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What is the best path to take to become a Certified Public Accountant?

I want to know what is the better path to take to become a CPA in Pennsylvania: Bachelor's in Accounting with 2 years experience or Master's in Accounting with one year experience.

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Leah’s Answer

Hi Aubrey! It might depend on the route you want to take after school: do you want to go into public accounting or industry? Of course, making sure you have the credits to sit for the exam is key, but in my experience, my Master's program helped me study and prepare for the CPA exam in a way that I would have fallen short of with just my Bachelors degree. We used CPA exam books in our curriculum, so I took two exams at the semester and the last two right after graduation. Passing the CPA before diving into my career was a huge relief and allowed me to just focus on the job when I started. All that being said, starting off in public accounting with a Master's degree didn't impact my pay compared to those who started with a Bachelor's degree. Regardless, I'd encourage a Masters because it's additional technical knowledge that will help you pass the exam and you'll start your career with a really solid foundation!
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Laura’s Answer

Hi Aubrey - I see some great responses to your question (and from some of my colleagues at PwC)! Here are some additional considerations - an advanced degree is only going to help you, but it comes at a cost. A lot of the large schools offer scholarships to draw prospective master's candidates to their program, so if the cost is a factor for you, there may be support to help you with the tuition costs. An advanced degree is not required but I know a lot of people who obtained a Master's when it was not required (long before the 150 hr requirement). They continued the schooling while being a student came easily! And today they have a Master's program on their resume! Being a CPA is an incredible milestone - congratulations on setting that goal - no matter the path, obtaining this credential will set you up for success in your future career! Good luck!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Hi Aubrey! In my opinion the Masters in Accounting is unnecessary and you will have more than enough knowledge from your BSBA degree in Accounting, passing the CPA exams, and then jumping into work. Do you know which type of accountant you'd like to be? I am speaking from the perspective of a former auditor and did not think any extra schooling is essential, you learn most of the day to day on the job! When I was earning my CPA, I don't remember a work requirement or at minimum it was 1 year working in the field plus completion of exams in order to earn your CPA license. Perhaps things have changed in the past years so worth double checking :) Good luck and let me know if you have more questions!
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Brooke’s Answer

The key is to stay committed to the plan you choose and follow it through to the end. A master's degree can make a big difference if you concentrate on a specific technical area related to your career goals. If the degree is more general, gaining relevant professional experience might be more beneficial. Also, try to take the exam as soon as possible. It's much easier to study when you're fresh out of school, and the pass rate tends to drop the longer you wait.
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Lauren’s Answer

Hi! I don't think there is any right path - just whichever you prefer and whether you want to continue schooling to get your Masters. Getting your CPA exam completed is the best step!
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Denise’s Answer

Hi Aubrey, I agree with Lauren - it's what works for you. I chose to complete my BS/BA first and pass the CPA exam, then spent a few years gaining real‑world experience before returning to earn my Master’s. That approach gave me the space to explore the accounting field more deeply and clarify the direction I wanted to take in my career. You have options.
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Ayisha’s Answer

Hi Aubrey!

Both paths can be great, depending on what suits you best. I chose a Master's degree because I wanted to advance my education and needed extra credits for the 150-credit requirement. Although a Master's can be expensive, there are ways to manage the cost. I looked for scholarships and got a graduate assistantship, which helped a lot. It's fantastic that in PA, you only need a year of experience with a Master's degree. You might also think about starting to study for the CPA exam during your Master's program. It's a good idea to begin the exam before you start working full-time and get busier. I hope this helps! Good luck!
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Matthew’s Answer

Hello!

Personally, I went the Bachelors into CPA route, but do whatever feels right for you given your life situation and what you have time/ability to do. It can be challenging to juggle a full-time job + studying for the CPA but it is definitely manageable with good time management. Whatever you choose to do, I'd start studying as soon as you are able. Some companies will even foot the bill for your exams/materials, and getting access to them early and studying is key for passing quickly! Good luck!
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Aubrey’s Answer

In my experience, the Masters program dove into the specifics of Tax law that was really fundamental to being a tax professional. I would do some additional research about the Master programs you might be able to apply to, and see if they are specialized in your particular area of interest. My program had us select a track of either Tax or Assurance. My colleagues in Assurance said that the program was not as beneficial to them as it was to me in Tax. Depends on your career pathway goals and the particular program which will be most impactful for you.

Also, consider if you will have more time to study for the CPA exams while in a Masters program or while working. For me, I was able to study during the Masters program since I was already in study mode and only worked 10-15 hours during the program.
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