I think i'm going to do the CPA exam when I graduate. I'll have 137 credits at the end of next semester. I'll still need 13 credits. I want to do private accounting because I don't want to deal with politics at work and the other BS that I hear about at public accounting firms.

What is the best way to study for the CPA exam? I see Becker has a study program that costs like 3k to do. I want to know if there are good programs that are free or should I pay cash to do a study program.

Does the CPA have as much value in private accounting than public accounting? I want to start working for NYS. I would start at a salary of 41k without the CPA and 51k with the CPA. (just one career path I found. I'm sure there are others) After 2 years work experience I would just be at the 51k without the CPA. I don't know if its worth all the extra credits and time studying for the CPA. I'm hoping the CPA will allow me to be considered for higher positions and promotions though.

How sure are you about the projected salary figures? Are these guaranteed opportunities you have post graduation?

I finished college with a finance degree and make roughly what you quoted (without the CPA).

Also politics exist everywhere. Not in the same form as Big 4/public but they DO exist.

NYS? i'm gonna guess you go to UB, Geneseo, or BING?

I go to school upstate in new york. Suny plattsburgh. Those numbers are guaranteed. http://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncemen...zed/20-971.cfm

The link is without the CPA. I would skip ahead with the CPA.

there is also a career path which shows the various salaries for working for the state. There are many other accounting jobs at the state and paths but this was one that they just announced. I subscribed to their mailing list which tells me when they're having exams for jobs. This job there is no exam.

What i'm trying to figure out if the CPA is worth it for private accounting. I guess i'm going to do it but I hope it helps my career.

Did anyone here study for the CPA and do they reccomend a method to study for it? The becker program is a lot of money. They keep advertising on almost every website I visit. It is kind of creepy. They must know i'm an accountant major and interested in the CPA somehow. The good thing about the becker is they don't charge you anything for a year and a half or something interest free but its like 3k. I'd rather study some other way.