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Programmer with a CPA More marketable?

 
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Hey all,
Just started a new job, and one of the things that I discovered is that I can take classes part time for free. Looking at the requirements I realized that I could take the required courses for becoming a Certified Public Accountant. I was thinking that it would be pretty cool to become a CPA (something to fall back on during down times) and it may make me more marketable as an IT Professional. What do you guys think.
Jon
 
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I think it's an excellent idea! It will also give you an edge for most any financial software position.
--Mark
 
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What about SCJP+SCJD+SCJA+SCWD+SCBD+SCEA+IBMXML+IBMUML+IMBWAS+BEAWLS+OCP
+PHD in Physics+Over 10 years experience in software?
Is this still under qualified?
 
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Hi,
Market is conjested with CPAs. Almost every shopping area in town have one CPA firm, usually nearby Real Estate firm and etc.
Since you have the opportunity, try to take classes that lead to CFA. If you established your name as a reliable guy, just word-of-mouth alone could generate the traffic to your direction for evaluate people business health. Evaluation business cannot be outsource!
Regards,
MCao
[ January 26, 2004: Message edited by: Matt Cao ]
 
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I went the other route - I am a CPA who is really interested in technology and decided to get a programming certificate. This was a formal program that I started it in 2000 and finished December 2001 all the while looking for positions that used both skills (in a really tough market). I can tell you that there are interesting positions, but noone is quite sure how I fit into them. The most common role employers see me in is a QA role, business systems analyst, or project manager. Of course, it helps that I am in the NY area, surrounded by financial companies. I am not sure if I could get a position that is non-financial based.
It's interesting, the programmers ask me - why didn't you stick being a CPA - don't they work less hours and make more money? (No to both questions.)
Basically I did this because I was really interested. I figured that by adding skills the market would come to me. It didn't turn out quite as good as I expected, but I am challenged by the work I'm doing, and I had great fun learning these new concepts.
 
Matt Cao
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Hi,
Did you transferred to different career from in-house? It makes the world different.
Regards,
MCao
 
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Here in the UK you need to apply to a Chartered Accountancy firm to get a sort of apprenticeship before you are allowed to sit for any exams.
Business qualifications may be a pre-requisite if you'd like to do Analysis.A lot of engineers also end up doing Analysis.I've only met one CA at work and she taught a Business analysis course. She was about 50 years old with lots of experience with major accountancy firms.
[ January 27, 2004: Message edited by: HS Thomas ]
 
Matt Cao
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Hi HS,
Could you translate for me what's on earth Roseane Zhang saying? I read Chinese has larger butt than anybody else.
Regards,
MCao
 
Matt Cao
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Originally posted by Matt Bad:
What about SCJP+SCJD+SCJA+SCWD+SCBD+SCEA+IBMXML+IBMUML+IMBWAS+BEAWLS+OCP
+PHD in Physics+Over 10 years experience in software?
Is this still under qualified?


Hi,
I think you need to change your name according the site policy or use the phone book. Anyway, based on your alphabet cereal listing I see expensive to afford.
1. If you have PhD in Physics, I assume you are at the top of your discipline. Why did you need vendor cert?
2. If certs allowed you to switch careers from in-house, then why didn't you obtain MS/ME something related to core technical?
3. Did you publish any book/study integrated technologies into Physics?
4. Are you US Citizen? If yes, have you tried Defense companies for they still need multidisciplines scientist/analyst/engineer?
Regards,
MCao
 
HS Thomas
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Originally posted by Matt Cao:
Hi HS,
Could you translate for me what's on earth Roseane Zhang saying? I read Chinese has larger butt than anybody else.
Regards,
MCao


Huh ?
I think it was in reponse to a student in China asking whether they are expected to learn XML in Chinese.It's in RZ's FAQ in XML Certification.
Q. I am a Chinese in China, should I learn XML in Chinese or English?
A:
In English, please! Do not even try to translate them into Chinese unless absolute necessary. Why?
XML has only a little more than 5 years history.
Huge amount of new vocabulary comes out every day, even every hour.
....... If you want to get the certification, you have no choice but to improve your English as well as your knowledge on XML related technologies.
Good luck to everyone!
By the way, I do not think the moon in foreign country is rounder than the one in China. Just in case, you might have doubt on that.
 
Matt Cao
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Consider Paul's rocket mass heater.
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