This thread may be better suited on the academics board, but I figured I'd get better responses here.

Are there any posters on the B&I forum that took the PPA route? Would you do it again, given the chance? Anything you would do differently to be more successful? TIA

If you want a career in accouting, its the only way to go. I have my acct degree, but I didnt want to go into audit/tax, so I didnt go PPA. I went into the banking industry after going to grad school for finance.

It really depends on what YOU want to do with your career. IF you dont know, then PPA might be a good choice, because its going to be pretty hard to get a good job with just a BBA in Acct. Not impossible though.

I didn't do it but regret not doing it. PPA just makes everything easier for you and giving you time prepare for CPA Exam. You don't need a masters in accounting if you got your CPA. Some like it but its more of a bonus. It did make it easier to get a Big Four spot so if you want to do that, do it.

I was able to get a job after graduating without the PPA but coming home at night and preparing for the CPA Exam after work was a pain in the ass

Good program, well worth it even if accounting isn't your dream job. My only small bit of advice, others will definitely disagree, don't feel like public accounting is the only path you can take after graduating.

Group 20 so I just graduated.

My honest opinion is that it is a great program as far as getting through with two degrees and (hopefully) having your CPA tests passed by graduation.

However, I'm a little soured right now because it gets old really quick.

1) You're competing against some of the best and brightest within Mays. They're also not ashamed to let you know.

2) Staying 5 years is rough, I'm honestly not sure how some stretch a victory lap in to their 4 years. Most of my friends have graduated so it gets lonely (but you won't have much time 2nd semester studying for the CPA!)

3) We are a Big 4 machine and it shows. Nothing wrong with this, but there are so many different routes out of college that they just simply don't stress.

My advice to you would be to decide what you really want to do in life. I was finance but ended up doing very well in intermediate I & II so PPA was an option for me to expand my knowledge to both finance and accounting. The CPA designation is looked upon favorably and it won't ever hurt to have it next to your name. Don't fall for the masters in auditing or masters in tax, you've already got an undergrad that covers the necessary knowledge for these positions. Focus on a masters that differentiates you from others as well as gives you an option when you leave public accounting.

Hope that helps, but PM me if you would like to discuss more.

Was accepted into PPA, but opted out and completed undergrad in finance.

I had many friends who were in PPA and, as mentioned in previous posts, it really depends on what you want to do. Never hurts to have a CPA and I think an extra year of maturity coming out of school affords you a better idea of what you want to do moving forward. Also, great for networking.

That being said, I felt that I could advance myself further with a year of experience versus an extra year of school.

[This message has been edited by ZauchSwagg (edited 5/15/2013 9:03a).]

I like PPAs for Ibanking.

quote:

---

I like PPAs for Ibanking.

---

Hiring?

If you at all think you might want your CPA, do the PPA program while you can. I finished in 2000 with a finance degree. About 6 years later with a wife and 2 kids I went to school at night to earn a masters so I could meet the minimum hours required to sit for the exam. Then I had to study, which also took nights, lunches, and weekends. I finally got my license in 2012. With it to do over, I definitely would have stayed the extra year to have it done when I graduated.

Old Army checking in...I'm Group 3 PPA in audit.

As many have mentioned if you think you may want to head toward the CPA it is a great choice. Much easier to study and pass when you are surrounded by a bunch of peers with the same goal. I've worked with several folks over the past few years that have gone back to school for the hours and then had to study at night and the thought of that almost makes me nauseous.

I'm not sure how much it has changed but the large public firms were lining up to hire PPA grads. I think there may only have been 1 or 2 folks that ended up not going full-time public after their internship and I think those were both their choice. Public was a nice training ground for a couple of year, but I got burned out pretty quickly - its not for everyone. Found a growing company that had gone public about a year prior and have been with them ever since in various roles in accounting, but starting in due diligence on the acquisition side.

