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Is it hard to become a CPA?

Is getting a JD (In addition to CPA) needed to become a succesful tax accountant?

  • I am about to graduate from college and awaiting an offer from a Big Four CPA firm to work in the Tax Department. I met with a big four tax partner recently and he told me that they only expected me to become a CPA. I asked him about the importance of getting a JD and told me it was not necessary. He said it would not by any means hurt my chances of being succesful or going up the ladder. He said studying it would be a personal preference to gain better understanding or to develop skills on tax laws. What do you guys think?

  • Answer:

    To be a tax accountant you wouldn't need the JD. If you wanted to become a tax attorney it would be needed though. What may help you is to get a Masters in Accountancy from a university. It will make you more marketable. Good luck!

PRGuy at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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My brother is a CPA, as a partner in a small firm with another CPA and 3 more on staff. He's pulling close to half a mil these days.

Bostonian In MO

I agree with the tax partner. It is certainly not necessary to to work in a tax department, but it may help you work your way up the ladder faster and make you more valuable in the long run. It will also give you more flexibility with your career and put you more in demand.

Tara P

He is the man with the position. You do not need a JD to become a CPA. I have a nephew with CPA and started 8 years ago with big 8. One and a half years ago he was invited to become a partner, which he accepted, again only a CPA.

ttpawpaw

i agree with the advice you received. i have worked in corporate finance for over 30 years and in my experience a good tax accountant doesn't need the JD. CPA, yes. Your experience will be more valuable than the time and money you spend on the JD

What I think is that you talked to someone who is successful IN the field, and he gave you very specific advice. What I don't understand is why you'd ask a bunch of people here, who are for the most part NOT in the field, what to do.

Judy

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