Is it better to earn a Bachelor's in Accounting then go on to earn your Master's before taking the CPA? Or would an integrated BS/MS in Accounting be better?

If you are going down the CPA path. You need 150 credits to apply for CPA, so the BS/MS program will get you to the 150 credits, but you dont need to take the MS for CPA. Most BS accounting program will set you at 120 credits and you can use any college class to fill the last 30 credits and use the last few semesters to prepare for the CPA exam which will take a lot of time.

If you dont really want CPA, BS/MS program will be better since BS in accounting is not very competitive right now if you are not going after a CPA.

In most states, you need 150 credit hours to obtain your CPA license or certification. I found that working for a few years after my Bachelors and taking Masters courses part time made the CPA exam more manageable as I had real-life work experience that I could apply to my studying.

My employer contributed about $40k to my business school tuition and paid for Becker CPA prep courses, as well as exam and licensing fees. This kind of assistance is fairly common among larger companies. Some even give employees a raise or bonus after completing their degree or CPA.

Of course, I had different goals than you. I was not initially seeking a licensure, but wanted the well-rounded business education of an MBA. I have never worked in public accounting, and even after becoming licensed, my career path has gone toward finance from accounting.

Zach:

Practical experience is beneficial in taking the CPA Exam. Many employers also provide various kinds of study support to help you prepare for it, as well.

Good luck!
DRH