Weighing Career Advancement: Should I Pursue CPA Certification?

As I navigate my career path, I’ve found myself at a crossroads that many professionals encounter: the decision to further my education for the sake of advancement. Here’s my current scenario.

At 28 years old, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA. My professional experience encompasses four years in business analytics at a health insurance firm, followed by two years as a Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) manager at a nonprofit healthcare organization. In my current role, I am responsible for overseeing financial planning with one direct report, supporting an organization that generates approximately $150 million in revenue and employs 600 staff members. In our corporate structure, I report to the Corporate Controller, who in turn reports to the CFO.

Recently, my controller hinted that the CFO plans to retire within the next three to four years. This opens up a significant opportunity: my controller is expected to be the top candidate for the CFO role, positioning me as a likely candidate for the controller position should this transition take place. However, I recognize that I would need to revisit some Accounting coursework to be adequately prepared for this potential leap.

Given this prospect, I’m contemplating whether returning to college to complete the remaining six classes necessary for CPA eligibility would be a wise investment of my time. While my passion lies in finance rather than Accounting, the thought of stepping into a controller role at the age of 31 is undeniably enticing, and I wonder if I should seize the opportunity to enhance my qualifications.

Should I pursue CPA certification and the additional coursework, or should I explore other avenues for growth within my current framework? It’s a question that warrants careful consideration, balancing passion, career ambitions, and the practicality of further education.

As I reflect on these choices, the insights of fellow professionals would be invaluable. What do you think? Is pursuing CPA certification a worthwhile endeavor for someone who is more inclined towards finance than Accounting?