Wanting to get input on whether it's worth getting a Master's Degree. I have a Bachelor's in Accounting, which I finished May 2014. I'm 36, and have a full-time job at a local construction company in their accounting department. Their is little to no opportunity for advancement due to it being a small private company that has a great atmosphere, which leads to little turnover. There are only 5 total accounting positions. My job is low-paying entry level, and actually only came about due to a previous employee having a medical issue.

The area I'm in has opportunity, but is not a large city. Think Toledo, OH; Davenport, IA; or Kansas City, MO, for reference. I have a university close enough to pursue a Master's on a part-time basis, which would take about 2 years, and cost nearly $25k. Some of this will be off-set by scholarship due to GPA while earning my Bachelor's, but most will be paid by student loans. Just trying to determine whether it's a worthwhile venture or not, and looking for some input.

Thanks for any advice, and if there are any details that would help you give me advice, I will try to answer, but I'm also trying to be vague, as to not give away my location and potentially my current employer.

Do you have enough credits to get the CPA? Do you want to get a CPA?

That's the only reason I would pursue the masters at your age.

I hope you're looking for a better job in the meantime.

The Master's would enable me to sit for the CPA. I am interested in that, as I believe it will open more doors and give me many more opportunities than I have now. I am also pursuing other jobs, but my current job is the only accounting job experience I have thus far.

I think if you want the CPA and you need more credits, then the masters is a decent possibility.

This is definitely a huge "it depends" situation though. Do the doors the CPA could open actually exist in your area? Large corporations or are you mostly stuck with small, local companies? Are you willing to move? Is it worth it to pay that much money at your age? Do you have a significant other/family? What will they think of more schooling? Do you know what you want to do with your degree or just generally want a better job?

A lot of things to think about. There is usually no easy black/white answer when it comes to paying for a master's degree.

Networking in your community, or the nearest "big" community, would probably generate better advice than here. Are you on LinkedIn? Alternatively, ask the school you're thinking of attending to put you in touch with alums in the area.

Check to see what your state's specific regulations are for being able to sit/be licensed. Since you have an accounting degree, you may have already taken the necessary courses you need in order to sit. If that is the case, you could look to take classes from a community college to get those last hours you need. It would be much cheaper than 25k and a lot of community colleges have a lot of scholarship/fin aid money. If you go this route... reaaaaallllly make sure that the your state board will accept those credits and that you've taken everything else you need.