The amount of practical experience they had. The article focuses on these issues as it pertained to the value of accounting education and experience in the stock market. Overall this resource is well written and seeks to provide a point-of-view from the epicenter of the finance world -- the stock market. Outline

I. Introduction

Thesis: Accountants with a CPA license rather than an MBA degree have a better chance of getting hired, advance and succeed in the public accounting field.

II. Certified Public Accountant

A. Steps required to become a CPA

B. Certification requirements for public accountants

C. Job Prospects/Demand for CPAs

D. Global need for CPAs

E. Career Advancement for CPAs

III. Compare and Contrast demand for CPAs vs. MBAs

A. CPA as a highly specialized certificate necessitating the grasp of highly specialized skills.

B. MBA involves a broader type of educational understanding not necessarily as beneficial as a CPA in certain business environments.

IV. Conclusion

V. Recommendations

VI. References

Synthesis

"Becoming a CPA: Evidence from Recent Graduates" was chosen for the research project. The article was chosen because it illustrates the demand for CPAs. The author explains that CPAs have highly valued skills that are not present with MBAs which tend to have skills that relate more to every aspect of business but does not necessarily concentrate on finance and accounting. This particular article is consistent with the thesis statement which asserts that accountants with a CPA license rather than an MBA degree have a better chance of getting hired, advance and succeed in the public accounting field.

In the aforementioned article the writer explains why a CPA license is more valuable than an MBA in the current and future workforce environment. The author also explains that

"The purpose of the CPA exam is to certify that CPAs have the requisite knowledge and...

From a firm perspective, the CPA exam acts as a form of quality control in the hiring, retention, and promotion of employees (Snyder, 2004).1
During the late 1990s and the early part of this century there was some debate that the CPA exam was outdated and was not in line with present practices, nor was it preparing candidates for the work they were required to perform (Lasch, 2005;

Turetsky & Chang, 2003). This became directly evident in a 2002 AICPA practice analysis survey of experienced CPAs (Charron & Lowe 2009, 144). "

The survey found that entry level accountants needed to be better equipped to use their skills in business situations, to determine accounting issues and audit business risks, and to effectively communicate with management. As a result of this survey and other debates the CPA exam was changed in 2004 to make it more conducive to the situations that candidates would face in real life business environments.

Although the newer tests are designed to certified those with the best skills, it also reduces the number of people who will pass the test. For this reason some firms are offering incentives to those candidates that are able to pass the test. The article explains that because the certification is essential to progress and career development in accounting as well as the profitability of a business providing an incentive for passing the exam is beneficial to exam takers and businesses (Charron & Lowe 2009).

Overall CPAs are simply in demand in a manner that MBAs are not. The research indicates that CPAs have more specialized skills that are needed and sought after.. The demand for these skills are both national and global. Even though there are some benefits associated with having an MBA, these benefits are outweigh by the advantages associated with a CPA and therefore accountants with a CPA license rather than an MBA degree have a better chance of getting hired, advance and succeed in the public accounting field.