Masters in Accounting.

Dellboy2007

I didn't receive the registration letter with logon details, i'd say it will be here tomorrow. However, I do remember when paying the balance on my fees that the woman I was speaking to on the phone said this would happen but to ignore it (if that is possible?).

simos

Ye it says you can pay it online or they will send you a bank giro. I just picked the bank giro and it said that registration is complete and they will send me out a bank giro in the next fee days. I'm just gonna ring the registration office toomorrow i'm sure they will easily sort it out.

20 Times 20 Times

So hows the course going for you guys ??

cson

Little Pea wrote: »

So hows the course going for you guys ??

22hrs, 20 every other week. Can't complain tbh.

20 Times 20 Times

I just wanted to touch base , was offered my place in DCU and turned it down for DIT just wanted to keep in touch and see how you guys are getting on. Our timetable is 18 hours long.

martin2012

Hi guys
After communicating with the experts and also searching different websites I really became interested to pursue a master degree in accounting at DCU. Today one my friends just told me about a shocking news, he said 50% of the students in the master class are already sponsored by the accounting firms and the rest are paying the full course fees by themselves & they are not really job guaranteed after completing their course, he mentioned that I am going to have a tough year, workload ect.... and spend lot of money and time & may end up with nothing (NO JOB!!!), I was told that, it’s better to spend a little bit more and do the master in accounting at Smurfit if I really want to get something after that, master in accounting at DCU is tough for no reason and you sacrifice your life and money and time for a year!!! I just wonder if this is really true?!!!! The only reason that I want to do my master at DCU is to get a JOB after. Please give me some advice in relation to this important issue if you studied the same degree and experienced the same thing!! Cheers:(:(

Joko

martin2012 wrote: »

Hi guys
After communicating with the experts and also searching different websites I really became interested to pursue a master degree in accounting at DCU. Today one my friends just told me about a shocking news, he said 50% of the students in the master class are already sponsored by the accounting firms and the rest are paying the full course fees by themselves & they are not really job guaranteed after completing their course, he mentioned that I am going to have a tough year, workload ect.... and spend lot of money and time & may end up with nothing (NO JOB!!!), I was told that, it’s better to spend a little bit more and do the master in accounting at Smurfit if I really want to get something after that, master in accounting at DCU is tough for no reason and you sacrifice your life and money and time for a year!!! I just wonder if this is really true?!!!! The only reason that I want to do my master at DCU is to get a JOB after. Please give me some advice in relation to this important issue if you studied the same degree and experienced the same thing!! Cheers:(:(

Tbh I dont know why you'd bother doing a MSc in accounting at all. Just apply for jobs now. Firms are hiring atm. Apply for all the firms listed on the training scheme list. If dont dont happen to find a job, do the CAP 2's yourself and get an office job or apply to England. Work experience is worth more that a crappy masters.

cson

Joko wrote: »

Tbh I dont know why you'd bother doing a MSc in accounting at all. Just apply for jobs now. Firms are hiring atm. Apply for all the firms listed on the training scheme list. If dont dont happen to find a job, do the CAP 2's yourself and get an office job or apply to England. Work experience is worth more that a crappy masters.

Maybe you should start by educating yourself as to the realities of Milk Round hiring and the training contract process before offering very questionable advice, and I use the term advice lightly.

Because what it really is, is a load of shite tbqh.

Tellindatruth

I completed this course in DCU. If someone was to ask me should they go there, I would point blankly say no.

The course, despite what the lecturers in DCU think, is only undertaken to get CAP 2 exemptions. Yet students are expected to do subjects such as Critical Perspectives and IT & the Accountant. They are really not necessary in my opinion nor have I ever used either since starting work. None of the other Colleges do it either.

There is an unnecessary amount of boring theory. One might counter this with the argument that it is a level 9 Masters and as such should involve more research and theory, however after speaking to other Masters students this doesn't seem to be the case. Subjects such as Taxation and Management Accounting in DCU have too much theory and not enough questions in my opinion.

If I had to go back I would have went somewhere else. Anywhere else! If you like accounting theory and research then you might want to consider DCU, or at the very least consider seeing a doctor. Jokes aside, if you don't want to work as an accountant and want to do a PhD or some lecturing this would be perfect for you.

