3 answers
Genevieve
Student
Cedar Rapids
78
Questions
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What is the difference/pros and cons between/of a BS and a BBA in Accounting?
Can you still qualify for the CPA exam if you get a BBA as your bachelor's degree?
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3 answers
Mark Seewald
Accounting
3
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Genevieve,
This is probably going to vary from state to state as licensing requirements per states are not uniform - unfortunately. A good first step would be to figure out your states CPA licensing requirements, every state should have a board of accountancy (.gov) site.
If you're looking to become a CPA and want to stand out on your resume, my experience is that a BS will be more eye catching. The BS will give you a much more in-depth education of accounting and accounting principles, this can definitely help when it comes to the CPA exam. The BAA covers a lot of groundwork related to accounting and accounting fundamentals but is going to be less in-depth. If you for sure know you want to be a CPA, I'd recommend the BS. If you're unsure look into the BAA, it's possible some credits could transfer over to the BS is you find you are really enjoying the learning and the career opportunities.
Mark
This is probably going to vary from state to state as licensing requirements per states are not uniform - unfortunately. A good first step would be to figure out your states CPA licensing requirements, every state should have a board of accountancy (.gov) site.
If you're looking to become a CPA and want to stand out on your resume, my experience is that a BS will be more eye catching. The BS will give you a much more in-depth education of accounting and accounting principles, this can definitely help when it comes to the CPA exam. The BAA covers a lot of groundwork related to accounting and accounting fundamentals but is going to be less in-depth. If you for sure know you want to be a CPA, I'd recommend the BS. If you're unsure look into the BAA, it's possible some credits could transfer over to the BS is you find you are really enjoying the learning and the career opportunities.
Mark
Thank you Mark!
Genevieve
Ken-Shin Wong, CPA
Finance Manager
1
Answer
Houston, Texas
Updated
Ken-Shin’s Answer
Hi Genevieve,
In general, there's no distinction between BS and BBA Accounting degree. Different universities catalog Accounting majors under different internal schools, either Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Business Administration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Business_Administration
https://www.accounting.com/degrees/accounting/bachelors/
https://www.ownyourownfuture.com/bba-vs-bs-in-accounting/
Seeing you are a student in Kansas, here is information to that state's board of accountancy
https://ksboa.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Article-2-2022-Webpage.pdf
Hope this helps in your journey to be a CPA.
Ken-Shin Wong, CPA
In general, there's no distinction between BS and BBA Accounting degree. Different universities catalog Accounting majors under different internal schools, either Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Business Administration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Business_Administration
https://www.accounting.com/degrees/accounting/bachelors/
https://www.ownyourownfuture.com/bba-vs-bs-in-accounting/
Seeing you are a student in Kansas, here is information to that state's board of accountancy
https://ksboa.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Article-2-2022-Webpage.pdf
Hope this helps in your journey to be a CPA.
Ken-Shin Wong, CPA
Thank you Ken! That was really helpful! :)
Genevieve
Aneil Rai
Registered Client Service Associate
6
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Aneil’s Answer
Hi Genevieve,
This is from the CalCPA site:
https://www.calcpa.org/cpa-licensure/cpa-exam-requirements
"Educational Requirements:
A baccalaureate degree or higher conferred by a degree-granting college or university (or foreign equivalent evaluated by a California Board of Accountancy-approved foreign academic credentials evaluation service) accredited by a United States regional institutional accrediting agency or national accrediting agency.
24 semester units of accounting subjects; 24 semester units of business-related subjects. Specific subjects can be found on page 4 and 5 of CBA's CPA Exam Handbook.""
This is from the CalCPA site:
https://www.calcpa.org/cpa-licensure/cpa-exam-requirements
"Educational Requirements:
A baccalaureate degree or higher conferred by a degree-granting college or university (or foreign equivalent evaluated by a California Board of Accountancy-approved foreign academic credentials evaluation service) accredited by a United States regional institutional accrediting agency or national accrediting agency.
24 semester units of accounting subjects; 24 semester units of business-related subjects. Specific subjects can be found on page 4 and 5 of CBA's CPA Exam Handbook.""
Thank you!
Genevieve