TESU vs UMPI for CPA

[acethroughcollege]

I thought that I had no choice in going to TESU for CPA degree to be accepted in NJ but now I see I can go to UMPI  as well.
What are the pros and cons to each?
Can anyone tell me the approximate cost for the degree at both places?

Also I have been working out a plan for TESU which you might have seen on my other thread. How different would that be if I went to UMPI?

[rachel83az]

TESU is right around $8-10k when you only take the minimum 120 credits to graduate. This is because of some of the more expensive accounting courses that you might need to take to get enough UL credit.

UMPI, on the other hand, is around $4-5k when you utilize Study.com and Sophia first. If you want 150 credits, that adds another session or two, for another $1400-2800. If you want as many RA graded credits as possible, so as to be able to move states in the future, UMPI can't really be beat.

[acethroughcollege]

TESU is right around $8-10k when you only take the minimum 120 credits to graduate. This is because of some of the more expensive accounting courses that you might need to take to get enough UL credit.

UMPI, on the other hand, is around $4-5k when you utilize Study.com and Sophia first. If you want 150 credits, that adds another session or two, for another $1400-2800. If you want as many RA graded credits as possible, so as to be able to move states in the future, UMPI can't really be beat.

Thats insane!!
What's the breakdown for the cost?

[rachel83az]

For UMPI, figure about $250 (or less) for Sophia. $250 for a month of Study.com to take Biology 101 with lab. $40 for InstantCert's Spanish. Then it's $1400 per session (about $700/month) for UMPI itself. If you bring in 90 ACE credits, it takes 2-3 sessions to get a bachelor's degree. If you want as many graded credits as possible, leave out most of Sophia and figure 4-6 sessions. Still way cheaper than most universities and definitely cheaper than TESU for the same amount of graded credits.

[thecontrarian]

I'm at TESU only because I got no other choice since <18. Would have done UMPI otherwise. Also think about which state you want to apply to. Dont restrict only to NJ. Some states have tougher ed (like 30 accounting credits) but their work experience requirements are lighter. One state I think doesn't even need you to report to a CPA, just a CPA signs off your work experience.

[ss20ts]

It depends on which state you live in and what the requirements are to become a licensed CPA. All states aren't fully accepting of ACE credits so that may be an issue. To enroll at UMPI, you also need to be a minimum of 20 years old.

[acethroughcollege]

I'm at TESU only because I got no other choice since <18. Would have done UMPI otherwise. Also think about which state you want to apply to. Dont restrict only to NJ. Some states have tougher ed (like 30 accounting credits) but their work experience requirements are lighter. One state I think doesn't even need you to report to a CPA, just a CPA signs off your work experience.

I just spoke to a lady at UMPI and "enrollment specialist" who knew nothing of the age requirement. 

Since I am going to be 20 in February, I might just do UMPI and in the mean time just do the study.com credits.

So you're only doing the 120 credit degree? Whats your plan for the other 30 credits required to gain licensure?

What do you do as a CPA who passed the test but is not licenced?

At UMPI looks like I need the GED(I was homeschooled) at TESU I dont need a GED if I am 20.

[Flelm]

You might have not been talking to someone who's familiar with UMPI's YourPace program. When we talk about UMPI here, that's what we mean, not the traditional program.

[freeloader]

Being licensed as a CPA lets you do a handful of very important things—sign/submit certain required financial filings, sign audits, and represent taxpayers in front of the IRS being 3 of the most important. At least in my state, there are also things that local governments have to do/file that have to be signed off on by a CPA, but that probably varies state-to-state.

Most accounting tasks—keeping books for a business, preparing most tax returns, preparing payroll, supervising accounts payable and receivable, doing internal analyses regarding things like profitability and costs—do not require that the person doing them be a licensed CPA. Most accountants in the US are not CPAs. Most federal and state auditors are also not required to be CPAs.

So, more or less you can do anything that doesn’t specifically require you to be a licensed CPA. If you go to work for an accounting firm, that could also include things like helping out with an audit or preparation of disclosures, while a licensed CPA actually signs the finished product.

[thecontrarian]

I'm at TESU only because I got no other choice since <18. Would have done UMPI otherwise. Also think about which state you want to apply to. Dont restrict only to NJ. Some states have tougher ed (like 30 accounting credits) but their work experience requirements are lighter. One state I think doesn't even need you to report to a CPA, just a CPA signs off your work experience.

I just spoke to a lady at UMPI and "enrollment specialist" who knew nothing of the age requirement. 

Since I am going to be 20 in February, I might just do UMPI and in the mean time just do the study.com credits.

So you're only doing the 120 credit degree? Whats your plan for the other 30 credits required to gain licensure?

What do you do as a CPA who passed the test but is not licenced?

At UMPI looks like I need the GED(I was homeschooled) at TESU I dont need a GED if I am 20.

The 30 extra credits to get licensed I'm gonna do while working. In NJ it's one year of work experience anyway, so I'm just gonna do it in parallel. e.g. a bunch of easy credit courses at CC, perhaps some stuff I'm interested in. On Reddit, there's lots of people who've documented hacks to get that extra 30 for free or almost free. Doesn't seem to be a big issue.

Loads of small/mid CPA groups hire grads. At the moment anyway. I plan to just grind it out one of these places for a year, get my license, and then move on. I might do a season with H&R block to get some PT experience in individual tax that will help ease me into the CPA work experience.

I got a lot of small biz CPA/accountant/EA's in my family. They've given up hiring because few were applying for their jobs before COVID. Now no one is. They say it's the same for most small firms. No one wants these jobs which are seen as a bit crappy.