The make up of some Masters courses in Ireland is the 4 subjects that give you CAP 2 exemptions and a Thesis, SIMPLE. In DCU you have all them subjects, a bigger dissertation and other subjects.

Also like to add that them other subjects involve a lot of coursework.

Critical Perspectives: I'd say around 10,000 words in total (including teamwork) and academic reading every 2 weeks.
IT & Accountant: Probably 10,000 or more (including teamwork)

martin2012

Tellindatruth wrote: »

I completed this course in DCU. If someone was to ask me should they go there, I would point blankly say no.

The course, despite what the lecturers in DCU think, is only undertaken to get CAP 2 exemptions. Yet students are expected to do subjects such as Critical Perspectives and IT & the Accountant. They are really not necessary in my opinion nor have I ever used either since starting work. None of the other Colleges do it either.

There is an unnecessary amount of boring theory. One might counter this with the argument that it is a level 9 Masters and as such should involve more research and theory, however after speaking to other Masters students this doesn't seem to be the case. Subjects such as Taxation and Management Accounting in DCU have too much theory and not enough questions in my opinion.

If I had to go back I would have went somewhere else. Anywhere else! If you like accounting theory and research then you might want to consider DCU, or at the very least consider seeing a doctor. Jokes aside, if you don't want to work as an accountant and want to do a PhD or some lecturing this would be perfect for you.

The make up of some Masters courses in Ireland is the 4 subjects that give you CAP 2 exemptions and a Thesis, SIMPLE. In DCU you have all them subjects, a bigger dissertation and other subjects.

Also like to add that them other subjects involve a lot of coursework.

Critical Perspectives: I'd say around 10,000 words in total (including teamwork) and academic reading every 2 weeks.
IT & Accountant: Probably 10,000 or more (including teamwork)

Thanks for your good explanation,
Could you please tell me that, how many or (it’s better you give me a percentage ) what percentage of the student got into the Big4 after completing this course , apart from the ones already sponsored . I know about 85% of the acc. Masters Students in DIT got in to the Big4 & also 100% of UCD’s student (Smurfit).
Friend of mine did the master in acc in DCU and he regrets, as he just said the course was tough & included lots of theory and other useless subjects .
He just told me that you are not job guaranteed with this course !!!

diverm2

I did the Masters in DCU last year and would recommend it to anyone. Without a doubt the best year at college. Granted it is a tough year but if you are willing to put in a bit of continuous work then it's more than manageable and very rewarding. The extra subjects on the course, while work intensive, are very beneficial and help to give you a broader context of what the accounting world is all about. If you just want to get CAP 2 exemptions then why not just do them through work. The level 9 should go above basic CAP 2 exemptions.

Also, you have just as good a chance of getting a job from this masters as Smurfit or any other. Smurfit is just a name for which you pay a few grand extra.

martin2012

diverm2 wrote: »

I did the Masters in DCU last year and would recommend it to anyone. Without a doubt the best year at college. Granted it is a tough year but if you are willing to put in a bit of continuous work then it's more than manageable and very rewarding. The extra subjects on the course, while work intensive, are very beneficial and help to give you a broader context of what the accounting world is all about. If you just want to get CAP 2 exemptions then why not just do them through work. The level 9 should go above basic CAP 2 exemptions.

Also, you have just as good a chance of getting a job from this masters as Smurfit or any other. Smurfit is just a name for which you pay a few grand extra.

120% disagree with you dear.
1) too much theory in the DCU masters in accounting which is very useless especially in the critical protective subject.
2) only 50% of the students got into the big accounting firms (exclude sponsored students) Vs 85% of DIT students got into Big4 & 100% of Smurfit got at least 2 offers from Big 4.
3) DCU masters is very tough and complected.
4) Smurfit & DIT masters are much more technical and also very useful to pass your FAE exams at first attempt.
5) Yes you may pay extra 4000 euro in Smurfit but at least you are 120% job guaranteed.
6) DCU is not easily accessible by the public transports from all areas around Dublin city.

This information based on my research and opinion:

Rankings:

1) Master in accounting UCD (Smurfit): The course is manageable & 95% job guaranteed.

2) Master in accounting DIT: The course is comprehensive and highly regarded by the accounting firms, manageable & 80% job guaranteed.

3) Master in accounting DCU: The course is unbelievable tough & intensive, not easily manageable & 50% job guaranteed.

