..programs in Canada. Any recommendations?
Re: Masters in Accounting
UWaterloo without question - the most highly acclaimed Master’s program in Accounting :k:
Re: Masters in Accounting
Thanks Lucid. I contacted them but the guy told me they only accept students into their accounting masters program who have done their undergrad from Waterloo.
I thought that was just absurd but what can I do.
Re: Masters in Accounting
That's strange because I know of someone who did his Master's from there... but he was a CMA to begin with - so may be it's different if you're already professionally designated.
The only other programs I know of are offered by Concordia and Brock but they're nowhere close in reputation to UWaterloo.
Re: Masters in Accounting
what are your thoughts on the Univ of Toronto Masters in Acctg program? From looking at their website, their placement for co-ops seems really impressive.
Re: Masters in Accounting
^ if you're talking about the MMPA program, then I've heard some mixed reviews. Someone once told me that there were too many "seminar" type courses where there wasn't enough emphasis on the practical aspects of accounting. The co-op option is attractive - although most accounting programs have good placement rates for their graduates anyways.
Re: Masters in Accounting
Interesting point on the MMPA program. Honestly, I'm not sure I'm going to "learn" a whole lot of accounting anyways since I have the background being a CPA. Plus most of the learning comes "on-the-job", since industry and company specific knowledge is hard top gain while in school. What I need the most is a school with good alumni and connections to companies/firms, thats why I was initially attracted to U of Toronto.
That being said, I'm going to try for Waterloo again. Maybe that guy was just high. Because I still have a hard time understanding why a school would limit its masters program to only its undergrad students.
Thanks again Lucid.
Re: Masters in Accounting
^ hey if you're a CPA already, then I'd say you'll find minimal differences in the discourse of the various programs. Your decision criteria of opting for a program with more industry connections and a good alumni network sounds very logical.
The co-op option is attractive - although most accounting programs have good placement rates for their graduates anyways.
I've heard the program is seeing less and less people being picked up by the B4. It has less to do with the program itself than with they type of students (poor english, anti-social.. asian) in the program.
I've heard the program is seeing less and less people being picked up by the B4. It has less to do with the program itself than with they type of students (poor english, anti-social.. asian) in the program.
Interesting observation. But then where are the Big4 getting their students from then?
Interesting observation. But then where are the Big4 getting their students from then?
From what I've observed in biz schools around Ontario, most students get internships with the Big4 based on their undergrad and professional designation exam credentials... and it's only once they have some years of experience that they consider the Master's option.
Programs like Brock and Concordia however have quite a few direct entry students from undergrad programs (I know cuz I've written a bunch of reference letters for students myself)... but I'm not sure whether the completion of a Master's program alone is enough to grant them entry into the Big4. All my colleagues who've worked with the Big4 have obtained professional accreditation before going for the Master's.
I've heard the program is seeing less and less people being picked up by the B4. It has less to do with the program itself than with they type of students (poor english, anti-social.. asian) in the program.
This is something that a lot of graduate programs are encountering these days. Universities are accepting more foreign students directly based on standardized test scores which are not reflective of the professional caliber of the candidates.
From what I've observed in biz schools around Ontario, most students get internships with the Big4 based on their undergrad and professional designation exam credentials... and it's only once they have some years of experience that they consider the Master's option.
Programs like Brock and Concordia however have quite a few direct entry students from undergrad programs (I know cuz I've written a bunch of reference letters for students myself)... but I'm not sure whether the completion of a Master's program alone is enough to grant them entry into the Big4. All my colleagues who've worked with the Big4 have obtained professional accreditation before going for the Master's.
Lucid, it seems you have had some experience with the Big4. SO let me ask you this. I have some progressive experience with the Big 4 in the US (means got promoted while working) and have to move to Canada for some personal reasons. While I know this experience won't hurt me, do you think it'll give me any competitive advantage either in trying to get into a Canadian Big4? (plus ofcourse my CPA designation)