Entering into my graduate year. The program has opened many doors for me and all but guaranteed me a job. The chance to take the CPA while in school is huge and all of the big firms will give you a $5,000 bonus if you pass before starting (or within the first year of work). I'm finance track and would highly suggest doing a track other than audit/tax. No reason IMO to have 2 accounting degrees when you have a good opportunity to really diversify yourself to employers. And, no matter what track, you'll be eligible for the CPA.

I do wish that they told the PPA students more about the various options out there for internships other than public accounting but the Big 4 and others give thousands a year and are some of the biggest employers of Aggies so it makes sense.

All in all, if you can make an A or B in 327 and don't mind staying an extra year, you should highly consider PPA. Even if you are interested in another field (as I am with finance), having the accounting background will go a long way for any career.

quote:

---

Group 20 so I just graduated.

---

We likely have some mutual friends. Lived with a guy who is doing his masters in acct at TAMU after undergrad at ND. Know him?

Unfortunately I don't know anyone with that backstory. I have my masters in finance so I'm sure that most of our coursework didn't overlap.

But seeing as you're '12 (as am I) then I'm sure we do have mutual friends.

Group 19 here (finance track). As was mentioned already, if you want to do accounting, PPA is definitely your best option. I agree with the comments about not going the audit track, but I think the additional tax classes in the tax track are useful if that's where your interests are. The undergrad in accounting at A&M doesn't really delve into tax too much.

Also, "Big 4 machine" hits the nail on the head...for better or for worse.

All this being said, first make sure accounting is the right profession for you. Don't decide on accounting/the PPA just because you made good grades in 229/327, etc.

I didn't do the PPA program (for reasons not relative to this conversation). I had to go back to school a few years later to get enough hours for my CPA.

I would say, if you know you want to go in the accounting/finance field, do it. I think it definitely gives you a great start. My path to a CPA, while neccessary for me, was not ideal.

Group 7 here - Financial Management Track. It was a decision that I kind of lucked in to looking back on it. It really has served me well setting the table for opportunities that I wouldn't have had, otherwise.

Edit: That sounded weird.

I'm enjoying hearing from other PPA groups and would like to hear more about life after public accounting.

[This message has been edited by Drizzydrake3 (edited 5/17/2013 6:59a).]

Group 17 grad here. If you find you have an aptitude and passion for accounting the PPA route really can't be beat. It opens the doors to tremendous opportunities. People will all but beg you to come work for them. In all likelihood you will be graduating with a job offer well in hand, already having passed the CPA exam which is a HUGE advantage compared to those who have to take it while working full time.

Agreed that it is a Big 4 machine. Given that you can put up with that lifestyle for at least a few years, having the Big 4 on your resume is a gold star and will lead you to further opportunities - not necessarily all accounting related either. It's a lot of hard work, but personally I wouldn't have done it any other way.

I was in Group 6, parlayed it into a public career at Andersen and PwC before moving on.

My advice would be to do the PPA, get your CPA and then do Big 4 for at least 4-5 years, you would be surprised how many diverse career options and opportunities that combination will provide you later in life.

Thank you all for the responses. I just finished my first year of school at A&M so I still have a little while before I decide if it's right for me. Will keep the advice in mind when it's time to decide.

Just graduated PPA group 20. Am going to work for a big four firm and take my last CPA test next week. From what I can tell its a great way to to get a master's in 5 years and get your CPA. The huge advantage to me is having basically the spring semester and summer dedicated to completing your CPA. Otherwise trying to study/work/life/etc while trying to get your CPA is not going to be easy. While I have other plans outside of big four I plan on staying 4-5 years to get experience then plan on moving on to other things.

The biggest positive is it basically forces you to get your CPA which if you want to do things in accounting/finance later in life is a huge huge advantage. The five years does kinda suck but I think it will be well worth it 5 years from now. Yes you will be competing against the best and brightest (I wasn't one of them) and they will definitely tell you about it.

Overall I think it is a great program. It is a great way to get your masters, cpa, and get your foot in the door in the accounting/finance world.