4) Master in accounting Maynooth: The course is easy, relaxing year (compare to other masters) & 30-40% job guaranteed.

All courses mentioned above get you CAP2 exemption.

diverm2

martin2012 wrote: »

diverm2 wrote: »

I did the Masters in DCU last year and would recommend it to anyone. Without a doubt the best year at college. Granted it is a tough year but if you are willing to put in a bit of continuous work then it's more than manageable and very rewarding. The extra subjects on the course, while work intensive, are very beneficial and help to give you a broader context of what the accounting world is all about. If you just want to get CAP 2 exemptions then why not just do them through work. The level 9 should go above basic CAP 2 exemptions.

Also, you have just as good a chance of getting a job from this masters as Smurfit or any other. Smurfit is just a name for which you pay a few grand extra.

120% disagree with you dear.
1) too much theory in the DCU masters in accounting which is very useless especially in the critical protective subject.
2) only 50% of the students got into the big accounting firms (exclude sponsored students) Vs 85% of DIT students got into Big4 & 100% of Smurfit got at least 2 offers from Big 4.
3) DCU masters is very tough and complected.
4) Smurfit & DIT masters are much more technical and also very useful to pass your FAE s at the first attempt.
5) Yes you may pay extra 4000 euro in Smurfit but at least you are 120% job guaranteed.
6) DCU is not easy accessible by the public transport from all areas around the city.
This based on my research and opinion:

Rankings:

1) Master in accounting UCD (Smurfit): The course is manageable & 95% job guaranteed.

2) Master in accounting DIT: The course is comprehensive and highly demanded by the accounting firms, manageable & 80% job guaranteed.

3) Master in accounting DCU: The course is unbelievable tough & intensive, not easily manageable & 50% job guaranteed.

4) Master in accounting Maynooth: The course is easy, relaxing year (compare to other masters) & 30-40% job guaranteed.

All courses mentioned above get you CAP2 exemption.

First of all don't patronise me by calling me 'dear'.

Secondly you did the masters when? Don't post on a thread looking to see if it is worthwhile doing the Masters in DCU if, when someone replys you are goin to pull figures out of nowhere and act as if you have been through it! You are not guaranteed a job from any masters and you won't see that written in any prospectus! You get a job based on your own merit and on the impression which you make, not based upon which college you went to.

Just FYI, in your post you first of all say your '120%' job guaranteed from Smurfit, then you say '95%' later! Perhaps not the career for you if you can't tie two figures together.

martin2012

diverm2 wrote: »

First of all don't patronise me by calling me 'dear'.

Secondly you did the masters when? Don't post on a thread looking to see if it is worthwhile doing the Masters in DCU if, when someone replys you are goin to pull figures out of nowhere and act as if you have been through it! You are not guaranteed a job from any masters and you won't see that written in any prospectus! You get a job based on your own merit and on the impression which you make, not based upon which college you went to.

Just FYI, in your post you first of all say your '120%' job guaranteed from Smurfit, then you say '95%' later! Perhaps not the career for you if you can't tie two figures together.

95% what the firms confirmed.

120% is the reality.

I am a Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA). I was interested in doing a Masters in Accounting @ DCU but I am NOT anymore , you know , I know the master in accounting at DCU is more theory rather than technical and it's all about waffel waffel .... anyway i respect your opinion if you feel DCU MBS is a good course, however I dont recommend this tough & complected course to friends .

Good Luck

Konata

martin2012 wrote: »

95% what the firms confirmed.

120% is the reality.

I am a Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA). I was interested in doing a Masters in Accounting @ DCU but I am NOT anymore , you know , I know the master in accounting at DCU is more theory rather than technical and it's all about waffel waffel .... anyway i respect your opinion if you feel DCU MBS is a good course, however I dont recommend this tough & complected course to friends .

Good Luck

If you haven't done the course, I'm not sure how you can or can't recommend it to other people.

You started this thread asking for advice on the course - please don't be so dismissive of the people who have kindly replied to your question.

Tellindatruth

diverm2 wrote: »

The extra subjects on the course, while work intensive, are very beneficial and help to give you a broader context of what the accounting world is all about.

