Masters in Finance

[Broadway Joe]

So does anyone on the board have a Masters in Finance or Accounting? I am wrapping up my undergrad in Business Admin soon and want to start looking into a more specialized Masters degree, the one that I am aiming for is a Masters in Financial Services.

I was just curious to see if anyone has their MSF or is currently working on it and how tough it is and if it is worth it in the long run? I'm 100% set on going, it's just that I'm not sure on how outside companies regard such a degree... Thanks guys!

 

[dpricenator]

I wish I coul d just master my fiances. :rolling:

 

[TexaSmoke]

I have a Masters in Accounting. It is pretty much aimed at accounting majors who need extra hours for the CPA exam. IMO it does not mean much since everyone has them now and you have to get 150 hours to sit for the exam. It just makes sense to get the masters.

I don't know much about a Masters in Finance, most of what I hear about is a MBA with an emphasis on Finance. If you decide to go the MBA route (which is probably the best choice for a masters) you need to work for about 5 years prior to going into a program. Plus you only should go to a top business school. Since every school has an MBA program now there are a lot of people have useless master degrees that are worth less than the paper it is printed on. Companies only care about MBA's from good schools (that is probably true for most master, but especially MBA's).

Back on the topic, if you are planning on going to a master's program, don't rush into one. Make sure you get into the best one you can go to and do well in it. If you don't, the degree will be worthless.

 

[Broadway Joe]

I wish I coul d just master my fiances. :rolling:

I'm working on that myself! :headroll:

 

[Broadway Joe]

Lol, Dave!

Anyways I am looking into Masters of Accountancy programs right now to start next fall after I graduate in May. When are you graduating? Have you taken the GMATs yet? I assume they are difficult courseloads but I think full time is 3 or 4 classes not the usual 5 for undergrad. I would say look for a Masters of finance course unless you know you want to do accounting.

My situation is not typical at all. After High School, I went to the local community college and got an Associates in Computer Systems, then started working full time. Now I work full time and go to Villanova at night for my undergrad. I still have a little over a year left, but I want to start doing my research now. There are a few schools in the area that have the AACSB credit. I would stay at Villanova, but they only have a "generic" MBA and my ubdergrad is already in Business Admin, so I want to specialize for my masters, plus another school would mean double the networking/alumni

Have you looked into grad schools yet? As far as the CPA, I may look into that down the road, but it depends on where work takes me.

 

[Jwrussell]

I don't have, nor am I getting a Masters in Finance or Accounting, but I am currently in the Accounting/Finance portion of my MBA and those classes are also part of the MAFM (Masters Accounting and Financial Management) curriculum. I can't speak for how that differs from an MSF, but it's the path in my school if you are going for your CFA or CPA. I hate math, and honestly, it's not been that bad. Then again, I don't have to worry about going for my CPA or CFA either.

Financial Accounting sucked. I didn't enjoy it even a little. I still don't have the foggiest why some things are a credit and others are a debit, but I manage to get through. Managerial Accounting on the other hand makes a ton of sense and is much more interesting (what I'm taking now). Next up is Managerial Finance (next semester).

As to being worth it, I guess it really depends on where you are headed in your future careers. If you are going into Financial Services, I would recommend looking strongly at getting your CFA. According to the teachers I've had, those three letters (CFA/CPA) mean quite a bit more than the Masters degree itself.

 

[Broadway Joe]

I heard the same thing with regard to going with Finance as opposed to Accounting. I'm trying to get in at St. Joe's , it has the AACSB, it's close to home and I can do it at my own pace. Penn State has a big Graduate program as well, but the Part Time Finance Degree is way to accelerated for me. Just too much with work and the family and cigars of course :--)

 

[tobby4]

Well I am supposed to start a MS in Personal Financial Planning in Jan. I take the GMAT in exactly 1 month. I have 2 undergrads one in Risk Management and one in Corporate Finance along with 3 years of full-time experience... Everybody that I have talked to says go for it, getting in where I am planning on going is the hardest part...

So I say go for it, it cannot hurt...

 

[Broadway Joe]

D@mn clay, I wish my resume looked like yours!

 

[tobby4]

shit... take the GMAT sooner than later... my mind does not think like that anymore...

so we will see what happens... i may end up moving the test back..

 

[cubancigarman]

Go with an MBA.. Business will always be business. You can specialize in finance.

 

[Panicbound]

I have a Master in Business and a Master in Health Administration....I learned different aspects of finance in both. I think you will be successful regardless of the type of post-graduate degree you decide to choose.

 

[joshua]

I want to get my masters in something at some point, but with my current hours and pay that would be tough.

Would need weekend courses or something.

I am still paying off my loans from my BS degree!

 

[CWS]

I have an MBA and and MPA. The emphasis is in criminology. White collar crime dude. It is a growing business. Really depends on what you want to do.

 

[BadBrad]

I have my MBA and a Masters in Computer Engineering.

 

[oneaday]

I don't have a degree in anything..........but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[Broadway Joe]

I have a Master in Business and a Master in Health Administration....I learned different aspects of finance in both. I think you will be successful regardless of the type of post-graduate degree you decide to choose.

I hope so!

 

[cvm4]

I'm about to wrap up my BS in Finance on December. I love finance/investments. It's a broad field.

 

[Broadway Joe]

I'm about to wrap up my BS in Finance on December. I love finance/investments. It's a broad field.

Same here. Congrats on the BS, that's a huge accomplishment!

 

[jfsjazz]

I have an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Investments. That's what they cealled it back in the day. Currently own a private Registered Investmant Advisory firm in Ohio, providing fee based investment advice and management to our clients. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding my experiences over the past 28 years.

Best of luck.

Joe.