Abstract
A survey was recently conducted to determine which of the 2 degree paths - Master of Science (MS) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) - should be followed by an accounting student. The groups surveyed were: 106 universities, 168 major certified public accountant (CPA) firms, and 150 Fortune 500 firms. The overall response rate was 67.5%. Universities were asked if they preferred one degree over the other, and why; 69.4% preferred the MS degree, saying the MS recruit: 1. possesses a more specialized, concentrated training, 2. has a greater knowledge of current accounting practices, and 3. has a greater interest level in accounting. While 63.2% of the CPA offices listed no preference, 56.8% of those having a preference chose the MBA approach with an emphasis in accounting. Most of the responding Fortune 500 companies reported the same preference. CPA firms and Fortune 500 companies cited 3 major reasons for their MBA preference: 1. a broader education, 2. greater management potential, and 3. greater in-firm mobility. The survey indicates a gap between university perceptions of needs in the field and preferences of potential employers of accounting students.