I don't believe the extra subjects are necessary to give you a 'broader context of what the accounting world is all about'. To be honest, I think I learned more about that 'world' in one month of work with a big4 company than I did for the whole year of Critical Perspectives. That's Theory vs Practice though I suppose.

diverm2 wrote: »

The level 9 should go above basic CAP 2 exemptions.

My point was that other Masters courses don't do these extra subjects and they come out with it at the end with the exact same thing, a Masters in Accounting and CAP 2 exemptions. In my opinion, and having spoke with other more senior members in the firm, saying in an interview that you did critical perspectives is not worth anything. They don't look at you as being superior to other people with Masters in Accounting who didn't do Critical Perspectives. If i'm completely honest I'm not even sure how much they care if you have a Masters in the first place. You say Masters, they hear CAP 2 exemptions - FACT. To them it just means that you won't be gone for a few months doing exams in your first year. As I said in my first post though, if you are thinking of going on to do a PhD or lecturing then these subjects might be of use.

Look, I kind of see where you're coming from. Perhaps a Masters should involve more, but the thing is, the material covered for gaining CAP 2 exemptions and the writing of a thesis obviously equates to a level 9 degree when other courses are conferring these on their students.

Martin, go where ever is handiest for you. If you're a strong candidate you should get a job anyway. Regardless of whether you go to DIT/DCU/UCD.

diverm2

Tellindatruth wrote: »

I don't believe the extra subjects are necessary to give you a 'broader context of what the accounting world is all about'. To be honest, I think I learned more about that 'world' in one month of work with a big4 company than I did for the whole year of Critical Perspectives. That's Theory vs Practice though I suppose.




My point was that other Masters courses don't do these extra subjects and they come out with it at the end with the exact same thing, a Masters in Accounting and CAP 2 exemptions. In my opinion, and having spoke with other more senior members in the firm, saying in an interview that you did critical perspectives is not worth anything. They don't look at you as being superior to other people with Masters in Accounting who didn't do Critical Perspectives. If i'm completely honest I'm not even sure how much they care if you have a Masters in the first place. You say Masters, they hear CAP 2 exemptions - FACT. To them it just means that you won't be gone for a few months doing exams in your first year. As I said in my first post though, if you are thinking of going on to do a PhD or lecturing then these subjects might be of use.

Look, I kind of see where you're coming from. Perhaps a Masters should involve more, but the thing is, the material covered for gaining CAP 2 exemptions and the writing of a thesis obviously equates to a level 9 degree when other courses are conferring these on their students.

Martin, go where ever is handiest for you. If you're a strong candidate you should get a job anyway. Regardless of whether you go to DIT/DCU/UCD.

I see where you are coming from and there were definitely times during the year where I was like 'why didn't I go somewhere else where we would just be CAP2 focused'. But on a personal level by the end of the year I felt that the subjects were beneficial to me in tems of supporting my own opinions on subjects and getting my point of view across.

Agree with you completely that the Big4 won't really care whether you have these subjects or not and that a lot of pdm in the firms who have Masters will probably tell you not to bother with the Masters in the first place.

My views are obviously my own and everyone will take different things from the course, for me it was a great year and very rewarding. Others will not like it. I just don't want people reading the thread to think that it's all bad and that everyone dislikes the course.

martin2012

diverm2 wrote: »

I see where you are coming from and there were definitely times during the year where I was like 'why didn't I go somewhere else where we would just be CAP2 focused'. But on a personal level by the end of the year I felt that the subjects were beneficial to me in tems of supporting my own opinions on subjects and getting my point of view across.

Agree with you completely that the Big4 won't really care whether you have these subjects or not and that a lot of pdm in the firms who have Masters will probably tell you not to bother with the Masters in the first place.

My views are obviously my own and everyone will take different things from the course, for me it was a great year and very rewarding. Others will not like it. I just don't want people reading the thread to think that it's all bad and that everyone dislikes the course.

I respect your opinion & I also feel you were one of those students who really like to take something from journal articles .... change it into your own words and put it on a blank paper and get some marks and try to believe that you did something rewarding and you learnt a lot ... at the real point in the office if they ask you to get a bonus fraction or ask you how to get revenue figure you would say assets minus profit + equity * cos = Revenue .


Yes I start asking people about the DCU masters in accounting & the feedback given was absolutely NEGATIVE , I don't believe that a masters course with a final 20000 words thesis needs to be included with a subjects of Critical prospective ( 10000 words) , IT (10000 words) and other CA's (infinity words) atc....

well done to ya if you completed this course.

