Some advice .. Peru Vs MoreHead

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Xarick, Jul 13, 2007.

Loading...
  1. Xarick

    Xarick New Member

    Two schools I am looking at for accounting programs.. Peru State vs Morehead state. I was hoping you guys could help:

    Morehead is an AACSB accredited accounting program leading to a BS in accounting. The only downside to it is that it is a degree completion meaning getting all my lower division at my local community college. That isn't a big deal to me. Moreheads 120 hour program would require me to get an additional 30 hours for the cpa exam or a masters.

    Peru State has a BS in business Admin/ accounting concentration but it is not AACSB accredited (peru states business programs have no business accreditation). What peru does have is a much lower tuition cost. $157 per semester credit vs moreheads $255 per semester credit ($220 tuition + $35 online fee per credit). Where peru also excels is in the format. Accounting classes are on 16 weeks, but the business and general classes are on 8 weeks accelerated format. So I can complete the business and general eds faster. Peru also has an 150 credit hour cpa program.

    So I am torn. Peru has a lot of great things going for it, but no AACSB accreditation. Morehead has that accreditation, but at a higher cost.
    Both schools have been a pleasure to deal with.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I say Peru. AACSB is great, but it matters most when you're in a graduate program and want to be able to teach at universities. If you're looking to become a CPA I don't see how it's worth the added cost. Besides, Peru has a good customer service reputation. Don't underestimate that, especially as a distance learning student.

    -=Steve=-
     
  3. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    You will have to measure cost vs. benefits.

    Down the road it has become that since many players in the distance learning wagon are available, that people will micro judgment the schools this days to justify that one degree is better than the other.

    But anyway, I will say Peru will meet you CPA needs without the extra $$$$. But then again if you are looking beyond the box, you will need to make more research and make up your own mind.

    AACSB accreditation is another type of measurement to seperate other degrees holders from the masses. When AACSB accreditation become the norm or most college would have it, you will see the critics will begin looking for another measure tool, to indicate that such and such schools is better than other schools.

    Bottom line if the degrees you hold or earn get the job to meet you current and future needs in the arena of certification (CPA) then go for it.

    Best of luck,

    Vini
     
  4. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    One more thing, if you become CPA, AACSB accreditation won't mean a thing as far as accounting goes for jobs in that field (not teaching). You will become a desirable commodity.

    Vini
     
  5. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    It all depends on what your goals are. If you plan on a career on academia, I say Morehead. If you primarily want to work as a CPA, I say Peru because it's more affordable.
     
  6. Xarick

    Xarick New Member

    Let me ask you guys this. Even if I dont do morehead and someday I decide I want to teach.. If I got my MS from an AACSB school would it matter that my BS was not from one?
     
  7. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    No, it wouldn't.

    -=Steve=-
     
  8. JLV

    JLV Active Member

    I agree with Steve, Peru. All other disquisitions are probably irrelevant.

    One last thing, life rewards action.
     
  9. macattack

    macattack New Member

    How about neither.

    Since you need 150 hours, why not get a BA from a recognizable university in any business subject - maybe take as many accounting electives as possible. This opens the door form some good recognizable schools, many AACSB if you so choose.

    Then get your masters in accountancy. That way with the same number of credits you have two degrees and qualify for the CPA exam. This program is AACSB, inexpensive and has minimal entry requirements.
     
  10. Xarick

    Xarick New Member

    Thanks guys. I think if I go this route I will go to PERU.

    Now my only concern is I believe in 4 years the accounting market will be flooded. Even at my local school the head of the accounting program said they have record numbers of ACCT students... near 700. Even she admitted that this was more than there was market for. She told me she was concerned too many were getting into it that shouldn't be.

    But... then again
     
  11. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    If there are some who are getting into accounting who shouldn't be, the account program itself should weed them out. Completing an accounting degree isn't exactly a cakewalk.

    One way to differentiate yourself from all the other accounting grads is to go on and earn a masters degree in accounting and pass the CPA exam ASAP.
     
  12. macattack

    macattack New Member

    If thats the case in your location, you may be better off studying at the local university. Seems like you said at one point that in would be possible for you to attend part-time there. People are flooding to accounting because the pay is high for new grads compared to other fields.

    If your looking to get into public accounting, firms hire new staff accountants from on-campus recruiting. I am almost positive I would not have gotten my first job at a large public accounting firm with out going through the on-campus recruiting. There are usually several social events that you'll want to show up to and smooze with the Partners. There is stiff competition for the higher-paying and desirable accounting firms.

    If you go the DL route, just understand that it will come with some limitations, depending on your goals for employment after school. If your will have to really work to get on at a firm like Moss Adams. I think Big 4 would be virtually impossible from DL at Peru. Small local firms (even those are heavily recruiting on-campus) or industry/government/non-profit staff accounting jobs will be available.

    Just so you know, public accounting pays pretty well because the work the heck out of you. There is a high burn-our ratio. 55+ minimum work weeks during busy season (at least Jan-April), higher at some firms like the Big 4. Tons of travel if you go into audit.

    Good luck.
     
  13. Xarick

    Xarick New Member

    why do you think the big 4 would not hire d/l student?
     
  14. macattack

    macattack New Member

    Not impossible, but like I said in my last post, competition is strong for those positions. As you said, your local university has 700 accounting students. They mainly hire from on-campus recruiting.
     
  15. Xarick

    Xarick New Member

    Okay so your not speaking about quality of education. That is fine.
     
  16. Xarick

    Xarick New Member

    One last question for all you accounting guys out there. Could I possibly get this degree:

    http://www.csc.edu/distancelearning/BS_Math.asp

    Its a Math with a minor is business. And THEN GET and MS in accountancy.. Would that qualify me for CPA? or would that not work?
     
  17. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Go to your State Board of Accountancy website. Find out their requirements. Plan your courses accordingly.
     
  18. macattack

    macattack New Member

    Could be fine, just plan ahead. Know which masters degrees you want to get and make sure you meet the minimum requirements for entry. Also look up the education requirements for the board. Look like 24 semester hours in accounting for Oregon. There is usually additional requirements for other business courses, so check into that. Try this link. How many hours of business courses are there in the minor there? Also, some states, like Washington count graduate accounting credits as 1.5 for each credit earned, so look into that as well.

    I really like the idea of getting a bachelor's degree in another field (i.e. finance) and then the masters in accountancy. You still meet the requirements for the CPA but also get the masters degree and a more diverse education.

    CSC is an excellent choice cost-wise.
     
  19. Vincey37

    Vincey37 New Member

    I would not worry about quality or quantity of an accounting education.

    If having a MAcc without an undergraduate degree in accounting will qualify for the CPA in your state, go for it. If a school has an unknown reputation in accounting, but meets your needs otherwise, go for it.

    Accounting is about as much of a trade skill as it gets as far as subjects studied for a bachelors degree. Conservatism, consistency, objectivity, full disclosure. There – that’s essentially all the theory there is behind accounting. The rest is just memorizing technical rules and procedures. You could easily teach yourself accounting and not miss a thing.
     
  20. macattack

    macattack New Member

Share This Page