Advice needed in Academia (Portland, Hillsboro: credit, transfer, university)

[poojakamathca]

Hi,

I'm an international and my Husband and I live in Hillsboro.I completed my undergrad degree in Business as well as one year of Law from India.In addition to the above, I was an Indian Chartered Accountancy Final student (similar to a CPA here).Now its been around 6 months since I'm in the US and I'm en route to begin studying for a rewarding career.Now, I've already signed up for CFA level 1 this December and preparing to acquire credits for the CPA exam as well(Why both?-If one fails, then the other should work-A back up plan.).Although I'm interested in Finance, I'd be pursuing CPA as well because 2 out of 4 subjects in the CPA exam are similar to the Indian CA exam.So I'm presuming it'd be slightly easy on me.
Now,I'm also keen on doing a MS in financial Analysis from Portland state University.Its a one year integrated course on Finance and the curriculum is to die for.So my question is-Do I really require a Masters if I'm pursuing a CFA or a CPA?My only intentions are to get a job and earn a decent salary.Do employers hire candidates who just have a CPA or a CFA? or is having a Masters an essential pre requisite?Will investing in my Masters be rewarding?
I would appreciate if anyone from the Finance Industry or the Accounting industry, who knows anything about the above replies to this post.Please note that I live in Oregon and do not plan to move any where else.

Thanks in advance

[bler144]

You'd probably have better luck posting either in the 'Colleges and univ.' or 'Economics' forums.

Sitting for the CPA does require a certain number of credits beyond the bachelor's degree (around 50 quarter credits if I recall), but doesn't specify whether those are earned at the graduate or undergrad level. If you still needed those credits, a Masters might have better value than random undergrad credits.

I'd wager the accounting faculty at PSU (I know more about the accounting program at the UO, not much about PSU) could give you more insight into how your foreign credentials transfer - or at least point you to the right resources to suss it out yourself.

[poojakamathca]

Thanks for your prompt reply

I had my foreign credentials evaluated and I am short of a few credits for the CPA exam eligibility.So I shall be taking online classes if I know that having a Masters degree isn't too useful while job hunting i.e.If i know only CPA or CFA is sufficient.I don't need information on the program as I already have it.What I want to know is the aftermath-Will Having a Masters put me in a better position for a job consideration?Or is not much of a value addition on my resume?

I took your advice and put it on the other forum

[Nell Plotts]

A CPA credential is much more valuable (and ultimately flexible), MBAs are a dime a dozen.

I am not aware that there is a significant demand for CFAs in Portland Metro.

[pdxmilw]

I completed the post-bacc in accounting at PSU. Most people do it in order to qualify for the CPA exam. After studying a few months, I decided against the test, as I wasn't ready for it and my job in govt doesn't require a CPA.

I know a number of CPAs and at least two people who completed the Masters in Financial Analysis at PSU (which I agree has a really interesting curriculum).

While everyone did fine in getting a job, I would say the CPA is more valuable than the masters, especially if you're only going to do one of them. Everyone knows what a CPA requires, while the MS is less clear. MBAs also seem to do well in finance here, but it's much pricier to get one.