Good Luck

martin2012

Tellindatruth wrote: »

I don't believe the extra subjects are necessary to give you a 'broader context of what the accounting world is all about'. To be honest, I think I learned more about that 'world' in one month of work with a big4 company than I did for the whole year of Critical Perspectives. That's Theory vs Practice though I suppose.




My point was that other Masters courses don't do these extra subjects and they come out with it at the end with the exact same thing, a Masters in Accounting and CAP 2 exemptions. In my opinion, and having spoke with other more senior members in the firm, saying in an interview that you did critical perspectives is not worth anything. They don't look at you as being superior to other people with Masters in Accounting who didn't do Critical Perspectives. If i'm completely honest I'm not even sure how much they care if you have a Masters in the first place. You say Masters, they hear CAP 2 exemptions - FACT. To them it just means that you won't be gone for a few months doing exams in your first year. As I said in my first post though, if you are thinking of going on to do a PhD or lecturing then these subjects might be of use.

Look, I kind of see where you're coming from. Perhaps a Masters should involve more, but the thing is, the material covered for gaining CAP 2 exemptions and the writing of a thesis obviously equates to a level 9 degree when other courses are conferring these on their students.

Martin, go where ever is handiest for you. If you're a strong candidate you should get a job anyway. Regardless of whether you go to DIT/DCU/UCD.

Thank you so much for your advice , I took it and I applied for a masters in Smurfit. I also share all this great information with my colleagues & I think they will consider their other options rather than writing 50 million words masters degree( wafel wafel)

Kind Regards:)

diverm2

I respect your opinion & I also feel you were one of those students who really like to take something from journal articles .... change it into your own words and put it on a blank paper and get some marks and try to believe that you did something rewarding and you learnt a lot ... at the real point in the office if they ask you to get a bonus fraction or ask you how to get revenue figure you would say assets minus profit + equity * cos = Revenue .


Yes I start asking people about the DCU masters in accounting & the feedback given was absolutely [COLOR="Red"]NEGATIVE [/COLOR] , I don't believe that a masters course with a final 20000 words thesis needs to be included with a subjects of Critical prospective ( 10000 words) , IT (10000 words) and other CA's (infinity words) atc....

well done to ya if you completed this course.

Good Luck [/Quote]

You clearly don't respect my opinion...not that I'm overly bothered whether you do or not.

And I'm not one of those students who like writing essays on blank paper...I do prefer the technical side of things of which I got plenty of exposure to during the Masters.

Also, yes you started asking people for their views about the masters....but I gave you positive feedback so clearly it wasn't "absolutely NEGATIVE".

The thesis is a max of 15000 words actually. And the large projects are done in groups of 4-5.

Yea good luck in Smurfit. I'm sure you will fit right in.

KenHy

If all you want to do is get CAP 2 exceptions without having to do the CAP 2s - Maynooth sounds like the easiest place to do that.

However I'd argue That DCU probably gives you the best qualification from an academic standpoint. I don't think any of the Masters courses give (or indeed could give) you the same type of experience and skills that working can, but it does give you other skills and subjects like critical perspectives can help develop your analytical skills.

As for the jobs nonsense - no course ever gauntness you a job, a masters from DCU will be just as good as one from Smurfit in terms of getting a job. Ultimately it'll be down to you - employers wont care where you got it from.

martin2012

KenHy wrote: »

If all you want to do is get CAP 2 exceptions without having to do the CAP 2s - Maynooth sounds like the easiest place to do that.

However I'd argue That DCU probably gives you the best qualification from an academic standpoint. I don't think any of the Masters courses give (or indeed could give) you the same type of experience and skills that working can, but it does give you other skills and subjects like critical perspectives can help develop your analytical skills.

As for the jobs nonsense - no course ever gauntness you a job, a masters from DCU will be just as good as one from Smurfit in terms of getting a job. Ultimately it'll be down to you - employers wont care where you got it from.

Employers do care where you got your masters, especially Big 4 Accounting firms. believe me pal;)

lavine7

Not true at all really, not much is placed on where the masters was taken from a CAP2 point of view.
I know someone who was on an internship with me and they got offered a graduate position from the outset of the internship.
They had very good results and the firm was happy to sponsor that person to do a masters in AIT as the person lived close by and preferred to spend the year close to home rather than having the expense of renting and travelling up and down to Dublin.

