Master of Accounting as UC or ANU? (1 Viewer)

[lambchop]

Hey,
new to this thread, so I hope i posted this in the right place. So I started with a Arts/Comm and changed to Arts/Asian Studies as I wanted to get some languages and did not like doing all the extra non accounting courses a full comm degree required. I am about to graduate from ANU with a high credit ave (so ok but not great). I am now looking at graduate studies and this is my dilema.

Both ANU and UC offer Master of Accounting, both CPA and CA approved. ANU costs 32 grand which means a loan, UC is commonwealth sponsored. I will take out the loan if i need it, but only if it really worth going to ANU over UC. If two people go for a job, same grades etc, so say both have Distinctions, and the only real difference is one went to UC and the other to ANU, would it be a big factor in who they pick?
I am not looking to just work in Canberra, I would probably start there. But as my partner is in the military, I will be in big cities in a few years, most likely Melbourne or Sydney.

Also I am not really getting this whole CPA thing? If your course is CPA approved are you able to become a member or do you undertake more courses with them the way you would with the CA?

One more thing, do firms look seriously as someone who received their accounting qualification post grad? Is it more desirable because they already have at least one undergrad degree, or are they seen as people who came a bit late to the game?

Sorry it is a lot of questions, but I am really confused. It is a big debt to take on, but worth it if it gets me the job.

 

[velox]

ANU should have a commonwealth sponsored scheme also. They do for the Master of Finance at least. (I just googled it, i could be wrong)

CPA is more of an industry qualification. You have to have done some undergrad courses so you can then undertake the CPA course. Same as the CA. CA is more for professional service firm workers.

Post grad or undergrad, shouldn't matter at all.

I don't think there will be a great deal of difference between UC and ANU, however if both were commonwealth sponsored, i'd pick ANU straight away. (UC doesn't really have any reputation at all - good or bad).

 

[lambchop]

yes i agree, if i were an employer i would pick an ANu grad. and as you say, it may be totally unfounded and it may in fact be true that UC offers more up to date degrees. but public perception is still a major player. I called and ANU said that they did not believe they would offer accounting masters as a hecs thing, so it would have to be fee help.

i wonder if there really is a skills shortage in accountants these days, seems many people still struggle to secure a job. Thanks for you input by the way.

Anyone else have an opinion on this?

 

[velox]

I think there may be a shortage of CA or CPA's. Not accounting graduates.