MBA vs. CMA?

[gymgurl]

So I'm back for another job/school question.

After giving it more thought I know that teaching is most definitely not for me and I'm not sure social work would be right route either (those were what I was looking at before).

For the past 5 months I"ve been working as a freelance writer and while I am enjoying it the main site I've been working for seems to be slowing down and I don't really like the uncertainty of income from this or just how socially isolated I am I guess (mind you there are ways to over come that issue). I'll keep writing but it will be a hobby/passion rather than my career.

So after doing a lot of thought and research I think I'm either going to take the coursework necessary to get a CMA designation (management accounting) or maybe even if I do really well in the courses I have to take apply to an MBA program (I need to bring up my gpa for that route).

First, does anyone know anything about a CMA vs. CA (or in the states I believe it's CGA) comparison? From what I've read CA's mostly doing taxes and auditing whereas CMA's do more advising... I don't want to do taxes which is why i'm thinking of going the CMA route.

Furthermore, after reading different job profiles and posting, another career that would really interst me would be some type of brand or product management (or something in marketing). I'm thinking the best way to get into this field would be with an MBA right?

The issue I run into the most here is just that I live in a smaller city where there are not a lot of options in marketing, plus I really do not have much business experience to build upon. In an ideal world, I'd love to go to school/work in the states somewhere, perhaps NYC. Does anyone know how hard it is for Canadians to go there? I haven't looked into it that much... and is tuition crazy insane? Just from reading job boards there seems to be so much more opportunity there. (or even if I was to stay in Canada Toronto would be a better place to be).

Regardless of which route I choose I have to do 10 accounting courses either to work towards a CA, CMA or to bring up my GPA to apply for an MBA so that is what I'm going to start on now. It's just what comes after that where I'm a little concerned.

Anyway, if you managed to make it this far and had any thoughts/advice that would be great!

[politicaljunkie]

I don't know if your certifications are canadian only. But in the US, a CMA (certified management accountant) is mostly relevant for manufacturing work. It covers a lot of cost accounting, which is mainly relevant for manufacturing companies. In reality, since manufactuing is a dying industry in the west, the CMA is not that useful. I don't know what a CA is, but if it is like an american CPA (which covers audit, tax, and financial reporting/US GAAP) then definately go with that. In the US, CPAs are much more valuable than CMAs. This is because the CPA covers a much broader range of material. And while it is very broad, it is deep enough that you get a solid understanding of the areas. In the end, CPAs are in high demand among employers, and CMAs are not.

[cheshrcarol]

Furthermore, after reading different job profiles and posting, another career that would really interst me would be some type of brand or product management (or something in marketing). I'm thinking the best way to get into this field would be with an MBA right?Marketing is extremely competitive, and while the most jobs will probably be in NYC, or maybe Chicago, it's still a tough market. It also is not a field that pays a huge amount, or requires an mba. If you pay out of pocket for an mba and try to live in NYC, I doubt you will make enough money to justify your rent and student loans.

[crystal_dance]

So I'm back for another job/school question.

After giving it more thought I know that teaching is most definitely not for me and I'm not sure social work would be right route either (those were what I was looking at before).

For the past 5 months I"ve been working as a freelance writer and while I am enjoying it the main site I've been working for seems to be slowing down and I don't really like the uncertainty of income from this or just how socially isolated I am I guess (mind you there are ways to over come that issue). I'll keep writing but it will be a hobby/passion rather than my career.

So after doing a lot of thought and research I think I'm either going to take the coursework necessary to get a CMA designation (management accounting) or maybe even if I do really well in the courses I have to take apply to an MBA program (I need to bring up my gpa for that route).

First, does anyone know anything about a CMA vs. CA (or in the states I believe it's CGA) comparison? From what I've read CA's mostly doing taxes and auditing whereas CMA's do more advising... I don't want to do taxes which is why i'm thinking of going the CMA route.

Furthermore, after reading different job profiles and posting, another career that would really interst me would be some type of brand or product management (or something in marketing). I'm thinking the best way to get into this field would be with an MBA right?

The issue I run into the most here is just that I live in a smaller city where there are not a lot of options in marketing, plus I really do not have much business experience to build upon. In an ideal world, I'd love to go to school/work in the states somewhere, perhaps NYC. Does anyone know how hard it is for Canadians to go there? I haven't looked into it that much... and is tuition crazy insane? Just from reading job boards there seems to be so much more opportunity there. (or even if I was to stay in Canada Toronto would be a better place to be).

Regardless of which route I choose I have to do 10 accounting courses either to work towards a CA, CMA or to bring up my GPA to apply for an MBA so that is what I'm going to start on now. It's just what comes after that where I'm a little concerned.

Anyway, if you managed to make it this far and had any thoughts/advice that would be great!

Hi gymgurl, I'm Canadian and I live in NYC now. I moved here last year from Vancouver for grad school + work. It's funny how a little more than a year ago, I was considering many of the same options you are now.

I'm involved in product development and management now, and I can tell you from my experience that while it may seem that getting a cma/cga/ca might be the easier thing to do vs the mba due to the whole low gpa problem (I had a low undergrad gpa too despite graduating from UBC), i'd say stick it out and get the mba. Getting a management accounting certification or any accounting certification isn't going to really help you if you eventually want to get into something non accounting related. Plus, an mba just has more value than an accounting designation, albeit Canada or the US. Take some extra classes and build your gpa. Get some work ex and volunteer work while you're at it. Good luck and if you have any q's ask me!

[meatwad]

The Militant Black Awards are WAY more interesting than the Country Mu....oh shit. I did it again didn't I. Must read whole thread before replying.

[gymgurl]

Thanks for your replies! I've heard from a few people now that CA (and yah, same thing as CPA I believe in the states) is a better way to go. The more and more I think about it though I'm realizing accounting is just not for me. My parents want me to do it because it's good money but my true passion is in the communications/writing field.

So I'm thinking about pursuing a BA in communications instead. My biggest challenge though I think will be trying to get some experience in the industry as many job postings in the PR field want at least 2 years. With journalism I could probably approach some local newspapers and see if I could maybe do some freelance work with them which is kind of along the lines of what I'm doing now. I'm still kind of debating if I want more journalism or PR type stuff but it'd be good to be getting some kind of applicable experience.

I was thinking about maybe contacting some of the people posting jobs on a local PR site and seeing if maybe I could volunteer. Do you think this would be a good idea?