At the end of the day, there is little to no benefit going out of your way to pay €5-6k to go to Smurfit to pay for its higher fees and higher living costs if another masters is offered that is less but still offers the only thing you will be taking away from it - CAP2 exemptions.

An Citeog

martin2012 wrote: »

Employers do care where you got your masters, especially Big 4 Accounting firms. believe me pal;)

Seeing as you've already convinced yourself that the DCU masters is needlessly difficult, what are you really hoping to achieve here?

Where you do the masters may or may not be a factor in whether you get offered a training contract, in a Big 4 firm or elsewhere. Your leaving cert (or equivalent), undergrad results, exemptions, application form and how well you come across in your interview are other important factors. Nobody is 100% guaranteed a job but feel free to make up stats to convince yourself otherwise.

martin2012

An Citeog wrote: »

Seeing as you've already convinced yourself that the DCU masters is needlessly difficult, what are you really hoping to achieve here?

Where you do the masters may or may not be a factor in whether you get offered a training contract, in a Big 4 firm or elsewhere. Your leaving cert (or equivalent), undergrad results, exemptions, application form and how well you come across in your interview are other important factors. Nobody is 100% guaranteed a job but feel free to make up stats to convince yourself otherwise.

Not Agree.

I know this very well that 100% of the students from smurfit get employed by Big4 and only a few students ( maybe 30%) from i.e maynooth.... and this's true..
ciao amigo;)

martin2012

lavine7 wrote: »

Not true at all really, not much is placed on where the masters was taken from a CAP2 point of view.
I know someone who was on an internship with me and they got offered a graduate position from the outset of the internship.
They had very good results and the firm was happy to sponsor that person to do a masters in AIT as the person lived close by and preferred to spend the year close to home rather than having the expense of renting and travelling up and down to Dublin.

At the end of the day, there is little to no benefit going out of your way to pay €5-6k to go to Smurfit to pay for its higher fees and higher living costs if another masters is offered that is less but still offers the only thing you will be taking away from it - CAP2 exemptions.

As you mentioned above that person was already sponsored to pursue a MSc in accounting , of course his firm prefers to pay less for his education. if you are not sponsored and you need to get a secure contract you have do your master in a university with good reputation (i.e Smurfit - DCU), me personally never met anyone from for example maynooth in the Big4. there are a few numbers from DIT but as i said nobody from DBS-Griffith- TIT... at least I've never seen ....

My jobless / job seeker friends , believe me or not please do your masters in a good university, most of these people posting comments here recruited in the past,condition are always subject to change... I spoke to X lady in X firm & she said applications from certain colleges go to bin strait away ...

If you prefer small firms just feel free , do you masters in a college of further education , just remember my advice people keep saying accounting graduates are job guaranteed, so this is true , you will get a job with an attractive salary 17-18 per yr(small firm) , 21-22 (Big4) . you'd better claim dole rather than working over 40 hours per week. there is a debate that the firms pay for your CAP 2 & FAE's exams , that's true , this only cost them 4k Max which is payable once in your life and your length of the contract is 3-3. years.

there's great course in UCD called International management/ business allows you to work abroad for one semester. consider this option as well, this country will be full of accountants in 5 yr time, demand for this profession is going down & down , if you consider UK or America do Finance , if you consider Ireland do IT or leave immediately, if your choice is Canada do ACCA.

Last point: I pointed that the DCU master is tough from the workload prospective, the subjects like IT & Accounting and Critical prospective with almost 20000 words writing will not help you to pass your FAE exams, they are good if you like to improve your writing skills , THAT'S IT. i dont believe the course with 15000- 20000 words thesis needs to have these subjects at all. remember there are other subjects in this course with CAs that requires you to write and write and write ..... this course is less focused on the technical subjects and issues in accounting & finance, that's why most of the graduates will find FAE exams difficult .

DCU is a prestigious university and this course is running well by professionals & I've never said something wrong about it, I only expressed my opinion which is based on numbers of discussion with the experts i.e accountants, lecturers, partners ......

Wish you all success

Konata

I think the OP has well gotten his answer by now.

Thread locked.