Is School Prestige Key for Public Accounting? A WGU Grad’s Dilemma

As I approach graduation with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western Governors University (WGU), I’m faced with an important decision: how best to attain the additional 150 credit hours needed to qualify for the CPA exam. While I’ve come across various discussions emphasizing that the prestige of a school may hold little weight once you have your CPA, I find myself wrestling with doubt and second-guessing this advice.

Currently, I’m weighing two distinct paths:

1. Continue with WGU for my master’s—This option is cost-effective and I’m already familiar with the program.
2. Transfer to a traditional state school or local university—This could offer the traditional academic experience that some say may be beneficial.

My apprehension stems from the pervasive stigma surrounding online education, particularly programs like WGU that utilize a competency-based approach with pass/fail grading and automatically assign a 3.0 GPA. I can’t help but wonder how this might influence my prospects when it comes to public Accounting firms or securing desirable entry-level roles.

I would greatly appreciate insights from those of you who have navigated the hiring landscape, whether as candidates or hiring managers:

• Do recruiters genuinely overlook the name of the institution once you hold a CPA?
• Are there success stories of individuals entering Big 4 or mid-tier firms with a degree from WGU?
• Is the additional financial investment and time commitment for a traditional master’s program justified?

While the prevailing viewpoint often suggests that having a CPA outweighs the name of the school, I can’t shake the concern that by remaining with WGU for my graduate studies, I may inadvertently restrict my future opportunities.

I would love to hear perspectives from anyone who has faced a similar crossroads or has insights into this matter. Thank you in advance for your contributions!