experiences in a variety of industries. But I would like to move into more of a finance/operations position and not specialize solely on accounting anymore.
Any insight would be appreciated,
AJ
I doubt you would find specific data for CPAs on b-school websites. These guys are going to be cubbed under the Financial services/consulting backgrounds. I don't know much about CPA but I do know of its equivalent followed at several countries across the world- CA or Chartered Accountancy. A significant number of CAs do an MBA every year, so its not an unheard of career path.
An MBA can be perfect for you for the reasons you have mentioned above. While your CPA certification will continue to be valuable, an MBA will add broader business skills which will be crucial as you move up the management hierarchy, and also if you desire a career change to a less accounting/auditing specific role.
Be mindful, however, that business schools would expect you to have clarity over your career goals. They would care to know exactly what you wish to do after MBA and why. So think deeper about what that post-MBA role will be and why it will require a new set of skills gained through the MBA