Dat CPA Life
It is almost given that all MAcc students will be ~*aTteMPTing*~ to pass their CPA at some point in the upcoming year. While taking the exam is a given, the real decision is when you want to begin studying.
Depending on what state you want to sit in, you may or may not have the requirements to sit before you graduate. Most students who have the hours to sit are trying to get at least a couple done during the school year. Some eager beavers are even sitting in other states to begin taking the exam even if the state they will be practicing in doesn't let them sit yet.
Unfortunately, I am one of the students who has begun studying for the CPA. I figured it would be better to start now and have more time this summer before I actually start working. Balancing the normal amount of school work with the additional amount of studying for the CPA can be difficult, but it is definitely manageable.
One thing I would recommend if you are planning to sit is to start in the spring term. I loaded up on coursework in the autumn and specifically enrolled in fewer courses in the spring in order to balance my CPA studying. If you have an offer from a Big 4 firm, you will more than likely be using Becker to study, but there are plenty of other options if you have a different offer or if you are looking for a more financially friendly way to study.
I would say the biggest hurdle to CPA studying is actually ordering your books and starting to study. It's a big step to order the books, but an even bigger step to actually crack them open and begin to study. The MAcc program is not tailored to CPA studying but I know the information I have learned in the MAcc will help me a lot on the CPA, especially with Reg and FAR, with many topics being introduced and explained in the classroom. I am also happy I have begun to study while I am in school because I am already in the studying mindset! If I started this summer I would be used to break and would not be as motivated to get studying started and completed.
Overall, the CPA is manageable but it takes some dedication to consistently study and prep!