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Masters

  • 12-11-2008 10:29pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 196 ✭✭


    Hi I was just wondering what people think about doing a masters? im going to start in a big 4 next october in audit and I have left the masters option open with the firm. They have given me a few weeks to decide. Is it beneficial? i know that it exempts you from cap2 but otherwise is it good? will it hurt my futuer career if i dont have it? Any advice welcome


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 482 ✭✭Innervision


    I'm doing a masters now and while it's fairly tough, from talking to friends who went straight in to firms and are doing CAP 2 now it seems they have it a bit worse. I think one year of going to college while working will be enough! Personal choice though, I pretty much only chose it cos I didn't want to be in a full time job at 20, needed one more year of college life!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7 Fo87


    I've chosen to go direct entry. I was initially going to do a masters but personally it just wasn't for me. A couple of reasons...

    I'm 21 and will be 22 when I finish my degree so I feel like I'm old enough to head out into the big bad world. I've enjoyed college but the idea of earning money is much more appealing to me.

    Also, I believe I'll gain a lot more from on-the-job experience, mentoring, coaching etc than I would with my head (slightly) in the books! I know I'll have to study as I'm working but the fact I'm in a new environment, I'm hoping will give me fresh motivation. I just think I'll enjoy the work ethos more, even though it will be tough I'm looking forward to something new and different from college.

    Also, I've heard that the masters can be tough with you in college 5 days a week 9 to 5.30 and you do have a thesis which is usually around 16,000 words. I'd rather be working 9 to 5:30 and getting paid for it!

    Obviously, it's a personal choice and just depends on what you want! Good luck with your decision!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,639 ✭✭✭LightningBolt


    I'm doing a M.Acc in Maynooth. Was originally going to go to either UCD/DCU but then found out Maynooth was starting a new course so decided to go there because of the location to my home and club who I spend a lot of time with and it's also a short frive away from my p/t job.

    After next week I've got class Mon-Thurs 10am-12pm each day, yes that's 2hours of class a day! It's so lovely! I went to IT Tallaght beforehand and learned a lot from there which means that there's been quite a bit of an overlap in content since the change from Prof's to Cap's.

    The thesis is a minor thesis completed during the second semester and is only 8,000 words or so( I've done numerous business reports of a similar level at undergrad). Obviously with exams in May it's not ideal but we'll have been given plenty of time to get it finished by then so we'll only have ourselves to blame if we struggle.

    For the first 8 weeks of this semester we've had a Financial Econometrics module which has been pure torture if I'm being honest. The class as a whole has complained about this as the standard of maths needed to successfully do this module is unbelievably high. From talking to the Professor and head of our course I doubt it will be on the course next year, however there will be an extra financial component on the course as we we're told that the big 4 wanted us to learn about derivative and portfolio pricing.

    The campus is lovely and it's a pretty friendly place. We've no christmas exams either except for an exam in late February for Fin Econ. The way I see it is that I've another year to mess about for a bit, I don't have to worry about doing college at the weekend, I have another 5 months to myself from June to Nov since we've no Thesis to do over the summer months which allows me to travel more. And the big thing is that coming from a small I.T it's allowed me to meet with other students who will be in my firm and other big 4 whereas those coming from a Uni would already know 15-20 other trainees starting off.

    In short I'd do the Masters regardless of where it was be it UCD, DCU, Maynooth, DIT. You gain more from doing it than working full time for 12 months. If anyone has any further questions ask away or pm if you want.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,639 ✭✭✭LightningBolt


    One more thing, if anyone is unsure I'd go for direct entry first. At least that way there is a much bigger chance of you getting on to the masters course rather than the other way around in my experience.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 288 ✭✭PhiliousPhogg


    I did a masters in Galway and I found the material was a huge step up from what we were doing in the undergrad degree. It was the first time I studied auditing, and the corporate finance, management accounting and financial accounting were all way more in-depth. That's probably similar to the step up between CAP-1 and CAP-2, but you'll be doing much more discussions in class, and there was a lot of practical work like doing presentations, critiquing each others' work and even learning business english.

    I also felt frustrated when I was doing it at not being out there working and earning for myself. All your project work etc is of no consequence to anybody but yourself really whereas in work if you have a file to complete in a fortnight, and your bosses will either be down on you in a ton of bricks or impressed with your good work, you'll me a lot more motivated (and stressed!).

    I think that's what it comes down to. If you're happy to be patient and study for another year, then go ahead and do it. I know it still stands to me when I see high level reports at work - business plans, SWOT analyses etc.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭kluivert


    I personnally felt that my degree prepared me to the level of the professional exams.

    Therefore I didnt see any benefit in spending another year studing something that would necessary help my progression.

    Speaking from my own experience, that when you pass for professionals exams and qualify then the degree becomes nothing more than a CV filler. Its all then based on the experiences you have obtained.

    However I do think further education should never be knock and therefore its always down to a personal choice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,734 ✭✭✭Newaglish


    It's down to personal choice at the end of the day - it will make zero impact on your future career. The only time I would reccommend an accounting postgrad is where you don't have an accounting background from college.

    Studying and working is no big deal as 99% of the work is done while on study leave, which is paid for - unlike study time in college!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 666 ✭✭✭pigeonbutler


    Another consideration is that this year the firms are trying to minimise the numbers starting next October because of economic situation so there may be a better chance of getting an offer if you express interest in the Masters.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4 bibi9000


    I did the MACC in Smurfit. Found it to be a really good year - CAP 1 and CAP 2 exemptions and got loads of experience during first year of training contract because I didn't have to go on study leave. Made it really easy to settle in during first year too, esp in a Big Four environment. Def recommend it - and if they are paying for it :D


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