My wife did the PPA program.... graduated in 2000 (BS only). She quit about 15 hours short when I got my job. She finished up at UNT graduate school (to get to the 150, never finished the masters). She got here CPA 2 years later.

PPA is the way to go. Going back to school after you start life is not fun and I would avoid it even if it cost you a little more money.

Back then you had to take all the parts at once and pass at least two and make more than 50% on the remainder or start all over. You also had to have work experience.





[This message has been edited by BBDP (edited 5/20/2013 1:48p).]

Currently applying for the PPA program...any more recent grads or current students?

Group XVII here

Great degree and professional choice.

Keep your eyes open to other opportunities than just Big4.

I went Deloitte and now work transaction advisory at a smaller firm. PPA prepares you for the next level and I could tell we were way more advanced than other people oursame age.

I did PPA and was one of the few to not go the big 4 route. I interned at Deloitte and then got a full time job in IBanking. PPA funnels people to big 4 and it's almost easy to get a job in Big 4 if you want coming out of PPA but any other path and you have to really work hard to make it happen. My accounting knowledge has been very helpful to me throughout my career, but I would have been miserable had I not gotten the hell out of accounting when I did. Not everyone is made for audit, not everyone is made for tax, not everyone is made for investment banking... If you elect to do PPA I would encourage you to continue to learn about other fields like investment banking, management consulting, etc instead of falling into the trap that Big 4 is the only path forward.

PPA is a good foundation for most career paths

Group XI tax here. As many have said, if you want the CPA and to at least start in public accounting, it's the only way to go. The only friend I have who regretted it worked for the state comptroller before becoming a SAHM, so she feels like she wasteful money on the masters.

It is definitely a big 4 factory, as are all of the big school programs. The amount of money they pump into these programs are insane. There are other options, but you have to work harder to find them. I'd be happy to discuss that (as I'm sure any of us on here would be) when you get there.

Group XVII here, PPA was possibly the best choice I made while in college. I got married really young (2 months after graduation) and being able to start my career with the CPA exam already over was huge. I did 3 years of Big 4 audit then jumped into the alternative investment industry.

Don't feel pressured or forced into Big 4 though, plenty of other opportunities available if you look around.

Group XVI IS here. I thought PPA was fantastic. I had a blast and learned a lot of applicable information and skills. I interned with Deloitte and worked for them for short time out of college before pursuing other opportunities. You will be steered to Big 4, and I'd even encourage you to intern there, but definitely explore your options for full-time employment. I'd have been much better off going to a smaller firm or finding something outside of accounting.

Looks like I will be in group XXVII!

Group 16 here. Still in big 4. Love the people I work with.

I agree with most everything that's been posted. Ppa is a great vehicle to kick off your career with a great job. There are plenty of alternatives to big 4, you just have to look a little harder given all the exposure the acct firms have at Mays.

The best new hires I see, recruit, and deal with all come from a&m. I always wish I could get more.

Goose06 said:

---

I did PPA and was one of the few to not go the big 4 route. I interned at Deloitte and then got a full time job in IBanking. PPA funnels people to big 4 and it's almost easy to get a job in Big 4 if you want coming out of PPA but any other path and you have to really work hard to make it happen. My accounting knowledge has been very helpful to me throughout my career, but I would have been miserable had I not gotten the hell out of accounting when I did. Not everyone is made for audit, not everyone is made for tax, not everyone is made for investment banking... If you elect to do PPA I would encourage you to continue to learn about other fields like investment banking, management consulting, etc instead of falling into the trap that Big 4 is the only path forward.

---

^This.

When I was at Mays, I only did a BBA in Accounting and went straight into management consulting without the CPA. Contrary to what others have said, if you have good grades/campus involvement and have a simple understanding of how to network, there are plenty of really solid job opportunities. A degree from Mays can also get you into a top MBA program after a few years of work experience if you play your cards right.

If you have any interest in public accounting, would recommend PPA. If not, stick to the BBA and consider Horizons, Titans, and/or Fellows.